Welcome to our new Canadian Intern – Paige Russill!!

Hi there!
My name is Paige Russill, and I’ll be OBESSU’s new Policy Assistant until the beginning of August.
I am a student from the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada, where I study and major in political science with a minor in psychology. This fall, I will go into the final year of my undergraduate, and in the spring, I will graduate with a Bachelor’s degree, perfect for debates over drinks and helping my friends and family interpret the news. Jokes aside, I am very excited to spend a summer learning more about what is important for youth across Europe and how OBESSU centres their voices and experiences in a time of immense geopolitical volatility.

In Canada, I have taken part in many student movements and community engagements advocating for climate justice, peace, and human rights. I believe civic involvement and social advocacy rooted in compassion and strategic networking are invaluable drivers for meaningful change. Students and their associations have always been at the forefront of these movements, and organisations like OBESSU recognise the immense value of amplifying their initiatives within high-level politics in Europe. This makes me honoured and incredibly delighted to take even a small part in this process over the next couple of months.

Please reach out if you want to know more about the Canadian West Coast or if you have a recommendation for a place that actually salts their frites!