Are you curious about the AEGEE Summer Universities of 2016? The Golden Times asked the antennae that organised the ten highest-rated SUs in 2015 about their plans for this year. Read here what they will offer you. By the way: check the full list of the more than 70 SUs: http://www.projects.aegee.org/suct/su2016/su_list.php.
AEGEE-Ljubljana: “SUmmer challenge: From the mountains to the sea”
The antenna in the Slovenian capital organised AEGEE’s second highest rated Summer University in 2015, in cooperation with AEGEE-Udine. The title was: „Push yourself beyond the border!“
GT: What’s the title of your SU in 2016?
AEGEE-Ljubljana: Our title is: “SUmmer challenge: From the mountains to the sea”.
GT: Are you organising it with another antenna?
AEGEE-Ljubljana: Yes, this year we cooperate with AEGEE-Zagreb. We picked our co-organisers because we wanted to try and work with another antenna this year. AEGEE-Zagreb was a perfect choice because we already have good relations with them!
GT: What’s the date of your SU?
AEGEE-Ljubljana: Our Summer University starts in Ljubljana on 14th and ends in Zadar on 28th of July.
GT: What’s the main topic and the three main programme highlights?
AEGEE-Ljubljana: The main topics are sports, food and healthy lifestyle. The focus will certainly be on all kinds of sports you can imagine. We will try to do as many different activities as possible in that field. The participants will learn Slovenian and Croatian language and get to know our cultures. One of the biggest highlights will also be a visit to the breath-taking Croatian archipelago – the Kornati National Park.
GT: Which cities or landmarks will you visit?
AEGEE-Ljubljana: We will first start with the Slovenian part, where we’ll be staying in our capital Ljubljana. Later on we will go hiking to our gorgeous mountain Velika planina and of course visit Bled in the Gorenjska region. Then we will continue our journey to another great capital – Zagreb – and visit the picturesque Croatian Plitvice Lakes National Park. We will end our challenge from the mountains at the seaside, where we’ll be able to relax a bit on Zadar’s coast.
GT: How can interested people find out more?
AEGEE-Ljubljana: Anybody who is interested can learn more by reading our description on the Summer University list (www.projects.aegee.org/suct/su2016/show.php?su_id=LJU1), check out our event on Facebook or check our out website that will both be launched shortly.
AEGEE-Las Palmas: “5 Continents in 1 Island”
The Spanish branch organised AEGEE’s seventh highest rated Summer University last year. The title was: “SUrf, SUn and have fun! A different way to SEA the world“.
GT: What’s the title of your SU in 2016?
AEGEE-Las Palmas: 5 Continents in 1 island
GT: Are you organising it with another antenna?
AEGEE-Las Palmas: No, we are organising it alone.
GT: What’s the date of your SU?
AEGEE-Las Palmas: 20th July until 3rd August
GT: What’s the main topic?
AEGEE-Las Palmas: Get to know a small piece of every continent in one island! Recharge your batteries with positive energy, cultural activities and join lots of fun and different sports.
GT: What are the three main programme highlights?
AEGEE-Las Palmas: The three main programme highlights are surf classes in one of the best worldwide destinations for surfing, a boat party in the shiny island and an international meeting in a lovely village.
GT: Which cities or landmarks will you visit?
AEGEE-Las Palmas: We will visit practically all the island from the beach to the highest part of the island – but the most interesting cities are Maspalomas, Ingenio and Agaete.
GT: How can interested people find out more?
AEGEE-Las Palmas: We still have not made any Facebook page, but anyone interested be watchful! We will soon provide more Information!
AEGEE-Catania: “Bibbidi Bobbidi SU!”
The Sicilian branch organised AEGEE’s highest rated Summer Universities in the past four years. In 2015 the title was: “AeGeE of Mythology“.
GT: What’s the title of the su?
Salvo Katergaris Schillaci, Vice-President of AEGEE-Catania: The title is “Bibbidi Bobbidi SU!”, it’s inspired by the magical speech of the Cinderella cartoon, but as you can see a little modified.
GT: Are you organizing it with another antenna?
Salvo: As in the past two years we are going to organize it alone, but with a new big energetic team of organizers!
GT: What’s the date of your su?
Salvo: 5th to 17th August – the best period to enjoy the sea and the parties at night.
GT: What’s the main topic?
Salvo: Our main topic is creativity linked to fairy-tales; we believe that this is one of the subjects where participants can express the most of their inner inventiveness. Every activity will be connected to our theme, it will be a 12-day lasting fairy-tale.
GT: What are the three main programme highlights?
Salvo: It is hard to tell just three highlights in a countless list of activities. Furthermore, I cannot reveal the surprises we planned for our participants. Let me say that an important part of our SU is for sure the game activity, which is also one of the most appreciated by the participants.
GT: Which cities will you visit?
Salvo: Apart from Catania and its beauties we will visit: Siracusa and Taormina, the cities with the greatest Greek heritage in Sicily; Etna, the tallest active volcano in Europe; and Acicastello and Acitrezza, two of the most beautiful seaside towns in Sicily.
GT: How can interested people find out more?
Salvo: For sure the easiest way is our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/aegeecatania/ , you can also check the official website of our SU: http://www.projects.aegee.org/suct/su2016/show.php?su_id=CAT1. If you have questions, write us an e-mail: aegeecatania@gmail.com.
AEGEE-Udine: “The Dark Side of the Boot”
The northern Italian branch organized AEGEE’s second highest rated SU “Push yourself beyond the border!” in 2015.
GT: What’s the title of your Summer University in 2016?
Stefano Dal Farra, main SU organiser: The title of AEGEE-Udine Summer university of this year is: “The Dark Side of the Boot”.
GT: Are you organizing it with another antenna?
Stefano: No, we are proudly organizing it by ourselves.
GT: What’s the date of your Summer University?
Stefano: Our SU will take place in the end of July, from the 20th to the 31st in Udine.
GT: What’s the main topic and the main programme highlights?
Stefano: The main topic of our SU is self-development. It is going to be a summer course where the participants will get to know themselves deeper and better, and will go back home with something more. It is going to be a very rewarding, but at the same time challenging Summer University, where they will see what can happen if we poke them. Moreover, they will also get the chance to visit our beautiful country in an unusual way, very far from the images of Italy on postcards. Challenge, fun and discover are just three words to sum up what our SU is going to look like.
GT: Which cities will you visit?
Stefano: We will explore: Udine, Trieste, Lignano, Cividale, Pordenone, Vajont, Sella Nevea and Predil Lake.
GT: How can interested people find out more?
Stefano: Interested people just have to visit our website where everything you need to know or want to know is explained in detail. You can also have a look at our Facebook event: www.facebook.com/events/1694836904067590/.
AEGEE-Helsinki & AEGEE-Tallinn & AEGEE-Riga: “Searching for the Nordic Smile”
The antenna in the Finnish capital has been constantly in the top three of all organisers for some now. Last year their SU “SUrvivor – The Midnight Sun Edition“ was the third-highest rated Summer University. AEGEE-Tallinn’s SU “High-tech forEST“ was number ten among 68 Summer Universities. They are joined by AEGEE-Riga, which did not organize an SU last year. Matis Joab from AEGEE-Tallinn, Outi Jussila from AEGEE-Helsinki and Dita Prüse from AEGEE-Riga answered the questions.
GT: What’s the title of your SU in 2016?
Searching for the Nordic Smile
GT: Are you organising it with another antenna?
Yes, this SU is being organized in cooperation between AEGEE-Riga, AEGEE-Tallinn and AEGEE-Helsinki. We all wanted to co-operate with other antennae so we contacted each other and decided to do this with three antennae. It was an easy choice!
GT: What’s the date of your SU? –
8th of July until the 24th of July.
GT: What’s the main topic?
Our theme categories are History and Local culture & Arts, Creativity and Cooking.
GT: What are the three main programme highlights?
It’s hard to speak of only three highlights when we are so excited about the programme ourselves! Besides, we don’t want to give away all the mystery and take away the element of surprise. We have thought of a very practical approach for introducing our participants to both the history of the different countries and the society as it is today. We’ll help you deal with the culture shock, no worries! And if you’re a fan of languages this is definitely the place to be. The trip from Riga to Tallinn should also be quite exciting as we are planning to make a whole day out of it by choosing a bit challenging transportation method and having different attractions along the way. Later we will discover a partially submerged Soviet era prison and get to dive into the water off of abandoned building! Since we will be visiting at least four different cities before we reach our final destination, we have made sure it’s the perfect ending to a beautiful SU, namely a calming place in Finland, far away from the city noise, where time seems to stop: the cottage in Nurmijärvi. Sauna, dancing, beaches, never-ending nights full of sunlight… This will be a summer you will never forget.
GT: Which cities or landmarks will you visit? –
Three amazing capitals: Riga, Tallinn and Helsinki. On top of that we will visit the beautiful seaside resort Jurmala and the heavenly lakeside cottage in Nurmijärvi.
GT: How can interested people find out more? –
Feel free to check our Facebook page www.facebook.com/SU2016.nordic.smile/, which is being updated continuously. And you can always find us on the SU webpage: http://www.projects.aegee.org/suct/su2016/show.php?su_id=RIG1. You can also send us an -mail to su16nordicsmile@gmail.com. We are happy to answer any question!
AEGEE-Ioannina: “BLUEstories II: SUspicious Minds”
Last year, AEGEE-Ioannina and AEGEE-Patra joined forces and created the fourth-best Summer University in 2015: “BLUE stories- Solve the Ionian Mystery”. This year, both antenna organize their own event – so you have two choices!
GT: What’s the title of your Summer University in 2016?
Vaso Gkouva, main SU organizer: The title is “BLUEstories II : SUspicious Minds”.
GT: Are you organizing it with another antenna?
Vaso: No, we will organize it alone.
GT: What’s the date of your su?
Vaso: Start of Summer University is on the 9th of July; it ends on the 22nd of July.
GT: What’s the main topic?
Vaso: Our SU this year will be about Blue Stories, a follow up of last year’s successful theme! Since last year our participants really enjoyed the topic, we decided to continue with new and more challenging mystery stories that will reveal your inner detective while having fun; binding with other AEGEEans and getting to know better the Greek culture!
GT: What are the three main programme highlights?
Vaso: Our programme has certainly more than three highlights, but here are some of them that you will certainly enjoy!
First, rafting at Arachthos river. Arachthos, located in eastern Epirus, is considered the best river in Greece for rafting! The descent is easy and beautiful but includes also some light waves, repeated turns and 2nd to 3rd degree crossings. After the ride, we will arrange a Barbeque party where our participants will have the chance to taste local yummies!
Second, a visit to the secret Melissani’s Cave. Melisani is a cave located on the island of Kefalonia and the only lacustrine grotto in Greece! It is 160 meters long and 40 meters wide and contains stalactites that are 20,000 years old! While doing the tour of the lake, you can admire the wonderful iridescence on the water, while the sun sneaks through the roof, creating an impressive atmosphere.
Third, Nauagio beach. You may also know it as “The cavity of smugglers” – it is the most famous beach on the island, if not in whole Greece. Its story goes back 34 years ago, when an illegal transport of cigarettes shipwrecked and flooded to the beach creating Nauagio, which you can access only by boat!
GT: Which cities will you visit?
Vaso: Our SU begins at Ioannina, the capital of Epirus, in north-western Greece! Ioannina is characterized by the famous Pamvotis Lake and the secret passages leading to the city castle! Next, we will visit Zagorochoria, a complex of 46 villages and will trek across the Vikos canyon – the deepest canyon worldwide, according to Guinness Book! Then we will stop at Sivota and Parga, two well-known summer resorts where we will enjoy swimming, sunbathing and the local cuisine! Next destination will be Leukada! At Leukada we will swim at Kathisma, a huge beach with crystal blue waters that attracts thousands of people every summer. Then, we will do a daily boat trip where we will visit also Ithaca, the island of Odysseus, and swim to the surrounding beaches! After that we will take the boat to Kefalonia, the biggest and probably the most beautiful island of the Ionian sea! There we will swim to the famous Murto’s beach and visit the secret Melisani cave! Our last destination is Zante! 9 kilometres south of the city centre, Laganas is the most famous place in Zante and one of the last shelters of the sea turtle Caretta Caretta! Last but certainly not least, is Nauagio.
GT: How can interested people find out more?
Vaso: If you are interested, you can like our Facebook page AEGEE-Ioannina www.facebook.com/aegee.ioannina/ and also the page of our Summer University. There you can find our news, photos of the places that will visit, details about the programme of our SU and more!
AEGEE-Patra: “From Sunrise till midnight”
The partner of AEGEE-Ioannina last year also goes solo this year, after reaching a place in the top 4 of all SUs in 2015 with “BLUE stories- Solve the Ionian Mystery”.
GT: What’s the title of your Summer University in 2016?
Foteini Karagrigori, SU coordinator: Our Travelling Summer University’s title is “From Sunrise till midnight”.
GT: Are you organising it with another antenna?
Foteini: For this year’s TSU we won’t cooperate with another antenna but with an AEGEE project, “Democracy in Practice”.
GT: What’s the date of your SU?
Foteini: It will be right in the middle of summer! From 11th to 25th of July.
GT: What’s the main topic and the three main programme highlights?
Foteini: Our goal during this TSU will be to raise awareness for Democracy and Human Rights and how they are being implemented. We are trying to make everything perfect, so it is going to be like learning through playing while being showered by the sunlight and splashed by the sea.
GT: Which cities or landmarks will you visit?
Foteini: During these two weeks we will travel through Peloponnese in southern Greece. There we will visit the mountainous interior and the deeply indented coasts. Patra, Kalamata, Elafonisos and Nafplio will be the starting cities from where we will visit places of cultural, historical and touristic interest like Ancient Olympia, Diros Caves, Voidokilia Beach, Mystras, Mycenae and many more.
GT: How can interested people find out more?
Foteini: Interested people are our favourite people and we love being in touch with them! They can contact us via e-mail – tsu2016patra@gmail.com – or like our SU Facebook page: www.facebook.com/tsupatra2016.
AEGEE-Napoli: “Darker than midnight can’t come”
The fifth best Summer University in 2015 was also the cheapest: “Past & Fasul – Through the ages of time!”, organized by AEGEE-Napoli.
GT: What’s the title of your Summer University in 2016?
Vincenzo Cascone: The title of our SU is : “Darker than midnight can’t come”. We used a wordplay to communicate something that linked Neapolitan and English in one sentence before. And this year it happened again. The title of our SU comes from a popular proverb of our ancient tradition that reflects the lifestyle of the Neapolitan people. It is literally translated in English, that’s why it doesn’t sound really logical.
GT: Are you organizing it with another antenna?
Vincenzo: We are not organising it with another antenna.
GT: What’s the date of your Summer University?
Vincenzo: The SU will take place from the 27th of July to the 8th of August.
GT: What’s the main topic and the main programme highlights?
Vincenzo: The main topic of our SU is the Neapolitan popular culture. We are going to discover the most typical Neapolitan things, starting from typical food, dances, histories, legends and so on and so on… There are many surprises waiting for our participants, but if I tell everything now it will not be funny anymore!
GT: Which cities will you visit?
Vincenzo: We are going to visit of course Napoli with its beauties, Caserta and its Royal Palace, the ancient city of Pompeii, The Amalfi Coast where we are going to have a boat trip from Amalfi to Positano and we will visit the Oasis of Francolise which is a really secret place close to Napoli – don’t search on Internet for it or you will ruin a very big surprise.
GT: How can interested people find out more?
Vincenzo: You can visit the page of the event we created on Facebook: www.facebook.com/events/173326796373259/.
AEGEE-Aachen: “Mit Karl dem Kleinen durch Rhein und Ruhr“
Summer Universities in Aachen have a very long tradition. The German antenna made an SU every year since 1989! Last year they organized the sixth-highest Summer University, which also had the longest title ever: “Flunkyballweltmeisterschaftsmaskottchenausbildungssommerferienlager”.
GT: What’s the title of your SU in 2016?
Maxim Jourenko: „Mit Karl dem Kleinen durch Rhein und Ruhr“.
GT: Are you organising it with another antenna?
Maxim: We are getting in contact with the local antenna of cities we are going to visit – as for instance AEGEE-Düsseldorf, AEGEE-Köln and AEGEE-Maastricht. With these collaborations we aim to provide more insight to any participant, improving the overall experience while visiting these cities.
GT: What’s the date of your SU?
Maxim: The Summer University starts in 23rd of June and finishes on 8th of July.
GT: What’s the main topic and the three main programme highlights?
Maxim: We will explore the buzzing cities in the Ruhr area that thrived during the industrial revolution. We visit places of historical and cultural importance together with our awesome mascot Karl dem Kleinen. Our SU offers insight into German culture by experiencing events such as: our local-style carnival and visiting a traditional brewery among other activities; travelling across locations around the Rhein and Ruhr areas – even including an excursion to the Netherlands; an intense German language class, supplemented by non-classroom activities such as movie-nights and games.
GT: Which cities or landmarks will you visit?
Maxim: We will visit Bonn to get a glimpse of German history, the infamous city of Cologne, Düsseldorf along with one of its breweries, Essen and its historical spots from the times of industrialization as well as the beautiful Maastricht.
GT: How can interested people find out more?
Maxim: Visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/aachensu or search for Summer University 2016 Aachen. You can also check our site entry on www.projects.aegee.org/suct/su2016/show.php?su_id=AAC1 – or simply get into contact with us!
AEGEE-Voronezh: “Re:bRUSh it UP!” and “Let’s get it DONe”
The eigth-best Summer University in 2015 was organised by AEGEE-Voronezh in Russia. It had the title “bRUSh it UP!” – quite fitting for a language course!
GT: What’s the title of your SU in 2016?
Svetlana Merenkova, President of AEGEE-Voronezh: In 2016 we are organizing two Summer Universities. The title of our first SU this year is “Re:bRUSh it UP!” and the second is a Travelling Summer University: “Let’s get it DONe”.
GT: Are you organising it with another antenna?
Svetlana: The first one we do alone. The second SU “Let’s get it DONe” is organised in cooperation with AEGEE-Rostov-na-Donu. We have already co-organized a Travelling Summer University in 2012 with them and it was a very nice experience, so we decided to do it again. We have also co-organized a Regional Training Course with AEGEE-Rostov-na-Donu last autumn and had an exchange in January, so when we thought about a Travelling Summer University we were immediately absolutely sure which antenna we are going to do it with.
GT: What’s the date of your Summer Universities?
Svetlana: The Summer Course “Re:bRUSh it UP!” is from 7th till 18th of July. The Travelling Summer University “Let’s get it DONe” is from 21st of July till 4th of August.
GT: What’s the main topic and the three main programme highlights of the SU “Re:bRUSh it UP!”?
Svetlana: The main topic of the SU “Re:bRUSh it UP!” is Russian language and Russian culture. Continuing the tradition of Summer Universities organized by AEGEE-Voronezh, we provide an opportunity for our participants to study Russian language at the language school International House Voronezh-Linguist. In the end of the course all participants will receive official International House certificates. But don’t worry, you won’t be studying all day long! We will also provide an awesome cultural and social programme, including Russian sauna and a trip to a village which is an open-air museum of local craft and culture. And, of course, Voronezh is well-known for its crazy parties, so you can be sure we won’t disappoint our participants!
GT: What’s the main topic and the three main programme highlights of “Let’s get it DONe”?
Svetlana: The main topic is history and culture of the Don region – Don is one of the biggest rivers in Central Russia. This is a TSU, so there will be a lot of travelling!
GT: Which cities or landmarks will you visit?
Svetlana: If we combine two Summer Universities together, we will get quite a map! Voronezh, Ertil, Rostov-na-Donu, Taganrog and Azov.
GT: How can interested people find out more?
Svetlana: First of all you can read all the information at the Summer Universities website. For “Re:bRUSh it UP!” the address is: www.projects.aegee.org/suct/su2016/show.php?su_id=VOR1, for “Let’s get it DONe”, check out: www.projects.aegee.org/suct/su2016/show.php?su_id=RON1. Also follow our Facebook page www.facebook.com/events/567836633363539/ and www.facebook.com/TSU-Lets-get-it-DONe-AEGEE-Voronezh-and-AEGEE-Rostov-na-Donu-2016-472730759594973/ where we post all the updates!
AEGEE-Castelló: “Let’S(U) Move It”
„L-AEGEEndary (K)nights“ was the title of AEGEE-Castelló`s Summer University last night. This cooperation with AEGEE-Valencia was voted ninth-best Summer University in 2015.
GT: What’s the title of your Summer University in 2016?
Carles Beltran, main SU organiser: The title is: “Let’S(U) Move It”.
GT: Are you organizing it with another antenna?
Carles: It is organized by AEGEE-Castelló exclusively.
GT: What’s the date of your su?
Carles: The event starts on 15th and finishes on 28th of August.
GT: What’s the main topic and the main programme highlights?
Carles: Sports and Dance. We will go hiking, play beach volleyball, rugby, basketball and more. We will also have dance workshops and visit five different places with different landscapes.
GT: Which cities will you visit?
Carles: We will visit Benicasim, Morella, Penyiscola, Torreblanca, Castelló and Valencia.
GT: How can interested people find out more?
Carles: We will create a Facebook page soon. Until then you can check the SU website: www.projects.aegee.org/suct/su2016/show.php?su_id=CSO1.
AEGEE-Tartu & AEGEE-Sankt Peterburg: “RUSh to the bEST!”
Last year AEGEE-Tartu invited its participants into the “High-tech forEST“. This Summer University ranked tenth out of 68 events. Visiting alpacas was one of the highlights.
GT: What’s the title of your Summer University in 2016?
Liisa Korgekuhi, main SU Coordinator in Tartu: The title is “RUSh to the bEST!”
GT: Are you organizing it with another antenna?
Liisa: We are organising the SU with AEGEE-Sankt Peterburg. We got the idea during Network Meeting in Tartu last autumn, where we met our fellow organisers. We thought it would be a good idea to cooperate and offer our participants something different this year.
GT: What’s the date of your su?
Liisa: It will start on 24th of July and ends on 8th of August 2016.
GT: What’s the main topic and the main programme highlights?
Liisa: The main topic is self-expression in general. The main highlights are definitely The Weekend Baltic Festival 2016, a ghost tour in Pärnu and a Matryoshka workshop in Saint Petersburg.
GT: Which cities will you visit?
Liisa: We are going to visit Saint Petersburg, Peterhof Palace and Tsarskoye Selo in Russia as well as the university town Tartu, the capital Tallinn and the summer capital Pärnu in Estonia.
GT: How can interested people find out more?
Liisa: We will create a Facebook event for our SU very soon! Until then you can contact AEGEE-Tartu or AEGEE-Sankt Peterburg: www.facebook.com/aegee.tartu and www.facebook.com/aegee.spb.
