Pol de las Heras Ordonez is the new Operations, Finance and HR Trainee at EURASHE. Get to know him better through this interview, where he shares his views about EURASHE, inspirations, and interests.
Hello Pol, could you please introduce yourself to the EURASHE community? Who are you?
Hello everyone!
My name is Pol, and I come from the Costa Brava, in Catalonia. I would describe myself as a dynamic and curious person, with a strong interest in European affairs, society, and the role that institutions can play in building bridges between people, regions, and opportunities.
I am very happy to have the opportunity to join EURASHE as an Operations, Finance and HR Trainee. For me, this experience represents not only a professional opportunity, but also a chance to learn from a truly international environment, better understand the European higher education sector, and contribute to an organisation that promotes cooperation and applied knowledge across Europe.
I am especially excited about everything I will learn during this traineeship, as well as about the wonderful colleagues I am already beginning to meet. I look forward to growing both personally and professionally as part of the EURASHE community.
How do you think your past experiences will support you in your new role?
My past experiences and academic background have helped me develop a strong sense of organisation, responsibility, and adaptability, which I believe will be very useful in my new role at EURASHE. My studies in Sociology gave me an analytical perspective on society, institutions, and public policy, as well as an interest in how education can contribute to social development.
In my previous position as a document management technician in a public archive, I worked with institutional documentation, filing systems, and internal procedures. This experience taught me the importance of accuracy, confidentiality, and keeping information well organised. I also completed an internship at the Italian Vice Consulate, where I supported administrative tasks, assisted citizens, and helped with the organisation of cultural events. This gave me valuable experience in an institutional and international environment, working with different people and adapting to different needs.
I believe this combination of academic background and practical experience will help me contribute to EURASHE’s daily operations while continuing to learn and grow within the team.
Now that you’ve spent a few days at EURASHE, what are your first impressions of the association?
My first impressions of EURASHE have been very positive. From the first days, I have felt very welcomed by the whole team, and I am truly grateful for the way everyone has tried to help me and make things easier. I have also been very impressed by the high level of professionalism and competence within the association. The colleagues I have met are highly skilled, committed, and always willing to support each other, which creates a very collaborative and motivating working environment.
For me, it is very inspiring to be surrounded by people with so much experience and knowledge in the European higher education sector. I feel that EURASHE is not only a place where I can contribute, but also a place where I can learn a lot and grow both personally and professionally.
What are the key objectives you hope to achieve at EURASHE?
During my time at EURASHE, my main objective is to learn as much as possible from my colleagues and from the daily work of the association. I would like to better understand how a European organisation works from the inside, especially in relation to higher education, European cooperation, and institutional processes. I also hope to develop my professional skills in operations, finance, and HR support, while becoming more confident working in an international environment.
Overall, I see this traineeship as a great opportunity to grow, contribute to the team, and gain a deeper understanding of the European higher education sector.
What are the initial projects or tasks you are focusing on?
I am currently working closely with Maja Momiroska, who has been a great mentor, and I am trying to contribute as much as possible to the administrative and operational work of the Secretariat.
My tasks are quite varied, which is helping me understand how a European association works from the inside. I have been supporting work related to administration, finance, HR and payroll processes, document organisation, internal reporting, project support and audit preparation. I am also learning how EURASHE manages European projects in practice, including timesheets, expenses, Work Packages and financial documentation. Overall, my focus is to support the team wherever needed while developing a broader understanding of EURASHE’s internal processes and its role in the European higher education sector.
What does a perfect day look like to you?
A perfect day for me is a day that feels meaningful. It is a day where I do things I enjoy, stay active, and make the day count instead of simply counting the days. I value spending time with the people I care about, but I also enjoy moments of independence and being comfortable on my own. Most of all, a perfect day is a day in which I learn or discover something new — something I did not know the day before.
If you could make one wish, what would it be?
If I could make one wish, it would be to never stop appreciating the small things in life. Sometimes, when we have everything, we forget that the simplest moments are often the ones that matter the most: spending time with my cat, being with my parents, watching sunsets, smiling, and feeling grateful for everyday life. My wish would be to keep noticing and feeling those beautiful little moments, because for me, that is what real happiness is about.