Conceived to inform young people about the possibilities of studying abroad, a touring van of volunteers from the Erasmus student network has been criss-crossing Europe since March and is due to finish its journey in the capital of Europe on 28 June.
This Brussels Erasmus day is the last in a series of events held all over Europe to celebrate the EU's popular student exchange programme which turns 20 this year. Celebrations in Brussels will kick off once the van arrives in Brussels’ Grand Place to be welcomed by the mayor, and will include a debate and a party bringing together past, present and future Erasmus students.
Erasmus days have been organised all over Europe, with the Erasmus van present at 40 of them, in cities as far apart as Budapest, Belgrade, Istanbul and Bucharest. This month’s stops include a number of university cities such as Munich, Zurich, Rome, Milan, Barcelona, Porto, Paris and London with debates, concerts and birthday parties arranged in each location.
Setting up their information stands near stations, universities, pubs or wherever young people congregate, the volunteers have been spreading a positive message about studying abroad. “Each exchange we have had on our tour has been fleeting," said one Erasmus-van team member, "but as rich as the next."
