EAIE on the road: Erasmus Generation Meeting, Split 2026

In April, the EAIE travelled to the Adriatic Sea to explore the city of Split, Croatia and attend the 5th edition of the Erasmus Generation Meeting. Organised by the Erasmus Student Network, the event brought together more than 1200 participants, the majority of whom were students, mobility ambassadors and members of the Erasmus Generation. It also included representatives from authorities such as the European Commission, National Agencies, European University alliances and higher education institutions. 

For the EAIE, this was a valuable opportunity to connect with a younger audience, particularly students and young professionals interested in the field of internationalisation and mobility. 

Port of mobility, gateway of skills  

This year, the theme of the EGM was 'Port of Mobility, Gateway of Skills’ . With it, the EAIE had a chance to celebrate mobility and internationalisation, while also sharing skills by way of being speakers at the following sessions:  

• National internationalisation strategies across the EHEA – 2025 and beyond, with Laura Rumbley  

• Jumpstarting my career in international higher education. Where do I begin?, with Laura Rumbley 

• Resilient Mobility: Supporting Students Through Conflict and Disruption, with Rita Dias  

• How to write and publish effectively: Tips for young voices in IHE, with Cecilia Albè 

• Mobility with meaning: student leaders on a mission, with Rita Dias  

The Erasmus destination of the year  

The EAIE also had the opportunity to be highly involved in this year’s Erasmus Destination of the Year by serving as a juror for the five finalists – Gothenburg, Turin, Santander, Istanbul and Munich. Additionally, our Strategic Relationships Coordinator, Rita Dias, took the stage to moderate the Saturday plenary, where the finalists presented their pitches to the full audience. 

The Erasmus Destination of the Year is determined through a combination of jury votes and audience voting. The overall winner was Turin, which will receive the title and will benefit from a full year of engagement and activities to showcase why they are the winners.  

The celebration of the Erasmus Generation 

Participating in the Erasmus Generation Meeting is a unique experience in the higher education sector, particularly as the audience is largely composed of young people, something that is not common in our day-to-day work. Although the event lasts four days, the energy of the participants grows stronger with each passing day.  

The EAIE has had the opportunity to participate in all five editions of EGM, and we have seen both the event's growth   and its increasing impact on the lives of young professionals. Most importantly, it is a celebration of youth and of everyone who has had the opportunity to go abroad and find a sense of belonging within the Erasmus Generation.

Closing reflections on a week of exchange and learning 

In conclusion, despite everything happening in the world, the event taught us  that young people remain motivated to engage with and contribute to the field of internationalisation. It is still possible to bring together individuals from more than 46 different countries in one space to share common goals and learn from one another, offering a sense of hope for the future.  

After Croatia, the Erasmus Generation will take us next to Poland in 2027, where we hope to continue our journey.