NB

     

 

If society is a damsel in distress, then volunteers are superheroes who are on call 24 hours a day. Why? Because it is rewarding in so many different ways! If you are wondering whether it’s worth the time then keep reading to find some of the benefits volunteering can offer you.

1. We develop new skills.

Through our work as volunteers we develop soft skills such as adaptability and problem solving, as well as hard skills such as proficiency in a foreign language and networking. Both sets of skills boost our employability and make us competitive in the labour market.

2. We travel.

Thanks to our activities, we can travel all across Europe, discover new places and meet new people. As much as travelling is a fun experience in itself, it also allows us to develop a sense of wonder, foster new values, and helps us realise what it truly means to identify yourself as a European citizen.

3. We learn informally.

Volunteering serves as a reflection of who you are―it shows that you have been active during your student years, that you took initiative, and that you performed in high, decision-making positions which helped you foster entrepreneurial and leadership skills. That is enough to set you apart from other candidates.

4. We work on improving ourselves.

Social interaction is a key component of life. Volunteering makes you open your door to strangers who soon become your family. It pushes you out of your shell and motivates you to work on improving yourself. Soon enough, you become a master of social and communication skills, and presenting yourself to new people brings you joy, not sweaty palms.

5. We learn languages.

Volunteering in an international environment does wonders for your language skills. It helps you improve the language you already know, practise speaking a language you have only started learning or get you into learning one you never thought about before. Plus, it looks amazing on your CV!

 

6. We celebrate differences.

For a continent with as rich a history as Europe, it is important to get a better understanding of other cultures, something we as volunteers have first-hand access to. Understanding leads to respect and respect leads to knowledge. Learning and participating in other people’s traditions, exploring their cuisines and discovering their differences is not only fun, but also rewarding.

 

7. We make friends.

The amount of people you meet through volunteering is one of its greatest advantages―you make a network so big, making sure you always have someone to turn to. We do not only meet potential employees, we make friends all over Europe which means that as volunteers we can offer you any piece of information you might need.

8. We inspire.

Volunteering can be a stepping stone for you. It is a source of motivation and inspiration—through various volunteering activities you can discover your career path.

9. We help people.

Volunteering is like asking yourself “Would you still do your job, even if you did not get paid for it?” Volunteers are people who are willing to invest their free time into helping others not because they have to do it, but because they want to do it. No matter what you are doing—helping international students find their place in a new surrounding or helping your local community—you matter. And is there a better way to end your day other than hearing a warm thank you?

10. We make a difference.

Interacting with people from other cultures can make you more open-minded, tolerant, and understanding. Volunteering can change your point-of-view, educate you and help you break stereotypes. You find yourself in situations you never thought you would be in, doing things you never thought you would be doing. You acquire knowledge and skills that can become your lifeline. Volunteering opens a whole new window of possibilities and experiences. You stop wanting to become better than other people and you start wanting to outgrow yourself. You become your own superhero.

Do you want to join our squad?

 

Written by Tajana Mohnacki

All ESN Lithuania this weekend met for the last time before well-deserved summer holidays. Meeting has united 13 HEIs of the country, representatives of Lithuanian NA together with guests from Vilnius Design College applying for the position of a candidate section. For the first time members of the organization were welcomed in Kaunas city municipality what made 20th National Platform even more special.

Three cadences she is the one and only Communication Manager of ESN Lithuania. Sometimes it looks like she is online 24/7. Even at her Erasmus period when she was living in Croatia, she managed to keep in contact and update ESN Lithuania with freshly news. Always friendly, positive, creative and open-minded for new ideas - Sandra Baltkojytė is the perfect example how PR Officer should look like. But what does it take for her to keep ESN Lithuania always informed and connected? 

Olė Sandra! How are you? It’s a pleasure to have an interview with you.

Olė Audre! I am really great, adding the last pieces of my final thesis and looking forward when the time will come for me to move forward with ESN again. And it feels so weird to fill in the opposite lines of the interview than I am used to, so it’s a great pleasure for me too!

So, you are third year in the Communication Manager position of ESN Lithuania. Is it still exiting?

So I am and actually I’m already afraid that with every day people are more and more willing for [Sandra Baltkojyte] changes in my position. Like 3 years already and for me it feels like one mostly, but when I start thinking about all I’ve gone through it could be measured even by 5 years or so. But I’m afraid to confess that things I’m doing probably are no more exciting. It’s even better! These days I’m finally enjoying confidence in my position. After all I finally understand what I am doing, what has to be done and how things are working in general. But new elections are coming, that’s what is exciting!

 

Let’s go back with time machine to the first months after you were elected in 2011. Was it hard? What was the biggest challenge for you? 

Oh my…at the time I was only in my 2nd year of university and 2nd semester in ESN. And I think at that time, nearly after I’ve got elected I was delegated to go to my first ever international event without knowing pretty much anything. Representing well was the first challenge. But then many more came afterwards. We didn’t have any descriptions, guides how to work, so I had to find out everything myself. This was involving investigation and I had lots of fun, but what was really hard – try not to disappoint sections who believed in this newcomer and showed that during my first and the last voting. Even now I’m not sure if I have succeeded. 

I think, everybody would agree that you put a lot of effort to the communication of ESN Lithuania that it would look like it does now. But what personal features it requires from you? 

Oh, you’re so nice! Well I wouldn’t say it requires something exceptional. Being friendly, ready to listen and to hear are very useful. But I wouldn’t describe those as requirements, for me it comes naturally. Most probably it is patience I’m required to have. Sometimes even more than I would have ever imagined.

All this three years you work with different NB members. Do you enjoy the time working together? 

Of course! I have found friends here, what can be more enjoyable? Three cadencies with nearly twenty different people gave me lots of professional experience too. All of them were strong personalities with different mind sets and year to year we all had to collaborate to give the best for ESN Lithuania. It’s the best team work example I could ever live through in my volunteering career. Tough days taught me a lot, best days made colleagues to become friends. 

How do you manage always be so positive and pure in everything you do? 

It’s because of the people like you, words like this I’m gifted after all those hours near my laptop writing, editing, creating. One conversation, chat or even few words can light me up for days. 

What are the three things of your work as ESN LT PR, you are most proud of?

1. Finally established and actively working our national committee for communication (keep doing amazing job, PuRe people!); 2. That our publications in visual and written forms are read, noticed and positively evaluated in international ESN level; 3. And that we have moved so far further during those 3 years in general. Details like having national .doc template, photos in articles or ESN Lithuania’s Facebook page – things which didn’t exist at the time I’ve started.

What could you say to all current and future sections PRs? Maybe you can share some tips or short inspiring story?

 Love ESN a lot. At least for that one year you’ve taken the responsibility to prove the world that it’s worth loving. Don’t hide behind your position, position has to stay behind you and the results of your work. Have fun, realize projects you’ve always wanted to. It’s the best time to learn, make contacts and develop some hard skills. 

 As for the story. On my exchange there were 11 Lithuanians, who knew nothing about ESN at that time. Due to the great work of ESN Zagreb now one is the leader of PR of one of the most active sections of Lithuania. I find it as an awesome example!

 New NB elections coming very soon. What would you suggest to new National Board members? In what areas they should put most of the effort to make ESN Lithuania even stronger organization than it is now?

 Tricky question! Anyway, always seek for cooperation and dialogue. Try not to mix personal attitudes with your professional work. Do not forget that now you represent an ESN, but still a country, so be wise, act wisely. And about improvement…just catch up with what was done and try to move it all at least a bit further. And always take care of your members, happy and determined to act people is what makes us strong.

How do you see yourself in five years? Do you think that this experiences you get being in the NB position for so long will be useful in life, maybe finding a job?

 Well at least I hope so. Maybe not the entries in my CV, but skills developed will definitely be useful. In 5 years I will be somewhere, doing something, having ESN only in memories, but still keeping in touch with friends from that amazing period of my life.  

 

Anything else you would like to share with the network?

If you read it to here – I’m really proud of you! 

by Audrė Chudinskaitė, Proud member of the PuRe Committee, [email protected]

Already two years in the position, which requires deep knowledge of ESN Lithuania, best features of it or simply how to make them look so. Always having an answer and knowing how to convince you to get whatever he needs. Simas Ivanauskas is the first and so far the only Partnership Manager of ESN Lithuania, who is pushing the organization forward by the amount of new partnerships and their support he has acquired recently. Let’s talk with him to see what it means to be in the position, which is an essential part of the National Board and entire ESN Lithuania.

Hello Simas! It‘s your second year in the National Position as a Partnership Manager. How is it going?

Perfect as always. As some of you may know that when I was in this position for the first time as well... when I could say I was just warming up my feets. Now everything is much better. I have acquired some experience and now I know how to do this job and what to do here.

Tell us more about your ESN journey. How did you get to know about ESN? How did you become a part of LT NB?

Some time ago I used to be very lazy. I don’t say that I am not lazy at the moment but I am trying to cope with that. So story begins in one of my sunny lazy spring mornings. One my neighbor from dormitory (former ESN’er) comes to my room and says: Simas, you have to go to ESN. Of course I didn’t apply for the mentor position. I missed the deadline. When there was another selection he came to me one more time and told me to register for mentors’ program. The journey began in my home section ESN VGTU. After that Simona (our NR) pushed me to apply for ESN VGTU board. After that she made me to apply for the national board position. And now I am here. Of course it is just a short version of everything that happened within this period. There were much more adventures.

What are the biggest challenges in your position?

There are lots of them. I think that if you are doing something then you will face challenges all the time. Maybe the biggest challenge is communicating with other people. You have to grasp them and sometimes it is quite difficult. Sometimes you can hear from them negative opinions about yourself but you have to “install a firewall” into yourself and just ignore all those negative words or emotions.

Which personal features are necessary for being partnership manager?

For me most important is to be confident (sometimes even opinionated), polite, honest and to have the sense of humor. If you have these characteristics then you are prepared for this position. Of course there are different people who are using different techniques so the characteristics may differ.

How does the process of making the partnership look like?

It is a secret. Just kidding. It depends. Sometimes you are communicating only in virtual reality, sometimes by phone, sometimes just in real life and all these processes need long description and I wouldn’t like to tell everything here. If you want to know more just come to my trainings. More information is coming soon!

What partnership you are mostly proud of?

What a question. All of them! It is the same as to ask parents which of their kids they love the most. Of course there are some bigger companies who can help you more and there are some smaller who wants to work with you but they don’t have opportunities. You feel better when you raise bigger amount of support but I can’t exclude the only one.

How do you keep up your motivation?

Legend of ESN? But it is far too early to call her legend even though she deserves name like that. Simply because of the love for ESN she spreads around and of course all the rest million things she has done for it here, in Lithuania. I am more than happy to present you our former National Representative, person, who has convinced tens of people to reach for more in ESN (thanks for it!) and one of the most passionate ESNers I have ever met – Orinta Movsesjan.

HellooOoo, Orinta! ESN is calling. Do you still remember us time to time?

Definitely, yes! ESN is something you can’t forget so easily, it leaves a mark for a lifetime!

Where are you today? And did ESN help you to reach this point?

Today again I am on the first year, as I started my MA studies. I am also working at VMU International Office. Since the very beginning of establishment of ESN VMU we were all the time cooperating and keeping close relationship. After 3 years of working hand to hand on various social, cultural, academic activities for International students, I received an invitation to join the team and become part of university’s administration.

So tell us the story of your ESN career.

I joined one of ESN sections at Vytautas Magnus University on the first year of my studies. Even thought I had been part of plenty youth organizations, ESN was something new, something different, something special. I still remember my first National platform more than 3 years ago. It motivated me to reach higher and go further (will steal the slogan and the main idea of Social Erasmus project, as it perfectly describes my feelings after visiting Mentor’s Days in Trakai in 2010!). After that I became more than sure that ESN is the organization I want to be a part of and that I want to become a member of a National Board. National Representative was the position I dreamt about, so I decided to participate in the next elections. There were still a lot of things I did not know about ESN but I was ready to learn, so after the summer I submitted my application, run for my favorite position and was elected. And then the journey begun… I participated in international meetings of ESN (CNRs, CND, AGM), became a part of chairing team of pre-AGM CNR Budapest, coordinator of project “Ride for your rights”, learned a lot about ESN as an organization, gained loads of new skills. It was the best year of my studies. After my cadence was over, I came back to my section, wanted to implement all the new ideas, help the current section board and make it as amazing as it could be. At the same time I did not want to lose the connection with ESN International that is why I joined the chairing team of CEP Cracow in 2011. Even now, I am trying to keep a close relationship with my section, share my experiences, participate in the events and help whenever it is necessary. I am in ESN for more than four years now and it still doesn’t seem I am ready to let it go!

What does it mean to be National Representative?

This position is a combination of loads of responsibilities, fun time, new experiences, and new people. NR basically represents national opinion of a country’ on various topics, he or she is a “bridge” between national and international levels of ESN. Being a National Representative (at least 2 years ago) meant you had to:
-    read and answer from 15 to 50 emails a day;
-    follow the situation on all three (local, national and international) levels; 
-    participate in International meetings every couple of months (sometimes even more often) in different parts of Europe;
-    know how to express your opinion in a constructive way;
-    love what you are doing;
-    … and much more.
It’s hard to explain, but I know that being a National Representative for me was one of the greatest experiences.

How much has ESN Lithuania changed compared to the one you were used to work in?

In couple of years this organization has improved a lot of things. It was officially established according to the Lithuanian law, it expanded and accepted even more sections, even more and more ESNers are getting involved in to activities on the national and International levels, we got our first star award… There are even more things which were improved, thanks to the dedicated and motivated members of the National Board and local sections. And I believe this is just the beginning!

Which values of the organization you find the most attractive?

I like principle “students helping students” the most. It is amazing how much can students do, how much they can help the other, and how much they can achieve on voluntary basis.

What was the hardest for you during all these years in ESN? 

To decide that it’s the time to quit and move on! Once an ESNer, always ESNer! Have never thought it is going to be so hard to say goodbye for an organization.

What was your motivation to keep going?

The greatest motivation was and still is people, the feeling of being a part of ESN family. It’s always nice to see smiling faces of International students after each event, project, initiative, and happiness of ESNers after each achievement, no matter how small or how big it is. 
ESNers, International students) and the feeling that you are doing something, which has a big value for other people.

Which ESNish moment you cherish the most, the one you could share with us?

My first National Platform as it helped me to understand how much ESN can suggest as an organization and how much potential it has; the National Platform during which I was elected as a National Representative, as it was the beginning of something new and unexperienced; all the International meetings, as each of it was a huge opportunity to learn new things, gain new skills, meet new people; and many many more! 
 
Anything more to share with the network? 

Once you get in ESN:
-    don’t stop in one place reach for more and for better, 
-    try to do things as good as you can, 
-    don’t stop, always reach for your goals, 
-    take as much as you can from being part of this amazing organization and don’t wait till someone will push you, show the initiative yourself, 
-    if you don’t know something don’t be afraid, it’s never too late to learn and you are not alone, there are plenty of people who can help you,
-    love this organization as much as you can! 
 
Thank you very much, Orinta, and wish you never stop feeling ESN in your hearth!

About SocialErasmus Coordinators Meeting in few minutes together with SocialErasmus Lithuania coordinator OnutėBumbulytė!

What? 
SECM –  SocialErasmus Coordinators Meeting. This time National and Local SocialErasmus coordinators decided to meet in Prague, Czech Republic.

When?
Me as a National SocialErasmus Coordinator and Agnė Babelytė as a Local Coordinator departed from Lithuania on 24th of October. SECM started on 25th of October. This meeting lasted for 4 days, till 28th of October. So, we had the most interesting all four days to discuss about SocialErasmus, share our experiences, solve the biggest problems. 
 
What SECM is for?
SECM  is for all Local and National SocialErasmus coordinators. All SE coordinators from  entire Europe and every single section of ESN are invited. This is a great opportunity to understand the concept of SocialErasmus better, think about responsibilities of SE coordinators for once more. During this meeting you can share your experiences, cover both - positive and negative - sides of it. Also it’s a great meeting for problems solving, searching for solutions together. Sharing ideas is a proper way to be more social, to organise more activities, implement something new in your country, just to be inspired by other coordinators and then realise something you have only been dreaming about. 

What was decided?
During SECM we were speaking about many things. We were trying to figure out, what should the national team look like in the future, what should we do to motivate coordinators and students to contribute in our social activities. We decided that all, National and Local SocialErasmus coordinators, have to register social activities in SE website. If we will cooperate on that, it will be easier for Europe to see what each country is doing and that all together we are doing a lot. This is the best way to share material and let the Europe to know about us. 
 
What is the most important thing you have learned about SocialErasmus there?
SocialErasmus in not only going to schools as you might think. It’s much more. It’s help for old people to go out from the room, speak with them or even clean forest together. After this meeting SocialErasmus is something more for me. It is all activities which can be useful for society, all things which changes things in a good way. SocialErasmus – being social, feeling better.

What new have you learned?
After this meeting I came back home full of ideas, what I should be changed to make SocialErasmus in Lithuania even better. If you want to change something – just do it, don’t sit in one place and just speak about it.

Did you enjoy being there? 
Yes, a lot. It was great opportunity to meet new people, hear, what others are doing, understand, what should I actually do. For this opportunity to go there I’m saying thanks for my university, International Relations department at Šiauliai university.
 
Anything more to share?
Reach higher! Go further! Go social!
 
Thank you, Onute, very much for the ideas shared and wish you to have a fruitful cadency!

Little of present members of ESN Lithuania could remember National Platform without Vytenis Danyla. In the beginning – respectful Board member of the first Lithuanian ESN section – ESN Vilnius University, later recognized as organizer of many international and national projects, Responsible Party ambassador, who finally became Alumni and participated in NPs as a Chair for more than once. So it was not a big surprise for anyone when applications for the new Board were announced with Vytenis applying for the main position. Few weeks afterwards we can already call him Mr. President. About reasons, prospects, friends and hopes: interview with the newly elected ESN Lithuania President Vytenis Danyla.

Hello, Vytenis! Tell us, how does it feel those first weeks in the position?

Hi! First of all, my application for the position was a bit of surprise for majority of members, so don't lie :) Well first weeks were really busy. As you know, I also have some duties out of ESN, so basically my life consists of three things – work, ESN and sleep. Actually after the election the first thing I’ve thought about was „What have I done?“. This mind still comes time to time, but I'm happy that I've got really strong team and I believe that we will do more than anyone expects. First week after becoming president was really tough. I was happy and sad, determined and disappointed, hopeful and desperate. And all of these feelings came at the same time. Now, after some help from others ESN'ers I really feel great, I do believe in myself and in the bright future together with whole ESN Lithuania.

What have you already done as the President of the network in Lithuania?

Well… Almost nothing :) Sent two delegations to international events (NBM and CEP), participated in ESN Vilnius University board meeting, had a few meetings with the president of ESN Vilnius University Darija, had lunch with ESN Lithuania NR Simona and former HR coordinator Vydūnas, had a meeting with ESN VGTU president Kamilė and had dinner with ESN MRU Vilnius HR coordinator Laura. Of course not to mention constant meetings with former ESN Lithuania president Gintarė. And now I'm answering your questions :)

Let’s talk about dreams. If you would have enough money, time and power, what would be 3 things you would realize within ESN Lithunia?

First thing would be Eurotrip around the Europe with ESN Lithuania members while visiting as much ESN sections as possible (the route is already planned, hopefully it will come true some day). Second is creating a movie about ESN Lithuania and ESN international (probably during this trip). And third... I have never thought about that more. So far had only those two dreams.

And what are the plans for our future with the resources we have? 

Plans are huge. Not sure if they are going to become true. Summer Camp 2014 in Lithuania with ESN members from the whole Europe. Unity of all ESN Lithuania sections. Publicity, so that as much people as possible would know ESN in Lithuania. And of course one very important question: AGM???

Are you happy with your colleagues in the National Board? What are your prospects towards them for this term?

No, they are terrible! Just kidding, I'm very happy to have a team like this, they are real professionals in their fields and I hope that we will make a great team. Unfortunately a lot of them are in their in-term positions till the next NP, but I hope that together we can do a lot more than anyone expects. They are awesome!

How much in your opinion ESN LT has changed during 3 recent years after National Board was established?

Actually it has changed a lot. It's structure, status, policy towards sections and members. However I believe that all of the changes help to move forward. I can see a lot of motivated members in sections. As the organization is growing I believe that members of it are the strongest than they have ever been. The only thing left to do is to make them one family and then no one would be able to stop us :)

What has changed that after all these years in ESN and already being a part of Alumni network you have decided to apply for the head position of the NB? 

Nothing, except that now I believe that I'm ready to be in this position. There was a lot of pressure for me to apply for president position two years ago, the same story repeated last year. However I didn't believe that I was ready for that. It's a long story full of coincidences how I've decided to apply for president position this year. But the main thing is believing being ready to do that. ESN gave me a lot, now it's time to give something back.

What gives you motivation to work for ESN for so many years?

First of all, for me ESN is motivation itself. As I already mentioned, ESN gave me a lot. That's how it got inside my blood and heart. It is the biggest source of motivation for me.

Do you still remember your first year in ESN? How did it look like? 

First year wasn't really special. I was just a mentor in ESN Vilnius University section. After the first semester of mentoring exchange students, there were people convincing me to go to the board of my section. However, I've refused and stayed as a mentor for one more semester. Of course my first year was full of various events, friends, exchange students... It was one big party. After that I've decided to join our local board and that's how my first year ended.

From local to international level during more than few years. Are you looking forward to your first international experience as representative of ESN LT? 

I guess it will be 4 years this December. Well I had my first international experience already. It was Summer Camp'11 that took place here, in Lithuania. But of course I'm really excited and can't wait for my first experience as official representative of ESN Lithuania. Luckily it's not so long to wait until CND.

Anything else you would like to share with the network?

ESN is the best thing that happened in my life so far and I'm very happy that you all are a part of this. Becoming the President is a small step, but it can change a lot and hopefully it will do so :)
 
Thank you very much, Vyteni! Keep the motivation up and go for those two dreams!

If National Platform one day would decide to limit National Board to one person it would be this position remaining. Position taken by the same lady two years in a row. She has seen, done and experience a lot during these years – from the presentation of her candidacy online to becoming the president of ESN Lithuania, reviving ties with Education Exchanges Support Foundation, organizing Mentors’ Days 2012 and establishing ESN in Lithuania as an official organization. What does it take for Gintarė Vaiginytė to keep organization moving and what does it mean to be responsible for the great part of that? Let’s hear Gintarė answering to all of these questions.

ESN LT Alumni months ago has presented an initiative under the name success story. 1st  of it was told by present ESN LT Alumni Head Coordinator Julius Zaburas. Today is time to listen to another important person in ESN Lithuania's history. Let us to present you - Giedrė Gelšvartaitė, former president of ESN Lithuania, Head OC of the international Summer Camp'11 and much more. So here you go: her success story.

“You are one of 6 milliard people in the world, you won’t become successful by accident”, don’t remember who told me that, but it made me clear - I have to do something.

So it started back in 2008, I decided to go to Erasmus program. All my life I was very excited about traveling and exploring, the word INTERNATIONAL sound magical for me and I knew there are much more in it than just the meaning of different countries.

That time I chose Italy and of course I was very happy because of that, I got to know and experience one of the greatest ESN sections - ESN Padova, they were really hard working team, a great example and a perfect place to get to know Erasmus spirit from all sides.

All my life I had this crazy feeling that I need to do more, that somebody needs me and I need to be useful otherwise it is not interesting to live, but I never knew how and what to do. And there in Italy I finally realized the meaning of the word – Volunteer.  So when I came back I knew I had to do something here, we already had ESN started in 2 cities – Vilnius and Siauliai and something like this going on in Kaunas. From the first day I knew I have to join them and help them create something amazing.

I met some really wonderful people who were thinking the same, that moment I knew these people are the group who is going to do a very good job here and I have to be a part of them.

I remember our first official ESN meeting, we all gathered together for a coffee drink and one girl of us, was just back from the meeting in the international office, so she brought us news: “guys we need to elect the president”. The first election, it went fast and was so funny, someone just said: “does everyone agree that our president will be Giedre”, and everyone said YES, rose their cups, congratulated me and we continued the evening. It was easy for them, but for me I knew that I just got a great responsibility, I have a perfect team, we have got to do something here.

I was really proud of our team and our work. I can honestly say we did a good job. For me the basic thing for first year was to build a big team, I concentrated on motivation seminars, team building, and making the national group stronger and bigger.

After one year we already had much more sections in Lithuania, international level got to know us and we did projects that really rocked it.

After one year I went to international level, don’t get suspicious, this time I was elected with all the rules. And here I was also very successful because once again a got a good and strong team. The most interesting part for me in ESN was always the national level, because the people I met here were always able to do something special, we were small and we wanted to get big, so this is what we were working for.

Not even we managed to raise the quality, become strong, but also to organize some international events, which was also complimented by other countries.

So now I am retired, in ESN words I joined the alumni team, I knew that these years for me were enough because I know that I left ESN in a great hands, we all are different and we all have different understanding of the actions that should be taken, but we all have the same dream and the same goals.

This entire success story wasn’t just me, it was the team that I had, those people who did something incredible, and they still keep doing this, I am very proud of all of them, including myself.

One very smart person once told me: “if you see that you won’t reach your dream, don’t change the dream change the actions you make”. I think this is what we were doing, we had same dream but different actions in our minds, putting them all together and sharing them helped us get closer to the dream.

I was very successful and I still am, and these 3 letters ESN that changed my life, wasn’t just the place to do something it was a place of strong motivated hard working and creative people that taught me a lot of things, that helped me be successful and showed me what can be done while working together.

Always believe in others, no one ever did big things alone, help the others and they will help you reach your dreams, chose the right actions.

written by ESN LT Alumni Club

Annual General Meeting of ESN was just officially closed. While AGM Granada OC is still working on post-CNR delegations are slowly coming back home after one week of intense work, various decision making, researches of new partners and many other things. Yesterday the last part of Lithuanian has landed so finally we are all at home and now it is time to share skills we gained, things we experienced and news we were happy to get to know.

Officially AGM was opened at 22nd of March. It was the day then finally all Lithuanian delegation came together. Pink cloud or the so called bubble gum’s color was easily noticeable from everywhere. 10 girls (Ieva Vezbergaitė, ESN LT NR; Sandra Baltkojytė, ESN LT PR/ESN ISM; Simona Patašiūtė, ESN VGTU; Justina Krauledaitė, ESN KTU; Giedrė Gelšvartaitė, ESN KTU/ESN KuK; Kamilė Urbonavičiūtė, ESN KK; Brigita Tumakovaitė, ESN VU; Rusnė Malakauskaitė, ESN VMU; Toma Rimkevičiūtė, ESN ŠU and Viktorija Gurčinatė, ESN MRU Vilnius) represented Lithuania. This time delegation was dressed by personal clothes specially designed for AGM Granada’12 by Simona Patašiūtė (ESN VGTU President). This has helped our delegation to be seen every time and everywhere.

The opening day started then delegations met each other at registration, which was established at Hotel Nazaries***** lobby, the same hotel where our delegation has spent all those 4 nights and 5 days, everyone was invited to a city tour, which was guided by ESN volunteers and took only few hours that there would be enough time to prepare for the opening ceremony. Opening ceremony took place in a luxurious Theatre Isabel La Catolica, where about 400 people were welcomed in AGM Granada right after 10 years after the last AGM in Spain (AGM Lugo 2002). Warm words from IB by Tania, people from AGM OC and Spain education system delegates, videos dedicated to 25th anniversary of Erasmus program and a performance of the local music band playing with traditional instruments invited everyone to enjoy every moment being in Granada. After that participants were invited to have a dinner and later to continue the first day of AGM with Flag parade through the streets of beautiful Granada. From Hotel Nazaries to El Camborio with highly international atmosphere, but always with the colors of yellow, green and red, Lithuanian songs, flags and good mood we were happy to be a part of ESN. We were proud to be able to represent Lithuania – country, which might be a small one in Europe, but not in ESN, where our works are appreciated as other days have shown. So the first day finished in welcome party at El Camborio in front of shinning Alhambra’s castle – 8th miracle of the world. During the first day we have seen lots of things, but there were 3 more days to go.

Friday has invited to an info market, where our delegation has represented 6 different our universities offering a wide range programs of studies. Usually Lithuanian table welcomed people who were really interested in technical sciences more than social ones. Without offering opportunity to better get to know various universities of the Europe, AGM Informaket has invited to see the presentation of new ESN partner – NewYorker, which was offering opportunities to join their team, to use opportunities of internship and just simply discuss about the future perspectives of NewYorker and ESN. At the same time workshops were organized, where we better got to know techniques of decision making, future of Erasmus with Erasmus for All, to listen experiences of Alumnis or try to improve your visual design skills during an hour. After the dinner in the yard of the faculty of Sciences everyone gathered together for the first plenary session at this AGM, where the most exciting part was presentations of candidates to International Board. 3 potential presidents, 3 vice presidents, 3 communication managers, 2 web project administrators and 1 treasurer gave up their future vision of ESN. For more info about presentations contact us. After plenary who took far more than expected time for Eurodinner was coming. Here Lithuania presented their cuisine with white and other kinds of cheeses, candies as Fortūna and Miglė, our traditional TINGINYS. Some meat was provided as well just in usually unexpected forms for our international guests when they got to know that the thing they have just tasted is ear of pig or stomach of chicken. Some Lithuanian drinks were provided as well. That’s how already half of the AGM had passed away.

24th March, Saturday was full of serious information, presentations of the candidates for future international events. Candidacy for AGM 2013 was proposed by 3 different cities: Maribor in SLOVEnia, Vienna in Austria and Milan in Italy. CND 2012 had 3 options as well with candidacies of ESN Maleventum (Italy), ESN Orebro (Sweden) and ESN Valnecia UPV (Spain). ESN TU-Graz and ESN UNI-Graz (Graz, Austia) suggested organizing CEP 2012. At the same day results of previous Board was also presented, decisions about statutes and standing orders and much more. During all day spent under the roof in plenary session we have finally managed to accept some changes in statutes and to work out problems with voting devices that on Sunday the process of IB election would be fluent. This day ended not only with show of horses but also with a Spanish dinner where participants got opportunity to try out Spanish cuisine.

The last and the most important day of the AGM, 25th March, invited to listen about partners of ESN, reports about previous international events and finances we are disposing. Together with that presentation of ESN Alumni has happened as well when ESN Alumni project was elected. It was Erasmus Student Network Politechnika Warszawska (ESN PW / WUT) which got the award and since now they will have even better opportunities to improve their ideas. Without that participants heard about results of project Ride for your Rights, EduK8, ESN Survey, together with plans about future of ESN Card and all ESN, some ideas about corporate identity usage, but the most important part was voting this time. So there and then we have elected not what other soon countries will be filled up with ESN spirit, but also who will lead ESN in the future.

IB:

President - Emanuel Alfranseder (ESN Sweden);
Vice-president - Katharina Ma (ESN Austria);
Treasurer - Mario Alarcon (ESN Spain);
Communication Manager - Juan Colino (ESN Spain);
WPA - Fabian Bircher (ESN Switzerland).

International events for 2012/2013:

• AGM 2013 – ESN Maribor, ESN Slovenia.
• CND 2012 – ESN Örebro, ESN Sweden.
• CEP 2012 – Graz (ESN TU-Graz & ESN UNI-Graz), ESN Austria.
• NEP 2012 – Tallinn, ESN Estonia.
• SEEP 2012 – ESN Athens AUEB, ESN Greece.
• SWEP 2012 – Madrid, ESN Spain.
• WEP 2012 – was not elected.

Elections were over and the only thing what was left was beautiful Gala dinner, which took place in the restaurant of Hotel Nazaries*****. It was the time of beauty, suites and dresses and international ESN STAR awards as well. Best of the bests were announced and the results were amazingly shocking for ESN Lithuania which got an award for the STARproject (Cultural Nights by ESN VMU)!!! Other winners were:

ESN UJ Krakow - STARlight 2012
ESN Zagreb, Croatia - STARTer 2012;
Erasmus Student Network UKSW - webSTAR 2012;
ESN Greece - STARland 2012.

Time of AGM was ending, time for the first goodbyes came. But it’s only for the moment because many more international events are in front of us.

By Sandra Baltkojytė