EUNICE European University - Discover the potential of European educational cooperation

Students Natasha Bhaskar Shinde and Francisco Föse represent BTU within this advisory body. In this interview, they talk about their role:

What does EUNICE mean to you?

Francisco Föse: For me, EUNICE is a space for genuine international exchange. I find it exciting to work with students from all over Europe on topics that affect us all. EUNICE shows me how much potential there is in working together across borders - that inspires me and gives me the feeling of being part of something bigger.

Natasha Bhaskar Shinde: If I were to describe EUNICE in one sentence I would say - It is an alliance that promotes mobility, a European Identity, cross-border friendships, and togetherness. I always knew that BTU was a part of the EUNICE Alliance and often heard about the various courses that were being offered by EUNICE and would see the posts on the website but never participated before. When I found out that the University is looking for students to represent BTU and also be on the student advisory board, I was very excited by the opportunity and applied for it. I have been a member of various college clubs during my bachelor studies and know the importance of voicing the opinions of students to the higher authorities. I was therefore excited about the opportunity to work with students from other universities to share the student perspective and to also be a part of something so much bigger than myself.

What specific tasks do you have within the project? What do you have to do as ESAB members?

Francisco Föse: I take part in meetings with the partner universities where we develop ideas and work together on formats for international exchange. I am currently jointly responsible for the digital Language Culture Café - a space where students can learn about languages and cultures together. I have also organised an exchange where Polish students visit our university - a contribution to German-Polish friendship. I am also working with an international team on an app that challenges stereotypical ideas and narratives and funds cooperation at eye level. We are planning to further develop this application at BTU and make it available for practical use.

Natasha Bhaskar Shinde: As an ESAB member, I work closely with Francisco who is also an ESAB member from BTU to promote EUNICE and all EUNICE-related events amongst the students at BTU. We also have monthly online meetings with the ESAB members of the other 9 universities where we discuss the work we have been doing at our local EUNICE offices. This allows us to share our progress and also learn from other universities. We also work together to provide advice and feedback related to various EUNICE programs and courses.

What important experiences do you associate with EUNICE?

Francisco Föse: EUNICE shows me how valuable different points of view are when it comes to developing new ideas. In the teams, you learn to find compromises and create solutions together - that's democracy in action. I have made friends all over Europe through EUNICE. It is particularly inspiring when you sit around a table with people from ten different countries, talk about their lives and simply have a good time. These are connections that go far beyond the project.

Natasha Bhaskar Shinde: Although I have been a student at BTU for about three semesters now, I feel like I only became a part of the EUNICE family about 7 months ago. A crucial experience so far has been the travels to Finland and Viseu where I had the opportunity to meet with students from the other alliance universities. These experiences truly helped shape me and my beliefs. Coming to Germany was already a huge learning experience for me due to the differences in language, culture, and traditions. But meeting people from so many other cultures, everyone speaking a different language and still managing to find a middle ground and accepting each others’ differences was an amazing experience. I also learned a lot from the other students who have been ESAB members for much longer now.

How do you envisage the network developing in the future? What do you wish for EUNICE in the future?

Francisco Föse: I would like to see EUNICE continue to grow - not just as a project, but as a platform that feels like a European university. A place that unleashes the creative potential of different perspectives in order to develop new visions of Europe together. Especially in Europe, with so many cultures and differences - even within individual countries - we need such networks. Today more than ever.

Natasha Bhaskar Shinde: We are currently working to promote EUNICE and to have a stronger local community at BTU. With more students personally involved, we can promote and reach many more students at our university. I wish that we have many more short, and long-term courses for students in the future. I also hope we organize many more extra-curricular activities so that we can bring together all the students from the ten alliance universities.

Since 2020, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU) has been part of EUNICE, the European University for Customized Education. This university alliance currently comprises ten universities from ten European countries, with a total of around 150,000 students and over 15,000 academics & staff. Through flexible, tailor-made educational programs, the alliance aims to improve the experience of students and teachers in higher education.