5 Things You Didn’t Realize After Attending EAIE (Until You Did)

1. There’s No Such Thing as “Just a Quick Catch-Up”

You thought you'd stop by Booth 203 for a 5-minute hello… 45 minutes later you're deep in a conversation about the future of transnational education, your mutual love of oat milk, and a potential dual-degree partnership.

Lesson learned? Bring water, block off buffer time, and embrace the EAIE spiral of spontaneous connection.

2. Your Tote Bag Will Weigh More Than Your Checked Luggage

Maybe an overstatement, but you’d be surprised how quick a bag of goodies gets overflown. Brochures, reusable bottles, stickers, notebooks, mystery snacks, that one branded umbrella… somehow it all ends up in your conference tote.

Pro tip for next year: Bring an extra foldable bag, and maybe skip arm day at the gym.

3. The Real Magic Happens After the Last Session

The session might end at 17:30, but your night is just getting started.

From rooftop mixers to underground jazz bars (looking at you, Gothenburg), the post-event social scene is where the unexpected partnerships, memorable conversations, and sometimes dance battles unfold. 

For EAIE 2025, the conference decided to host the opening reception in an Amusement Park, exclusively for the participants of the event. HOW COOL!

If you’re not a night owl, you will be.

4. Everyone’s in a Different Time Zone… Mentally

Yes, you’ll meet someone from the same country. No, they won’t be in the same state of consciousness as you. Someone’s jet-lagged, someone else is three coffees in, and someone’s somehow already been on a walking tour.

The energy is electric, and slightly chaotic. Embrace it.

5. You’ll Leave with Ideas, Insights… and a New Identity

By the end of the week, you’ll be dreaming in acronyms and introducing yourself as “that person from the speed-networking session with the Goin’ sticker.”

You won’t just be leaving with a stack of business cards. You’ll have ideas to take back to your team, stories to share, and maybe even the start of your next big initiative.

Bonus Round: What Did You Realize?

Did we miss one? What’s your most unexpected EAIE realization? Send us an email or reach out to us directly to share your story of EAIE!

Want More EAIE Magic?

Check out how we captured this year’s vibes in our [I’m Goin’ Aftermovie 🎬] and get a peek of what made this year unforgettable for us.

Next stop? Glasgow 2026. Let’s do it all again.