The first word that comes to my mind when I think of EC2U is freedom.

Earlier this year, on a completely random afternoon, I received an email saying I had been selected to attend the Forum in Coimbra, Portugal. I could not believe it at first. I never thought I would get the chance to travel to another country to talk about something I care about. I study public mental health, and the theme I was selected for was related to eco anxiety, which made the experience quite meaningful for me.

When I say freedom, I mean being given space to talk about these topics openly, without feeling judged. EC2U gave me a platform where I could share my thoughts, my experiences, and my opinions, and feel that they were valued.

Being part of EC2U has meant much more than just attending a forum. It has meant stepping out of my comfort zone, learning about new cultures, meeting people from across Europe, improving my communication and public speaking skills, and slowly gaining the confidence to speak up about topics that matter to me.

To show what the experience was like, I want to start with these photos.

These photos were taken at the beginning of the Forum. I remember feeling a bit shocked that it was all actually happening, and that I was standing there with my EC2U lanyard and name card in Coimbra.  

Then there’s this picture of me with someone I met at the Forum. She had such good energy and could make anyone smile. If you ever go to an EC2U event, be ready to meet people who are kind, inspiring, and from so many different places.

We stayed in a hostel, and every time we passed this mirror on the way to our sessions, we took a selfie. I think I have hundreds from that week, but for this blog, I narrowed it down to two.

Becoming an EC2U Ambassador

The Coimbra experience taught me a lot about why connecting students across universities matters. Fast forward a few months, and I now work as an EC2U Ambassador.

One of the best parts about being an ambassador is getting to travel across EC2U universities. Recently, we had a training week in Poitiers, France, where I learned more about the ambassador role and what it means to represent EC2U as a student.

Here’s a picture of the ambassadors together. This programme has given me friends from around the world, people I probably would not have met otherwise. For me, that is a big part of what EC2U is about.

The training week included meetings, presentations, campaigns, and different activities. This photo was taken during one of our first meetings, where we talked about the EC2U Alliance, communication and marketing, and the main duties of the ambassadors.

And here’s one from the last day of the training. I was happy to receive my certificate, and we were also given EC2U shirts, bags, and stickers. It felt like a nice way to end the week after all the meetings, activities, and conversations.

Why EC2U Matters

If you are someone who enjoys travelling, meeting people from different places, and being part of conversations that matter, then EC2U may be something to look into. Whether your interest is in sustainable cities, well- being, quality education, justice, or climate action, EC2U gives students a chance to share what matters to them, discover new cultures, and learn from people with different backgrounds. On top of that, students are also supported financially through grants.

It still surprises me how many students do not know about these opportunities. The chance to join a big international network, attend forums, winter and summer schools, formal dinners, and gain experience is something I think more students should know about.

So, if you ever get the chance to join EC2U, I’d encourage you to take it. You never know what you might learn, who you might meet, or what opportunities it might lead to.

Are you interested in the upcoming forum or other opportunities offered by EC2U?

Contact Project Manager Liisa Järvinen and Project Coordinator Lassi Yli-Muilu by email:  ec2u@utu.fi

More information about the EC2U alliance:  https://ec2u.eu/