The International Student Post Network was launched by the LUISS student newspaper, Globe Trotter, to promote the exchange of editorial staff members between foreign partner universities and LUISS. Thanks to this initiative, LUISS students preparing for an Erasmus project or other international programs can contact their host university’s newspaper and likewise, international students can collaborate with Globe Trotter.
“The idea came to me last year while preparing for an Erasmus project at Tilburg University,” says Luisa Marotta, Director of Globe Trotter and founder of the initiative. “Thanks to the association of international students, it was easy to contact the editors of the university newspaper, Univers. The students welcomed me with open arms and I immediately began writing articles in English for both their website and print edition.”
Giovanni Russo, Globe Trotter’s Head of External Relations, wrote for EKON during his Erasmus experience at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Through the newspapers, Luisa and Giovanni contacted two visiting students from Tilburg and Gothenburg studying at LUISS in the same period, creating a close collaboration between the newspapers. “This partnership is above all symbolic,” wrote Luisa in an article, “however, our goal is to create a connection between similar student experiences taking place in different locations. Through the International Student Post Network, we hope to create a starting point for students with an international outlook. We hope, furthermore, to continue expanding our network.”
The initiative is open to all international students and those preparing for study abroad programs that are interested in writing, no experience necessary. “Our colleagues in Holland and Sweden are promoting the network and there are a few Globe Trotter writers that plan on participating during their Erasmus projects. However, we would like to also include new students, who have never seriously considered writing for a student newspaper, but are nevertheless curious.”
“This exchange program allows students to have a complete experience abroad, both from an academic and personal point of view. Writing regularly in a foreign language with someone to guide you and give you advice is an excellent challenge, and a great way to improve your CV. Furthermore, Giovanni and I created strong relationships with the editorial staff of our respective newspapers. We worked in close contact with students from different universities and continue to do so.”