Erasmus Student Network (ESN) is the largest non-profit and non-partisan student organisation in Europe, founded in 1989 to support and promote international mobility. Operating on the principle of "students helping students", the network is structured across three levels (local, national, and international) to facilitate the academic, cultural, and social integration of exchange students. Through a wide network of local sections run entirely by university volunteers, ESN organises cultural activities, trips, social inclusion events, and volunteering initiatives, while acting as a representative body for the Erasmus Generation before academic institutions and European bodies.Erasmus Student Network Pisa - ETS is the local ESN section operating in the Pisa area. In close cooperation with the University of Pisa, the association welcomes and guides hundreds of international students each year, facilitating their integration into university and local community life through logistics assistance, language tandems, trips, and an extensive calendar of cultural and recreational events.
I joined ESN in February 2025, driven by the desire to bring the vibrant international atmosphere I experienced during my Erasmus in Heidelberg back to Pisa. This welcoming, collaborative environment led me, in August of the same year, to take on the role of Social Inclusion Coordinator. My goal was to create high-impact social events bridging the international community with local institutions: this vision sparked our collaboration with Cinema Arsenale for movie screenings and discussions on films such as Tangerine, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and C'è Ancora Domani, as well as awareness campaigns with the Italian Red Cross tackling the stigma surrounding STIs (sexually transmitted infections).
February 2026 – Present
Vice President & Project Development
Vice Presidency, People Management & Project Development
The turning point came in February 2026 with my election as Vice President. Joining the Board of Directors during a delicate transitional phase gave me the opportunity to step up and develop solid expertise in Third Sector (non-profit) governance. Operationally and managerially, I deepened my professional use of productivity and collaboration tools (Google Workspace, Excel, Canva), managing member databases and ensuring regulatory compliance with privacy and GDPR. On the human and organizational side, I led the full volunteer HR cycle: recruitment campaigns, onboarding processes, and internal training pathways, while also leading the ESN Pisa delegation as Head of Section at the National Erasmus Games 2026 in Cesenatico.
Having concluded this intense term and enthusiastically passed the torch in the Board to new members, I continue my journey in the association by focusing on grant applications, project proposals, and securing local and European funding opportunities to empower our upcoming initiatives.
A Proving Ground for Project & People Management
“In ESN I learned what it truly means to lead a non-profit organization: balancing budgets, deadlines, and compliance with the daily motivation of dozens of volunteers and hundreds of international students.”
Moments & Field Initiatives
September 2025
Welcome Weeks & Erasmus Group
Welcoming international exchange students in Pisa alongside fellow volunteers at the start of the semester.
Training & Development
ESN Pisa Local School
Internal training and onboarding event for new active members, funded by the European "Voices of Change" grant.
Social Inclusion
Screening & Debate at Cinema Arsenale
Presenting and moderating the discussion for the indie film "Tangerine", hosted in partnership with Cinema Arsenale.
Official Platforms & Useful Links
Check out our full schedule of events and upcoming activities:
