In Strasbourg, the European Parliament has a quiet gravity, you walk slower, listen closer. For Beniamin Andrei, that atmosphere quickly turned into a fast-paced newsroom of ideas: panel meetings, negotiations, late edits, and a growing realization that, with a shared purpose, “a lot can be achieved.”
Who he is — and why European projects
Beniamin is pursuing a master’s degree in European Project Management in Engineering, driven by a clear curiosity: how technical ideas become funded, managed, and implemented projects with real European impact.
At TUIASI, he describes a formative experience shaped by engaged professors, collaborative peers, and a strong push beyond theory into real-world contexts.
The decision to apply: learning how Europe works “beyond theory”
He learned about ESA through university encouragement and applied with a practical goal: to understand how EU-level decisions are made: not as an abstract lesson, but as a living process.
He arrived expecting a dynamic setting and the challenge of working with students from different backgrounds—convinced that diversity is one of Europe’s strongest resources.
A demanding selection: one in eight
Behind the Strasbourg experience was a competitive selection: only one in eight applicants was admitted, assessing not only academic readiness but also motivation and international collaboration skills.
Preparation combined teamwork and independent research, including reading EU frameworks and relevant publications to support well-grounded arguments.
Inside ESA: “Move Europe Together”
Beniamin worked within Panel 4 – “Move Europe Together”, focusing on cooperation, mobility, inclusion, and sustainable development—topics that require both vision and precision.
A standout moment was the “inner panel debate,” where complex issues like data security, resources, and integrity demanded critical thinking, structured argumentation, and consensus-building.
“Not just future beneficiaries”: the shift in perspective
ESA reshaped how he sees young people’s role in Europe: not as passive recipients of decisions, but as contributors, voices that grow stronger when assembled into a collective effort.
He credits ESA with strengthening multicultural teamwork, analytical reasoning, and confidence—mirroring real policy-making dynamics: drafting, refining, and voting recommendations.
TUIASI & INGENIUM: why the ecosystem matters
He points to TUIASI’s balance of theory and applicability, plus its international orientation, as key preparation for a high-level European environment.
Being part of INGENIUM means belonging to a broader European academic community: one that opens doors through networks, shared initiatives, and cross-border collaboration.
“European Student Assembly showed me that when young people across Europe unite their ideas and values, they can genuinely shape a shared future.”
If there’s one takeaway, it’s this: international opportunities aren’t only about a stronger CV – they’re about a stronger sense of agency. His advice to TUIASI students is simple: be brave, apply, and step into the kind of experience that can change how you see your place in Europe.
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