SymBioSE is an initiative of the German Biology Student Association, with the aim of bringing European biology students closer together by creating a network of contacts. The first symposium was held in August 1997 in Berlin, it lasted nine days and 120 students from 12 countries were present. SymBioSE'97 was very well organised and there were a lot of activities. I recall the city tours, lectures about the city Berlin, conservation biology and biotechnology, the lake nearby for swimming and the splendid food.