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Oliver Čechmánek

Oliver Čechmánek

Oliver, Slovakia

My most impactful experiences include volunteering at a scout festival in North Macedonia and assisting at the Ukrainian border shortly after the invasion.

As a political science and human rights student, I’m drawn to migration flows and alternative forms of government. My most impactful experiences include volunteering at a scout festival in North Macedonia and assisting at the Ukrainian border shortly after the invasion. Currently, I’m focused on debating, moderating debates, and mastering the art of argumentation. Through storytelling, I aim to inspire change and contribute meaningful narratives across Europe.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

Márton Benkő

Márton Benkő

Márton, Hungary

I am currently finishing my last year at a high school in Hungary. I've been attracted to the world of media since I was young. I mostly like writing articles and conducting interviews, and I am also very interested in photography. Later I want to study communication and media at the university. In my free time, I dance in a small folk dance group. I’m really keen on movies and travelling.

I am currently finishing my last year at a high school in Hungary. I've been attracted to the world of media since I was young. I mostly like writing articles and conducting interviews, and I am also very interested in photography. Later I want to study communication and media at the university. In my free time, I dance in a small folk dance group. I’m really keen on movies and travelling.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

Luiza Elena Zob

Luiza Elena Zob

Luiza, Romania

With a love for people and all forms of art and creation, writing is one of my ways of connecting with people and ideas, and I’m honoured to join this team of young European journalists.

Romanian but a citizen of the world driven by my never-ending curiosity. I hold a bachelor in Creative Business from the Netherlands and an Erasmus chapter in Madrid. From living in Sweden, New York, and Ecuador to stepping into the television industry, I’ve embraced every challenge as a story to tell. With a love for people and all forms of art and creation, writing is one of my ways of connecting with people and ideas, and I’m honoured to join this team of young European journalists.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

Lisa Leopoli

Lisa Leopoli

Lisa, Italy

Empathy: the essence of who I am and the soul of everything I write. 
I am a university student in Public Relations and a journalist for my city’s local newspapers. But above all, I am a "border girl." Born and raised in Gorizia, a city where Italy and Slovenia meet, I have learned that a border is not a barrier but a bridge, an invisible bond that unites cultures, stories, and people. I believe in unity, in the power of sharing, and in the value of storytelling and communication. Today, I am here not only to recount the past and learn from it but, more importantly, to write the future together. Because we, the youth, are not just spectators of tomorrow we are the protagonists who will shape it!

Empathy: the essence of who I am and the soul of everything I write. 

I am a university student in Public Relations and a journalist for my city’s local newspapers. But above all, I am a "border girl." Born and raised in Gorizia, a city where Italy and Slovenia meet, I have learned that a border is not a barrier but a bridge, an invisible bond that unites cultures, stories, and people. I believe in unity, in the power of sharing, and in the value of storytelling and communication. Today, I am here not only to recount the past and learn from it but, more importantly, to write the future together. Because we, the youth, are not just spectators of tomorrow we are the protagonists who will shape it!

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

Hazel Mulkeen

Hazel Mulkeen

Hazel, Ireland

I’m a student at Trinity College Dublin, currently pursuing a bachelor’s in French and German. As a competitive debater with a particular interest in public affairs and economics, I’m fascinated by how each citizen’s rights interact with governmental policies. I’m honoured to be a Young Journalist this year, and I hope to find and share stories that resonate with young Europeans.

I’m a student at Trinity College Dublin, currently pursuing a bachelor’s in French and German. As a competitive debater with a particular interest in public affairs and economics, I’m fascinated by how each citizen’s rights interact with governmental policies. I’m honoured to be a Young Journalist this year, and I hope to find and share stories that resonate with young Europeans.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

Guilherme Alexandre

Guilherme Alexandre Jorge (Lexi)

Guilherme Alexandre, Portugal

You can call me Lexi. I'm navigating Law, Consulting, Journalism and Politics.
When not promoting a European Federation or participating in Erasmus+ projects, I may be found reading, working out, writing poetry or making dad jokes. And I'm a swiftie.
I like to write about things I believe we can fix together. And together we can fix almost everything

You can call me Lexi. I'm navigating Law, Consulting, Journalism and Politics.

When not promoting a European Federation or participating in Erasmus+ projects, I may be found reading, working out, writing poetry or making dad jokes. And I'm a swiftie.

I like to write about things I believe we can fix together. And together we can fix almost everything

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

Friederike Kroeger

Friederike Kroeger

Friederike, Germany

I have always loved books, poetry, and languages. Over time, I started writing my own stories and became curious about exploring and uncovering new things. Now, I am studying journalism, where I can combine my passion for storytelling with my love for discovery. I enjoy travelling and always have a book with me wherever I go.

I have always loved books, poetry, and languages. Over time, I started writing my own stories and became curious about exploring and uncovering new things. Now, I am studying journalism, where I can combine my passion for storytelling with my love for discovery. I enjoy travelling and always have a book with me wherever I go.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

Egert Ninep

Egert Ninep

Egert, Estonia

I am a 19-year-old first-year journalism student Egert Ninep. I am from Estonia and currently, I study at the Baltic Film, Media and Arts School of Tallinn University. In addition to journalism, I am really into singing. Currently, we are singing with our Estonian pop-rock band Exitum.

I am a 19-year-old first-year journalism student Egert Ninep. I am from Estonia and currently, I study at the Baltic Film, Media and Arts School of Tallinn University. In addition to journalism, I am really into singing. Currently, we are singing with our Estonian pop-rock band Exitum.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

group of volunteer people

Building Connections and Embracing Change: My Erasmus Experience

Laura, Hungary

My journey with Erasmus started almost six years ago when I participated in a youth exchange in France. At that time, I knew very little about Erasmus+ or anything related to that, but I was encouraged to apply, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions. I’ve ever made, it opened the door to a whole new world.

After that first project, I took a brief break but later found another youth exchange thanks to a friend, this time in Hungary. Clearly, I enjoyed it, because over the next two years, I joined four projects with the same organization—two youth exchanges and two training courses. During this time, I also learned about the European Solidarity Corps and the incredible opportunities it offers, which I hadn’t known about before. I had the chance to meet several volunteers and hear their inspiring stories.

That’s when the idea of volunteering started to take root. It wasn’t an easy decision, though, it took me a couple of years to finally commit. The thought of leaving my home, family, and friends for a whole year was daunting, but I knew that I would exchange it for an amazing and once in a lifetime experience. 

I eventually chose to do long-term volunteering with Európa Ifjúsága Egyesület in Hungary. Now, more than five months into the program, I couldn’t be happier. The organization hosts nine volunteers each year, divided into three groups, so we get to do a lot of activities together, whether it's visiting schools to share our experiences, doing team-building activities or traveling to exciting new places in Hungary and abroad.

I mostly work with two other volunteers. Our main tasks include running a weekly English club for local primary school students, engaging with young people, and organizing events like Halloween parties and game nights at the youth house. We also share our cultures and promote Erasmus+ and ESC opportunities to high school students.

There have certainly been ups and downs throughout my volunteering journey, but the positive experiences far outweigh the challenges. I’ve met so many amazing people, made valuable connections, and had unforgettable experiences. Every day is a new adventure, and I’ve learned that stepping outside your comfort zone is where growth happens. Taking risks, embracing change, and pursuing opportunities, no matter how daunting they may seem, can lead to transformative experiences that shape who you are. I’m excited to see what the rest of my time here will bring, and I hope it inspires others to follow their passions and create their own life-changing stories.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

Anna Kalenichenko

Anna Kalenichenko

Anna, Poland

I’m an Ukrainian living abroad. Politics and diplomacy guide me in making choices that actually matter right now. Through honest conversations and meaningful actions, I want to be sure we’re building a story we can be proud of and not one we’ll regret.

I’m an Ukrainian living abroad. Politics and diplomacy guide me in making choices that actually matter right now. Through honest conversations and meaningful actions, I want to be sure we’re building a story we can be proud of and not one we’ll regret.

Updated on Tuesday, 17/02/2026

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