ITinimene

Tarthoven exchange – an exciting adventure in the Netherlands

20th mai 2024 in Experience story

Tarthoven exchange – an exciting adventure in the Netherlands

A new and exhilarating chapter has begun for AEGEE-Tartu: we’ve officially twinned with our dear friends at AEGEE-Eindhoven! The twin antenna contract was signed at the Agora in Novi Sad this April, marking a thrilling milestone for us all.

To celebrate, we interviewed one of our newest members, Reio Treve, who shares his unforgettable experiences from the cultural exchange in Eindhoven last November – his first ever international AEGEE event. Dive into his story and join us in this vibrant new era of international friendship and adventure!

Why did you decide to take part in the cultural exchange with AEGEE-Eindhoven?

I had rarely travelled outside of Estonia, except for the coming-of-age ritual of taking the ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki and then to Stockholm. Besides that, I’ve only been to the UK. AEGEE offers the opportunity not only to see Europe affordably but also to take part in the various activities our friends across the continent have prepared for us. I knew there had been talks about signing a twin local agreement with Eindhoven, so I thought to myself: If the first cultural exchange coming up is in Eindhoven, and we’re going to be a twin local, then that’s a clear sign that I must visit the place!

What were your expectations of your first international AEGEE event?

I was only just getting used to the people in AEGEE-Tartu, but I was excited to see the kinds of people that have joined AEGEE elsewhere. My expectation was to understand whether the organisation I joined locally fits the vibe elsewhere as well.

Based on your experience, how would you explain cultural exchange to someone who has never heard of it before?

It’s a bit different than going from Tartu to Tallinn. I’m kidding, it’s more than that – you’re actually able to have a walk or ride a bike in Eindhoven. No, but seriously, even the people seem to smile more over in the West. As for the cultural exchange part itself: one part is your own initiative to find things to explore, but visiting other locals with AEGEE provides a clear programme of various activities you can do – it’s a guided tour of an entire culture. Cultural nuances open themselves for you by interacting with the locals, tasting food, and visiting places – an experience that AEGEE excels at.

Can you provide an overview of the cultural exchange programme that you had in Eindhoven? What were some of the main activities or events included in the cultural exchange programme agenda during your stay there?

Straight off the bat, we headed for a bike rental. With bikes they gave us a city tour. Oddly enough, I don’t think we saw any canals, we were told that Eindhoven is one of the few Dutch cities that lacks them compared to the neighbouring cities. The bike tour concluded once we returned to the campus. On the campus their office was locked, but next doors they were preparing for the main event – homemade kapsalon. I will return later to go in depth about what the experience was like, but we ended up playing games and chit-chatting throughout the evening. And the evening must conclude with the night – a night at Stratum! Stratum is what the Rüütli street is for Tartu. But, it seems that the Dutch might be rowdier than the quiet and self-centred Estonians, since the entrance to the street was guarded by fully geared-up Dutch policemen. Anyway, it was great. We visited many bars and clubs, most memorable was the visit to the empty gay-friendly club – we entered, danced for a minute or two, and headed to the next club.

On the second day, we went bouldering. I am ashamed to admit it, but it was my first time bouldering – and I loved it! My climbing grade was V3 – counts as intermediate? Kristie and Max from AEGEE-Eindhoven showed us how it’s done though… they were amazing. In the evening, we visited the Hubble Community Café, which is on the campus. We had a couple rounds of drinks, it was great – especially welcoming was the discount given to AEGEE members! After that, we went to their office for a pub quiz on the Dutch language. It was a series of rounds composed of raw translations of Dutch words into English, such as: Stofzuiger → “dust sucker” → vacuum cleaner.

The last day started off with a toastie lunch, after which we played games and went shopping. The day concluded with a rave party, which I will not be talking about.

Did you participate in any specific activities or events that allowed you to immerse yourself in the local culture? Were there any surprises or differences in culture that you encountered during your visit?

Without a doubt it was when we ourselves made kapsalon. I’ll try to give you an explanation of what the kapsalon is. I think even the Dutch themselves are confused by its origins, but by the story they gave us it seems to have gone something along the lines of this: a man used to go to a shawarma store to get “his usual” – so the shopkeeper would shout to the kitchen: “regular order for the kapsalon”. Others began wondering what “kapsalon” was, and so they asked for it as well. As for what the kapsalon is… well, we got to make it ourselves! From bottom to top, we got to choose how to put the ingredients in a take-away tray. I did it like so: french fries, gyro meat, tomatoes and other vegetables – and it was necessary to top it all off with cheese. It tasted great!

Was there anything that you learned about yourself due to the cultural exchange?

I think it’s self-evident that there are to be found welcoming people across artificial boundaries, but it always hits you again as soon as you click with somebody – who might seem on the outset to be of a completely different background – and you recognise their similarities. I remember fondly how we met the folks at AEGEE-Eindhoven. We had to traverse the whole campus to find them, and then we sighted them in the distance – it took only a wave to already get things off to a good start.

Based on your experience, what are some of the reasons everyone should consider participating in a cultural exchange?

Loved it, and you will too!

Written by Reio Treve

NWM Le Mans

10th aprill 2024 in Experience story

NWM Le Mans

Esimene kuni neljas märts toimus Prantsusmaal, Le Mans’is Network Meeting fookusega inimressurssidel. Kuna olin (olen) AEGEE’s võrdlemisi uus ning tegu oli ka esimese rahvusvahelise üritusega, siis ootused olid kõrged, aga täpselt ei teadnud mida oodata – Network Meeting. Teadsin mida sõnad eraldiseisvalt tähendasid, aga kombinatsioonina ei suutnud millegiga seostada. Mis seal ikka, üldine arusaam oli olemas, registreerun ära, küll kohapeal detailid selguvad.

Natukese aja möödudes saabus meil – minu jaoks oli kohti jagunud ning nad arvestavad nüüd minu tulekuga. Mõtlesin, et ok, nice. Oh wait, tegevus toimub ju Prantsusmaal, peaks vist logistikaga tegelema. Long story short olin üks hetk Tallinna lennujaamas lennukil ning off I went.

Üksinda reisimine kaugemale kui Tallinn-Tartu oli minu jaoks võrdlemisi uus kogemus ning kõigile kes pole seda veel teinud, soovitan soojalt – õpetab iseennast usaldama. Teisisõnu võitsin iseseisvalt lahingu kõigepealt Pariisi ühistranspordi, mitmekorruseliste kiirrongide ning prantslastega, kes olid veendunud, et Le Mans hääldub Le Ma.

Lingvistiliste seikluste kiuste jõudsin oma sihtpunkti – Le Mansi. Tegu on Prantsusmaa mastaabis väiksema linnaga ning seetõttu on tegu fantastiliselt maalilise kohaga – sõbralikud inimesed, laiuvad maastikud ning kompaktne ja armas (vana)linn.

Peale lühikest jalutuskäiku ning korduvat Google Mapsiga konsulteerimist sain kokku ülejäänud grupiga, kes kõik särasid omamoodi. Järgnes linnatuur, majutusega tutvumine ning suht kohe väikese AEGEE põhimõtete meeldetuletusega ja juba oligi õhtu käes ning peale jää lõhkujaid sain esimest korda kahe päeva jooksul silma looja lasta. Peale tugevat mitmetunnist magamist saabuski märkamatult teine päev, mis tõi endaga kaasa AEGEE Euroopa tasandi ülesehituse meeldetuletus (ehk minu jaoks suht uute teadmiste omandamine) ja ka Network Meetingu põhiteema, kuidas muuta liikmete elukaar AEGEE’s võimalikult huvitavaks ning sujuvaks – teisisõnu HR ning värbamine. Värbamisest rääkides, kui Sa pole veel AEGEE liige ning loed neid blogisid, et liitumist prokrastineerida, then just do, you’ll love it. After official content, came dinner in the old town, spontaneous Tinder date, and a social program, which was really great. So great in fact, that me and one other participant kinda slept in and missed one discussion part. See kõrvale jättes, tõi kolmas päev kaasa arutelu ürituste korraldamise ning üleüldiste tavade kohta eri localites, kus sai nii mõnigi uus ja huvitav idee kõrva taha pandud. Selgus, et see ongi Network Meetingute peamine võlu – üksteise vahel kogemuste jagamine ning vigu tegemata vigadest õppimine. Very cool.

Kolmanda päeva õhtul toimus müstiline European Night, kus, in essence, sai kogeda tükikest eri Euroopa kultuuridest ning sain osaleda AEGEE traditsioonides. Üksikasjadesse ei lasku, kuna seda etem kogeda kui lugeda.

Neljandal päeval arutlesime õpitu üle ning asusime koduteedele. Minek oli üllatavalt keerukas, kuna mõne päeva jooksul muutusid kõik liikmed väga lähedasteks ning nagu vanadeks tuttavateks (olgugi, et neist siin pikalt ei kirjutanud, siis olen väga tänulik kõigi osalejate kui ka korraldajate üle, kes muutsid selle kogemist väärt kogemuseks).

Cue another battle with french public transport ning kaks hilinenud lendu ning olingi tagasi Eestis.

Kokkuvõtteks julgustan kõiki Euroopa tasemel üritustel osalema, kuna näed märgatavalt rohkem eri inimeste ellusuhtumist ning õpid pikemast kogemustepagasist, kui mõni local on eksisteerinud.

Kirjutanud: Ivo Allas

Board positions unveiled: a journey full of new discoveries, exciting tasks and lots of fun

25th märts 2024 in persona story

Board positions unveiled: a journey full of new discoveries, exciting tasks and lots of fun

At first glance, the title of ‘board member’ might seem a bit intimidating, like stepping into a vast, uncharted forest. But, once you take that leap, you find yourself in an enchanting realm brimming with wonders. From tackling new exhilarating tasks to finding friends for life, a year on the board can be a life-changing experience. To give you a glimpse into it all, we offer you a little overview of the tasks that each position needs to perform and reveal some of the most delightful moments a board year can bring.

President (Mattias)

What are the main tasks of your position and which of these would you consider most exciting to you?

My current main tasks involve spearheading the board and making sure all the board members have a good time and are motivated with their work. I also am the outside representative of the organisation and make sure everyone knows we have good vibes.

The most exciting part of my work is that I get to see other boardies and members become the fullest version of themselves and to do cool stuff for cool people. And I think that’s cool.

What’s your favourite memory of the board year?

My current favourite memories are the chill nights we have had with the board, it’s just so chill and fun to see how close we have become in the semester that we’ve been working together.

If your board position was a superhero, who would it be and why?

If the president were a superhero, I think I would be Energy Pal because I have so much left over energy to give people hehe.

Secretary (Carmen)

What are the main tasks of your position and which of these would you consider most exciting to you?

My tasks as a secretary include, among others, contacting new members, taking minutes during meetings, writing a monthly newsletter, and keeping our members updated about various exciting offers. Although all of these have a fascination of their own, it’s crafting our newsletter that sets my spirit alight as it allows me to unleash my creativity. I especially enjoy collecting answers for our “Question of the Month” section that I include in every newsletter as each time it’s like opening a treasure chest with so many exciting answers that reveal our members’ personalities and preferences.

What’s your favourite memory of the board year?

It’s difficult to highlight only one but I would say our most recent Strategy Days in Viljandi were something that I’ll hold dear to my heart for a very long time. A combination of fun and work, it was a perfect weekend trip with people who already feel like family. It’s amazing to see how close we as board members have become – it feels as if you could go to the end of the world with them.

If your board position was a fictional character, who would it be and why?

One of the candidates would definitely be Anne of Green Gables with her imaginative power and talent for words coupled with a communicative and reflective spirit. However, the true beauty of this position lies in its versatility which means that a wide array of personalities with their unique skills would excel in the role of a secretary, each bringing something truly special to it.

Treasurer and FR team leader (Saskia)

What are the main tasks of your position and which of these would you consider most exciting to you?

📨 Sending membership fee emails

📈 Book-keeping

✏️ Budgeting

💸 Fundraising

For me the most exciting part is Fundraising because it gives the whole organisation the opportunity to make even bigger events, cooler merch and exciting trainings with more funding.

What’s your favourite memory of the board year?

It’s hard to choose, every meeting has been fun and cosy. If I have to choose, then my favourite memory would be team training where we brainstormed all the possible ways to f#ck everything up in AEGEE, it was a LOT of fun ideas.

If your board position was a type of cake or pastry, what would it be and why?

It would be a meringue roll, because it’s quite easy to make once you know the tips and tricks and also if you eat it you can have a piece from another cake as well – you will have time to enjoy AEGEE life and do other things as well.

Events team leader (Kadi)

What are the main tasks of your position and which of these would you consider most exciting to you?

My primary task as event coordinator is overseeing our weekly events. That involves coming up with event ideas and planning them through with my lovely team. I really enjoy the collaborative brainstorming sessions during our Mondaily meetings, where we come up with new event concepts and activities. It’s really cool seeing each person opening up and sharing their imaginative and novel ideas that grow into events for our members. I also think I like it so much because a lot of it is just being silly, goofing around, and having a laugh with my team.

What’s your favourite memory of the board year?

Oof, a tough question. I just won’t be able to pick only one. I adore all the fun times with our board, getting to know each other’s distinct personalities and the connections we’ve grown over the year. But event-wise there are two that stand out to me. First, Halloween holds a special place in my heart, especially as it was the final big event in our beloved previous office and quite in the beginning of my term. The decorations, the activities – everything about it was just perfect. And the second is the bog hike. How could I possibly forget our cosy, laughter, and snow-filled weekend outdoors?

If your board position was a garden plan, what would it be like and why?

A wild, vibrant and diverse flower garden, that every position filler gives their unique touch to. The position similar to a garden is always ever-changing, different ideas and events always around the corner. There are some flowerbeds – guidelines and set events – but overall it’s a very creative, colourful and fun position.

PR team leader (Johanna)

What are the main tasks of your position and which of these would you consider most exciting to you?

The PR position’s main task is to take responsibility that AEGEE-Tartu is seen outside so that others will get to know who we are and what we are doing. With my team we prepare social media content, make merch and try to find opportunities to represent our organisation. My personal favourite is making merch because you see the results after that.

What’s your favourite memory of the board year?

There have been many good memories but one of my favourites was board chill where we just talked about everything except AEGEE. It was refreshing.🙂

If your board position was a genre of music, what would it be and why?

My first thought was 2010s pop music. It is kinda happy and energetic. But also familiar and that’s why also safe.

IT responsible (Helena)

What are the main tasks of your position and which of these would you consider most exciting to you?

Main tasks of my position are: management of AEGEE-Tartu’s website, uploading blog posts and helping with various technical questions that board members might have. However, what truly ignites my passion is the opportunity to embark on the creative journey of designing and restructuring our website. This aspect allows me to bring my visions to life and enhance the digital presence of our organisation.

What’s your favourite memory of the board year?

I love board chills! Nothing quite compares to the blissful camaraderie experienced during our board chills:) These are the times when we come together, sharing quality moments either cooking, playing board games or watching Shrek (100th time).

If your board position was a famous painting, what would it be and why?

“The scream” by Edvard Munch. This iconic painting encapsulates the agony of confronting minor setbacks or problems that usually have a fairly easy and logical solution.

HR team leader (Liisa)

What are the main tasks of your position and which of these would you consider most exciting to you?

The HR manager conducts recruitment interviews, organises the main recruitment periods in autumn and spring in collaboration with the rest of the board, coordinates the mentoring system, is in general the first contact person to new members. Besides that they lead the HR team; keep track of members’ well-being and motivation by celebrating birthdays, congratulating members of the month, conducting feedback collecting etc. The HR manager generally also organises The Local Training Course for new members. To me personally the most exciting were the interviews because you get to meet and know so many different people! It is very rewarding to offer new members the knowledge, explanations and support they need to enter the magical world of AEGEE!

What’s your favourite memory of the board year?

My board year from 2022/23 was full of awesome moments! I think the most I enjoyed our board’s strategy days when we came together for a weekend to plan the broader goals of AEGEE-Tartu but also to bond and have fun together. Amazing laughter was shared then plus cooking pancakes together for breakfast!

If your board position was a mythological creature, who would it be and why?

The HR manager would be a fairy whose busy wings lead them to all who are in need of a friend, guide or listener. Such as a fairy, the HR manager also makes little magic come true!

Grow with the Flow – an unforgettable summer experience in Estonia

5th märts 2024 in Experience story

Grow with the Flow - an unforgettable summer experience in Estonia

Last August our SU team at AEGEE-Tartu organised a magnificent Summer University that took participants on a unique journey focused on mental resilience, blending personal development with a deep dive into Estonian culture. From partying in the bustling cities of Tartu and Tallinn to enjoying the calm greenery of Estonian forests, participants from all around Europe got a real taste of Estonia.

Through the eyes of our dear participants Isabel from Spain and Davide from Italy along with our lovely Dutch helper Loes, we offer you a little peek into the wonderful moments that made this Summer University truly memorable.

Why did you choose an SU organised in Estonia?

Isabel: It’s a country that I didn’t know before but seemed really interesting and full of nature. Also, pictures looked amazing when I searched online and I loved the theme of the SU.

Davide: The fact that Estonia was the northernmost SU was definitely one of my considerations. It was the second time moving to the North to run away from the heat of Italy. What made me choose Estonia the most, however, was the topic of mental health and the possibility to explore Estonian nature, something that I had never seen before. As Estonia is on the edge of Europe, I saw it as an opportunity to witness something completely different from Italy and other places in Europe. Also, people suggested that I come to Estonia because they had had a really good time here.

Loes: I wanted to help organise an SU, and I had been to the A-Tartu SU as a participant the year before. I liked that SU and Estonia itself a lot, so I figured I’d offer my help here. :]

What surprised you the most about Estonia and its culture while attending the SU? Did it confirm or contradict the knowledge or assumptions you had before the SU?

Isabel: I really enjoyed learning about the history of the country like the influence of atheism and technological development while at the same time there’s a lot of nature. The heat in the summer contradicted my assumptions but I was really happy to get to know Estonia more in depth.

Davide: I would say that Estonians (or at least the people I met) are not as “cold” as people say. What really took me by surprise, however, was that the supermarket prices are much higher than in Italy. But at the same time, I felt that while I was in Tartu and Räpina life was more relaxed when compared to Italy. In Tartu, specifically, I was surprised in a positive way about the wooden buildings next to our accommodation where young families live to save money. They’ve built a tight-knit community to support each other and this was really heartwarming to see. Oh, and I made a quirky discovery – there is a street named “Meloni”, which amusingly reminded me of the Italian Prime Minister.

Loes: No real surprises. Everything I experienced was in line with what I had encountered on my previous visits to Estonia.

A peek into our adventures in Tartu: exploring the city and its surroundings, having fun at the pub crawl and European Night, and so much more

Throughout the SU, you had the chance to visit different places around Estonia. Which of these was your favourite and why?

Isabel: I loved Tartu. It’s a vibrant city with a student atmosphere and some interesting places apart from picturesque locations. I loved the days we spent there as I wasn’t sure what to expect and I loved what I found like the river beach and the city centre.

Davide: In Tartu, I enjoyed the quiet situation, not like Tallinn with a lot of traffic. There’s also a lot of greenery that you can enjoy, you can lie down on the grass and make a connection with nature. But if I had to choose my favourite place it would be Räpina because it was like staying in a private happy bubble. It felt like nature was protecting us from modernity and artificiality – just caring and taking time for ourselves, trying to love each other more. I loved the house of Saskia’s grandmother in particular.

Loes: Probably Hundisaare/Räpina since I love being in nature, and campfire evenings.

The theme of our SU was mental resilience. What was the greatest lesson you learnt about this topic that you would like to apply in your everyday life?

Isabel: To stop and think about what is the best way to solve things and not to be so hard on myself.

Davide: I would say the meditation workshop – taking 5-15 minutes for myself, using chill music, sitting down in a proper way, breathing deeply, thinking about the memories of a person that I miss, finding inner happiness, helping me to have trust and hope in the future, to be more positive and move away the negative energy.

Loes: I still use what I learned in the workshops by Maret about introspection from time to time.

What did you learn about yourself during the SU? Do you feel the experience changed you somehow?

Isabel: That I’m more resilient than what I thought and this has given me more strength and optimism.

Davide: Like in other European events, learning a new part of yourself is one of the reasons I tell people why they should join AEGEE. It’s important to listen to others since they have a different point of view. In this way, you can understand and learn more about the others and their culture but also about yourself at the same time, so you could resolve problems and face difficult situations in a better way. Those are the kind of things that could help you become a richer person.

Loes: That I still like organising these things :’)

In the deepest depths of the Estonian countryside in Räpina: foraging in emerald forests, dressing up for countless costume parties followed by bonfire nights, and of course – savouring a true Estonian sauna experience

What was the brightest or most memorable moment of the SU?

Isabel: I really liked spontaneously going to the river to fresh up after the dance workshops and playing with the mud and swimming.

Davide: The circle of memories in one of the last days where everyone was sharing what they loved the most during the event, talking about their feelings and happiness, seeing them crying.

Loes: The mushroom/bog walk

What was the most unexpected moment of the SU?

Isabel: I didn’t expect the karaoke that was improvised in the accommodation and it was great.

Davide: The chemistry that was in the group, especially towards the end of the SU.

Loes: The Italians with their carbonara hahaha

How would you describe our SU in five words?

Isabel: Self-knowledge, Resilience, Happiness, Friends, Culture

Davide: Relaxing, Adventurous, Different, In the nature, Inner peace

Loes: Slow, Warm, Adventurous, Magical, Personal

If you could compare our SU to any fictional world, which do you think would resemble it the most?

Isabel: Maybe Narnia. We went into lovely places which were an adventure to many of us and there we discovered how to be more resilient and kind of grew up personally apart from making great friendship bonds.

Davide: I would say “Scrubs”. We spent a lot of time laughing and having fun, making jokes. Compared to other SUs, this one was more reflective, making you think more about our lives and how to improve ourselves, sharing moral messages and values. When I think of a story that makes me laugh but at the same time cry, I would say “Scrubs” all the time.

Loes: The Shrek cinematic universe 🙂 I don’t just say that for the meme, so here’s why. Shrek is first and foremost a story about learning to accept yourself (and others) for who you really are, for both your strengths and your weaknesses. To love even the “ugly” parts of yourself and come to realise they were never ugly in the first place. But it’s also about finding strength and solace in the people around you, growing from your past, and deeply enjoying the small or simpler things in life. These are all lessons we either explicitly went into during workshops or people discussed of their own accord, or both! And I mean do I even have to explain the hut in the forest/swamp parallel??

Tallinn with all its delights: exploring the Old Town, having a mediaeval lunch, singing our hearts out at the karaoke, and ending the event with an emotional circle of memories

Why should everyone participate in an SU and what advice would you give them?

Isabel: Because it’s not an experience you can have in any other way and you treasure the moments you live in your heart and remember them with fondness, thinking about the laughs, the connections made, the emotional moments, the friendship and the amazing places you visited.

Davide: Meeting new people and friends, making awesome memories, visiting new places, exploring a new culture, living an adventure, leaving your comfort zone, trying to improve yourself, enjoying food, interacting with different people, learning how to manage other people.

Advice for Italians – be prepared to make carbonara. But in general – have no expectations, just go there and have no idea about what could happen. Try to speak with everyone, not all the time but say a few words like how are you. Try to be as active as you can and interact not only with the participants but also the organisers. Try to sleep at times such as train or bus rides. Read carefully the booklet the organisers send about the activities and preparation for the event.

Loes: It’s a great way to really get to know all kinds of people you might otherwise never meet, while also doing fun and educational activities. My advice would be to go in with an open attitude and not be afraid to try new things, and keep in mind that AEGEEans are very accepting people so don’t worry about being yourself. <3

Visiting the Agora aka stepping into a wonderland full of infinite knowledge, cultural exchange, sleepless nights, excellent company, and buoyant parties

31st august 2023 in Experience story

“To move, to breathe, to fly, to float,

To gain all while you give,

To roam the roads of lands remote,

To travel is to live.”

― Hans Christian Andersen

In a single poem, the legendary fairytale master Andersen has managed to embody the spirit of a true AEGEEan for whom travelling is as important as breathing. For this purpose, dozens of international events are held every year, one of the most important and anticipated of which is the Agora. Bringing together more than 500 young people all over Europe, the aim of this general assembly is to discuss important topics regarding the future of AEGEE. But not only – it is also an excellent breeding ground for socialising, learning and partying.

As such, entering the enchanting world of the Agora truly feels like stepping into Hans Christian Andersen’s famous cartoon carriage where simple candle-lighting magically transports you to a land of adventures. If you wish to know what such an experience is like in more detail through the eyes of a first-time attender, hop on the carriage and find out in the following paragraphs!

From Tallinn to Berlin to Enschede

Our journey to the Agora taking place in Enschede started in mid-May, the perfect time of the year when your heart is full of hope and joy, longing for adventures to find you. The latter didn’t let them wait for long. Due to the initial train strike plan in Germany, we needed to reschedule our route, so that instead of taking a train from Berlin to Enschede, we decided to opt for a night bus, all of which was quite last minute. It allowed us, however, to familiarise ourselves with the wonders of Berlin. In the glimmering afternoon air spreading over the metropolis, we got to see Alexanderplatz, Brandenburger Tor and so many other sights, through which marathon runners rushed to the finish line, just like we were making our way to the bus stop to take a ride to the Netherlands.

Berlin welcoming us with lovely cafes, pretzels, marathon runners and, of course, the famous Brandenburger Tor

Upon reaching our destination, we were welcomed by a nighttime Enschede, a tranquil university city renowned for being one of the greenest in the country. At night, however, it was mysteriously enshrouded in darkness as if Maleficent herself tried to hide the city’s famous colour from our sight. Even then, we could instantly sense a marvellously serene and invigorating atmosphere that wrapped us in its soothing nocturnal robe. Its unique presence followed us as we approached the university’s campus, our dwelling place for the upcoming week. Having entered the gym full of hundreds of other participants to take the much needed rest, the excitement of what the week in this fascinating place would have in store for us permeated our minds.

Absorbing knowledge and making decisions in the charming Dutch university atmosphere

The next morning, we were promptly introduced to the wonders of the Agora, starting with incredibly loud music which served as an extremely effective alarm clock. After a practically sleepless night, hearing Käärijä in full volume didn’t exactly make us cha cha cha instantly, but it definitely was an excellent source of energy which prepared us for the upcoming day full of plenaries, prytania and workshops.

All of the latter took place in the University of Twente’s lecture halls. The building itself was surrounded by a campus which hosted all the university facilities, dorms and even a number of cafes and shops. This was in quite a great contrast to Tartu where, despite its irresistible beauty and unique university atmosphere quite similar to that of Enschede, the buildings of different departments are scattered all around the city, so that a humanitarian and chemist might never even meet. In Enschede, however, the campus provides extensive opportunities for socialisation with students from a variety of backgrounds, contributing to forming truly diverse friend groups. Students could be seen talking and studying together at every corner: inside buildings, on lawns by the lake and under many of the luscious trees which inhabited the campus. What made the walk to the lecture halls especially exceptional was exactly this nature aspect – we felt almost as if we were outside of the city, surrounded by trees, bushes and flowers on every side.

The charmingly green campus which surrounded us during our Agora adventure

Having arrived at the university lecture hall and seeing hundreds of other Europeans seated in semi-circle rows, wearing suits and discussing the future of the organisation, it almost felt like stepping into a European Parliament meeting – such appeared to be the level of importance and formality. This inspirational context created a perfect atmosphere for holding most compelling debates between the members of different locals as well as deciding on the future of the organisation.

Despite that, the long days full of discussions and decision-making were rather tiring, which made it necessary to revitalise people with some energy breaks, such as humorous dance intervals or some tasks. It must be said that watching the whole 500-people audience attempting to dance like the green alien on the screen with its peculiar moves was really quite entertaining and definitely served its purpose as an energiser. Equally amusing was the observation of tasks which some locals whose flag or mascot had been stolen needed to perform in order to get their emblems back. For example, there was an instance where one of the Italian locals was obligated to eat pizza with pineapple on it, an action which is a true sacrilege in the eyes of the Italians. Their reactions were truly priceless!

While these greatly populated sessions were held in large lecture halls, workshops provided a more personal atmosphere with fewer people and smaller rooms. This allowed for more opportunities to get to know new people better through in-depth discussions on a variety of topics, such as intersectionality and sustainability, which contributed greatly to our existing knowledge.

Our crew enjoying the Agora experience in Dutch lecture halls

Angry geese, party buses, and other stories

While delegates as the decision-makers were required to be present at plenaries and prytania, visitors had more liberty which paved the way to other interesting events. Having sneaked out of the lecture hall, we decided to explore Enschede. As true Estonians, we were of course most enamoured by the lustrous nature which covered every nook and cranny of this former textile town. So naturally we couldn’t help hugging gigantic trees or napping at the edge of the forest every time an opportunity presented itself.

Our special admiration was drawn by Volkspark which enchanted us with its glimmering river covered in thousands of water lily leaves, and trees whose deeply-bowing branches almost touched the evergreen ground. Despite its people-centred name, the park was definitely ruled by a different species: a self-important pair of geese. As the two birds dressed in pearl white robes stepped on the pavement with greatest confidence, dark eyes shooting threatening glares at everyone, people respectfully (and fearfully) gave them way, letting the two royals pass through. It became evident that Dutch geese are definitely not to be messed with!

Glimpses of the wonderful Volkspark with its magnificent nature and threatening geese

Fortunately, the same could not be said of the Dutch people we met on our way, all of whom were really friendly and open-minded. This made it such a joy to walk around the city with all its cosy cafes, swarming markets, sumptuous houses, rainbow-coloured crosswalks, and streets filled with an impressive number of buoyant bikers.

A view of the adorable Enschede market and aesthetic streets

Although these were more small-group discoveries, we had an array of opportunities to have fun together with our whole Tartu delegation as well as people from other locals. For this purpose, every day ended with a party focusing on a specific theme, such as Hollywood glamour, four elements, or the rainbow. In the evenings the gym was bustling with excited people helping each other pick out their costumes and doing colourful makeup full of cute little hearts and rainbow elements.

While the parties themselves abounded with the greatest merriment, perhaps even more exciting was this preparation process together with advancing the party place side by side with hundreds of other international people. One of the most memorable of such pre-party episodes was the party bus. Tightly packed with tens and tens of exuberant AEGEEans, people went wild with showing off their dance moves while singing some of the most legendary songs at the top of their lungs. In this unity, we were carried to our party place in a true AEGEE way.

A peek into the social scenery of the Agora: preparation for a party, a concert and a network area meeting

For those not too keen on such partying or simply looking for a more quiet night in, the organisers had prepared an alternative programme. This could be, for example, a movie or quiz night. The latter was especially captivating and thought-provoking. First we had to form mixed groups of people who needed to activate all their brain power in a quest to win the quiz battle against other teams. After such a high-spirited competition, the air was filled with greatest joviality, which was a perfect prelude for a more calming activity. Sitting in a circle, all participants shared stories from their past and discussed various topics of great depth. Such an understanding and no-judgement atmosphere united people from an array of different backgrounds and cultures, making it one of the most memorable nights of the whole event.

Equally as interesting was acquainting ourselves with the cuisine around all parts of Europe. The prime means for this was the legendary European Night which is present at most AEGEE events. This one was particularly special, however, in terms of how wide the selection was. From a sip of Dracula’s mysterious drink to a bite of the syrupy stroopwafel, it was a true union of European food and beverage wonders. Apart from the things presented to us during the European Night, we were also fortunate enough to try traditional Dutch street food called kibbeling, a local version of fish and chips. Together with garlic sauce, it’s certainly a treat you need to try while visiting the Netherlands!

European Night with its wide array of snacks and drinks from all around Europe, and Dutch street food

On a turbulent path from Enschede to Berlin

We left Enschede on an early morning when most others were either still sleeping or, alternatively, engaged in a conversation after a sleepless night. Our plan was to take a taxi to reach the bus station from which we could start our journey back to Berlin. Fate had other plans for us, however…

As time passed up to a critical point and taxis were still not available, we decided to change our plans and take bikes instead. This turned out to be an adventure of a lifetime. As we rode on the speed of light through the picturesque Enschede nature, it felt almost like travelling back in time to our childhood memories of the countryside grandma’s cottage where we could tread on solitary village roads surrounded by gentle-eyed cows looking at us curiously. The only difference was that we had to pass this lovely nostalgic sight as if we had unknowingly been cast as the lead actors in the bike version of a Fast and Furious movie.

Even then, we reached the station two minutes late because we couldn’t instantly find the right place. Having circled the facility and finally found the bus station area, we were out of breath and almost hopeless. But then, suddenly, the bus rode before us as a heavenly gift. At that moment, it truly felt like the miraculous discovery of the Holy Grail which would lead us to our destination with its magical powers.

Having finally reached Berlin, we were determined to explore it on a greater scale than we had the chance to do previously. As a result of our wanderings in their legendary yellow trains, we came to the conclusion that Berlin’s urban landscape is so diverse that having seen one part of it doesn’t predict at all what you may discover around the next corner. On one side of the city, you have exquisite buildings like the elegantly columned Reichstag, and on the other, soviet-inspired block buildings which, around the next corner, are followed by unique modern architecture and wild parks in which birds are rocking voluminous 80s hairstyles.

Among so many other interesting things we saw, one of our great favourites were the amusing traffic lights. As the cheerfully upright hand on the pedestrian beg button sign indicates, you need to give it a high five to please the snug straw-hatted Ampelmännchen and coax him into transforming his red crucified form into a cheerfully green walking sign. Being there to constantly accompany us on our way, this little man became so dear to us that we were really sad to part with him.

Exploring Berlin with its wild parks, adorable pedestrian walk signs, railways, and sumptuous buildings

Back at home

Thinking back to the Agora adventure, glimpses of all the wonderful happenings fill our minds with most splendid memories, be they either the long exciting days spent in lecture halls and around Enschede or sleepless nights filled with vibrant parties and spirited discussions. Such are the recollections that we will always remember most fondly and carry in our hearts. Having previously only heard of the splendours of the Agora, I can now confirm with utmost certainty that it is indeed one of the most unique and enriching experiences that you ever gain, something that everyone should participate in at least once in their lifetime.

Article composed by: Carmen Treu

Book Recommendations by AEGEE-Tartu members

1st juuni 2022 in Uncategorised

The keywords of this February were gripping books, adventurous time and educational value as AEGEE-Tartu has decided to organize a Bookish February. Therefore we have plenty of great recommendations for you to find your next read in both English and Estonian!

Non-fiction: Science

“Atomic Habits” – James Clear
“21 Lessons for the 21st Century” – Yuval Noah Harari
“Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!” – Richard Feynman
“Our Inner Ape: The Best and Worst of Human Nature” – Frans de Waal

Non-fiction: Psychology / Personal Development / Self Help

“Thinking, Fast and Slow” – Daniel Kahneman
“Maybe you should talk to someone” – Lori Gottlieb
“The Charisma Myth” – Olivia Fox Cabane
“How To Win Friends and Influence People” – Dale Carnegie
“15 invaluable laws of growth” – John C. Maxwell
“Feel the fear and do it anyway” – Susan Jeffers
“The Art Of Not Falling Apart” – Christina Patterson

Non-fiction: Spirituality

“Integral Life Practice” – Ken Wilber
“The end of Your World” – Adyashanti

Sci-fi

“Never Let Me Go” – Kazuo Ishiguro
“Ready Player One” – Ernest Cline
“Dune” – Frank Herbert
“A Fire Upon the Deep” – Vernor Vinge
“Neuromancer” – William Gibson

Fantasy: Children’s novels

“The Secret Garden” – Frances Hodgson Burnett
“The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents” – Terry Pratchett
“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” – J. K. Rowling

Fiction: Young Adult

“All the Bright Places” – Jennifer Niven
“The Exact Opposite Of Okay” – Laura Steven

Fiction: Fantasy

“The Alchemist” – Paulo Coelho
“1Q84” – Haruki Murakami
“The Name of the Wind” – Patrick Rothfuss

Fiction: Magical realism

“Kafka on the Shore” – Haruki Murakami
“One Hundred Years of Solitude” – Gabriel García Márquez

Fiction: Cultural

“Submission” – Michel Houellebecq

Historical fiction

“City of Thieves” – David Benioff

Fiction: Thriller / Horror

“My Sister, the Serial Killer” – Oyinkan Braithwaite
“The Picture of Dorian Gray” – Oscar Wilde
“The Silence of the Lambs” – Thomas Harris

Estonian literature

“Vaikuse hääl” – Jaan Tätte (“The Sound of Silence”)
“Mandala” – Tõnu Õnnepalu
“Sinine sarvedega loom” – Andrus Kivirähk (“Blue animal with horns”)
“Külvajad ei tulnud tagasi” – Baghiš Hovsephjan
“Kuidas alustada investeerimisega?” – Kristi Saare (“How to begin with investing”)

We hope these recommendations will help you find inspiration and joy either by revisiting an old favorite book or discovering something completely thrilling and new. At the end of the day, reading opens the door to the world of knowledge!

How to Save Money as a Student?

19th aprill 2022 in Uncategorised

Last month we focused our theme on the topic of finances with the goal to educate and inspire our members to make smarter choices with their money. We shared many tips and tricks, reading and podcast recommendations, apps to track your finances, sidehusteling options, cheap but delicious recipes for budget meals and a lot more! We also had a wonderful mini-workshops event where some of our members shared their knowledge on different topics such as cheap cooking and grocery shopping, upcycling, saving up on water and electricity, budget travelling and financial fallacies.

In today’s blog post we want to share with you the essential ways to save money daily as a student. So keep on reading because hopefully you’ll find some new ideas to implement in your life!

First off, here are some clever tips to consider if you want to spend less money on food and shopping:

Plan and prepare your meals beforehand for a longer period of time (the whole week for example).
Additionally, try not to do groceries every day but plan in advance, so you won’t end up buying snacks or unnecessary food daily.
Try to go to the shop with a full stomach, so you won’t buy anything you don’t need!
Use e-shops for buying groceries if possible to track your shopping list without emotional buying.
Consider wisely what you eat: it is cheaper to make porridge than a sandwich in the morning for example.
If you are not able to eat homemade food on some days, look for lunch offers and happy hours (päevapakkumised.ee/tartu)
Consider growing your own edible plants and herbs, such as basil, onion, parsley or tomatoes.
Bring your own coffee/water in a thermos to avoid buying expensive from a cafe or shop.
Make plans and calculations before your more expensive purchases and do not settle for the first option because you might be able to find cheaper alternatives.
Ask for discounts because some places might have special deals for certain people

It is also possible to save up with your lifestyle choices. Here are some ideas to consider!

Prefer inviting friends over, to eating at fancy restaurants – you can cook together and chill afterwards.
Using an ISIC card as a student gives you discounts both in Estonia and also when travelling around Europe.
Think twice before you buy something – do you really need it or is it just an emotional purchase? PS! you do NOT have to buy something only because it’s discounted.
Always prefer quality over quantity, whether it be buying clothes or household utensils, because it will last longer and also is more sustainable.
Share your accounts (e.g. Netflix, Spotify, Disney+) with multiple friends or simply watch videos from YouTube or Jupiter for free.
If you need something (books, clothes, household gadgets etc) try borrowing it from your friends/neighbours.
Buy your stuff from second-hand or recycling shops, moreover set certain days when you do your shopping so you won’t spend money too often.
Plan your cultural events and travels as much ahead as possible, that way you can find early-bird passes, discount deals and much more.
You can work out at home for free or try discounted/free group trainings offered to students at gyms or The University of Tartu Academic Sports Club.
Try upcycling and using your available resources to maximum capacity – you probably have clothes or similar items that could be given a new life.

Perhaps these lists inspired you to change some of your financial habits or sparked new ideas on how to up your saving game even more. Good luck and happy experimenting!

Article composed by: Aulika Laagus, edited by: Liisa Õunpuu

The Taste of Spain: Traditional foods

16th märts 2022 in Recipes

Hola! Are you looking for ways to have more international taste in your meals? Well, search no more, because today we’d like to share with you two simple yet tasty dishes from the Spanish kitchen.

In Spain, each region has its local cooking traditions and meals, so the variety from which to find your new favourite is abundant. Freshness and usage of local ingredients, simplicity and deliciousness – these are the characteristics that unite all the different Spanish foods.

So without further ado, here are the two recipes you can easily try at home.

Tortilla de Patatas (Spanish Omlette)

Tortilla de Patatas or Tortilla Española is a traditional meal in Spain made with potatoes, eggs and onions, resembling a small cake. That’s where it also got its name – torta in Spanish means cake.

What you need:

Homemade Tortilla de Patatas with Estonian ingredients

2 to 4 potatoes, peeled
1 onion
8 eggs
salt
400 ml olive oil

How to make:

Thinly slice the potatoes and onion
Pour the olive oil on a pan, place over high heat and add the sliced onion
In 5 minutes (once the onion starts to sizzle) add the potatoes
Cook for 15 minutes, stirring from time to time until the mixture is soft and browned in some corners
Remove the potatoes and onions from the pan and set them aside
Break the eggs into a large bowl but do not whisk, add thepotato-onion mixture on top and season with salt
Carefully mix through using a fork and leave the mixture rest for half an hour
Place a non-stick pan over medium heat and add a bit of olive oil
When the pan is hot, add the mixture and do not stir
After around 3 minutes ease the tortilla from the edge of the pan using a fork or spatula, cover the pan with a wide plate and flip your tortilla onto the plate
Slide the tortilla back into the pan and cook the other side for 2-3 minutes
Use your own judgment for the cooking time depending on whether you’d like the middle of the tortilla to be fully cooked or still a bit soft and runny.

And enjoy!

Torrijas

Torrijas are basically the Spanish version of french toast. It’s a simple and quickly made yet sweet and divine dessert. The most popular torrijas season in Spain is around Easter.

What you need:

Torrijas picture from pequeocio.com

thickly sliced dense white bread (perfect when 1-2 days old)
1-litre milk
olive oil
4 large eggs
200-gram sugar
honey to drizzle on top
2 teaspoons cinnamon

How to make:

Prepare your white bread: make sure the slices are stale
Mix the milk and sugar in one bowl and whisk the eggs in another
Heat the oil in a frying pan
Dip the bread slices in sweetened milk and then in the whisked egg
Fry in the hot oil until the bread is golden
Drain on kitchen paper
To serve, add honey, cinnamon and if desired, the leftover sweetened milk on top

Sangria

Sangria is a popular Spanish punch made with wine and fresh fruits. Although there isn’t a single standard way to make sangria, traditionally red wine is used, as it refers to the drink’s name. Sangria in English stands for blood. This is also a must during AEGEE’s European Nights when any Spaniards are present. Here’s a simple way to try it on your own!

Sangria from the Culture Night

What you need:

fresh fruit: lemon, lime, orange, apple, banana
1 bottle of red wine
syrup or a lot of sugar
orange Fanta

How to make:

cut the fruit into pieces
mix the sliced fruit with wine
if possible, let the mixture rest for a day
before serving mix with Fanta and syrup
serve it in a cup straight from the bowl

Next time you feel like having a little culinary adventure try these recipes, invite some good friends over and enjoy the sunny taste of Spain together!

Buen provecho!

The recipes in this article were referred from the following blogs:

https://www.thespanishchef.com/recipes/tortilla-de-patatas

https://www.spain.info/en/recipe/torrijas-madrilenas/

https://devourtours.com/blog/torrijas-recipe/

Text composed by: Liisa Õunpuu

Cultural exchange: 4 winter days in Copenhagen

9th märts 2022 in Experience story

Last December our brand-new members of AEGEE-Tartu Saskia Kolberg and Karl Mattias Laiuste took part in a cultural exchange with AEGEE-København. In the blog post below, Saskia and Mattias will share how their first international project went and which valuable experiences were gained during the event.

Saskia and Mattias enjoying the candlelight of a Copenhagen café.

Why did you decide to take part in the cultural exchange with AEGEE-København?

Saskia: I took part in the cultural exchange because I just recently joined the organisation and I hadn’t attended this kind of an event before. It seemed like a great opportunity to meet new people and travel.

Mattias: I took part in the cultural exchange because I hadn’t had the opportunity to travel for a long time now and it has aroused great interest in travelling. As a brand-new member of AEGEE-Tartu I thought that this cultural exchange would be a brilliant way to meet new people from Tartu and Copenhagen.

Based on your experience, how would you explain cultural exchange to someone who has never heard of it before?

Saskia: Cultural exchange is an opportunity to make acquaintance with another country’s culture through local people. They show you the most exciting sites and talk about their experience in the fields that are not usually encountered when travelling, like the job market or politics of the country. Local people were very helpful and supported us in our search for accommodation or in buying tickets – there was much less confusion than when travelling alone.

Mattias: Cultural exchange is a project in which completely foreign people, who are all united by AEGEE, get together and that is already enough reason to meet each other in the evenings and party together.

European Night, where we had snacks and drinks from Estonia, Denmark, the Netherlands, Finland and Germany.

What was the brightest moment of your cultural exchange?

Saskia: The brightest moment of this cultural exchange was the European Night – everybody had bought food and drinks that are characteristic to their country. Estonia, Finland, Denmark, Great Britain and many more were presented. Of course, there was also AEGEE’s traditional dance Tunak-Tunak! Unfortunately, we couldn’t get the flag of AEGEE-København into our hands during the night…

Mattias: For me, the brightest moment of the exchange was the point when we arrived in Copenhagen and came out of the subway tunnel in the city centre. The town was beautiful and warm, there was no snow – I like Scandinavian cities!

/ Editor’s note: In AEGEE, it is a tradition to take your branch’s flag with you when visiting other locals and both try to steal the other flag. If it succeeds, the right holders of the flag will have to do some challenge or task, after which they will get their flag back. /

København and Tartu are having a friendly evening.

What was the most unexpected moment of the exchange?

Saskia: There wasn’t really anything unexpected during the cultural exchange. Still, we didn’t know everything beforehand. We arrived in Copenhagen on the last day before the corona-restrictions so since the second day we had to mess around with the face masks a little more.

Mattias: I was prepared for almost everything during the cultural exchange so there weren’t any surprises. We barely got to sleep, but that wasn’t really a problem.

What surprised you the most about Danish culture? Are Danish and Estonian cultures somehow different from each other?

Saskia: I was most surprised by the awesome biking culture, Copenhagen is a super biking town – this had the biggest wow-effect for me. Generally, Denmark is pretty similar to Estonia, it has flat land and rainy weather, although people are friendlier and speak better English.

Mattias: I was surprised that most locals, with whom we communicated, had a very good level of English language – it was jaw dropping, Estonia could never.

Christmas market with our crew.

Was there anything that you learned about yourselves due to the cultural exchange? Did you learn something new?

Saskia: I hadn’t travelled with a plane before so it was a new and fun experience. In addition, I got to speak English more than usual in which I didn’t feel very confident before – however I managed it quite well. They also organised a workshop called “How to be a Viking?” for us in which we got to learn Danish culture and language. From that workshop I remember how similar the writing is in the Danish, Norwegian and Swedish languages.

Mattias: During the cultural exchange I learned about myself that I can be really open with foreigners because I love communicating in English. I could do that all day!

City tour next to the canal of Copenhagen.

Edited by: Pilletriin Peterson

March 2022

The Taste of Estonia: Independence day

23rd veebruar 2022 in Recipes

We are once again nearing the 24th of February, known to Estonians as Independence Day, the anniversary of founding the Republic of Estonia in 1918. This day is filled with celebrations starting with flag-hoisting at sunrise, a parade of the Defence Forces, concerts and a presidential reception. People can enjoy the festivities from the comfort of their own homes thanks to a full-day ERR television broadcast. And with the great celebration always comes an abundant mealtime with all the favourites from Estonia’s national cuisine.

That is why today we would like to share two quick, fun and most importantly delicious recipes from our national kitchen so you could get a true taste of Estonia.

Photo from nami-nami.ee

Kiluvõileivad – spiced sprat sandwiches

What you need:

sliced dark rye bread
butter (room temperature)
cleaned spiced sprat fillets (get canned sprats from a supermarket)
hard-boiled eggs
chopped green onion tops

How to make:

Optional: remove the bread crusts
Butter the bread and cut the slices into rectangles
Top with a cleaned spiced sprat fillet, then add the sliced egg and lastly sprinkle with chopped onions
Serve and enjoy!

Photo from nami-nami.ee

Kamakreem maasikatega – Kama-cream with strawberries

Kama is a traditional ingredient in Estonian cuisine. This is a finely milled flour mixture, usually containing barley, rye, oat and pea flour. You can easily find the ready-made mixture “KAMAJAHU” from any supermarket nowadays. It can be simply mixed with kefir for example to make a quick drink or also be used in different desserts.

What you need (serves 4 people):

50-gram kamajahu
50-gram sugar
2 dl 35% cream (whipped cream)
250-gram strawberries or different berries of your choice (blueberries/raspberries)

How to make:

Whip the cream with sugar and slowly add the kamajahu
Slice the strawberries and add to the mixture
Serve in a dessert bowl and decorate with additional berries or mint

Enjoy the food with family or friends! And if you don’t feel like cooking on this festive day you can always hop to the nearest supermarket and buy yourself a Kohuke, the true pride of Estonia.

The recipes were referred from Nami-Nami Blog.

Text composed by: Liisa Õunpuu