By Paige Mudd
Urbino, Italy – Albano Nezho, an Italian student, stepped off the train on the first day of his study abroad program in Germany.
“I was in the middle of Germany without [anyone] I know,” he said.
“I was like, ‘Okay, now what?’”
Just a day later Nezho found the cure for his anxiety: the Erasmus Student Network, or ESN.
It was his experience in Germany that motivated him to join ESN Urbino when he returned.
Albano Nezho. Photo by Madi Rohm
Erasmus is a program organized by the European Community (EC) to give university students opportunities to study abroad in 33 countries, most of which are members of the European Union but some also in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Studying abroad can be daunting, but the Erasmus Student Network, or ESN, helps students dive into the culture with its mission of “students help students.”
First founded in The Netherlands, ESN grew to over 280 sections, or chapters, to foster a community where international students may find other students to ask for help. One of these sections is ESN Urbino.
Based at the University of Urbino, the group organizes events for international students that are specific to the central region of Le Marche, and Urbino itself.
The university is located inside the ancient walls of the city of Urbino, a hub for culture, history, and art from the Renaissance period. Students from all over the world flock here to study, many of whom are with the Erasmus program. ESN Urbino organizes events for students, such as visiting historical sites, traveling to nearby cities, and social outings.
During the academic year, the Piazza della Repubblica is packed with students who are studying for exams or socializing with an aperitivo. The environment is welcoming and exciting. But even with a positive atmosphere, it can be difficult for new students to make friends and adapt to the culture.
“The city is full of students and really lovely,” remarked Caroline Uemier, a German student who went on an Erasmus in Urbino in 2022. “Urbino was my first choice.”
Volunteers at ESN Urbino strive to support international students while they are in Urbino through events like museum tours, karaoke nights, and trips to the surrounding areas. These events aim to show students what life is like in Urbino from the point of view of their peers. The members of ESN Urbino are students. All the events are planned by the students who know what their peers are interested in and can best select events that would benefit them. The strengths that each person brings to the group varies, allowing students to showcase a wide array of skills while planning events.
ESN Urbino strives to welcome and educate students arriving in Urbino through the Erasmus program, members said. The volunteers focus on the student experience and ensure that the participating students can join the community. Whether it is participating in a trivia night for International Women’s Day or grabbing a drink at Mario’s, ESN Urbino strives to create a positive, fun educational experience for students who temporarily call Urbino home.
“We are a group of friends [and] everyone is unique,” said Nezho.
Roberta Stortoni serves on the ESN Urbino executive board and helps organize the events it puts on. There is a fun, positive atmosphere, she said, adding but “on the other end there is a lot of work. It’s fun and work at the same time.”
One of the organization’s recent events was a day trip to the nearby coastal city Ancona, where students participated in an interactive city tour, visited the underground tunnels of the city, and socialized with each other. The trip required detailed planning, with transportation, reservations, dining, and trying to keep everyone together.
Time management is one of the biggest challenges, because the volunteers must balance their own schedules with the schedules of the rest of the students.
Roberta Stortoni. Photo by Madi Rohm
Roberta Stortoni serves on the ESN Urbino executive board and helps organize the events it puts on. There is a fun, positive atmosphere, she said, adding but “on the other end there is a lot of work. It’s fun and work at the same time.”
One of the organization’s recent events was a day trip to the nearby coastal city Ancona, where students participated in an interactive city tour, visited the underground tunnels of the city, and socialized with each other. The trip required detailed planning, with transportation, reservations, dining, and trying to keep everyone together.
Time management is one of the biggest challenges, because the volunteers must balance their own schedules with the schedules of the rest of the students.
The group also occasionally argues about what the event will be and where it will take place, all while trying to compromise with one another.
“We argue in an Italian way, you know?” Nezho laughed, explaining how the group is quick to resolve disagreements and move forward with planning the event.
The headache of planning, despite being tedious, is worth it. Stortoni said that the greatest positive is when the students appreciate the effort the team puts in.
At the end of their study abroad program, students talk about how the events and people in ESN Urbino made their experience truly memorable. The people are what make the program, they said.
ESN Urbino is more than just an organization, members explained. It is a group of people that strive to support each other and give opportunities to see the art, history, and culture of Le Marche, and a way to make friends from all different areas of the world.