We start 2017 with a What's up students’ column on volunteering and EUSA experience, written by Anna Edes, new Chairlady of the Student Commission of the European University Sports Association.

It has all started with a call for volunteering at the 1st EUSA Games in 2012. This opportunity seemed very exciting and since I enjoyed volunteering at other sports events previously very much, I just decided to take this opportunity too. This has been one of the best decisions in my life! I haven’t really had much experience in university sport before, which made it something new for me and something that also made me want to get involved more. Volunteering at the Games in Cordoba has been one of the most memorable experiences throughout my EUSA history, I got to meet a lot of likeminded young people from all over Europe. The atmosphere of the first ever European Universities Games was fascinating for everyone, which is shown the best by number of participants who wanted to return to the upcoming EUSA events.



After the Games there was no question if I would go to the next edition to volunteer, which was held in Rotterdam in 2014. It was great to be back in this community and to meet lots of familiar faces among the volunteers, athletes, officials and EUSA representatives. At this point it was clear for me that I want to get more involved in university sport. After finishing my Bachelor studies right before the Games in Rotterdam I was searching for opportunities to go abroad within the framework of the European Voluntary Service (EVS) for a year.



Fortunately, at the volunteer welcome meeting in Rotterdam the opportunity to apply for EVS in the EUSA Office in Ljubljana was introduced for the next period. This was exactly what I was looking for. I was lucky enough to be selected so I found myself moving to Ljubljana a few weeks later.



The 10 months I spent in the EUSA Office were wonderful. As part of the project I volunteered at the 2015 European Universities Basketball Championship in Koper, Slovenia too. Additionally, I could also get involved in the preparation of the other events and projects, including the selection and coordination of international volunteers. I’m very happy I got the chance to gain valuable experiences and insight in university sport at EUSA, make new friends, and live in a beautiful country like Slovenia.



After finishing these enjoyable 10 months I did not want to leave the EUSA activities completely. Fortunately, the Hungarian University Sport Federation nominated me to become a member of the EUSA Student Commission. I was very glad to be selected and be one of the 8 students from all around Europe who can represent the students within EUSA. This way I had the possibility to stay actively engaged in EUSA activities and contribute to the development of the volunteer program and university sport in general.



As a Student Commission member and former EVS volunteer I was also invited to work in Zagreb and Rijeka at the 2016 EUG to assist the EUSA Office. These were my third Games, but hopefully not the last. It is a great pleasure for me that I got to be part of the EUSA Games’ history as a volunteer and belong to the EUSA Family now as the Student Commission Chair.



Volunteering opportunities for European Universities Championships 2017, as well as the EVS opportunities in EUSA will be open and announced in mid January on the EUSA website www.eusa.eu.

Are you a student with an opinion? We are looking for new contributors for our student column every month. Feel free to contact stc@eusa.eu to offer a piece or propose a topic.