Erasmus students from BiH are the most compelling ambassadors of their country

“The European’s Union’s Erasmus Programme gives young people from Bosnia and Herzegovina an important opportunity to understand the EU and to develop professional skills at the same time,”stat...

“The European’s Union’s Erasmus Programme gives young people from Bosnia and Herzegovina an important opportunity to understand the EU and to develop professional skills at the same time,”stated Ambassador Lars-Gunnar Wigemark, Head of the EU Delegation and EU Special Representative in BiH, addressing BiH students who are joining the Erasmus Programme this year at a pre-departure event organised in the EU Info Centre in Sarajevo on 7 July.

Reminding of the 30th anniversary of Erasmus programme, Ambassador Wigemark underlined that Bosnia and Herzegovina “needs young and educated people with a good understanding of the EU”“Students participating in the Erasmus programme are both ambassadors for the programme and the best ambassadors for their country,” Ambassador Wigemark added.

Prof Dr Aleksandra Nikolić, Vice-Rector for International Cooperation at the University of Sarajevo, presented the activities of Erasmus Programme at the University reiterating the commitment to ongoing improvement of students’ mobility.

Adha Hrustić from Mostar and Irma Imamović from Sarajevo shared their Erasmus experiences in Romania and Austria respectively. Both encouraged other students from Bosnia and Herzegovina to apply for an Erasmus scholarship, which offers opportunities “to learn and grow”.

Speaking about his expectations, Amar Toplić from Banja Luka who is to embark on his six months Erasmus experience in Slovenia expressed his enthusiasm offered by “this great opportunity”.

“You’ll meet people from all around Europe, live with them, hang out and travel,” Lana Bečiragić, President of Erasmus BiH, told the departing students. “After Erasmus, you will have lifelong connections. Take everything that Erasmus gives you, and when you come back, please motivate at least one more person to take the Erasmus journey. I did, and he’s sitting here today and I hope he’s happy because of that!”


2017 marks the 30th anniversary of Erasmus which started as a higher education mobility scheme and has since evolved into a broad programme supporting students, pupils, volunteers, apprentices, teachers, youth workers, athletes as well as educational institutions and other organisations from the field of education, training, youth and sport. For more information on the Erasmus+ 30th anniversary campaign, visit From Erasmus to Erasmus+ website.