“What makes ChallengeEU even more special is that it doesn’t end with the conference. The friendships we built are real,” writes Marija Kosovljanovic from FHNW, Student Ambassador and member of the Student Council, reflecting on the ChallengeEU 1st Annual Conference.
After almost a year as a member of the ChallengeEU Students’ Council and as a Student Ambassador, I had the great honour of travelling to Poland for the 1st Annual Conference of ChallengeEU. I had been looking forward to this trip for a long time, not only because it was an exciting international experience, but also because it marked an important step in my journey within the ChallengeEU alliance.
One of the things I was most excited about was finally meeting my fellow FHNW student ambassador Marion face to face. Until then, we had mainly worked together through Microsoft Teams and phone calls while preparing different ChallengeEU tasks and projects. After so many online meetings, finally meeting in person made everything feel much more real and meaningful.
Before this trip, I had never been to Poland, so everything felt new and exciting. Still, from the very beginning, I felt comfortable there. The atmosphere was welcoming, and I quickly had the feeling of being at home.
When I arrived at the campus of the University of Warmia and Mazury, I immediately got a sense of what real student life on a big international campus feels like. Everything felt huge, open, and very different from what I know in Switzerland. The campus almost felt like a small city, full of life, activity, and modern spaces.
This impression became even stronger during the opening ceremony. As we entered the amphitheatre, I was honestly impressed by how many people from so many different countries were gathered in one place. The atmosphere felt international, but also very warm and welcoming at the same time.
What I really liked was that the event didn’t feel too formal or distant. There was live music, modern songs, and a positive energy in the room. People were singing, clapping, smiling, and just enjoying the moment together. It already felt like this conference would be something special.
Throughout the conference, English was the main language, but what I found very interesting was hearing so many other languages every day. Polish, German, French, Spanish, and many more were all around us. As a student in Switzerland, I also had the chance to speak German with several participants, which made conversations even more natural. It was a nice reminder of how diverse Europe is, but also how easily people can connect when they are open to it.
Some of the best moments happened outside the official programme. One evening, we had a traditional Polish dinner on campus near a lake. There was food, music, performances, and dancers in traditional clothing introducing us to Polish culture. What made the evening special was that, at some point, everyone started dancing together – students, professors, and staff all mixed. In that moment, it didn’t matter who was who anymore. It just felt like one big international group enjoying the evening together.
Another highlight was visiting the university’s media studios. We got to explore the radio and podcast rooms, record short audio messages in groups, and learn how professional audio production works. Some even tried the recording booths while technicians showed us how editing is done. For most of us, including myself, this was completely new, and it was both fun and interesting.
What surprised me most during the conference wasn’t one specific moment, but the overall atmosphere. I expected something quite formal and structured, but instead I found something very open, human, and easy-going.
Even though we all came from different countries, study fields, and backgrounds, it was surprisingly easy to connect. Conversations felt natural, and it was interesting how quickly people opened to each other. It really showed me how fast barriers can disappear in the right environment.
Another thing that surprised me was how normal it became to switch between languages and cultures all the time. Instead of being complicated, it made everything more interesting and connected.
On a personal level, this experience also pushed me out of my comfort zone. Being part of ChallengeEU and representing my university in such an international setting challenged me in many ways: Speaking English more often, meeting new people constantly, and adapting to new situations. Looking back, I can honestly say it was an unforgettable experience that I really appreciated. I’m grateful that I got to be part of it through my studies, because it helped me grow a lot, not just academically but also personally.
If I had to describe ChallengeEU, I would say it’s a intercultural family and very connected. But more than anything, it’s about people.
It’s not just about conferences or workshops, but about sharing experiences, learning from each other, and growing together despite our differences. During this journey, I really felt that meaningful connections were created naturally.
What makes ChallengeEU even more special is that it doesn’t end with the conference. The friendships we built are real, and we’re already planning to meet again in the summer. That shows that this is just the beginning, not the end, and that’s probably the most beautiful part of it.
Marija Kosovljanovic
