Meet the 2025 Cohort of Student Ambassadors

I am a Biology student at Charles University, driven by the belief that scientific progress should contribute meaningfully to the wellbeing of people, animals, and the environment we share. My academic interests focus on understanding living systems in a way that supports both human health and the sustainability of our natural world. For me, studying biology means exploring the complexity of life while seeking solutions that can create long-term positive change across ecosystems and communities Although I am new to the 4EU+ Alliance, the programme immediately resonated with me. The vision of an active, interconnected European academic community is something I strongly believe in. International collaboration has always inspired me. It broadens perspectives, challenges assumptions and creates space for ideas that would never emerge in isolation. Being part of a network where students from different countries and disciplines work together toward shared goals is a unique opportunity I am proud to support. As a 4EU+ Student Ambassador, I hope to help strengthen the sense of belonging among students and highlight how powerful joint European initiatives can be. I enjoy communicating, connecting people and creating an environment where diverse voices are heard and valued. I would like to contribute both my enthusiasm and my perspective as a biology student who sees research not as an abstract pursuit, but as a tool for tangible positive change.

My name is Tanveer Yaqub, and I am an international medical student from Bihar, India, studying General Medicine in the English-taught programme at the Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, Charles University. My academic development has been shaped by a strong interest in global health, intercultural cooperation, and the transformative potential of collaborative European education. I have participated in several 4EU+ activities across partner institutions, including courses at the University of Warsaw, Sorbonne University, and the Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen. I also took part in Global Health Solutions, a 4EU+ Alliance programme hosted at the University of Copenhagen, which broadened my perspective on innovative health-education approaches and cross-border academic collaboration. In addition to my 4EU+ involvement, I completed an Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme at the University of Maribor in Slovenia. I will also be attending a second Blended Intensive Programme at Paracelsus Medical University in Salzburg, Austria, from 24 to 28 November 2025, further strengthening my exposure to international academic environments. As a 4EU+ Student Ambassador, I am motivated to contribute to the Alliance’s communication, visibility, and student-engagement efforts. My initiative, “4EU+ Beyond Borders,” aims to showcase authentic student experiences through strategic digital storytelling, fostering a stronger sense of community across partner universities. I am honoured to represent Charles University within the 4EU+ Alliance and look forward to contributing thoughtfully, professionally, and creatively to its mission.

Hello, my name is Johanna Pircher, and I am currently pursuing my Master’s degree in Translation, Communication, and Language Technologies at Heidelberg University. Cross-cultural communication plays an important role both in my studies and in my personal life. My goal is to help overcoming language and cultural barriers, enabling access to knowledge, and building meaningful, long-lasting connections. In my free time I enjoy a good cup of coffee or two. Besides that, I never travel without a knitting project. As an ambassador, I look forward to promoting the strong sense of community that the 4EU+ Alliance embodies for me.

My name is Margarita, and I am a medical student at Heidelberg University with a strong interest in global health and health policy. For me, medicine goes far beyond treating individual patients - it is about shaping and improving health systems so they become fairer, more effective, and capable of helping people long before they become ill. This is why it is especially meaningful for me to participate in conferences where major societal questions are discussed across disciplines. Our world is far too complex to be understood from a single perspective. Yet many people today remain within the boundaries of their own professional fields, even though the most pressing challenges of our time emerge precisely at the intersections. To truly understand the bigger picture, we need one another. Participating in 4EU+ events has allowed me to gain insights far beyond the medical sphere — economic, political, and societal perspectives that have broadened my understanding of the world. At the same time, I am grateful for the chance to contribute my own view from within the healthcare system, even in discussions that aren’t mainly about medicine. The true strength of these formats lies in the diversity of ideas and backgrounds they bring together. As a 4EU+ Student Ambassador, my goal is to encourage many fellow students to seize these opportunities, explore new perspectives, and to benefit from the same enriching experiences that have shaped my own academic journey.

Hi, I’m Carla! I am currently a history student at Sorbonne University. Within the context of my English undergraduate degree, I went on a study abroad exchange program at Whitworth University in Washington State (USA) for a year. Those months spent on an American campus were the most personally enriching experience I ever had the opportunity to live. I became part of a bonded and highly diverse international community comprising over a hundred international students with varied backgrounds, experiences, and languages. Having the unique opportunity to thrive within an international community made me realize how passionate I was about international collaboration and exchanges. As a result, I quickly became an active member of this community. For me, becoming part of the 4EU+ community as an ambassador will be a new exciting opportunity to learn and grow by joining another diverse international team of students, and by being involved in Alliance-wide events and initiatives, thus nurturing my passion for international community building. I genuinely cannot wait to start getting involved and become proactive in the development of opportunities and growth across European borders by being a 4EU+ ambassador! I am so grateful for this opportunity and looking forward to meeting all the ambassadors!

I'm a Phd student in material science in my 3rd year at Sorbonne University. I study the fundamentals of volcanic glass, its creation and its properties. I came to know about university alliances through CIVIS, the alliance of my ex-University. I like the concept and I feel it can offer a lot to the student experience. As my program this year is lighter, I decided to take upon the opportunity to help contribute to this project

Hello, my name is Oumou Tounkara and I am in my second year of a bachelor's degree in mathematics with a minor in physics at Sorbonne University. I am passionate about aerospace and language learning. I applied to be a student ambassador this year because I was attracted to the relational and European aspects of the role. Being a student ambassador also allows me to get involved in my student community at Sorbonne University while gaining experience.

Hi! My name is Camille, and I’m pursuing a Master’s program in Health and Environmental Protection Law at Paris Panthéon-Assas University. With a strong interest in ecological transitions, environmental impacts on health, and social issues, I look forward to applying the knowledge gained from my studies to initiatives that foster a safe and nurturing environment for all. Beyond academia, I enjoy dancing, running, cooking, wandering through my local public library in search of books that spark my curiosity, and exploring museums. I’m truly honoured to be part of the 4EU+ Student Ambassador program and excited to contribute to the alliance’s vibrant dynamic by sharing and collaborating with students from across Europe.

Hi everybody! My name is Rayan, your devoted student ambassador! I am a second year Law student from Paris-Panthéon-Assas, France, and am passionate about international private law. I aim to work overseas in an English-speaking country as a lawyer in business law, and plan on spending a year studying abroad beforehand. I have recently started developing a growing interest in foreign legal systems surrounding France, especially the English common law framework and the European Union’s laws and institutions. Apart from studying, I am fond of theatre, as I have been taking acting classes for more than 9 years in a row, and I also used to be a former competition swimmer with a little bit more than 10 years of practice. I enjoy debating, travelling (a daily opportunity to be the official translator for my non-English speaking parents!) and writing press articles regarding diplomacy, economics, and current global legal issues. Since high school, I have involved myself in numerous volunteering activities, such as tutoring for pupils in need, or even school guidance projects for younger students. Being the former President of a student journal, I had also organized events like the annual Media and Press week, inviting journalists from the international news organization “Le Monde”, and built connections in the press world. What first motivated me to enroll in the 4eu+ Student ambassador program was the opportunity to foster connections with fellow students from across the continent, and the perspective of working together in an international setting to promote shared values, inclusivity, and meaningful projects. I look forward to contributing to the alliance’s growth along with the other ambassadors, and for the entirety of our student community. If you ever come for an exchange year in Paris as a student from the alliance, come say hi!

My name is Ilaria Porcelli, I’m a PhD student in plant biology at the University of Copenhagen. I am passionate about graphic design and science, and I really enjoy creating scientific illustrations that make complex ideas accessible and visually engaging. I am from Italy, I lived in Japan, and for the past three years I have been based in Denmark. These international settings have taught me to value multicultural environments and collaboration with people from all over the world. I also value networking and student activities, to exchange ideas and to create spaces where people can feel included. I participated myself in 4EU+ exchange during my master’s degree, from the University of Milan to the University of Copenhagen, and I’m excited to be a student ambassador after the wonderful experience I had.

Hi ! My name is Keren and I am a first year Master’s student in European studies at the University of Geneva. Alongside my studies, I am involved in student life at the faculty level, where I've helped organise various events for the student community, as well as represent our interests to the rectorate and the university. I love travelling, meeting new people and connecting over our traditions and dishes. Joining the 4EU+ alliance is the perfect opportunity to work on joint projects with committed students across Europe. As 2026 will be a pioneering year for Unige, in leading the alliance, my goal is to strengthen its ties with partner universities and students at the local level. I look forward to contributing to a programme that promotes education, inclusion and cooperation.

Maria Ferastrau is currently an MA student in European Studies at the Global Studies Institute at University of Geneva. With a strong passion for political science and a desire to delve deeper into the European Culture, Maria joined 4EU+ for its research-oriented approach. She has two years of experience in student representation at an university-alliance level and strongly believes in the future of university alliances.

Hello, my name is Maya, a master’s student studying Neuroscience at the University of Geneva where I research language control! Outside of my studies I love listening to music, playing my guitar, and running by the lakeside. I also enjoy traveling and discovering new cities and countries across Europe and meeting new people. By joining 4EU+, I hope to promote multilingualism as an integral part of the European experience. I look forward to promoting research collaboration across Europe and working towards making the field of scientific research more welcoming and inclusive. I can’t wait to collaborate with students from the other Universities to promote 4EU+ and all their initiatives!

Hello! I‘m Eleanor and originally from Cologne, Germany, but right now I am studying international politics at the University of Milan in Italy. My passion for the political field started when I first got active in the community of my home town. I focused mostly on digital/media education for children and climate justice. The 4EU+ Alliance seems like the perfect next step for my goal of becoming active on a larger scale. Besides politics, I love doing art, be it visual or performing. I’m really looking forward to be part of this international network, meet new people, who share the same interests and getting active!

I am a second-year student of the BSc “Economics: behavior data and policy” in the Faculty of Politics, Economics and Social Sciences at my university. Since arriving at university I have been an active student representative for the UniSì list, and I currently coordinate activities within the faculty — running infopoints, producing pamphlets and organising events with guest speakers on topics ranging from university life to politics and economics. Academically I am especially interested in political economy, macroeconomics, and how public policy shapes social outcomes hoping to work in government institutions or NGOs researching and shaping data-driven public policies. Personally I enjoy cross-european collaboration, attending conferences, learning languages and meeting students from different parts of Europe. I first discovered the 4EU+ Alliance when a friend went to a conference at Charles University; since then I’ve followed the Alliance closely wanting to know everything and to be involved in the most possible active way.

My name is Linh. I’m currently enrolling in the MA program of Public and Corporate Communication at the University of Milan. Since I was in high school, I found myself interested to the dynamic field of Communication and the application of media to personal and corporate branding, hence measuring the impacts of the campaign for better improvements. That’s why I have followed Communication courses for my Bachelor and Master’s programs, plus a year working in Marketing department for a big Vietnamese corporation. Despite hands-on experiences, my thirst for acquiring new knowledge never ends. That’s why I am more than eager to be a part of 4EU+ Student Ambassador team to gain new insights from other partners and contribute to the ongoing success of this organization.

Polish biotechnology Student from the University of Warsaw, with an Italian surname, currently on an exchange in Switzerland at UNIGE. I love gaining knowledge about the world around us, engaging in initiatives from diverse fields - from biological research, through event planning and social media campaigns to theatre acting and being a competitive archer. Being a 4EU+ Student Ambassador, my goal is to co-organize initiatives that allow students to get out of their comfort zones and broaden their horizons. In addition, I’m quickly bored by unimpactful webinars and courses. That’s why I helped with the organization of the final gala in June and the opening gala in November of the 4EU+ “Entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial project management” program, to promote how, with this alliance, we can truly become innovators shaping a better future.

My name is Małgorzata Niedzielska, and I represent the University of Warsaw. I have previously served as a 4EU+ Student Ambassador, and I am very happy to continue my journey with the Alliance this year. Being part of 4EU+ is especially meaningful to me because it allows me to connect with students from different universities and contribute to international collaboration. I enjoy creating graphics and supporting projects that require a creative touch. I also love representing the University of Warsaw at conferences and meetings, as I really like meeting new people and building connections. As an ambassador, I am motivated by the opportunity to promote our university, support student engagement, and be part of a community that inspires growth and cooperation.

My name is Oktawia Burzak and I’m currently in my final year of Bachelor’s at the University of Warsaw, studying Intercultural Language Studies, with a focus on Italian and German philology, and some Spanish. I have always been passionate about languages and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds, which is why I feel at home in multicultural environments. I love discovering new cultures, whether through travel, local traditions, literature or music and I enjoy sharing these experiences with others. I am very happy to join the 4EU+ Alliance as a Student Ambassador, as it aligns with values I deeply care about: fostering integration, supporting academic growth and promoting diversity in a truly European context. I am especially interested in intercultural communication and enjoy engaging with students from different countries, sharing experiences and learning from each other. I enjoy doing activities that make life a little brighter - like getting lost in music, diving into a good book, exploring art or simply trying something new. I love writing about what inspires me; it allows me to explore ideas and give them their own voice. Joining 4EU+ as a Student Ambassador motivates me to contribute to initiatives that strengthen student communities, enhance cultural exchange and support the Alliance’s vision of an integrated, inclusive and innovative European university. I am excited to bring my creativity and curiosity to help make the program a great experience!