As October draws to a close, the Erasmus Mundus Student and Alumni Association (EMA) reflects on the success of EMA Days 2024. The weekend of the 19th and 20th of October saw EMA members and volunteers across the globe gathered in person and online to do what we do best: show up for each other and celebrate our community.
A Weekend of Global Connection
What began as a one-day event known as EMA Day many years ago, has expanded beyond a single day, offering a weekend-long celebration of global connections and shared experiences since 2023.
This year's theme drew inspiration from the spirit of this summer's 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris. Under the "Shining Together" banner, the Talent Management Unit and its Community Development Sub-unit wanted to highlight EMA’s work as an association that breaks down barriers and fosters global connections. Because EMA Days are not just for current Erasmus Mundus Joint Master (EMJM) students or alumni. EMA Days prides itself on including our EMA members, friends, family, and all of those interested in Erasmus Mundus programmes, our association, and its members.
Bridging Spaces Across the Globe
With the support of volunteers from five EMA Units and seven subunits, over 35 local organisers hosted events in 28 countries, from the Philippines to Canada. These events ranged from in-person gatherings to online webinars, providing opportunities for EMA members to connect, learn, and inspire one another.
EMA Talk Show: Navigating the Final Semester
One such event was the webinar hosted by the Community Development Sub-unit called ‘EMA Talk Show: How to Shine in Your Last Semester’ on Saturday 19th October. Daryl James Valdez and Soundharya Dharshini, the Community Development Coordinator and Officer respectively, brought together an assortment of recent Erasmus Mundus graduates to advise students who will soon embark on their last semester of studies.
The panellists included Melhamar Pedarse Asani, a graduate of the Master of Arts in Advanced Development in Social Work (ADVANCES); Wiktoria Agata Wilk and Bukola Arowojolu Oyesomi, graduates of the European Joint Master in Social Work with Children and Youth, (ESWOCHY); and Michael de Leon, a graduate of the European Public Health Master (EPH+).
As Daryl wrote in his report of the activity, the hour-long meeting focused on strategies for success in the final semester and transitioning into the professional world, addressing challenges such as dissertations, language barriers, accommodation issues, and the uncertainty of post-graduation life.
He mentioned that the successful implementation of the Mindful Mundus project—one of EMA’s outstanding projects in 2023—revealed many challenges that an Erasmus Mundus student faced the last semester. This year’s EMA Days theme, Shining Together, seemed like the ideal time to create a safe space for recent graduates to discuss their lived experiences and provide insights and tips to help the next generation shine and thrive.
The takeaways from the conversation include seeking support and guidance from colleagues, supervisors, and alumni; prioritising self-care and mental health needs; starting working on the dissertation early and establishing a writing routine, and allocating sufficient time for editing the work.
If you want to revisit this EMA Days 2024 webinar, visit our EMA Facebook page, here.
Play Fair: The Sports Ethics Examiner
The Professional Development (PD) Sub-unit also hosted a webinar on Sunday 20th October called ‘Play Fair: The Sports Ethics Examiner’. Vighnesh Nadukkandy Pradeep, PD Coordinator, and Keepa Maitri Tuladhar, PD Officer, hosted Whitney Bragagnolo, Aline Candeo, and Karla Carrillo graduates of the Master of Arts in Sports Ethics and Integrity (MAiSI) who turned their passion and learning in the real world with their project, The Sports Ethics Examiner (TSEE).
Keepa tells us that the TSEE project seeks to promote awareness of athlete's rights, diversity, equality, and more, sparking dialogue and inspiring action for a better sporting world. She notes that the panel discussion focused on the team's inspirational take and journey to learn their work's profound impact in promoting diversity, equality, and athletes' rights.
The MAISI alumni emphasised how they are leveraging their collective network to foster positive change in sports ethics, tapping into the program’s global community to create a ripple effect in the industry. Moving beyond the classroom, these graduates have transitioned from theoretical studies to practical, real-world applications, focusing on the human rights aspect of sports. This shift highlights their dedication to turning passion into purpose, driving change by applying ethical principles not just as rigid rules but as mindsets that can reshape sports culture. By continuously pursuing their interests in ethics and integrity, these alumni are championing inclusivity and equity in the sports world.
Vigo and Keepa both highlighted that is inspirational and aspirational how these Erasmus Mundus graduates took charge of their own lives and built a path for others to cross. To hear from Whitney, Aline, and Karla go to our Facebook page, here.
A Bright Future for EMA
EMA Days 2024 was a resounding success, demonstrating the strength and vitality of the Erasmus Mundus community. As we look forward to future events, we remain committed to fostering global connections, inspiring innovation, and empowering individuals to make a difference.
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