ESN (Erasmus Student Network). The Essential Student Community for Your Erasmus Experience

More Information and Access to Local Sections:

• ESN main website: www.esn.org• To find the ESN section in your Erasmus city: www.esn.org/sections

The magical three letters every student hears when preparing for Erasmus: ESN. But what exactly is the Erasmus Student Network, and how can it shape a student’s life abroad so deeply? ESN is not just a student club that organizes parties. It is a massive support network that guides you from the moment you arrive in your new city, helps you socialize, and offers hundreds of discounts.

Here we explore everything ESN provides. from A to Z. enriched with student experiences and practical tips.

💳 ESNcard & Discounts: Your Best Erasmus Wallet Companion

One of the most concrete and popular benefits ESN offers is the ESNcard. Usually purchased for 10–15 € from the local ESN office, this small card can save you hundreds of euros.

Most Popular ESNcard Discounts:

Transportation

• FlixBus. Offers 10–15% discount on bus travel across Europe. ideal for weekend trips.• Ryanair. Periodic campaigns such as free 20 kg luggage and 10% flight discounts. extremely useful for going home or planning holidays.

Accommodation

• Discounts of 10–20% at major hostel chains like Hostelling International and Generator Hostels.

Food & Drinks

Local ESN partnerships often include bars. cafés and restaurants with 10–30% discounts, making social life more affordable.

Culture & Arts

• Reduced entry for museums. galleries. theaters and cinemas in many cities.

Online Services & Apps

• Language learning. Discounts on Busuu, Babbel, Lingoda.• Music & entertainment. Occasional deals with services like Spotify Student.• Tech & subscriptions. Discounts on platforms like The Economist or certain software tools.

📌 Student Experience:"When I arrived in Prague, I paid 15 € for my ESNcard. I recovered the cost in the first week thanks to the Welcome Party and a FlixBus trip. By the end of the semester, I had saved at least 100 € just from food & drink discounts." — Can, Czechia Erasmus Student

🎉 Social Events: The Heart & Soul of Erasmus

ESN is the main creator of the most unforgettable Erasmus memories. These events help hundreds of students from different countries connect effortlessly.

Popular ESN Events:

• Welcome Week / Welcome Party. The best way to make friends right away.• International Dinner / Global Village. Students bring food from their home countries for a cultural feast.• Pub Crawl. Guided tour of the best student-friendly bars in the city.• Thematic Parties. Halloween, Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day and more.• Tandem & Language Exchange Nights. Practice languages in a fun, relaxed environment.

📊 Did you know?More than 70% of Erasmus students meet their first and closest friends at ESN Welcome Week events.

🚍 Trips: Take Your Erasmus Adventure Beyond Your Host City

ESN organizes affordable and highly social trips so students can explore Europe safely and easily.

Types of ESN Trips:

• Day Trips. Short excursions to nearby cities (e.g., Pisa, Siena, Kutná Hora, Bratislava).• Weekend Trips. Overnight or 2–3 day trips to major destinations (Budapest, Berlin, Cinque Terre, Naples).• National Trips. Large-scale events where ESN sections from the entire country join (e.g., ESN Spain’s Ibiza trip or ESN Italy’s Evento Nazionale).

📌 Student Experience:"The ESN trip to Budapest was the best memory of my Erasmus. If I had gone alone, it would’ve cost more and I wouldn’t have met anyone. The bus trip turned into lifelong friendships." — Elif, Hungary Erasmus Student

📚 Cultural & Academic Support: More Than Just Parties

ESN helps with the administrative and academic challenges of moving abroad.

Examples:

• How-To Sessions: Residence permits, visas, transportation cards, housing.• Workshops & Seminars: CV building, LinkedIn optimization, Erasmus+ internships, volunteering opportunities.• Buddy Program: Local students support you during your first weeks and help you adapt quickly.

📊 Insight:80% of students attending language exchange nights say they are one of the most helpful activities for learning languages and socializing without pressure.

👥 ESN Community: Meet Your Erasmus Family

ESN helps you integrate into your new environment quickly.

• Overcoming Culture Shock. Being part of a community reduces loneliness and stress.• International Networking. Meet students from 20–30 different countries in one evening.• Fast Adaptation. Find out where to shop, how to use public transport, and where to eat cheaply.

✅ Conclusion: How ESN Enhances Your Erasmus Experience

Advantages (+):

• Instant social life• Affordable travel• Huge discounts with ESNcard• Guidance for bureaucracy & adaptation• Strong international community

Disadvantages (–):

• Some sections may focus heavily on parties• Trip spots fill up extremely fast• Fewer discounts in small cities

📌 Final Note:Despite the pros and cons, over 80% of Erasmus students say the same thing.“Without ESN, my Erasmus experience would never have been this colorful, easy, or unforgettable.”