Erasmus Student Network

Erasmus Student Network (ESN) is one of the biggest volunteer student organizations in Europe. Our network is just two years younger than the Erasmus program, and we work with nearly 400 higher education institutions in 35 countries. The network is constantly developing and expanding. Each year ESN volunteers help 150 000 exchange and international students. We also support reintegration of homecoming students; many of them join our mentor network after experiencing studies abroad.

The values of ESN that all our members stand and work for are: unity in diversity, diversity in the unity (we all have different backgrounds, but share one common aim and goal), students helping students (we passionately commit ourselves to volunteering for the benefits of others), fun in friendship and respect (we enjoy relations based on respect), international dimension of the life (we are open-minded, mobile, like to discover and explore, to co-operate and to interact to break borders), love for Europe as an area of peace and cultural exchange (we live and benefit from the cultural richness of Europe to the utmost), openness with tolerance (we understand and accept others and learn from them), cooperation in the integration (we share an holistic view towards internationality).

ESN Riga, established in 2003, is the only ESN section in Latvia. We are based in the Faculty of Economics and Management of the University of Latvia, and work with most of higher education institutions in Latvia.

Buddy system

One of the core activities of ESN Riga is to organize a buddy system. Buddy is your Latvian friend, who will welcome you to Latvia and help to settle down for an exciting semester or year in Riga. Buddy will also help with questions you will have starting your life here. In some universities the buddy system is organized by us, in other - by the international department or a student union. We are working to expand the system to help as many students as possible, but if your higher education institution does not have a buddy system yet, you can always e-mail ESN Riga at buddy@lu.lv – we will take care of your concerns. Please remember that buddy is just another volunteer student – would you have any specific academic questions, it is always better to ask directly to your Erasmus or international student coordinator.

Events

Welcome week – learn the basics about living in Latvia and discover one of the most beautiful European cities – Riga. Each year activities are different, and you can find a program at our website.

Welcome and goodbye seminars – we start and complete each semester with two days in a guest house out of Riga. It is a great opportunity to make new friends and share your impressions. We also have tons of cross-cultural activities and, if the guest house allows, a traditional Latvian sauna. Don’t miss this opportunity.

Trips - each semester we have few trips to discover Latvia, Baltic States and our neighbor countries such as Sweden and Russia. Typically we go to Saint Petersburg in spring semester and with a ferry to Stockholm twice a year. Trips have limited number of participants and places fill up fast – any international student can participate, but you need to register early.

Cultural nights –those are events co-organized by our team and international students from a particular region or country. Cultural nights have taken us to Arabic world, Spain, Italy and many other great places.

You can sign up for ESN mailing list, and we will send to reminders of all registrations, as well other valuable information for your stay in Latvia. You can sign up, by sending an e-mail to buddy@lu.lv

Projects

ESN Riga is working on many international projects – such as researching international education in Latvia, or finding out various aspects of international student life. We also have projects, which help international students to interact with the local community allowing you to learn more about Latvians and our people to learn more about you. Check http://www.esn.lv/content/esn-riga-projects on how you can get involved!

ESN Card

ESN Card offers special discounts for current and former exchange and international students, as well as ESN members. The card identifies membership to ESN, and offers special deals throughout Europe, including discounts to our trips. Find more about the ESN card at http://www.esn.lv/content/esn-cards-discounts

Our contacts:

Office: Aspazijas Boulevard 5, room 532, Riga, LV-1050, Latvia
E-mail: buddy@lu.lv
Follow us also on FaceBook http://www.facebook.com/ESN.Riga and People / Esn Riga