“It’s a colossal challenge but UM is well equipped to take it on because of our experience handling diversity.” Danai Petropoulou Ionescu is one of the two student representatives from Maastricht University, who will gather students’ feedback and present it to YUFE’s board. “It’s a really international community here. People are open to discussing uncomfortable things and embrace other perspectives – and I get the same feeling from our partner universities.”

Non-elitist

In particular, she was inspired by YUFE’s determination to not be an elitist project. Indeed one could object that European mobility is already a reality for those with the right connections and necessary funds for tuition fees, language courses, accommodation, travel, etc. “The focus on equal opportunities is close to my heart – I don’t come from a rich family… If I’d had an opportunity like YUFE at the beginning of my studies, I’d definitely have taken it!”

The YUFE partners are dedicated to equal opportunities and diversity. They are exploring ways of providing accommodation, social projects and internships. True mobility, in the sense of integrating into the current place of study, is integral to the programme. “Such an educational area without borders is a marvellous aspiration and a step towards creating a real European community.”

Freedom of movement

The situation in Britain is a reminder that freedom of movement – unironically enough – is far from steadfast. “I think YUFE can be a counterforce to the isolationist tendencies we see in Europe and the world.” While mainstream populism conceives of mobility as a threat, YUFE deems it beneficial, not only for those moving through Europe but also for the communities into which students will try to integrate.

There are of course some parallels to the ERASMUS programme, which has done a lot to make real an idea of Europe often stuck at the police stage – but in a limited way. “ERASMUS has the same promise of mobility but without the obligation to work and contribute, which limits it to people who have the necessary funds. It’s a great first step to prepare the way for a project like YUFE, which adds another dimension.”

"Ecco." "Kiitos." "De nada."

“YUFE makes European mobility integral.” Even though students only have a limited time to experience how other institutions, cities and cultures work, the learning-goals are ambitious. Language, one of YUFE’s pillars, is a good example of how ideals are balanced with realism. “You need language in order to understand how the society you want to contribute to functions – but you don’t have to master it completely to understand how people think.”

While no grand act of communication, a “howdy” in the local language can punch a tiny hole into the wall separating nations and social classes. After all, it’s not about writing villanelles in Finnish but about crossing cultural borders. “I speak very little Dutch and everyone here speaks English really well anyways. Still, I get the idea that interactions are a lot nicer if you can say a couple of words in Dutch. The effort brings people closer.”

Ideas travelling across borders

YUFE’s approach not only benefits the students and host communities: “A lot of people who are in a similar position to me actually plan to go back and apply what they have learnt living abroad. A kind of best practice sharing…” The individual as a conduit for education and new perspectives and ideas – YUFE would not only help develop innovative but also allow solutions to travel and transform.

Danai is excited to help turn beatific buzzwords like mobility and diversity into a practically implementable plan. “I really look forward to all the nitty gritty necessary to ensure that people will have e.g. equal access.” She’s just returned from a YUFE meeting in Essex, so her reality is already becoming more European. “It’s a very fresh, really open collaboration – it’s great to work together and make this become a reality.”