ESN Italia (Erasmus Student Network)

The Erasmus Student Network (ESN) is the biggest student associations in Europe. It was born on the 16th October 1989 and legally registered in 1990 for supporting and developing student exchange. We are present in more than 430 Higher Education Institutions from 36 countries. The network is constantly developing and expanding. We have around 13.500 active members that are in many sections supported by so called buddies mainly taking care of international students. Thus, ESN involves around 29.000 young people offering its services to around 180.000 international students every year. ESN is working in Higher Education (HE): * offering services to 180.000 students * 13.500 active members (29.000 with the buddies included) * mainly on a volunteer basis * with an average annual growth rate of 12% since 2005 ESN is operating on three levels: local, national, and international. ESN works for the creation of a more mobile and flexible education environment by supporting and developing the student exchange from different levels, and providing an intercultural experience also to those students who cannot access a period abroad ("internationalisation at home"). ESN Italia is the national level of ESN operating in Italy. It is made of 50 different organizations in 43 cities.