Summer School Broadens Horizons of Students from Four Countries

15.08.2024

Second edition of Wittenborg’s Programme Features Educational Activities and Exciting Excursions

From 15 to 26 July, a group of seven young students from Turkey, Ukraine, Russia and Italy had the opportunity to learn more about Wittenborg and the Netherlands during the second edition of the institution’s Summer School.

Held primarily in Apeldoorn, the programme featured a range of sessions on topics such as intercultural communication, presentation skills, personal branding, and event management and communication. To enhance their knowledge and develop practical academic skills, participants were required to deliver group presentations at the end of the workshops.

Additionally, the Summer School featured fun activities, like an excursion to Utrecht, where the students enjoyed a city tour, visited main attractions like the Dom Tower, stopped at a charming pancake place and went on a boat trip. The group also attended a summer festival in Nijmegen, took a city tour and indulged in a bowling night in Deventer, played laser tag in Amsterdam and visited Palace Het Loo in Apeldoorn.

Wittenborg Admissions Administrator Allegra Zazzaro was one of the organisers of the Summer School. She was responsible for coordinating events, teaching classes and accompanying the students on various activities, also ensuring that their stay was as comfortable as possible.

In her view, the outcome of the activities was very positive, with students gaining an international experience, learning new perspectives and discovering how to integrate with different cultures.

“It was wonderful to see the students interact with each other, displaying curiosity, happiness and fun. The beauty of the summer school lies in the opportunities to learn about both Dutch culture and how to navigate an international environment. On top of that, the participants had engaging classes that will aid their future studies and careers. The students were very excited, and some mentioned that they are looking forward to joining Wittenborg after their high school studies,” Zazzaro observed.

Research & Conference Administrator Rosita Sayyarshahrestani was also part of the coordination team. She explained that Wittenborg’s Research Centre arranged qualified lecturers for the Summer School and managed the logistics of the programme, including organising accommodation, meals, study materials and social activities. “Participating in the programme was an immensely rewarding experience. I felt a sense of fulfilment in seeing the students grow academically and personally, and I was proud to contribute to such a holistic and enriching educational experience,” she remarked.

High school student Oğuzhan Aygören from Turkey commented that he decided to participate in the Summer School to experience both the Netherlands and Wittenborg. “It was my first time visiting the Netherlands, and it’s even more beautiful than I had imagined; I would like to live here one day. As for Wittenborg, I love its focus on applied sciences. This means that things are not only taught in theory but also in practice.”

For Aygören, some of the most memorable activities of the programme included the bowling night and the trip to Utrecht.

Sofiia Mialo, from Ukraine, said that the Summer School was very enriching from a professional standpoint. “I have improved my project and team management skills, learned how to create more structured and visually appealing presentations and improved the basics of self-branding, which will help me better position myself in the job market.”

Italian student Thomas Montanari underlined that he learned a lot about different cultures and how people from various countries think and live. “It was super interesting to hear their perspectives and stories. Plus, I've definitely improved my English skills, especially speaking and listening. The biggest takeaway from this course is realising how important it is to be open-minded and willing to learn from others. Everyone has a unique background and experiences that can teach you something new. Moreover, I've seen how useful it is to be able to speak multiple languages,” he concluded.