Following the first ACE²-EU Alumni Club meeting held at Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (CUAS) on 11st June 2026, the initiative was officially introduced at the Medical University of Gdańsk on 23rd June. The MUG kick-off created a new space for students to share mobility experiences, exchange practical advice, and inspire their peers to take part in future international opportunities within the Alliance.
The CUAS meeting, organised in the Study Lounge at Campus Villach, focused on building belonging through international experiences, cultural diversity, and student-led engagement. As an alumni networking initiative, it empowered former mobility participants to act as ACE ambassadors by sharing their international travel experiences, cultural insights, and social impact perspectives with future students.
At MUG, the kick-off meeting took place at the University Dental Centre, in Lecture Room No. 1. The event gathered strong interest from the student community, with nearly 20 students registering to participate. The meeting brought together students who had already taken part in ACE²-EU mobility activities and those interested in joining future mobility programmes.
The central part of the event was dedicated to student presentations, during which mobility alumni shared their experiences from visits to North Macedonia, Portugal, Latvia, and Spain. The presentations offered a first-hand perspective on what international mobility within ACE²-EU looks like in practice — from choosing a destination and preparing for departure, to taking part in academic activities, navigating organisational matters, and experiencing everyday life in a different cultural and university environment.
Each presentation opened the floor for questions and discussion, allowing participants to explore the practical aspects of mobility in a direct and informal way. Students asked about academic expectations, travel preparations, accommodation, language and cultural adaptation, as well as the personal and professional benefits of studying and collaborating in an international setting.
The meeting quickly developed into an open exchange of experiences. Students who had already completed mobility activities offered useful tips, honest reflections, and encouragement to those considering their first international opportunity within the Alliance. This peer-to-peer format proved particularly valuable, as it allowed future participants to receive practical guidance from colleagues who had recently gone through the same process.
The launch of the ACE²-EU Alumni Club at MUG marks the next step in developing the initiative across the Alliance. Building on the CUAS experience, the MUG kick-off showed how local alumni communities can support students, promote mobility opportunities, and strengthen the sense of belonging to the wider ACE²-EU academic community.
The positive atmosphere of the meeting confirmed the need for such a space. The discussions showed that student experience can play an important role in promoting mobility, reducing uncertainty, and encouraging wider participation in ACE²-EU opportunities.
The initiative is intended to grow beyond its local beginnings and gradually develop into an Alliance-wide platform. Starting with the first meetings at CUAS and MUG, the ACE²-EU Alumni Club aims to build a broader network of mobility alumni who can support future participants, strengthen peer-to-peer exchange, and contribute to the Alliance’s global outreach.
