Cause I didn't have too much time to update my Supernova blog, here are the latest and last articles as Vice-President which I could write for the ESN Switzerland Newticker...
The next ones will follow more regularly. ESN CH allowed me to continue writing :-)
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If you want to know what's happening in Brussels, don't ask me. In September Europe was calling and I followed. So, I only spent enough time in Belgium for one laundry and a bit of repacking. The rest of my time was filled with meeting here, meeting there, waiting at the airport, waiting at the station, waiting for something to happen. And it did. I met a lot of important (and less important) people for ESN, made new contacts or refreshed old ones, gave presentations and workshops, and didn't distinguish between weekdays and weekends :-)
But that's very much all right because the job I do is simply amazing. ESN is well recognised in Europe and people take us for serious wherever we go. It is always very motivating when talking to policy makers, university officials, NGOs and other ESN members. I can feel the spirit that ESN makes a change for the students on global level in Europe and that our stakeholders are looking for new ideas and visions. But all this would not be possible without the hard working people in the sections. So, I think it's once time that I give you a big THANK YOU for your dedication and determination. Keep on going, the future looks bright.
So long, from the rainy south but with the sun in our hearts :-)
Matthias
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On the road again, at the moment in Bulgaria. Why? Our lovely Erasmus Van unfortunately needs to be brought back to Famagusta to its owners. So, we drive 4000kms in 4.5 days through 13 countries. Energy drinks, chocolate and multi-vitamin juice keep us awake. ESN people help us with accommodation and safe parking. Remarkable landscapes are presenting them-selves in front of us just to disappear when we pass. Holes in the road tease our tyres and traffic jams are the only possibility to have a decent stop (well, they are not always in the nicest sightseeing areas). But then again, if we visited every worthy place, I wouldn't be back before AGM in March, I suppose.
The AGM, the AGM. Seems far away but in fact it isn't. Preparations are doing great in Besançon. Also in Brussles and in the AGM Working Group we started to think about it. What to do for the future of ESN?
As it seems there will be quite a lot of changes going on. As I wrote in my past 'reports' the circumstances around ESN have altered and ESN itself as well. Hence ESN needs not only to adapt but also to actively influence and shape its future. Our future, which you can also can determine by giving inputs and ideas. Every inspiration (may it be big or small) is very much appreciated.
I am finishing these last lines in South Turkey where we finally have a day in the sun but still some work to do with the Van. It's addiction :-)
Pallomeri, Matthias
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Another month around Europe (and beyond) just finished. The list of countries I have been to grew a bit longer. More inputs, more insights, more experiences.
It has been a grey month, clouds everywhere, the weather very uniform all over.
This is not true for the places I visited, not for the people I met. Unique thoughts and ideas are out there. Different approaches are taken and situation are handled in whole different ways. That's culture, that's clear. But to see, feel and recognise it first hand is an amazing thing.
But still, culture doesn't change people all over. It doesn't make them unrecognisably different. It doesn't suppress one very important and outstanding attitude.
No matter what place, what time I met, talked, and laughed with people, I constituted the willingness to help other people.
This is essentially true for members of our organisation, ESN. No matter for what reason (fun, friends, CV or out of pure pleasure) someone joins ESN, there is the same opinion on caring for and helping other students and in a wider sense their whole environment.
I am happy for that and wish you all the best and keep on going.
Next time with less deep thoughts but more looking back on an enjoyable year.
Have a look on the Pallomeri side.
Matthias
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9 months over - 3 more to go. Recently, someone asked me whether I remembered every place I've been or all the good moments I've spent somewhere. This made me thinking because I couldn't spontaneously say “yes”. Well, anyway, do you remember all your happenings in detail of the past nine months? Bet not, but it struck me when I had hard times figuring out which destination followed which one without consulting my calendar...
But so far, my 9 months have brought many new experiences. Coming directly from university, I stepped into a complete new world, though I have gathered some work experience before my studies. It's not comparable. You see, ESN International in Brussels is something relatively new. It's only our third year here. So, there are plenty of things not established, yet. On the one hand, you might say that's ok because we're a student organisation and don't need to be too professional. On the other hand, a bit of routine is never bad since it saves some time and energy when you don't have to invent the wheel every day again in a complex environment. Therefore, we try to set up certain rules and standards, we attempt to identify procedures and document our steps to facilitate everybody's daily life.
Looking back, it feels like I was part of a growing and shaping process. This is not over yet, and will not be once I'm out of my function. It leaves me with a smiling and a whining eye (loosely translated from a famous German proverb), because soon a part of ESN history finished, but another one will come. With new people, new ideas, but hopefully a more stable basis where they can grow and thrive.
Anyway, in my opinion, everybody involved in the past 9 months can be proud because there have been great achievements. And everybody continuing in the next 3 months and beyond has something to look forward to.
Take care
Matthias
