professionalism might vary from compulsory workshops
6000
100
held by professionals, to active problem solving or non-formal cultural exchange.
5000
Unlike the Erasmus project, also supported by AEGEE, which focuses mainly on institutional education, Summer Universities have a mainly non-formal
4000
approach. Soft skills and social connections are often the missing elements when young professionals join the working environment.
3000
Some workshops are compulsory and must be
80
included in each Summer University project, for example the AEGEE Introduction course that helps strengthen
2000
AEGEE’s identity and educate members based on the three pillars of civic education: human rights, youth
1000
mobility and sustainability. Other workshops are optional and depend on the purpose, capabilities and abilities of the organisers.
0
Antennae often use their connection and local facilities. For example, AEGEE-Bergamo is known for its sports SU, 6000
'00 '01 '02 '03 '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 '11 '12 '13 '14 '15
where the participants get familiar with the basic skills
sciences were added one year
of various sports. “The SU is about sport and we chose
later. Still, language workshops
this topic because, for the city of Bergamo, sport is very
are part of the SU programs,
important and we have a good connection with facilities
although they are not entirely
and sport teams which can help us”, said Lisa Gregis,
language-oriented.
5000 4000
president of AEGEE-Bergamo.
Apart from NFE, Summer
3000
Many antennae incorporate their culture and history
100
Number of available places Number of applicants Number of Summer Universities
80
Universities also offer fun and relaxation. Every night
in the workshops, by using topics like cooking traditional 2000
there is a thematic party, where the participants
dishes, languages, or folk dance. This was one of the
socialise until the early morning hours. On the other
aims of the “Survive the Slavic Sun” Summer
1000 University
organised by AEGEE-Bratislava, AEGEE-Maribor and AEGEE-Zadar. “By the workshops of our national
0
hand, socialising can also contribute to NFE. We should not forget about the fact that during those two weeks, 60
the participants live in a group of young people from
'00 '01 '02 '03 '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 '11 '12 '13 '14 '15
languages that have many common expressions, we
different countries that bring different habits and
wanted to point out the common cultural heritage of
stereotypes. It all reaches the summit at the European
the Slavic nations”, the organisers said. “Participants
Night – the only event where the AEGEEans are divided
have a unique opportunity to experience the culture in
according to their countries. The participants from each
authentic environments”.
country present their own culture with typical food and
Non-Formal Education (NFE) represents also one of the ways of raising awareness about the European projects and helping to beat Euroscepticism. AEGEEans
drinks; additions such as, folk dance or a workshop on Italian gestures, are always welcome. Summer University offers a good opportunity for
are usually open-minded people who see opportu-
the young people to improve their skills and potentially
nities where others might see borders and obstacles.
make the first steps towards Europe. Apart from the
Education and communication are within the interest of
organisers who should choose the program accordingly,
maintaining the economical and geopolitical competi-
it also depends on the approach of each participant how
tiveness of Europe.
much one takes from this opportunity.
The Summer University Project was initiated in 1988. During the first year, it was purely language educa-
Erik Redli
tion-oriented, offering courses in Catalan, Spanish,
AEGEE-Bratislava
60
German, Italian, Dutch and French. Greek and computer Key to Europe 2014-2015 | 58