Where Conservation Biology meets European Leadership

Where Conservation Biology meets European Leadership

How Saga Mattsson’s journey through HEROES has taken her from studying biology to shaping conversations about the future of higher education in Europe.

When Saga Mattsson joined the HEROES Student Council, she did not have any particular expectations about where the experience would take her. What she gained was far more than she had anticipated: an international network, new friendships, confidence, leadership experience and new perspectives from across Europe.

The experience has even changed how she sees her own future. What once seemed like a straightforward career path in Conservation Biology has expanded to include European cooperation, EU projects, leadership roles and international networks.

Finding a seat at the table

For Saga, being part of the HEROES University Alliance, has meant much more than representing students. It has given her a seat at the table where decisions are being made – sometimes quite literally. As a Student Council Member, she has found herself in meetings with vice-chancellors and other senior university representatives, where students are not only invited to listen, but asked: What do you think?

“It gives you a bigger perspective and the chance to be part of something much larger,” Saga reflects.

For her, this is one of the most valuable aspects of student representation: being able to see beyond the experience of one university or one programme and understand how different perspectives can shape a much broader European conversation.

From student representation to European engagement

Saga’s engagement has also taken her beyond the HEROES Alliance. Through student representation in organizations such as SFS, COMMIT and ESU, Saga has recently been elected as a member of a national committee and is working to bring student council representatives from different European universities together in joint events.

These experiences have strengthened her belief that student representation is not simply about having a place in the room. It is about making sure their voices are heard and having space to influence the decisions that shape their education.

Stay Connected Beyond Graduation

Just as Saga’s journey shows, HEROES opens doors you may not have known existed, and they don’t close when your studies end. By becoming a HEROESfriend, you join a network where alumni, partners and engaged citizens shape the future of higher education together. It’s about creating connections beyond a single mobility experience, seeing yourself not just as a learner but as a contributor and leader. As a HEROESfriend, you unlock exclusive events, access research opportunities across the alliance, profit from lifelong learning offers, and discover new opportunities. Whether you’re an alumni, company, organisation or simply believe in building resilient regions, registration is free and connects you to a transnational community committed to lasting impact.

Saga Mattsson studied Conservation Biology at Halmstad University and was a HEROES Student Representative.

👉 Join the HEROESfriends Network – Connect with alumni, partners and innovators across Europe. Register now to access exclusive events, research opportunities and lifelong learning benefits. [Register here]