Aiming at providing more thematic input towards the network, having more discussions, and to ensure a higher quality and better follow-up, the Education Working Group (EWG) decided to launch a structured discussions initiative. Instead of waiting for the discussion to pop up because of the initiative of single members (which has been proven to be ineffective in the past and the number of discussion was really low), EWG decided to prompt discussions in a structured way in both a thematic and timely approach.
The first discussion was on the topic: “What is Non-Formal Education (NFE)?” 
the EWG has collected some inspiring opinions based on personal experiences that are worth to read. Enjoy :)
“I have heard one girl from AEGEE saying: “I study European Studies in one of the most prestigious universities in France and I have not learned more about Europe than I do here in AEGEE when simply experiencing Europe.” Another girl studying PR and Marketing Communication shared that she could never learn that much about communicating a message properly to the public and reaching the target audience if she was not practising it in AEGEE. “In the end of the HR European School I have learned more about HR that I did during one semester in my university, just reading heavy textbooks. So, this is it NFE, learning from experience, learning in interactive and funny way, learning through unforgettable memories.”
Student organisations are giving us opportunities to evolve from mediocre students to people who know how to express themselves easily, how to work in a team, how to lead, and how to create change! While writing this, I slightly regret I was not aware of all these opportunities for NFE in the first year of my studies. Nonetheless, it is never too late.
– Elena Georgieva (AEGEE-Copenhagen)
“It is something that comes to your life without a notice and without being aware of the process. Something like love, for example. It is so bright and so interesting, it makes you feel confident in areas you did not even realise you knew so much about. Thanks to my voluntary I started back in high school I have formed myself, have found my profession, have builtmy character. And I do keep learning. […] I do believe that thanks to our work one day NFE will be more recognised and taken into consideration. One day we will be the employers and know the difference. Untl then, we will just keep studying.”
– Liliya Buyukliyska (AEGEE-Sofia)
“It could be a complementary action on your CV if you can show that you have so many non-formal learning experiences already. We have been everywhere and learned the most out of doing things and in the future you need to have this experience. So it is absolutely in the interest of every student and especially the international orientated people of AEGEE”.
– Anne Wensveen (AEGEE-Groningen)
“AEGEE is a unique platform of NFE but everything depends on each person as most people either join for the learning process or for the partying. For example, I learned a lot while being a member of AEGEE, I took all the opportunities to develop myself, my personality, my skills, competences. And after 2 years I can say that without AEGEE my life would be different.”
– Diana Ondza (AEGEE-Riga)
“Somehow with the years, I learned how to make power point presentations, how to mix their colors, how to work in a team, how to motivate people, how to lead people, how to make evaluations and analysis, how to plan my time better, how to organize events till the very little detail, how to talk in front of 100-300-500 people and not to be afraid of this, how to be much more confident and to take decisions, how to behave on high level meetings and not even to mention the knowledge about all the different and specific topics like different stereotypes, EC, YFJ, European funding grants, ESU, UNESCO, UN, etc.
I do like what I am studying in university. I am highly interested in it, but it is far away from the world of NGOs and all the opportunities offered through AEGEE.”
– Diana Yolova (AEGEE-Sofia)
All these stories show the importance of NFE. For me, NFE is a platform that allows you to dream about growing. While in formal education learning is resticted because you need to work hard for marks, titles, and diplomas, NFE offers the opportunity to focus just on your personal development, to recover your innate desire to grow, and to try to find the best version of yourself.
Many AEGEE members have already discovered the value and power of NFE and it has changed their lifes. The EWG encourages youto (continue) experiencing it.
Thanks to all the AEGEE members who have contributed to the discussion so far. Do not forget to join the EWG-L if you want to take part in discussions about Higher Education matters.
written by Jorge Miguel, Education Working Group and AEGEE-León