2015 review: Their borders are not my borders

Foto: Emese S.

When looking back at year 2015 we can definately say that it wasn't a boring one. Or let's put it differently: Our world seemed and still seems to descend into total chaos. There's so much happening at the same time: Wars, migration flows, terrorism, climate change and much more. Nobody knows, if 2016 will be better or worse.

But while 2015, taken as a whole, was a really bad year for Europe and a successful one for nationalists, for me personally it was the most European year I've ever had in my life! I've never had so many friends and facebook-contacts whithin the European Union and beyond. Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Turkey, Italy, France, Britain, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, Bosnia and Herzegovina, USA, Ukraine, Iran, Russia, Georgia ... And indeed, I'm still texting with some of these people and I'm still thinking a lot about them. I've never met so many warm-hearted people from different nations than in 2015. I'm really grateful and I wouldn't like to miss this wonderful experience.

Where are you from?

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"I come from..."
"Great. Where exactly?"
"It's..."
"Ah, I don't know..."
"It's near..."
"Oh okay... what..."
"..."
"How..."
"..."
"How many..."
"..."


Erasmus is... getting extra lessons in geography.

European identity?

Erasmus is...? My Polish teacher for "Poland and EU" at Jagiellonian University in Kraków told us that Erasmus it's a big experiment.

Yes, I agree, but in the end, it works: Many young people in Europe realised during the semester abroad that it's not all about nationality. It's not so important from which country you are from, but it's important which music and films you like or which values, thoughts, ideas & experiences you share.

ErasmusOrgasmus

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Erasmus ist... wenn man früh morgens von lauten Geräuschen geweckt wird, weil eine Horde Besoffener die Wohnung stürmt, schreit "Fucking" and "Oh man" und die Holzverkleidung das Balkons abreißt und runter in den Innenhof wirft. Und Flaschen hinterher schmeißt. Die laut klirrend unten zerschellen. Wenn dann die Polizei plötzlich auch in der Wohnung steht. Don't mess with the Polish police! Just pay the fee. 500 Zloty/120 Euro.Wenn die Vermieter anrufen und sagen: Verschließt die Wohnungstüre!!! Die Nachbarn wollen euch umbringen. Kurz gesagt: Erasmus ist, wenn alle total ausrasten.