European Student Assembly 2026: Miguel’s experience in Strasbourg
Sometimes, the most profound changes start with a simple decision to participate. For Miguel Pérez Hernández, an International Business student at Saxion, that choice led him to the 2026 European Student Assembly (ESA) in Strasbourg, France.
The European Student Assembly brings together 250 higher education students from across Europe to discuss important European challenges and develop policy recommendations.Miguel wanted to make an active contribution because he strongly believes it is crucial for young people to be as involved as possible. To him, being part of the change is obvious.
A bridge between tech and policy
European independence in technology immediately caught Miguel’s attention. As an intern in project management and finance at ASML, he understands how EU policy and international relations affect European tech. Before the assembly started, he spent months working together online with a diverse team to draft policy recommendations.
The experience lasted three days in France. Early mornings turned to meaningful debates with colleagues, which helped them polish their ideas. One of the most memorable moments for Miguel was the opportunity to speak directly with a Member of the European Parliament.
The beauty of diversity
While the policy work was challenging, the social network he built made it completely worth it. Miguel was also surprised by the diversity of the participants, heexpected a closed circle of people from similar fields, but he found a mix of nationalities and academic backgrounds instead. This unique environment introduced him to people he might never have met otherwise, helping him understand how to write policy that works for all European states.
A call to action
When thinking back on the experience, Miguel describes the assembly as inspiring and fun. He strongly encourages more students to step into these spaces, as youth voices are often missing.
To any student hesitant about applying, Miguel has a simple message: "Just do it". Whether you love politics or simply want to be better informed, the European Student Assembly offers a great chance to explore what we can change in our world.
As Miguel puts it, we are writing our future right now. It is up to us to make sure we help create it.
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