Group: For students

The Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) recently hosted the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) Linguistic Diversity, Interculturality and European Identity. The programme brought together students from Aurora universities to explore multilingualism, intercultural competence and the role of linguistic diversity in fostering a shared European identity.

Attendees of the Linguistic Diversity, Interculturality and European Identity BIP

Organised in collaboration with Aurora partners Universität Innsbruck (UIBK), Palacký University Olomouc (UP) and Università Federico II of Naples (UNINA), the programme combined online learning with an intensive on-site week in Tarragona. The course was designed collaboratively by the four institutions, with lecturers from each partner university contributing to the different modules. For instance, Prof. Lídia Gallego co-teached one of the modules with Prof. Ulrike Jessner, both specialists in multilingualism.

This year’s edition welcomed 21 mobility students, 8 local students and 5 lecturers at URV. Previous editions attracted a similar number of participants, demonstrating the programme’s growing appeal across the Aurora alliance. In fact, according to Prof. Gallego, interest has increased significantly, with many more applications received than could be accepted, as participation was capped at 30 students.

One of the most valuable aspects of the programme was its innovative approach. “Through a carefully designed combination of online and on-site components, participants engaged in collaborative learning that required them to navigate linguistic diversity and intercultural interaction in authentic academic contexts,” explains Prof. Gallego. Working in multilingual and intercultural groups enabled students and staff from different Aurora universities not only to learn about these topics, but also to put them into practice throughout the programme.

The edition hosted by the URV was particularly enriched by its coincidence with Sant Jordi, one of Catalonia’s most emblematic cultural celebrations. Participants also had the opportunity to experience other university and local cultural events taking place during the same period, including Aurora Gastro Week and Lletra Fest, the Faculty of Humanities’ literature festival.

Intensive in-person classes on multilinguism, diversity and interculturality

Building European Identity Through Cultural Exchange And Short-Term Mobility

Beyond the academic programme, participants connected in informal settings and experienced local culture first-hand. On Monday, students from URV and Aurora Student Ambassadors organised a beach volleyball activity on one of Tarragona’s beaches, creating a relaxed environment for intercultural exchange and community building.

For Prof. Gallego, the programme offers significant benefits for students. It provides an international and Erasmus-like experience without requiring them to leave their home university for an extended period. Students can put their multilingual skills into practice, particularly by using English intensively throughout the week and during the online sessions, while gaining new perspectives on interculturality, identity and multilingualism. The programme also introduces them to the international mobility opportunities available through URV and the Aurora alliance.

The BIP format offers several advantages. It allows students to experience international mobility before committing to a long-term Erasmus exchange, helping them overcome potential concerns about studying abroad. Academically, students can complete an elective course in an intensive format and have it recognised as part of their degree. At the same time, the short duration makes participation more accessible, as students do not need to relocate, secure accommodation or establish a new social network.

Reflecting on the overall outcomes, Prof. Gallego notes that the experience had “a strong educational and personal impact, strengthening participants’ intercultural competences and reaffirming the value of European cooperation in higher education.”

The initiative reflects Aurora’s commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion and international collaboration through innovative learning experiences. By encouraging participants to engage with different languages, perspectives and cultures, the programme contributes to building a more connected and inclusive European Higher Education Area.

The next edition of the BIP has already been confirmed and will take place at Universität Innsbruck in February 2027.

Student participation within Aurora is shaped by both formal governance structures and collaborative learning practices. At the Aurora Annual Conference 2026 hosted by the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE), the plenary session “Window into Student Representation” and the Peer-to-Peer Learning Workshop explored how students contribute to governance, collaboration and community building across the alliance.

From left to right: Eliška Karasová, Emelie Schultz, Simona Gibalová, Alma Ágústsdóttir, and Erin Gourves. © Photo credit: eventfotograf.in

Student Voice In European Governance Frameworks

The plenary session at the Aurora Annual Conference 2026 brought together members of the Aurora Student Council (ASC), including ASC President Simona Gibalová (Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice), ASC Vice-president Eliška Karasová (Palacký University Olomouc), ASC member Emelie Schultz (Copenhagen Business School), and former ASC President Alma Ágústsdóttir (University of Iceland). The session was moderated by ASC member Erin Gourves (Université Paris-Est Créteil).

The panel highlighted developments in student governance within Aurora, including work on the Aurora Students’ Rights Charter as a shared framework across student cohorts, and the integration of Aurora student representation into broader European structures, particularly through the European Students’ Union (ESU).

Speakers also discussed inter-alliance collaborations like FOREU4ALL, which brings together European university alliances to exchange on democratic student representation and the accessibility of student mobility. Panelists touched upon the European Student Assembly (ESA), a gathering of student representatives from various European alliances working on codes of conduct and governance frameworks to improve transparency.

These initiatives reflect the gradual embedding of student voice within European-level governance structures, moving towards more formalised and sustained engagement.

Simona Gibalová, President of the Aurora Student Council, emphasised the importance of strengthening students’ role within Aurora’s governance structures. “For me, the most important priority for strengthening student participation within Aurora is the active and systematic inclusion of students in decision-making and governance structures. At the same time, it is essential to foster students’ intrinsic motivation to engage in shaping the future of higher education.”

The session highlighted ongoing challenges such as onboarding processes, local coordination, the need for dedicated staff for student engagement, and the importance of recognising student engagement through formal mechanisms such as certification. To address these challenges, the ASC introduced a new role on its Board to support continuity between cohorts and guide new members more effectively.

Erin Gourves, ASC member underlined the dual nature of effective student participation. “Students play a meaningful role in international cooperation and in strengthening inter-university relationships. Effective student representation relies on two complementary elements: student engagement itself, and institutional support for student-led initiatives.”

Peer Learning And Collaborative Exchange

Aurora Student Ambassadors and ASC members met on the final day of the conference to exchange practices across institutions, with a particular focus on onboarding processes and strengthening collaboration between universities within the alliance.

Undertaken with the Aurora 2030 T7.2 Development of Aurora Student Community, the Peer-to-Peer Learning Workshop explored peer learning as a collaborative practice based on discussion, mentoring and reciprocal teaching.

Students identified a range of effective tools and formats, including Menti, Kahoot, post-it exercises, Miro boards and structured feedback sessions, while noting that unmoderated breakout rooms tend to limit participation and reduce interaction.

Peer-to-peer learning workshop on onboarding processes and best practices across Aurora universities. 

From Institutional Structures To Collaborative Student Communities

Both sessions converged on a shared observation: student engagement within Aurora is increasingly shifting from formal governance roles towards more co-creative and networked forms of participation and community building.

Rather than being confined to institutional frameworks, students are actively contributing through peer learning, inter-university collaboration and informal exchanges that strengthen collective identity across the alliance.

Strengthening support mechanisms, ensuring continuity and enabling sustained cooperation will therefore be essential in consolidating this ongoing development within Aurora.

On 6 and 7 May, Olomouc hosted the traditional Majáles festival, a celebration of student life, creativity, and active engagement. Aurora was proud to take part in this vibrant event and be present where student culture comes alive.

From left to right: Andrea Hupková, Niels Hexspoor, Eliška Karasová, and Kristýna Raimerová.

Majáles provided a unique opportunity for the Aurora office at the Palacký University Olomouc (UP) to present Aurora to students and the wider public, while also engaging with other local organisations and student initiatives. The festival atmosphere was full of energy, openness, and inspiration, making it the perfect space for networking, sharing ideas, and building new connections within the student community.

Aurora was represented at all levels by Niels Hexspoor, Aurora Sustainability and Impact Leader and Aurora 2030 Capacity Building and Community Engagement Lead, Eliška Karasová, Aurora Student Council (ASC) Vice-president, Kristýna Raimerová, ASC Secretary, and Andrea Hupková, Aurora Student Ambassador.

Thanks to the organisers of Majáles Olomouc, Aurora had the opportunity to participate in this meaningful event, exchange with many inspiring people, and experience the lively spirit of the May celebrations in Olomouc.

Leading up to the European Student Assembly 2026, students from all over the world worked together on recommendations addressing current European challenges. From 20 to 22 April, and after four months of digital collaboration and intensive discussions, participants gathered at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, to further develop and vote on their proposals during plenary sessions.

From left to right: Lilli Fee Schulz, Lucie Badurová, Eliška Karasová and Marko Darabos. 

The European Student Assembly 2026 (ESA 2026) provided students with a unique opportunity to contribute their perspectives, collaboratively develop ideas, and experience the importance of participation in shaping Europe. In addition to the substantive work, ESA 2026 also created plenty of space for exchange, new points of view, and networking with students and university alliances across Europe.

Reflections On The ESA 2026 Experience

Aurora was represented at ESA 2026 by four participants at different levels: Aurora Student Council (ASC) representatives Eliška Karasová and Marko Darabos, ASC alumna Lucie Badurová, and Aurora Student Ambassador Lilli Fee Schulz. They summarised their experience below:

Eliška Karasová, ASC Vice-president and student at Palacký  University Olomouc

As Vice-president of the ASC, I had the opportunity to represent our alliance at the 5th edition of the European Student Assembly together with a colleague from the ASC. As part of an international panel focused on defence and security, I collaborated with motivated students from different parts of the world while discussing some of the most pressing challenges facing European society.

From months of collaboration to our final discussions in Strasbourg, the ESA provided valuable insight into both the topic and intercultural cooperation, which lie at the core of the project. I am grateful to have been part of such an inspiring initiative and to have met so many passionate young people committed to making a difference.

European Student Assembly 2026. Photo © Guillermo Alba Buitrón

Marko Darabos, ASC Member and student at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

I had a great time at this year’s European Student Assembly, where I discussed many current European issues. I was particularly interested in discussions on EU project funding, especially how it could be used more effectively to create real impact, particularly in light of the current defence situation and possible implications for the new Multiannual Financial Framework.

I also enjoyed talking to members from other alliances, learning how they work, how they engage students, and which methods seem most effective.

Lucie Badurová, ASC Alumna and student at Università degli Studi di Padova

I am a former Aurora Student Council Communications Officer at Palacký University Olomouc. My journey with the European Student Assembly started in 2023, when I represented Aurora as a Panel Coordinator focused on the EU’s approach to mental health. With my background in psychology and neuroscience, topics connected to the brain and mental health have always been close to me.

The experience was incredibly meaningful, which is why I was happy to return in 2026 as an alumna speaker to discuss neurodegenerative diseases and their wider impact on Europe. ESA has given me a unique opportunity to speak about topics I truly care about while meeting students from across Europe who share the same passion for change. I am very grateful for the space ESA creates for young people to share their ideas on a European level, as well as for the welcoming community that makes the experience so special.

Lilli Fee Schulz, Aurora Student Ambassador and student at Universität Innsbruck

I am an Aurora Student Ambassador from Universität Innsbruck. The past months were intensive, but above all, incredibly educational. I learned how political measures and recommendations are developed and formulated, and how international collaboration can succeed in digital formats.

It was especially valuable to engage deeply with topics shaping Europe today. ESA and Aurora allowed me to actively contribute to a process that can initiate change, and I am very grateful for this experience.

The European Student Assembly clearly demonstrated that student voices can be heard and play an important role in discussions about Europe’s future, drive transformation, and catalyse positive societal impact.

The Aurora Student Council (ASC) framed inclusivity as the key focus of their work in Aurora this year. During the semester, Simona Gibalová, ASC President and student of Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, introduced an initiative aimed at promoting inclusivity across Aurora universities.

Left to right: Kristýna Raimerová and Eliška Karasová, ASC Board members and organisers of the inclusivity event at Palacký University Olomouc (UP)

Launch Of The First Inclusivity Event

To get this initiative off the ground, each ASC member was tasked with organising an event at their home university. These events aim to address inclusivity in a way that reflects local needs. The first event launching the initiative was held in March 2026 at the Student Club of Palacký University Olomouc (UP).

Organised by ASC Vice-president Eliška Karasová and Secretary General Kristýna Raimerová, the event gathered UP students around a shared Easter dinner with homemade meals, traditional Easter sweets and cookies, and fun quizzes. 

“It was my pleasure to bring such a great initiative to my home university and create an event that benefited our students while also starting a tradition for future ASC representatives,” said Eliška. “What I truly appreciate about this concept is that my colleague and I were able to take the initiative, add our own touches, and create something original and creative in a way that suited us. We truly enjoyed the event, and I feel fortunate to be part of such an inspiring alliance.”

Introducing Aurora and Aurora Student Council representation to UP students

The inclusivity event, and Aurora as a whole, received positive feedback from UP students. Many participants had the opportunity to learn more about Aurora, as well as gain an introduction to the world of student representation in the Aurora Student Council. 

Through the Aurora Student Council (ASC), student representatives from Aurora universities are able to voice their vision of European higher education, its challenges, and the opportunities it offers them. In line with Aurora strategic priorities of inclusivity and student engagement, students therefore play a crucial role in helping to shape the educational offers in Aurora. Eliška Karasová, ASC Vice-president and student at Palacký University Olomouc (UP), writes about her experience during a meeting with Aurora Vice-rectors for Education.  

I had the privilege of attending a meeting of the Aurora Vice-rectors for Education, where I shared the perspective of the Aurora Student Council (ASC) as its representative. We focused on the structure of educational opportunities as well as the content of the courses offered within Aurora. We are grateful for the wide range of mobility opportunities offered and see flexibility in student life as part of an inclusive approach that enables everyone to participate in international and intercultural exchange. However, we also emphasised that, alongside flexibility, it is essential to provide strong support and a solid coordination framework for students, regardless of the type of mobility they choose.

Regarding the content of the courses offered, we expressed our interest in courses focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its development and impact across different fields. Courses in European shared history also helps students understand historical events from a broader perspective. Furthermore, opportunities that train skills for future leaders and stakeholders, including general soft skills, will certainly benefit students in their future careers.

We are aware that there are already multiple programmes covering parts of these areas. However, we would like to support making these opportunities accessible to a wider student base. In other words, our goal is to make these opportunities available to all students across the alliance, for example, by sharing best practices or developing joint programmes such as Blended Intensive Programmes.

As a member of the ASC, I was particularly pleased with how our suggestions were received. It was a valuable meeting, and I am glad that we will continue to build on this cooperation to strengthen the connection between Vice-rectors for Education in Aurora universities and the Aurora Student Council.

The Aurora Student Council (ASC) introduced its first Open Session, an initiative by ASC President, Simona Gibalová. The objective of this initiative is to provide current Aurora Student Ambassadors an insider perspective on Aurora student representation, and the role and responsibilities for these students in Aurora universities. 

The first part of the online session began with a look into the Aurora Student Ambassador programme, then followed by a second part on a regular ASC work meeting. 

Engagement in Aurora through the Student Ambassador Programme

The Open Session kicked off with a warm welcome by Aurora Student Council (ASC) President Simona Gibalová. She outlined her vision of creating a space connecting alumni and potential future members of the Aurora student community.

“In the Aurora Student Council, we value continuity and cooperation, and we care deeply about the entire project,” said Simona. “Since this year’s theme is inclusivity, there was no better way to approach it than by opening our online doors to former and future members, connecting them, and introducing them to the world of student representation.”

Simona set the tone for the introduction to the Aurora Student Ambassador programme by Niels Hexspoor, Aurora Engagement and Impact Leader at Palacký University Olomouc (UP). He provided a thorough overview of this flagship initiative for the student community within Aurora, emphasising on the impressive year-on-year growth in membership, and engagement activities across Aurora universities.

To illustrate the success of the programme, three former members of the Aurora Student Council shared their diverse experiences of student representation in Aurora. All three started as Student Ambassadors, before taking on bigger responsibilities on the ASC Board in the later years in Aurora:

Mathilde Chaumont, former ASC President of 2024/2025, reflected on her year as President, as an active advocate for students’ rights at the European Students Union, and her team’s work on the Aurora Student Rights Charter.

Sören Dahn, former ASC Vice-president of 2024/2025, spoke of his representation at the European Student Assembly and in the seizmic social entrepreneurship and social innovation project in the Aurora 2030 programme.

Hanuš Patera, former ASC President of 2023/2024, offered insights into his presidency and deep involvement in the work for Aurora at his home university UP, as well as upon graduation at Copenhagen Business School (CBS).

Inside the Workings of the Aurora Student Council

In the second part of the online open session, the ASC held its regular meeting with its members. Among the key topics on the agenda included updates on the Aurora Student Conference in June, hosted by the Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, the trainings organised by the European Students Union (ESU), the ESU Conference of the Alliances in Malta, updates from the FOREU4ALL topical group Student-led Community. Part of the conversation also turned to the Aurora Student Rights Charter, and local events at each of the Aurora universities.

By being involved in the ASC meeting, Student Ambassadors were able to get a first-hand experience of what student representation looks like in Aurora, and the wider European student community. Participants also had the opportunity to learn more about student-led initiatives, work to be done, challenges addressed and achievements to celebrate.