MY EUGLOH STORY

This year’s event gathered student representatives from Porto, Hamburg, Munich, Szeged, Lund, Alcalá, and Paris-Saclay Universities, who participated in a series of workshops, training sessions, and discussions about the importance of student collaboration and their active involvement in EUGLOH. These sessions focused on student engagement, conflict management, and building meaningful, European cross-campus connections. The workshops provided a platform for students to share experiences and best practices, strengthening their roles as active contributors to both local and international university life.

In addition to the workshops, participants had the chance to visit the Orsay Valley and Saclay Plateau campuses, reflecting the diversity of university spaces. A rich cultural program was also organised with the support of the EUGLOH Cultural Corridors initiative—an innovative project aimed at promoting student creativity and civic engagement through sustainable connections between universities and local communities. Highlights of the cultural program included; A theatrical performance of How to Become a Parisian in One Hour? at the Théâtre des Nouveautés, a visit to the Louvre Museum, and a boat tour along the Seine on the iconic Bateaux Mouches.

As Maria Rakotoarison, EUGLOH Student Ambassador at Université Paris-Saclay, shared:

“Although I am from Paris-Saclay, I felt like I visited all the universities in the EUGLOH alliance during this Road Trip. It was an exchange that was interesting not only on a cultural and professional level, but also personally. It’s an event that truly marked my journey with EUGLOH. Thank you for this opportunity—I’m looking forward to discovering what comes next!”

The Student Road Trip was a resounding success, providing a unique platform for students to collaborate, exchange ideas, and immerse themselves in the cultural life of Université Paris-Saclay and France. The event not only deepened the sense of community within the EUGLOH network but also emphasised the importance of student involvement in shaping the future of higher education. Some of the participants share their experience below:

Clara's Story:

The Student Road Trip to the Paris-Saclay University was organised in order to bring together EUGLOH students to share and discuss relevant topics within local student boards and across the entire university alliance (e.g., student engagement, visibility, sustainability). The exchange of knowledge and best practices was complemented by cultural and social activities to promote the sense of community (e.g., theatre, campus tour, museum).

The Student Road Trip to Paris-Saclay University was the perfect mix of interactive workshops and fun cultural activities for me. The atmosphere was very welcoming and everyone seemed to be interested in getting to know each other on a personal level while sharing our knowledge and experiences as part of the EUGLOH community.

This trip made me realise that there are more ways to shape our university life than I expected. And that there are many other students who are eager to do so. A moment when this became particularly visible was the butterfly workshop, in which we split up in groups to brainstorm challenges and solutions for different topics - we came up with loads of ideas in quite a short amount of time. Some topics, such as visibility among students, came up on several occasions. It was surprising to learn that different student boards share very similar challenges and it was interesting to exchange ideas on how to confront them.

Besides workshops, we were invited to several cultural activities which I really enjoyed - from learning how to become a real Parisian to visiting the Louvre. My favorite memory of the trip is the boat tour on the Seine on the last afternoon. By then everyone had gotten to know each other pretty well and we were simply having a good time cruising past the most beautiful monuments of Paris along the river.

I am a relatively new member of EUGLOH. After the Student Road Trip, I feel very motivated to become more engaged. First, because I am inspired by the many ideas and want to be part of the change. Also, because I like the sense of community among people with different academic and cultural backgrounds. And finally, because I am curious to visit other universities within the EUGLOH network and take advantage of being able to study while discovering a new city.

In the “My EUGLOH story” series, members of the Alliance share their own unique EUGLOH experiences. From students who participated in a EUGLOH activity to academics who co-created a course with their peers, to administrative staff members who took part in a staff week,
find out what motivates and inspires our community.

Would you like to tell your own story?

communications@eugloh.eu

EUGLOH Stories

The Nobel Prize-winning research professor, Dr. Katalin Karikó, from the University of Szeged held a seminar for the university’s students on 12 October, 2023. Dr. Karikó answered the questions submitted by students regarding education, research, and healing in a Hungarian and an English-language discussion led by SZTE students. Florabelle, the President of the Local Student Board at the University of Szeged, Hungary, was one of the fortunate members of the EUGLOH community who had the opportunity to attend this event. She shares her experience:

My EUGLOH Story:

I had the incredible privilege of attending a special session featuring Dr. Katalin Karikó, the most recent Nobel Prize Winner in Physiology or Medicine.

As the President of the EUGLOH student board and a Ph.D. student in Biology, her words deeply resonated with me. Dr. Karikó talked about how universities are places where we form lasting friendships, that can evolve into valuable networks. She emphasized how these relationships shape us, reminding me of how EUGLOH facilitates such connections. Being part of this organization and getting a chance having the opportunity to attend international courses has been a great way to build friendships that could lead to professional collaborations in the future.

As a fellow researcher, her words inspired me particularly when she said that we're not just "searchers" but "re-searchers”, highlighting the persistence and dedication that defines our work. She also shared that she remains to be the curious little girl who never let missed opportunities get her down. I totally agree with this; we will definitely face setbacks and disappointments in pursuit of something great, but isn’t this what fuels us to persevere even more?

Listening to her was truly heart-warming. It was a reminder that what I'm doing now is meaningful and will pay off in the future. But most of all, what truly encouraged me is her consistent message which she shares in almost all her interviews: the importance of believing in someone’s potential to do great things.

Let this also serve as my open letter to the EUGLOH community at the University of Szeged and my Doctoral School. Feeling your support so tangibly in my pursuits is something that fuels me to do achieve more. And for that, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for believing in me!

This text is part of the “My EUGLOH story” series, in which members of the EUGLOH community talk about their EUGLOH experience.

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My EUGLOH story

Clara's Story:

EUGLOH Stories

Florabelle’s Event Experience: "What I'm doing now is meaningful and will pay off in the future"