Annika's Event Experience: It was a moment where student voices weren’t just heard, but could participate, shaping the future of European policies

The 4th edition of the European Student Assembly took place last week, from 26th to 30th May, at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

EUGLOH was proudly represented by eight students from EUGLOH member universities: Annika, Carmen, Daniela, Greta, Melanie, Zlatan, Beatriz, and Sergio. They took part in inter-panel discussions, contributing to policy recommendations on a wide range of EU-related challenges. The European Student Assembly (ESA) is a flagship initiative of the EUC Voices Erasmus+ project. Approximately 250 students from various European university alliances participated in the event.

Annika Kerning, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munchen Local Student Board (LSB) President shares her experience:

Annika's Story:

The train glided into Strasbourg, and with it, my anticipation surged. I had read the emails, spent hours in discussion with my teammates, and packed my finest “policy-making” outfit. Walking through the gates of the European Parliament for the first time, badge in hand, I could hardly believe I was among the students selected from all across Europe to take part in this incredible event.

The European Student Assembly felt like a microcosm of what Europe could be – 230 students buzzing with ideas, united in the heart of democracy. I was part of Panel 2: Greener Tomorrow, and from the start, the atmosphere in our group was energetic. We came from diverse backgrounds – from political science to engineering and medicine. Throughout the three days, we had the opportunity to work within the European Parliament using the Hemicycle for our group debates and meeting rooms for our in-panel work. Here we were able to finalize and refine our policy recommendations.

The most intense – and exciting – moment for me was the final voting session. Watching our recommendations debated and adopted in the Hemicycle through the official electronic voting system felt surreal. It was a moment where student voices weren’t just heard, but could participate shaping the future of European policies. That sense of validation meant a good deal.
 

But ESA wasn’t only about politics and policy-making. The International Coffee Break on our second day – which could easily have been renamed “Heaven for Sweet Tooths” – brought deliciousness in every sense. Each of us brought a treat from our home country, from French pastries to Spanish turrón and Dutch stroopwafels, all were a delight.

Evenings were another highlight. After long working days, we would head to local bars, laugh over drinks, and get to know each other beyond our academic identities. I had conversations about everything but especially about student life all over the EU. It was a beautiful reminder that Europe is diverse, vibrant, and full of driven young people who genuinely care.

By the time I left Strasbourg, I felt both exhausted and energised. ESA didn’t just give me the chance to contribute to a greener future – it gave me a renewed belief in the power of youth, dialogue, and cross-border cooperation.

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