International student club (ISC), that exists at the University of South Bohemia since 2007, managed to become a part of an international organization Erasmus Student Network (ESN).
The accession to ESN was approved by the absolute majority of representatives of other Czech universities on 7th September 2019. With the new name and design, ESN USB Budweis became the 530th section of this organization and the 19th section in the Czech Republic.
ESN is a non-profit international student organization whose aim is the voluntary help to international students with practical problems of their stay and study. It also tries to improve mutual cultural understanding and enables to learn more about the Czech country, its culture, and history, especially owing to various events, educational and sporting, trips and other projects. 200 students come every year to the University of South Bohemia within the programme Erasmus+, and the members of this association devote their free time to them. Currently, the association includes 15 members, that take care of the organization of activities and run the association and other 55 students that help the foreign students with practical problems by arrival and stay at USB.
The accession to the ESN does not mean only a change of the name (ESN USB Budweis – Erasmus Student Network University of South Bohemia České Budějovice) it brings advantages too, such as the partnership, financial support of projects, possibility to participate in educational and adventure events, sharing of know-how across universities, etc. The association continues in organizing cultural events, flag parade, sporting events, evening of board games, excursions, trips within the Czech Republic and abroad and newly also activities supporting the integration of Erasmus students (such as the project Erasmus in Schools).
Not only foreign students can gain benefits from this. The activities of ESN USB Budweis create an open international space and offers possibilities to practice and improve language skills, get to know a foreign culture and lots of interesting people.
