expert insights

Lena Karnalova meeting MEP Hristo Petrov

On March 3rd, 2026 I had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Hristo Petrov at the European Parliament in Brussels  to discuss something I deeply believe in: the role of mentoring as a strategic policy tool at European level. Hristo Petrov is a Bulgarian Member of the European Parliament (Renew Europe), focused on social policy, children’s rights, and…

Bridges by Mentors: a bridge to a richer exchange experience!

As Institutional Erasmus+ Coordinator at NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, I highly value the contribution of the BRIDGES by Mentors project to the quality and impact of our Erasmus+ mobility activities, particularly within KA1 incoming student mobility. Every semester, NHL Stenden welcomes a large…

Elke Christiaen – Howest – Project Coordinator 

“Learning to Build Bridges”  Working with Bridges by Mentors has been a particularly valuable experience for us at Howest. Together with my colleague Simon, I had the opportunity to guide and support our internship students throughout their involvement in the project.  What I found especially…

Mentoring for Inclusion: Building Confidence Through Meaningful Interaction

Social Element’s participation in the mentoring programme, was an extremely positive and useful experience. The involvement of university students as mentors, provided an opportunity for our participants (people with intellectual disabilities), to interact with youth and to develop important communication and social skills. The Bridges…

Enhancing Social and Personal Skills in Youth: Outcomes of the Bridges 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…

Creating the Conditions for Students to Grow

During the 2025–2026 academic year, I worked as the Project Coordinator for Bridges by Mentor (BBM) from the Student Empowerment Space (SEMS) at NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences in Leeuwarden. My main responsibility was supporting and coordinating the second-year Pedagogy and Social Work students…

Building Bridges That Last

Throughout my work as Project Leader of Bridges by Mentors, I have seen how mentoring can change lives in ways that are often difficult to measure, yet impossible to ignore. The Bridges by Mentors programme creates meaningful connections between people who may never have crossed…

Building Global Citizens Through Local Connections

As a postdoctoral researcher and senior lecturer, I am interested in how mentoring helps people develop not only as individuals, but also as active members of an increasingly interconnected world. In this regard, initiatives such as Bridges by Mentors demonstrate the potential of mentoring to…

The Power of Student Mentoring Across Cultures: A Perspective from Plovdiv

By Nikolay Dobrev,  Former Chairperson, Association of  Pharmacy students, Medical University of Plovdiv  Mentoring is often seen as a relationship where knowledge and experience are passed from one person to another. But in a university setting especially one as culturally diverse as the Medical University…

Mentoring in Higher Education: A psychologists’ perspective 

I am glad to be contributing to this great project, Bridges by Mentors, by sharing my experience with mentoring programs from the standpoint of a professional psychologist. Being involved in mentoring programs for vulnerable populations has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my…

Bridges by Mentors : Bringing New Intercultural Energy to Local Associations  

English Since 2024, Bridges by Mentors has enabled international students from the Université Savoie Mont Blanc to get involved in local life through volunteer missions with associations based in Chambéry, Annecy, and surrounding areas. This European program goes beyond helping students become mentors in their…

Empowering Students through Mentorship and Social Engagement 

As the Practicum Coordinator for School Psychology and teacher of the Practicum in Psychology at the University of Nicosia, I have had the privilege of closely observing the transformative journey of our psychology students through their participation in the Bridges by Mentors programme. Over the…

Mentoring Builds Connection and Confidence

I’m Hannah Wolf, a systemic coach, certified diversity trainer, and university lecturer in personal development. In my work, I support people and teams in finding clarity, growing together, and navigating change with courage and compassion. What I believe at the core: Real growth happens in connection.…

Lets hear from Guinneviere, a Volunteer Coordinator at Kazou!

Working with KAZOU has given me the opportunity to mentor young people in a meaningfulway. As a volunteer coordinator, I guide students who join us as camp leaders and help themgrow into confident, responsible mentors themselves. It’s incredible to witness theirtransformation, from unsure beginners to…

 Empowering Through Mentorship: Stakeholders Speak Up 

The Online Validation Workshop brought together almost 30 stakeholders, representing universities and non-profit organizations across Europe to discuss student mentoring as a tool for international impact and to state their support for the methodology of the “Bridges by Mentors” projects.  Here is what the stakeholders shared: …

Cultural Student Picnic with Groep Intro!

A cultural picnic was organized in collaboration with the Intro Groep organization, bringing together international and local students. The aim of the activity was to foster intercultural exchange and create opportunities for connection in an informal and relaxed setting. It gave international students a valuable…

A fruitful collaboration between Beyers Naudé gymnasium and NHL Stenden 

Collaboration Beyers Naudé gymnasium and NHL-Stenden: “Bridges by Mentors” At Beyers Naudé Gymnasium, we collaborate with NHL-Stenden on the Bridges by Mentors project for our second- and third-year students. Initially, the focus of the project was on organizing a language village—a valuable environment for practicing modern foreign…

Hear from one of our expert reviewers, Federica Casaccio! 

Hi everyone! My name is Federica, International Relationship Manager at ACEEU, and I had the opportunity to serve as one of the expert reviewers for the first official draft of the Bridges by Mentors Service Delivery Manual.  The Manual is an extremely useful tool to…