Unlocking Student Mobility Opportunities at FAU: EELISA Student Ambassador Kick-Off

About the event:

On April 24th, 2026, the first EELISA Student Ambassador kick-off event brought together around 20 students from across different FAU faculties. The goal? To help students unlock insider tips on accessing mobility funding available through EELISA FAU.

The EELISA Student Ambassadors organized this event to help FAU students discover real opportunities to travel with EELISA funding. Many students may have heard about these chances but feel unsure or hesitant about taking the next step. That’s exactly why the ambassadors carefully prepared a step-by-step guide on how FAU students can access mobility funding for seasonal schools, events, competitions, hackathons, and even conferences at EELISA partner universities.

Hannah (Molecular Medicine student, EELISA Student Ambassador):
“As part of the student ambassadors team, I helped plan and organize the kick-off event. Since it was our first event with EELISA, the four of us were really excited when the day finally came. We didn’t have big expectations, but we were so happy to see how many students are interested in EELISA and share the same values. In my study program, it’s quite difficult to include a study experience abroad like Erasmus. But because of the unique opportunities EELISA offers, a short-term stay abroad becomes much more accessible and I love sharing that possibility with others who might be in the same situation. What I loved most? The event brought people from so many different backgrounds together. Even though we only spent a short time together, it was a lot of fun, and everyone left the room with a big smile.”

Siddhant (Master’s student in Information Systems):
“Supporting the organization of the EELISA kick-off event was a great experience and gave me the chance to work closely with the other student ambassadors. It was awesome to see students from different backgrounds come together, exchange ideas, and learn about EELISA in an interactive way. Since I personally took part in an EELISA summer school in Italy, I know how valuable these experiences can be both academically and personally. That’s why I was happy to share my own journey and encourage others to explore international and interdisciplinary opportunities through EELISA. I especially loved answering questions about the application process and funding opportunities, because many students were genuinely curious about how accessible these experiences really are. The positive atmosphere and enthusiasm from everyone made the event memorable for all of us.”

The Impact of EELISA Student Mobility Funding
We believe that EELISA mobility funding makes a real difference in students’ study experiences. With the wide variety of programs offered by EELISA partner universities, this funding allows students to grow far beyond their regular classroom studies.

Take Siddhant, for example: Even though his background is in Computer Science and Information Systems, he joined an interdisciplinary seasonal school in Agrigento, Italy, organized by Scuola Normale Superiore Pisa together with colleagues from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. The program combined the use of technology with a main focus on Archaeology and Architecture. During the program, students worked with drones, AI/ML tools, and 3D modeling, while also taking part in practical archaeological activities such as excavating in trenches and documenting artifacts. According to Siddhant, this experience allowed him to explore a completely different field and build new international connections for future collaboration.

Loredana Bratu, a master’s student in International Information Systems, shared her very first EELISA experience: participating in the GenAI Lab @ ZHAW in Zürich, Switzerland. The program was designed in collaboration with an industry partner, Eliona (a smart building platform). Loredana describes two days of intense, fast-paced teamwork in a highly international group, where theory met real-world application. Her team secured 1st place in the competition with their app design, called UniFlow.

Many EELISA seasonal schools and events encourage students to take part in hands-on experiences and competitions, some even come with great prizes. Loredana’s trip was fully funded by EELISA FAU, including her fast train ticket and accommodation.

For most FAU students, accessing EELISA funding isn’t just about travel. It’s about breaking down financial barriers and getting the chance to explore a new topic or a new twist on their own field of study. Traveling with EELISA also proves that your FAU degree connects you to Europe.

We’re confident that Loredana’s & Siddhant’s story will inspire other students to take part in future EELISA opportunities.

What do students need to be funded by EELISA at FAU?

Now you might be wondering: what does it actually take to get funded by EELISA FAU?

Here’s the good news: you don’t need to be the “perfect student” to participate. EELISA programs are open, diverse, multidisciplinary, and designed for students who are curious about what the world outside their classroom looks like.

Here are some useful tips to help you secure your next journey with EELISA:

  1. Be enrolled at FAU during the period of your funding application

  2. Get accepted into the program you’re interested in apply on digitalcampus.eelisa.eu

  3. Be fast — and secure your funding by following the steps outlined here:
    EELISA Student Mobility Funding – EELISA – European University at FAU

Ready to start your own EELISA story? Keep an eye on upcoming opportunities, reach out to your EELISA Student Ambassadors, and take that first step. Your next adventure across Europe might be just one application away.