Being an international student abroad is not as easy as it might seem. Studying abroad is a challenge, and is often strewn with “difficult moments”. Adjusting to a new environment can pose certain challenges. When you go to study in a foreign country, you face a different culture, a different way of life, a different society. That is why a group of students from the University of Bonn in Germany, decided to start an initiative called “Geo2gether”, whose aim is to help with the orientation and socialization of international students reading geography at the University of Bonn.

That was in July 2009, on a hot summer day, early in the morning on a bus heading for the university, but the sun had risen out of the Baltic sea hours before – we still had the White Nights, and the dazzling days…
Six months ago, I would have mostly agreed with her. And at that time, I had not passed only one week in Russia like her but even three months already, without my emotions having been subject to significant positive change.

Kate is a real “child of the world”. Born and raised in Poland, she experiences multiculturalism from an early age. Her grandmother married a Chinese immigrant, who stuck in Poland for good, disregarding his initial intention of making his way to “the brighter world” in Western Germany. “In my home you can find some Chinese dictionaries, forgotten letters from China, little evidence of an Asian life. Multiculturalism, awareness for the other parts of the world, and a sense of freedom were always encouraged”, Kate says.

I graduated at the state university in my hometown. I was a good student, nay I was one of the best students in my class. I passed all my exams without encountering any significant problems and I graduated with a good average. Up until my third year of studies I haven’t flunked an exam. But, something was missing. During my time in college I never really felt that I was a student. I never felt that I had the life of a student.

Would you like to travel around Europe? Well, you needn’t ask twice. The desire to do something like this, especially when you’re young and constantly looking for new challenges and adventures is even greater. Thanks to the Citizen’s association MOST, donors, sponsors and other supporters, this year, eighteen students from Macedonia went on this trip making sure that whatever happens, this chance should not be missed. And thus it all began.

Your endeavours for a better society should always start by enunciating MJAFT!. But, you shouldn’t stop here. Going the extra mile is what counts. Say yes to romantic and idealistic inclinations, but also be firm in your actions in making these ideas work. All matters revolutionary and anti-apathetic are being elaborated by Ardit Rada, the Media Coordinator of MJAFT! Movement, Albania. Let’s take a leaf from their book! Lea Linin provided the interview with Ardit Rada, Media Coordinator of the Albanian Movement MJAFT, an organization that set a new standard for Albania’s civil society sector.

Through the numerous projects they organize the students organizations in Macedonia try to open the minds of young people and transform them in a strong group of people, with a critical view of the world, seeking for alternative solutions and open to new challenges. AEGEE and Forum Oratores are among the most active student organizations in Macedonia, the first one working also on an international level as part from the European AEGEE and the second one – Forum Oratores mostly working on a regional level, nowadays expanding its activity on a national level and planning to join some European or global organization networks that promote public speaking and the development of elocutionary skills.

Riding in the Parisian Metro and probably any other subway in the world is like being in an electronic music video. The context is that of a constant repetitive sound produced by the train gliding along the tracks. Complementing this unchanging and sedative ambiance is the sound of doors opening and closing every two minutes or so. The flow of people getting on and off and a siren – like sound announcing that the doors will soon be closed brings urgency to the otherwise uninterrupted state of dozing off.

Starting from this weekend students and youth from Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro could travel freely across the EU including the Switzerland, Norway and Iceland. The visa waiver, which frees the way for travel across the vast majority of the EU (not including UK and Ireland), will apply to holders of biometric passports.
What does this mean for students from these countries? It means that you could easily decide if you want to attend some conference, visit a music festival or go for a short internship in some EU country.

When I decided to apply for a volunteering position at Summer Universiade 2009 in Belgrade, I wasn’t quite aware of the size and importance of this event in the world. What is even more odd, however, is that students, especially those who are actively involved in sports, are not always informed of these kind of events, and many of them miss the chance to gain great experience and at the same time promote themselves as promising athletes.