#aegee

***Price includes participation, accommodation, transformation in the country, basic meals

In less than three weeks, I will have the distinct privilege of traveling around Europe as an ambassador for Europe on Track, a unique program sponsored by European students organization AEGEE.  It promises to be an incredible opportunity to talk with people in a variety of different countries about the societal tumult recently sweeping the Western World.

As I gear up for this exciting European adventure, I’ve been keeping a close eye on the political goings-on over there (as much as one can here in America).  Many Americans may not know that last Saturday marked the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome, which would eventually lead to the European Union we know today.  This is a cause for both celebration and reflection as, despite the EU’s role in creating sustained peace in Europe, myriad factors seem to be conspiring against the union’s long-term health.

In today’s longread (though it’s actually more of a shortread), the staff of The Economist (which writes collectively, something I somehow never noticed and is explained here) offers a no-holds-barred look at what it believes the EU must do to ensure its very survival.  The key, the writers say, is flexibility: If countries can participate in different tiers of membership, with certain commitments corresponding to each tier, there will be less cause for resentment and more opportunities for autonomy.

It’s an interesting idea, and one that seems likely to occur at some point.  When exactly remains up for debate- but current events would dictate sooner rather than later.

When arriving in Heidelberg you may be overwhelmed by the fact you are not only at a new university but also in a new country where you may not speak the language particularly well. This feeling of being overwhelmed may lead one to feel alone or to have feelings of homesickness. The best cure for these issues to get out of your new apartment and find new friends. Two organizations that host weekly events in two distinct bars in Heidelberg are AEGEE and ESN.  AEGEE stands for Association des Etats Généraux des Etudiants de l’Europe which roughly translates to Association for European Students. They host weekly bar night at Mohr’s and also offer occasional trips on weekends to explore the surrounding region. One note of concern for someone interested in traveling with AEGEE is that the accommodations are not hostels and an entire weekend trip can be quite exhausting without a proper bed to sleep in. This group works and often co-hosts events with ESN. You will know AEGEE is around by there mascot a little stuffed penguin.  ESN stands for Erasmus Student Network. Erasmus is the term used for those within certain countries of Europe when traveling abroad. While both of these groups are centered around Erasmus students, you do not need to be an Erasmus student to participate and they are always welcoming of everyone. ESN holds weekly events on Monday night at Gunnar’s Bar. If whole weekend long trips sound too much for you, ESN generally offers day trips where you leave in the morning and return in the night. You can also purchase an ESN card that allows you to get discounts on the events and trips they arrange.