It was mostly a coincidence that Alicia Larsson applied to INGENIUM Summer School. However, the week in Karlsruhe, Germany, brought many experiences and many new friends all over Europe.” Don´t miss this great opportunity – apply to INGENIUM Winter School”, she says.
Alicia Larsson and some friends were in the University Library to study. But her concentration wasn't there at the time and she started to look at the University's website instead. And she has not regretted that. The information about INGENIUM Summer School got her attention and she decided to write an application.
“Yes, I applied instead of studying and it was really a spontaneous application, but it seemed so much fun. I was incredibly happy when I was accepted.”
Alicia says that she had heard of INGENIUM, but didn't really understand what it stood for. INGENIUM is an EU-funded alliance between ten European universities, where the University of Skövde is the only Swedish higher education institution. The Summer and Winter Schools within the alliance is also called 10 Days of INGENIUM. The two occasions are the alliance's most important meetings, where employees and students from the ten universities get the opportunity to meet. Both accommodation and travel are covered by INGENIUM.
“INGENIUM Summer School was even better than I had imagined. It was incredibly fun to meet students from the other nine countries that are part of the alliance. We were three students from different programmes who went from the University of Skövde. There were also some employees from our university in Karlsruhe and Karin Jonegård, International Coordinator, was there as our mentor.”
Made friends for life
INGENIUM Summer and Winter Schools have different themes. The upcoming Winter School in February 2024 has a focus on entrepreneurship, but also cyber security and sustainability, the previous one had an intercultural theme. The schedule includes lectures, excursions and practical sessions, but also dinners.
“We talked about everything from similarities and differences, social norms to equality and cultural clashes. We also had some lessons in German and every morning you could join the yoga that was held outdoors on campus. One of the practical tasks was that we should walk around and discover Karlsruhe, without looking at the map on the phone. It was a fun experience,” she says.
Now Alicia is studying her final year of the programme Cognitive neuroscience - neuropsychology and consciousness studies. It's been a while since the week in Karlsruhe.
What did you think was the best part of the week in Karlsruhe?
“Oh, it's hard to mention just one thing to be the best, but it was great to meet students from other countries, cultures and universities. I have made friends for life!”
Would you like to join a Summer School again if you had the chance?
“Yes, I would love to do that. It was an incredibly fun experience.”
What would you like to say to students who are considering applying?
“Take the opportunity to apply when you have it. Don't hesitate, just apply! If you are at all interested in studying abroad, it is a good opportunity to experience, in a short time, what it can be like to study in another country.”
Read more about INGENIUM Winter School
Application form for INGENIUM Winter School