MEETING WITH ANNA, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE ESN SECTION IN MUNICH

I met Anna K. in Munich during the month of October. The first time I talked with her was during an ESN Mesa Meeting which took place at Geschwister Scholl Platz (the main building of the LMU). She is 22 years old and comes from Germany. Always smiling and in a good mood, she welcomed me with open arms, always asking if everything went fine or if I needed help to take my mark in the new city I was living in. I had the opportunity to travel a lot with her (to Berlin, to Starnberger See, to the bavarian mountains,..) and to take part to many events she co-organized (like parties).

She is now became a friend and I wanted to interview her because I found her experience really interesting, not only as an ESN Mesa member but also as an Erasmus Student because she studied during five months in Italy a couple of years ago.

So, my interview will be divided in two sections : one is related to the experience Anna had as an Erasmus Student. The other one deals about the position she has been occupied in the ESN Network since last year.

ABOUT ANNA’S ERASMUS YEAR:

“It was the first time in my life that I was away from my family for such a long time and I got far more responsible”

• Why did you choose to do your Erasmus in Italy? What did you study there?

I was studying italian philology, so Italy was the perfect destination for my Erasmus. (also because I wanted to prove my language skills). I attended some courses about Italian literature.

• How long was your stay in Italy?

5 months.

• How was it?

It was one of the most exciting experiences in my life! I got to know so many new people and had the opportunity to broaden my own horizons. I got more self-confident and open minded. It was the first time in my life that I was away from my family for such a long time and I got far more responsible.

• What was the funniest/ most amazing experience you lived there?

After my exams I still had 3 weeks to spend in Bologna. Me and my two Spanish flatmates spent a lot of time together. The last days we all used to sleep together in one room (they were sharing a room), watching films the whole night and telling us stories. We also partied like crazy!

• What cultural differences between Germany and Italy you found particularly interesting?

That’s a taff question and I don’t want to generalize in this case. Of course there are a lot of stereotypes between our two countries. And they are also influencing the way we see ourselves. From my personal experience I would say that Germans consider themselves as more ‘rational’ whereas Italians are proud of their well known ‘dolce vita lifestyle’. From my personal experience in Bologna I can say:

1. Italians  are having dinner quite late!
2. They are only eating sweet stuff for breakfast
3. They think eating pizza with pineapple on it is a violent act against humanity
4. They are more open minded, whereas we Germans are considered more ‘cold’ (they told me they think I’m not like they imagined a typical German)
5. They are enjoying life and care less about their time management (the latter one was quite annoying sometimes)
6. They are always thinking positive

• Did you meet a lot of Germans there?

I only met two Germans (from LMU as well) but I focused more on meeting Italian people.

• Would you like to do an other Erasmus year if you had the opportunity to do another one? Where would it be?

Yes, I’m actually planning to do it during my masters degree! I would like to go to Spain to improve my language skills.

ABOUT THE ESN MESA MUNICH:

“I got the e-mail of Mesa and I thought: “Nice, there is a ESN section in Munich as well!?”. And I finally knew what to do with my life”

• What is the ESN Mesa, the association you are involved in? (if you have to define it in a few words)

A non profit Erasmus Student Association with the aim to facilitate integration for international students.

• When and why did you want to join it?

2017 after my Erasmus. After my return from Bologna I kind of felt lost and I really missed the Erasmus feeling. Then I got the e-mail of Mesa and I thought: “Nice, there is a ESN section in Munich as well!?”. And I finally knew what to do with my life.

• Since when have you been vice president?

Since nearly one year now.

• How many hours per week do you need to “work” for Mesa?

Maybe 2-4 hours (sometimes more, sometimes less).

• What is the funniest story you can tell about Mesa?

There are so many funny stories and a lot of them are including alcohol.

• Can you imagine a life without Mesa?

No way! Mesa is like my second family. It’s inspiring to be part of it, to share the same values and to have a common goal!

• How many Erasmus people do you have already met thanks to Mesa?

So many! I can’t even count them. Maybe 50! Some of them became really good friends.

• Do you want to be a vice president one more year?

No, I’m running for president 😀

• Does Mesa changed your plan for the future? I mean, since you’re a member can you imagine to work just in a “german environment” in Germany or do you want to work abroad with international people?

I can imagine to work literally everywhere! And I really want to work in an international environment.

I really enjoyed doing this interview and hope you will have “viel Spaß beim lesen” too!

I also want to thank Anna for taking time answering my questions and for being always so funny and serious at the same time! #mesalovesyou❤🥨🍺

ESN MESA Website : http://mesa.esn-germany.de/de