The coming of the Spring is a period when life starts anew. The sun is shining, the birds are singing. We feel much better and more motivated.

For us at ESN, it also marks a very important time - the start of the application process for people who want to take the next step in their personal development, to take on a challenge that will change their life forever, or in other words, the application process for the Erasmus+ programme.

Since we understand how important this decision can be, we try to give as much help as possible to all those who are not sure if they should go on this journey, and those who have not decided where to go yet.

That is why we, at ESN Veliko Tarnovo, tried to be a part of all the promotional activities happening in the St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo.

In the beginning of March our members presented the Erasmus program and their personal stories at several meeting with students.

Our most active promoter was Atanas Peev, the vice-president of ESN Veliko Tarnovo.

He began the month of promotion with a presentation for the students from the Faculty of Modern Languages. He presented the Erasmus+ programme in general and then shared his personal story and experience from his year-long Erasmus study exchange experience Belgium. The presentation was followed by a Q&A session, in which he advised students to be more proactive and answered their question about Erasmus+.

On 14.03, ESN Veliko Tarnovo was present at the Open Doors event of the university. Atanas once again talked about the Erasmus possibilities offered by the university, this time in front of potential students, their parents, the faculty of the university and the Rector Plamen Legkostup. This was a great opportunity for the section as well, because we had a chance to present ourselves and our purpose to both the potential students and the governing body of the university. We also had a stand, just like the other university departments, where we answered questions about exchange opportunities, offered by our university, and the Erasmus+ programme as a whole.

We also took part in the info session at the Faculty of Business and Economics at the University of Veliko Tarnovo, where Atanas Peev and another ESN Veliko Tarnovo member, Kaloyan Gadzhev, presented once again their personal stories, inspiring students to go on an Erasmus exchange.

The biggest problem that we face is the lack of information. There are students that graduate their studies and have never heard about the Erasmus programme, students who are not motivated to participate in an international exchange.

Atanas made an effort to change this once again when he presented the Erasmus + programme to the students in the Mathematics and Natural Sciences High School in Haskovo. He focused on the fact that even in high school, students need to be more motivated in regards to their education. He shared his own Erasmus experience.

After the presentations, two new members joined our ESN section, our Facebook page raised in popularity and most important of all- we saw the spark that will ignite the desire to travel, meet new people and cultures in the eyes of so many people!