When you arrive in a new city and a new university, one of the best ways to meet friends and explore the local culture is by joining student unions and associations. Whether you’re passionate about protecting the environment or a tech enthusiast, you can find opportunities to express yourself and make your experience truly memorable.
Lyon 1
In Lyon, around 80 diverse associations are spread over all the sites : associations linked to a component, a department, teaching stream associations, cultural associations, humanitarian associations, sports associations, and so on.
You can find all the associations in Lyon 1 here:
Artistic workshops supervised by passionate artists are also open to students. You can take part in music, visual arts, video, literature, theater, and dance activities.
More information is available here: https://etu.univ-lyon1.fr/activites/culture/activites-artistiques
Granada
Here you can find a complete list of services that international students might find useful throughout their stay in Granada: https://internacional.ugr.es/en/students/ugr-services
Within the Vice-Rectorate for Student Services and Campus Life of UGR, there is the Secretariat for Student Participation and Representation.
All legally constituted student associations that carry out work for and on behalf of the university community are registered here. The Secretariat promotes student activities through the granting of financial aid to them.
This grant is awarded in accordance with the basic principles of publicity, competition and objectivity. In addition to financial aid, any type of collaboration and assistance is provided to all those associations that are duly registered.
The aim is to encourage student associations to collaborate in all those activities that are considered enriching for the training of our students.
For inquiries directed to the Secretariat, you can contact them via email at asociacionismo@ugr.es or by phone at (+34) 958 24 31 01.
Graz
At University of Graz, the student union (ÖH Uni Graz) provides support for students via their different departments (Social Affairs Department, Accessibility Department, Foreign & International Departments, Cultural Department, Sports & Health Department, Queer Department, etc.)
International exchange students receive additional support through the Erasmus Student Network which is also linked to the student union.
Maynooth
Students at Maynooth University are represented by the Maynooth Student Union (MSU). There are four officers in the MSU: the President, the Vice-President of Academic Affairs, the Vice-President of Welfare & Equality and the Vice-President of Student Life.
The Erasmus Student Network (ESN) is also very active, organising many events and activities for students, such as trips around Ireland, game nights, movie nights, “Meet & Mingle” events, etc. The ESN also has a Buddy Programme for incoming exchange students.
Incoming students are also strongly encouraged to join the many student Clubs & Societies that are available to them. There are over 200 different clubs and societies. Some societies include: Arts & Crafts, Disney, Tea, Pride, Swiftie, Trad Music, Women in STEM, Anthropology, History, Criminology, etc. Some Clubs include: Ultimate Frisbee, Trampoline, MUCK (Maynooth University Canoe and Kayak Club), rugby, soccer, rock climbing, etc. Students can join clubs and societies and see the full list here. Please note there is a €3 fee per club/society.
Minho
Upon arrival at UMinho, new students are welcomed and supported by the Student Associations AAUMinho and ESN Minho. Both work together and individually, welcoming and integrating students, helping and supporting them in several aspects of the academic life and organizing activities and events throughout the academic year.
Students can also participate in several Student Unions/Associations and Sections that actively promote and boost academic life and encourage networking within Schools/Institutes, Departments and/or Degrees: https://www.aaum.pt/nucleos-seccoes-e-delegacoes/.
In addition, the Cultural Groups at the University of Minho play an important role in promoting the culture of the University, the cities and the country. Here, the students can gather, exchange knowledge, values and practices, and learn and promote the arts of music, singing, theater and dance.
Padova
Padova hosts a very active ESN local branch that supports exchange students by answering their questions and helping them with any issues they may encounter. ESN also organizes activities, trips and parties to promote Italian culture with the aim to create a positive environment where everybody can feel at ease and make new friends.
Find more about ESN and other associations offering activities dedicated to students on the UNIPD’s website (Italian version): https://www.unipd.it/associazioni
Vilnius
At Vilnius University, many different societies, clubs, and individual projects have been created over time. These opportunities invite students not only to spend their free time actively but also to deepen their knowledge and acquire new skills. Students can explore art groups, join the Vilnius University Student Representation, participate in scientific societies across various fields, or engage in other activities.
Vilnius University Students’ Representation (VU SA) invites students to join a wide range of clubs and programs, including debate, photography, film, and Kendo clubs, Energy Society, as well as tutors, mentors, “Label-free” (Lith. Be etikečių), “Honestly” (Lith. Sąžiningai), and more. The common aspirations, various projects, and activities currently bring together more than 1000 active members.
The Culture Center brings together 15 art groups, including choirs, orchestras, theatres, and various ensembles, with more than 600 members. These groups organize or participate in over 150 events across Lithuania and abroad. Students can train individually or in group classes, and also play team sports in the four gyms of the Health and Sport Centre, located in three different areas of Vilnius.
Wroclaw
Every Erasmus student arriving in Wroclaw can connect with the International Student Network (ISN) and receive a personal buddy through the Buddy System. Buddies are Polish students who volunteer to help and guide exchange students around the city. In addition, ISN organizes events for both international and local students, such as book clubs, hikes outside the city, and international dinners, giving everyone a chance to meet, engage, and socialize.
The group has its own Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/isn.uwr/