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Student Stories
𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗮 𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗷𝗸
The cooking activity with the students from ’t Vier in Kortrijk was a very positive experience. In total, 8 mentors were present, together with 9 students from ’t Vier. Out of the mentors, 4 prepared a traditional dish from their home country. A student from…
Enhancing Social and Personal Skills in Youth: Outcomes of theBridges by Mentors Project
The collaboration between ‘’Hope for Children’’ CRC Policy Center CRC Policy Center andthe University of Nicosia (UNIC) under the “Bridges by Mentors” project has been avaluable and impactful initiative. The implementation of a structured group mentoringprogram provided a meaningful framework for engaging youth aged 12–18…
Bridges by Mentors in Action: Mentoring Activities at the University of Nicosia
Over the past months, Bridges by Mentors participants at the University of Nicosia have been actively engaged in mentoring activities focused on youth development, communication, and intercultural learning. Through hands-on sessions and close collaboration with local partners, students gained valuable experience in working with children…
Learning to Understand, Not Just Observe: Angelique’s story
During my time with Hope For Children, organized by Bridges by Mentors in Nicosia, Ifaced challenges that pushed my understanding. The boys, aged 7 to 10, were curious andsmart, but often their attention drifted, and some days tested my patience. Workingclosely with the officers, I…
Bridges by Mentors in Action: Sharing Cultures in Chambéry, France
At Université Savoie Mont Blanc, participants of Bridges by Mentors joined the 28th edition of the Tour du Monde à Chambé, contributing to a city-wide event in Chambéry, France. This annual two-day event is a student-led initiative combining cultural exchange with local residents, performances showcasing various art forms, and interactive activities for school groups. 16 participants of Bridges by Mentors took an active part…
From curiosity to connection: Meet Our Intern Flavio
Today we are introducing you Flavio, our intern from NHL Stenden, and giving you a glimpse into his experience at Bridges by Mentors. We asked him a few questions, here’s what he shared: What stands out from Flavio’s experience is how quickly stepping into a…
Different Paths, Shared Growth: Fabiola’sMentoring Journey
Being a mentor is not a single path that we all have to follow in the same way. On the opposite, it is a personal journey in which we are free to have thousands of different experiences. It allows us to learn from others, to share…
Building Connections That Matter: Vladislovas’s Journey in Bridges By Mentors
Participating in the Bridges by Mentors programme has been a meaningful and transformative experience for me. What makes it special is the opportunity not only to grow personally, but also to support and mentor others. I truly believe that when you give value to others, you grow yourself…
From Curiosity to Connection: Meet Our Intern Renke
Today we are introducing you Renke, our intern, and giving you a glimpse into her experience at Bridges by Mentors. We asked her a few questions, here’s what she shared: In my second year of my bachelor Child & Youth studies, I had to start…
From Curiosity to Connection: A Brigdes By Mentors Internship Story
Today we are introducing you Hana, our intern, and giving you a glimpse into her experience at Bridges by Mentors. We asked her a few questions, here’s what she shared: How did you first hear about the Bridges by Mentors project? What made you curious…
Bridges by Mentors at Université Savoie Mont Blanc: A Semester of Impact and Connection
This past semester has been rich in learning experiences and meaningful engagement for the students participating in Bridges by Mentors at Université Savoie Mont Blanc, France. Throughout the autumn of 2025, they actively developed their transversal and mentoring skills, while contributing to the local community in the cities of Chambéry and Annecy. We began with a Mentoring Training Session, where students…
How Mentorship Changed My Perspective: Let’s Hear from Yaryna
Yaryna Yanishevska is a Ukrainian student specializing in European and International Business Law at Université Savoie Mont Blanc. Her double Master’s degree programme has brought her to France and Lithuania. She describes her involvement in Bridges by Mentors as both transformative and deeply meaningful. Here…
Crossing Cultures in Medicine: Areeb’s Experience from Calgary to Plovdiv
My name is Areeb Ansari, and I’m a 4th-year medical student at the Medical University of Plovdiv in Bulgaria. I grew up in Canada and have always been drawn to healthcare, especially the human connection that comes with it. My educational journey has taken me…
A Global Path to Medicine: Shreyya’s Journey of Growth and Cultural Discovery
Hi everyone! I am Shreyya. I was born in America and grew up in India, before returning to the USA for higher education. Currently, I am a medical Student at Medical University Plovdiv, Bulgaria. I have always been interested in Medicine and being involved in…
Hear from John Andrew Amissah, an international student from Ghana!
Studying abroad has always been a life dream and being able to fulfil such a dream in Howest University of Applied Sciences has been worthwhile. As an international student I get to experience different organisational cultures and cultures of other international students. I am currently…
Nika from Italy!
Hello everyone! I’m Nika, a bachelor’s student from Italy, currently living in Belgium and studying Digital Design & Development. I’ve always been passionate about languages and cultures, so studying abroad always felt like a dream for me, that finally came true. Moving to Belgium was…
Meeting up & Getting inspired
In this video, three students from the University of Savoie-Mont-Blanc share their experience during the Bridges by Mentors training weekend, which blended teaching activities with time spent in nature. They reflect on the value of stepping out of their comfort zones, discovering new cultures, and…
My Mentoring Experience in Chambéry with a 5 Year Old
English When I arrived in France for my studies, I never thought I would one day become the mentor of a little French boy. And yet, this experience with Afev and Bridges by Mentors has been one of the most powerful since I arrived in…
Mastering Mobility with Student Mentors
I am a 24-year-old master’s student, and my education journey has taken me through 5 countries and countless lessons, both in and outside the classroom. After finishing my bachelor’s degree in Azerbaijan, I took a leap of faith and applied for an international master’s program.…
Hajar Sardi on Mentoring and Connection
During an unforgettable week in the picturesque mountain resort of Pamporovo in Bulgaria, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the “mentoring without borders” training under the Bridges by Mentors and European Union Erasmus+ programmes. Nestled in the stunning Rhodope Mountains, Pamporovo’s breathtaking natural beauty…
Bridges by Mentors: Having someone to guide you
Being an international student in Cyprus has its advantages and disadvantages, while it does give a lot of helpful things when you are first trying to settle down here, it also poses a lot of challenges that each international student must overcome so they can…
Bridges by Mentors: Enovi’s Excellent Experience
Hey everyone! My name is Enovi, and I’m from the U.S.A. (Idaho, to be exact.) I am currently studying psychology as a full-time student at the University of Nicosia in Cyprus. I have lived in many places over the years, but moving to a new…
From the Mountains of Corfu to the Heart of Psychology in Cyprus
My name is Kimon, I’m 25 years old, and I come from Corfu, an island in the Ionian Sea of Greece. I grew up in a small mountain village where life was calm and familiar. For most of my life, I studied music, and for…
What’s it really like to study in a new country where everything is foreign – except a mentor?
Arriving in a new country is always a mix of excitement and anxiety. When I landed in Finland to start my semester at Tampere University as part of the Erasmus Mundus MARIHE program, I was greeted not just by cold air and unfamiliar surroundings, but…
Lets hear from Ahmad!
The Bridges by Mentors pilot phase was absolutely amazing! It opened up a whole new aspectof university life for me. What did I like most about it? Definitely the chance to meet otherstudents from NHL Stenden. What I especially enjoyed was that it wasn’t just…
JYO’s Training Experience in Bulgaria!
In the summer of 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the “Mentoring Without Borders” training workshop, held in the serene mountain town of Pamporovo, Bulgaria. Surrounded by nature and disconnected from the hustle of daily life, the workshop created an atmosphere of genuine…
Training for Youth Workers in Pamporovo!
Between 1st and 7th of July 2024 the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bulgaria Association held the “Mentoring Without Borders” Training for Youth Workers in Pamporovo, Bulgaria. University students, university staff members and mentors from France (Afev France and Université Savoie Mont Blanc), Netherlands (NHL…
From Greece to Bulgaria
Hello everyone, my name is Apostolos. Originally I am from Greece but the last 7 years I am residing in Bulgaria, where I took my bachelor studies in musical pedagogy, pop and jazz guitar. Right now I am finishing up my thesis for my master’s…
Janny, a student from Groningen talks about her experience in Belgium
Hi everyone! I’m Janny, an Industrial Product Design student from Groningen, currently studying abroad through the Erasmus+ program in Kortrijk, Belgium. Even though it’s not too far from home, this experience has been incredibly exciting. I’ve met so many new people, discovered different cultures, and…
Sristi’s Hopeful Dreams
My Journey as an International Student in Belgium I moved to Belgium in 2022: uncertain, overwhelmed, but full of dreams. I didn’t know exactly what I was going to make of this new beginning, but I knew one thing for sure: I wanted more out…
Meet Juliette from France!
Hi! My name is Juliette, I’m 21 years old and I’m from Brest, France. I’m currently doing my Erasmus exchange in Leeuwarden at NHL Stenden University. Back in France, I study for a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and International Business at the IUT of Quimper.…
Yoshi’s experience in Bridges by Mentors
About Me Hi! My name is Yoshi. I’m from Japan. I came to the Netherlands as an exchange student in August 2024. I will be 22 years old this May, and I’m a senior at my home university. While my major is economics back in…
Let’s hear from Zahara’s experience as an international student and mentor
Hey everyone! I’m Zahara, a master’s student currently based in Europe, studying through the Erasmus Mundus program MARIHE. Over the past couple of years, I’ve had the chance to live and study in Austria, Finland, China, and now Germany! Though I’m originally from Sri Lanka,…