National Events

Between the 25th and 28th of July 2024, one of the most important training events of Erasmus Student Network (ESN) Romania took place in Bucharest. Over 60 volunteers from across Romania gathered for the Local Boards’ Training to learn more about their positions and develop skills essential for their new mandates.

 

The event opened at the University of Economic Studies, featuring motivational speeches to inspire the newly elected local boards. We were honored by the presence of Professor Constantin Marius Profiroiu, Vice-Rector for International Relations at Bucharest University of Economic Studies, and Mihai-Ștefan Găiculescu, Mobility Projects Expert from the National Agency for Community Programs in the Field of Education and Vocational Training (ANPCDEFP). They spoke about mobilities, advocated for the Erasmus+ Programme, and highlighted the growing relationship between their institutions and ESN Romania.

 

Additionally, Robert Ardelean, President of ESN Romania, made a surprise appearance via video conference, delivering an encouraging opening speech. He emphasized the importance of unity, growth, and dedication to the mission of ESN — enriching society through international students. He inspired the volunteers to embrace their responsibilities, highlighting the challenges and rewards of their roles.

 

“All of us here are brought together by a common goal, which is also the mission of ESN - the enrichment of society through international students. We all work towards creating that magical, unforgettable Erasmus experience, advocating to better the program and making it more accessible while also having a positive impact on local communities.

 

We are the voice of the Erasmus Generation. Take everything you can from these sessions, ask questions, engage with each other, even build the foundation for future sections cooperations. Then take it back to your city, to your volunteers. Show them how much we can do in ESN and how much ESN can do for us. I also encourage you to not stop here. There are many levels to this org, many events to be discovered and memories to be made. And they are all waiting for you. You are the future of ESN Romania and you are the future of the Erasmus Generation.”

 

Robert Ardelean, president of Erasmus Student Network Romania

 

 

 

During the event, participants had the opportunity to interact with Local Board members and ESN volunteers from different sections, sharing best practices and learning together. They attended workshops designed to provide practical knowledge for their future activities in ESN, as well as action-planning sessions and reflection groups.

 

Friday's common sessions focused on ESN’s governance, GDPR, and internal communication. On Saturday, participants engaged in two tracks of sessions covering Education, Communication, Events, and Finance. These sessions addressed both soft and hard skills, including:

• Brand Identity & Content
• Analytics & Growth of Social Media
• Project Planning
• Crisis Situations
• Collaboration with Stakeholders
• Recruitment, Motivation, and Retention of Volunteers
• Grants and Other Funding Opportunities
• Website Management
• HR & Teambuilding
• Budgeting & Finances

 

On Sunday, local boards worked on drafting their section’s action plans, creating strategies and receiving feedback from the National Team. This dynamic session helped them refine their plans through shared insights, practical advice, and collaborative discussions.

 

This event marked the beginning of a promising journey for the new local boards, setting the stage for a year of impactful change and continued dedication to the values and goals of ESN. The future of ESN Romania looks bright with these passionate and well-prepared leaders at the helm. ESN Romania aims to enrich society through international students by promoting intercultural understanding, self-development, and the benefits of studying abroad. Currently, there are 14 local sections across major universities and over 300 active volunteers, supporting around 1,000 to 1,500 international students annually through various initiatives.

 

 

Erasmus Student Network (ESN) Romania is a part of the largest student association in Europe, dedicated to supporting and developing student exchange programs. We operate through a network of local sections, organizing over 100 events, including cultural activities, social gatherings, and training sessions, along with national events such as the National Assemblies, National Trainings, and for Erasmus+ students, events like Escape to Vama Veche, National Erasmus Games, and Halloween in Transylvania.

 

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to spend your Halloween in Transylvania? Wander around the never-ending corridors of castles you keep hearing about in vampire stories, discover Romanian history and culture and meet people from all over the world? What if I told you this was all possible?

Halloween in Transylvania is one of ESN Romania`s trademark events, that brings hundreds of international students together each year to celebrate Halloween in Transylvanian style and get a glimpse into Romania`s history and culture.

This October, over 800 young people from 32 countries reunited in the historical region of Brasov for the 10th edition of the event. For an entire weekend, participants had the chance to discover the places that inspired some of the greatest vampire stories of all time, learn about local and national history and connect with peers from all around the world. They wandered around the majestic chambers and corridors of the castles in the area of Brasov, including Bran castle, the inspiration for Bram Stoker's novel, proudly represented their countries at the Flag Parade, tested their detective skills in a Treasure Hunt and put their creativity to work to find the best outfits for the event`s theme parties.

              

But we shall, of course, not forget that the spookiest stories of them all are sometimes real-life challenges we can not run away from. Biodiversity, sustainability, democracy & active citizenship, culture and multiculturality, and mental health were all on the agenda of the Erasmus Generation Summit, organised in collaboration with Europe Direct Rasnov and one of the highlights of this year's edition, as the event also took place in the context of the European Year of Youth and the 35th anniversary of the Erasmus+ programme.

 

 

 

„We are thrilled to once again organise Halloween in Transylvania, after being forced to take a 2-year break due to the pandemic. Besides the already traditional activities we include each year, for this edition we also wanted to create a safe space for participants to interact with each other and debate relevant topics, thus the Erasmus Generation Summit”, said Cristian Constantin Pașka, the Project Manager. „There were young people from 32 countries, mainly from Europe, but also from Japan, South Korea, USA, Canada, Brasil, Peru, Kazakhstan and Algeria. We believe that the event was a great opportunity for young people to create connections, thus encouraging intercultural dialogue and cooperation”, he added.

 

 

And you, would you dare spend your Halloween in Transylvania?

Halloween in Transylvania is one of ESN Romania’s trademark events. Happening once a year at the end of October, its aim is to introduce Erasmus students (and not only) to Romanian culture, the beautiful region of Brașov, and of course some of our most famous castles. With its trips to Peleș and Bran as well as day activities such as a big Flag Parade but also the iconic Halloween party, Halloween in Transylvania is bound to be one of the most exciting events you can join this year! This year’s edition is going to be even more impressive as we are marking the 10-year anniversary of the event, in light of the European year of Youth.

You want to join Halloween in Transylvania, but you don't know how? Does the event sound tempting but you are not quite sure if it is a good fit for you? Let us clarify a few things for you.

 

Who can register for Halloween in Transylvania?

Anyone who is on an Erasmus+ mobility in Romania. Spots are limited, therefore the sections will prioritize the registration of students and interns who are guests in their own cities.

 

How do I register for Halloween in Transylvania?

If you are having your Erasmus+ mobility in one of the following cities, ask your local section for details:

• Alba-Iulia: ESN Alba Iulia
• Bucharest: ESN ASE-CMP Bucharest, ESN Poli and ESN UniBucharest
• Brașov: ESN Brașov
• Cluj-Napoca: Erasmus Student Network Cluj-Napoca - ESN Cluj Napoca
• Constanța: Erasmus Student Network Constanta
• Craiova: ESN Craiova
• Iași: Erasmus Student Network - ESN Iasi
• Pitești: ESN Pitești
• Sibiu: ESN Sibiu
• Suceava: ESN Suceava
• Târgu Mureș: ESN Târgu Mureș
• Timișoara: Erasmus Student Network - ESN Timisoara

If you are on an Erasmus+ mobility in a city that we did not mention above, contact the ESN section which is nearest to you and ask how you can register for the event.

 

What am I paying for?

 The fee you are playing will cover the following:

• Accommodation (with the exception of the participants from Brașov)
• Transportation
• Entrance to Bran and Peleș Castle
• Logistics for the Day and Night activities
  
  • Flag Parade
  • Treasure Hunt
  • Erasmus Generation summit in Râșnov
• Entry to 2 parties
  
  • Glow in the Dark party
  • Halloween party
• Welcome pack

Disclaimer: Each local section will organize its own transportation and accommodation. Because of this, there might be small differences in price and what the accommodation is offering (breakfast included, facilities etc.)

 

Can I pay for and attend just the parties?

Halloween in Transylvania is an experience best enjoyed in its integrity. Due to sports limitations, we can only offer the full package.

 

Can I pay just for the event participation and give up the welcome pack?

Due to logistics constrains, we cannot offer spots without the Welcome Pack. Don’t worry, we are sure you will enjoy its contents and the items in it will be a reminder of all the good memories we are sure you will make at our event.

 

Will I have to attend all the events?

It is entirely up to you if you want to join all the planned events. However, we highly encourage you to attend them all to be able to enjoy the full experience of Halloween in Transylvania.

 

What happens if I paid for my spot but I can no longer attend?

For unfortunate cases where you can no longer attend the event, we encourage you to communicate with the local ESN section hosting you and find a solution together.

 

What activities will take place at Halloween in Transylvania 2022?

The activities will be split into Day and Night Activities.

As Day activities we will have:

• Trip to Bran castle
• Trip to Peleș castle
• Flag Parade
• Erasmus Generation Summit
• Treasure Hunt

The Night Activities are:

• Glow in the Dark Party
• Halloween Party

 

What is the Erasmus Generation Summit?

A celebration of our love for Europe as an area of peace and cultural exchange in the light of the European Year of Youth!

During EGS, students will be free to choose to participate in one of the activities happening simultaneously. Be aware of the fact that for the majority of activities spots are limited.

• Documentary film: Wild Romania is a very acclaimed documentary film about the nature and wildlife of Romania.
• Râșnov Citadel Tour: Passionate about medieval times? Then you can join the guided tour of the Râșnov Citadel for a history lesson.
• City Hunt: During the City Hunt you will make new friends and take on the challenge to discover the mysteries of Râșnov!
• Silent Walks: Would you rather get some fresh air and recharge? Reconnect with nature during the silent walks through the forest.
• Participative Workshops: Are you a fan of non-formal education? You will have the chance to participate into a session on either sustainability, mental health, intercultural dialogue or democratic & youth participation.
• Upcycling & Crafting Workshops: Get creative and make your own mask using recycled materials or carve a Halloween pumpkin!

 

Can I bring someone who is not an international student in Romania to attend the event?

This is up to your local section. Ask the ESN section in your city if they still have spots left, they might be able to help you.

 

Can I join the event only from Friday on?

In theory yes, but you will have to find your own transportation to Brașov. Discuss the topic with your local ESN section to find the best solution.

 

What rooming options are offered for accommodation?

Each local ESN section has booked the accommodation for the participants who registered through them. They will come back to you with more information on this topic after the registration period is over.

 

Is there a discount for ESNcard holders?

Some local sections may offer a discount if you are the proud owner of an ESNcard. Ask your local ESN section for details regarding this.

 

Should you have other questions feel free to reach out to any of the local sections or to us on our event pages:

• Halloween in Transylvania Facebook page
• Halloween in Transylvania Instagram account

The General Assembly of Erasmus Student Network (ESN) Romania took place between 24th and 27th of March and was organized by ESN Pitesti, the newest local structure of the organization.  Extremely motivated and able to learn in an extremely short time, but also having the extraordinary support offered by the Bureau of International Relations of the University of Pitesti, the volunteers organized a flawless event for a number of 120 participants. Representatives of each local structure, as well as international guests from Germany, Greece, Great Britain and Turkey participated in the event.

During this event, ESN Romania volunteers come together to discuss the latest news from within the organization and to debate new ideas and proposals aimed at its future (internal regulations, affiliation with other national structures, events and projects for beneficiaries). In order to offer an educational dimension to the event, the trainers of ESN Romania facilitated several workshops on topics of interest for the development of volunteers' competences.  The maximum point of interest of the meeting was on Saturday, when the elections for the new Board of Directors of ESN Romania for the 2022/23 mandate took place. Following the elections, 7 of the 11 open positions were filled, and a new call will be opened for members interested in taking their volunteering experience at a new level.

The following volunteers have been elected:

• Iulia Ghimpeţeanu – President (ESN Cluj-Napoca)
• Teodora Gruia – Secretary General (ESN UniBucharest)
• Daria Ionescu –Vice President (ESN ASE-CMP Bucharest)
• Diana Simeria – Communication Manager (ESN Suceava)
• Claudiu Făgădar –Project Manager (ESN Cluj-Napoca)
• Liviana Strâmbeanu – Partnerships Coordinator (ESN UniBucharest)
• Andreea Podovei – Web Administrator (ESN ASE-CMP Bucharest)

 

On the last day of the event, in addition to presenting the results of the votes, ESN Romania Awards were also handed out. This was an initiative in which the most outstanding results of the local sections were awarded and the section of the year was voted as a result of a unique moment in which each section had to convince the other sections (through music, poetry, presentations or videos) why they deserve this title. The results included:

• Section of the Year – ESN Cluj-Napoca
• Award for best progress – ESN Alba Iulia
• The activity with the greatest impact on society – ESN Constanta
• The best mobility promotion activity – ESN Suceava
• The best collaboration with the Office of International Relations – ESN Pitesti
• The best human resource coordination – ESN UniBucharest
• The best activity for the integration of new volunteers – ESN Cluj-Napoca
• The best communication on social networks – ESN ASE-CMP Bucharest
• Most of the commercial partnerships concluded – ESN Brașov
• Most ESN causes covered throughout their activity – ESN Iasi
• Honorary mention for the restoration of a church – ESN Sibiu

 

The next period will be a challenging one for the volunteers of ESN Romania. Among the priorities of the organization will be the legal establishment of our local sections, organizing, after two years of break caused by the pandemic, of national events for international students, but also the increase of the patrimony and the network of partners of ESN Romania.

Seventeen long years have passed since the approval of the first ever local section - ESN Cluj-Napoca. This moment marked the birth of ESN Romania, and the beginning of the ESN-esque adventure for many fellow volunteers.

 

What can be said that hasn’t already been mentioned in this history of ESN Romania? Well, a lot actually!

Across the years, our dedicated and motivated volunteers organized lots of events, be it local, national or even international. 

Let us have a look at a few notable events, organized by the sections themselves. Currently 15 local sections with plenty of volunteers in each of them:

• Sign Language Workshop - by ESN Cluj-Napoca
• Transfagarasean Trip - ESN Pitesti
• Pen Pals - ESN Brasov & other ESN sections
• Maramu Trip - ESN Cluj-Napoca
• Trip to Central Europe - ESN Timisoara
• The first step in Career Planning - ESN Iasi
• Alba Culinaria - ESN Alba Iulia
• Back to Childhood - ESN Constanta
• Countryside Trip - ESN Iasi
• Blind dinner - ESN Targu Mures
• Be multicultural - ESN Craiova
• Visit the Palace of Parliament - ESN ASE Bucharest & ESN Poli & ESN UniBucharest

 

We invite you to our Local Sections page, where all local sections are listed, as well as their websites/contact page. 

 

Up one ladder, we find ourselves amidst national events. This right here is what we’re known for (worldwide, I mean). Every ESNer has at least heard (if not seen glimpses) of Halloween in Transylvania. 

ESN Romania’s most iconic event, held on Halloween, annually - it gathers up to 700 Erasmus students, in Transylvania to spend four days visiting, learning more about our culture; and three nights to party Romanian-style (with one of the party being Halloween-themed). This event is, more often than not, organized with the help of ESN Brasov’s city hall contacts, as you can see from this amazing Flag Parade held in Brasov in 2019’s edition.

The second semester is more fruitful, when talking about national events: National Erasmus Games and Escape to Vama Veche.

 

National Erasmus Games is an event focused on sport competition, and is in fact the national phase of International Erasmus Games. Fun fact: ESN Romania was supposed to organize the International Erasmus Games in 2020 - they even received an ESAA grant for it, but sadly...pandemic happened…Under normal circumstances, it would host teams formed by Erasmus students and volunteers alike that are competing in futsal, basketball and volleyball.

 

Last, but not least - it is Escape to Vama Veche. Best described as a party-oriented event organized around the 1st of May, in the splendid beach village, Vama Veche. EtVV developed during the years, eventually combining parties with eco-friendly activities (trash-collecting contests on the beach) and sports (treasure hunt all over the village, Beach Olympics, Color Run/Battle).

Before reaching the INTERNATIONAL level, we have to at least mention our National Assemblies (National Platforms in the old language). In past years, these assemblies would take place four times/year, now reduced to two times/year. The other two have been replaced with training events, one for volunteers, one for the local boards, to keep facilitating the improvement ouf our new generations.

The National Assemblies would be organized by one section, in alphabetical order and then voted upon by the rest of the sections. It is a place to discuss, learn and vote upon ESN related topics. It is also a huge motivation-generator for all local volunteers.

 

Okay, drum rolls please...International Events.

Romanian ambition is nothing to joke about - across the years ESN Romania has organized a plethora of international events:

• Eduk8 - T4T Cluj-Napoca 2013, STARTER Timisoara 2016
• NBT - Timisoara 2013
• IEG - Cluj-Napoca 2020 (sadly cancelled)
• SEEP - Cluj-Napoca 2014
• CNR - Bucharest 2016, Bucharest 2018
• Community Meetings: Communication Summit 2021, NETx 2021, IT summit 2021, Business&Finance Conference 2021

Seeing them written like this puts everything into a new perspective right? Thought so, too.

 

Would you like to see your initiative written in next year’s ‘18 years anniversary blog post’? Then go ahead, rally up your local section and start prepping!