ESA History

Initiators of ESA Cyprus

Andrew Sochacki, Erasmus in Cyprus 2007/2008 - Poland

Marko Segreto , Erasmus in Cyprus 2008/2009 - Italy

Harri Asikainen, Erasmus in Cyprus 2008/2009 , Finland

Antonio Javier Fernando Sanchez, Erasmus 2008/2009, Spain

George Mehan, Erasmus in Cyprus 2008/2009, UK

Sarah Arango, GLS Student 2008/2009, Colombia

Stephy Yanniaki, University of Cyprus Student, Cyprus

First Steps of ESA

At the end of July 2008 Andrew Sochacki meets Marco Segreto, Erasmus in Cyprus at that time at the University of Cyprus, and other Erasmus Students, Antonio Sanchez (Spain-UNIC), Harri Hasikainen (Finland-Frederick University), and George Meehan (England-UNIC), together they decided to organize something for the international/exchange students in Nicosia.So after several meetings the group decided to start from the beginning with a new project, a new association called ESA (Erasmus Student Association – Cyprus). A new project starting from zero but with desire to do something good for the Erasmus and international students in Cyprus. Exploiting the previous experience of the individuals (Andrew was president of a ESN section, Marco - active member of ESN since 5 years, Harri, Antonio and George already were helping foreign students in their home countries) ESA started step by step to be a social entity in Cyprus. Since the number of erasmus/exchange students of the single universities in Nicosia was not so big, the ESA group decided to organize the structure of the association as a big "umbrella" for all the six universities in Nicosia, and to offer their help to all the foreign student in the capital city of Cyprus and other cities like Larnaca were there is always around 5-10 Erasmus Students. At first ESA in September 2008  organized several meetings among all the students in order to know each other. Then ESA started "officially" making some thematic parties in clubs, home-made parties, and trips in order to explore and give the possibility to all the people to know the wonderful places around the island. During that time more people joined the group of ESA, including some Cypriot Former Erasmus students. One of this, Sthephy Yannaky, was included in the first Draft of the ESA board, which was organized as following: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and an External Relations Board Member.  Also six university coordinators were decided among the Erasmus Students, one for each university, with the duty of spreading news among the foreign students of their university about ESA activities. This was the starting point of ESA in 2008. Up to now ESA has organized more than 150 activities, events including trips abroad to Egypt, Jordan and Greece for Erasmus Students in Cyprus.

Overview

The Erasmus Student Association-Cyprus (ESA) , is a non-profit student Organization with the single aim to provide Erasmus Students in Cyprus with a complete experience, for them to enjoy the most out of their stay in the Republic of Cyprus

ESA was started by Erasmus Students in Cyprus, with several Cypriots Students who had been on Erasmus Abroad. Little by little ESA has evolved into what it is today, the largest Student Organization of this type. ESA provides assistance to Erasmus Students on Housing Suggestions, Problem Resolution, and Social Activities, in order to ensure absolute satisfaction and overall fun, for the Erasmus Student in Cyprus.

Our Programs include "Discovering Cyprus" in which all Erasmus Students in Cyprus are invited to Visit historical Locations in Cyprus, such as the Paphos Ruins, Aphrodite's Rock, Larnaca St.Lazarous Church, Troodos Kykkos Monastery etc.This is a Program we consider Pivotal in the Erasmus Experience, since there is a big difference between Staying in Cyprus and Knowing Cyprus. These Activities have always attracted over 100 Erasmus Students , and have always left Positive Reviews. 

Other Projects include "CinESA", a Movie Presentation every Monday Night, handling an International Topic, that offers Students the chance to Exchange Ideas on the Main Topic of the Movie, strenghtening the Social Relations between Erasmus Students from Different Institutions.  "ESA Birthdays" where ESA helps for the Necessary Arrangements, in Case a Specific Erasmus Student is Celebrating his/her birthday During his/her stay in Cyprus. The "ESA CARD" Project is a Project in which each Erasmus Student receives a Erasmus Identification Card which entitles them for discounts and promotions with out Partners.

ESA also provides Erasmus Students with a Direct Contact between their Individual Institutions and the Association. Currently ESA provides Universities with a local "Coordinator", The Coordinator helps the Students of the Institution to receive Information from ESA first-handed, and at the same Time, it allows ESA to receive Feedback from the Erasmus Students, in order to provide them with Satisfactory Events throughout their Semester, or Year, here in Cyprus. 

As an Organization, ESA is Structured to work as a Single Entity, where its all-volunteer workforce have individual Tasks, providing the Maximum Efficiency with the least Strain on its Members. This also allows ESA to prepare several Projects at the same time, such as International Trips to Egypt and Jordan, while still Delivering events Such as Discovering Cyprus and CinESA. 

Our Latest Tool for Communication with the Erasmus Students is our ESA Newsletter. We have assembled a Database with the E-EMail Addresses of All Erasmus Students in Cyprus, and every Week we prepare a list of Activities, Updates and other Useful Information, that is provided directly to all Erasmus Students. A reply to these Emails also works as a Registration for the Trip Mentioned on the Newsletter. 

Welcome to ESA world! :)