One of the most known mascots in the AEGEE Network is probably AEGEE-Aachen’s Bear. Recently, this adorable mascot even got the chance to meet Joachim Gauck, who is the current President of Germany. The AEGEEan spoke to Katja Sontag and Dominik Stengele, who was wearing the polar bear outfit at the time of the meeting, to find out more about this meeting and the mascot!

The life of the AEGEE-Aachen bear started when the local had taken the responsibility for the organisation of the Autumn Agora 2008 and was looking for a mascot. For unknown reasons a brown bear suit was chosen, although according to some people it looked more like a squirrel. The mascot of AEGEE-Aachen was born, but changed color a few years after. “In the Spring of 2011 the bear wanted to visit the EBM in Riga with us”, Katja tells us, “but because there was a ‘White Party’ he had to change his appearance to be allowed to enter. Since that party, our bear is a polar bear and very happy with his shiny, white color.”

Soon enough, more members wanted to get a chance to walk around like a bear, so the local made their mascot’s family grow. “At the moment, our local is the proud owner of twelve polar bears and one original brown bear”, Katja tells us. “However, it is only on rare occasions that you can see all of them at the same time, because they refer to split up to explore different European cities at the same time.” While traveling, one of the polar bears, Dominik Stengele, had a very special experience, running into the President of Germany, Joachim Gauck.

President Gauck is the official patron of the exhibition to commemorate the 1200^th anniversary of Charlemagne’s death. In honour of his immense significance not only for the people Aachen but also for the European history, the president held a speech in front of Aachen’s town hall to officially open the exhibitions, honouring the culture and courtly life of Charlemagne. After his speech, the President took some time to visit Aachen’s historic town hall and shook hands with the crowd of people waiting outside, including the AEGEE-Aachen Bear. “While shaking hands, he smiled and said: ‘You are wearing a nice costume’”, Dominik tells us. “The first lady stopped for some time, while I explained to her what AEGEE is.” After this exciting encounter, the bear hopefully won’t stop meeting people of significance though! “The bear will continue his journey to shake hands with the heads of all states where AEGEE is present. Moreover, it’s his long lasting dream to have a cup of tea with Queen Elizabeth II. And generally, AEGEE-Aachen Bear appreciates hugs from everyone all year!”

Right now, the Bear can add not only the President of Germany, but also the police. “One of my favorite stories about the bear costume happened to some friends of mine”, Katja says. “In the middle of the night they wanted to drive to the airport, already wearing their costumes, and the police stopped them. Imagine their look! On top of being some weird people in costumes they didn’t even have the right paperwork with them to prove that they had actually borrowed their car. Maybe it was only because of their nice outfits that the police let them go…” This isn’t the only fun story there is to tell about the bear though. “You wouldn’t believe how much fun it can be to run around in a costume like that. The stories are probably uncountable!”

Recently, the Bear even started a new story after falling in love with AEGEE-Warszawa’s mascot, a panda bear. “Our polar bear fell in love at a pre-event before EBM Lublin, and they decided to become partners”, Katja shares with us. “Their engagement will become official at the Autumn Agora Cagliari when AEGEE-Aachen and AEGEE-Warszawa are becoming Twin Antennae!” Now that the Bear doesn’t only have a little sister in Utrecht, but also a girlfriend, we are sure that more amazing adventures will follow!

Written by Svenja van der Tol, AEGEE-Nijmegen

WATCH OUT!! WILD BEARS!!

Aachen

Bear

Can

Do

ES1

About the city of Aachen

The Alphabet starts with an A and so does Aachen. The city with the double A in the beginning is always the first on the list because of its name. But also its University, the RWTH, a University of Technology which ranks as one of the best in Europe in technical sciences, such as city planning or its big pride, mechanical engineering. In English and French also known as Aix-la-Chapelle, Aachen’s roots date back to the Romans, who came to the thermal springs and built their bath houses there. Later on, King Charlemagne made Aachen his favoured winter residence and centre of power, due to the geographic location and of course, the great spa opportunities.

Nowadays, Aachen is populated by more than 35 000 students and has an awesome nightlife, with plenty of options for students. Since the university has a technical focus, there are only around 30 % female students in Aachen, and most of them are to be found at the university hospital, which is located outside the city.

About the host local

AEGEE-Aachen was founded in 1987 and is proud to have around 120 members at the moment. For over 20 years we have been part of the Summer University project, organising an advanced language course in German, which is well known throughout the AEGEE network. Last year, we were ranked 2^nd place in all Summer University courses. Another important part of our antenna’s activities is the leisure program, which is organised for the 500 ERASMUS exchange students coming annually to Aachen. We offer many trips and events, ranging from cultural excursions to legendary parties. We help the new arriving students to take a fast step into the social life in Aachen, as well as assist them in university matters.

Since the EuroArab project in 2010 we did not organise any greater European Event in Aachen, but our members came back with flaming motivation from the European School 1 (ES1) in Passau. That is why our antenna’s board decided to go forward with this inspiring event, as it provides quality to the Network, working as a knowledge and motivation multiplier for participants and organisers from Aachen.

“ES1 is where AEGEE activists make the magic happen for the first time. Where fresh, idealistic, motivated and eager-to-change ideas are born. ES1 is the place where our new generations of leaders start their way in the youth voluntary world.” Luis Alvarado Martinez

(Manager of ES1 Passau and President of AEGEE-Europe in 2012/13)

What is this European School?

Every year, the Network offers its members the unique opportunity to attend a compact, intensive course on the basics of all skills necessary to carry out successful projects within AEGEE and experience a life changing week together with students from all over Europe.

There are different types of courses: the ones giving an overview on different thematic opportunities (like ES1 and 2) and those focusing on a specific topic and going in depth. Here we find the Public Relations European School (PRES), or the Summer University Project School (SUPS).

The European School 1 (ES1) is known for covering all of the important areas. It offers a great boost of AEGEE knowledge for motivated members, with not so much experience yet. Throughout the ES1, participants will be equipped with a variety of skills and working tools to initiate and coordinate international projects in their local, as well as to use in their personal life.

Furthermore, they can practice everything they have learned in a simulation and gather their first experience in working in an international team. You will decide upon a project together and develop fundraising plans, followed by fundraising interviews; you will create budgets and design your own project outline.

ES1 in November 2012

The next European School 1 will take place in November, in Aachen. The organisers have been preparing everything for months now, the accommodation is set and the university has granted great support! Also, the famous AEGEE-Aachen Bears are going to show up from time to time. The polar bears from AEGEE-Aachen run around free and love guiding a crowd trough the city as well as long party nights. They will also be a part of the European School.

With the great experience of the best trainers in AEGEE – coming from the AEGEE Academy – and external guests, we want to enable all participants to develop projects in their antennae, motivate them to become active and inspire them related to what they can do. The planning of the ES1 is running smoothly and the trainer crew is already awaiting your applications!

Why wait? Apply now!

So, if you want to come to the land of wizards and bears, feel the awesome spirit in the atmosphere and get enchanted by the magic of the trainers:  APPLY for the European School in Aachen.

Take the chance and experience a life changing event: European School 1!

An enthusiastic local is awaiting you in Aachen!

Apply now at: www.aegee-aachen.org/ES1

Written by Patrick Scholz, AEGEE-Aachen