Munich named a finalist for “Erasmus Destination of the Year 2026” – ESN TUMi wins three “Golden Pretzels”
TUM Global, News |
The nomination for “Erasmus Destination of the Year 2026” shows that Munich not only has outstanding universities, but also vibrant student life, a wide range of cultural offerings, and a community where people can quickly feel at home. This is exactly what the ESN teams at local universities work towards every day.
Student engagement makes the difference
In addition to ESN TUMi at TUM, ESN MESA at Ludwig Maximilian University and student initiatives at the Munich University of Applied Sciences are also committed to helping exchange students quickly find their way around campus and the city and make new connections. Students organize events, intercultural programs, and support services that make Munich especially attractive for Erasmus students.
The winner of the title “Erasmus Destination of the Year 2026” will be announced in April at the Erasmus Generation Meeting in Split, Croatia.
Three “Golden Pretzels” for ESN TUMi
At the beginning of February, the TUMi team was honored for its commitment at the ESN Germany National Assembly and received “Golden Pretzels” in three categories for particularly creative and impactful projects:
- First place, “Most Impactful Project”: Culture Creatures is a ten-day orientation program at the beginning of the semester that helps new exchange and Erasmus students discover Munich, make connections, and become part of the TUM community.
- First place, “Most Events Uploaded”: With a total of 231 events uploaded to the ESN activities platform, TUMi demonstrated how active and dedicated the team is throughout the entire year.
- Second place, “Most Impactful Event”: At the networking event Exchange & Connect, incoming and outgoing students met to support each other before and during their exchange.
TUMi was also recognized for ESN Germany’s Event of the Month for July 2025: The ESN TUMi Summer Concert brought together nearly 400 TUM students for a lively evening filled with music and community.
Everyone should feel welcome in their “home away from home”
“The activities of ESN TUMi, ESN MESA, and the many international initiatives in Munich show just how vibrant the international community here is,” said Christian Becker, President of ESN TUMi. “Our recent awards demonstrate what is possible when dedicated people work together to create an open and supportive community.”
This commitment is also highly recognized by the university:
“The achievements of ESN TUMi are a great example of what can be accomplished when passion, teamwork, and enthusiasm for international exchange come together,” said Josh Pontrelli, Program Manager for International Campus Life at TUM. “Through their projects and events, the students help ensure that everyone feels welcome and that Munich becomes a home away from home.”