SU Catania 2025 Review: Arancini, cannoli and fun in the water

From 5 to 17 August 2025, AEGEE-Catania organised the Summer University “SUtta Lu Suli”, bringing participants to Sicily for an intensive cultural experience. The programme focused on Sicilian and Italian culture. The amazing hospitality of AEGEE-Catania and the wonderful locations made this event unforgettable.

GT: What was your Summer University about?
AEGEE-Catania: The Summer University focused on Sicilian culture, and more broadly on Italian culture and also on traditional food of Sicily.

How many participants and organisers joined the SU?
There were 20 participants and two extra participants, while we were seven full-time organisers and six helpers.

You had a very tight and rich programme – from climbing up Etna to visiting amazing gems like Taormina. Also the logistics was great – the participants stayed in a hostel with two-bed rooms and air conditioning. One could also feel how much you cared about your participants. Which workshops and other activities best represented the spirit of your SU?
Definitely the culinary workshops, especially those on arancini and cannoli. And the one on Sicilian stereotypes.

What was a funny or emotional moment that defined the event for you?
The pool party was fantastic and everyone still remembers it, and certainly also the time we went to the water park.

Any stories from the gossip box you can share?
The Dutch guys had hidden the game master’s hat and wrote several clues as to its location; only on the last day did they manage to find it.

What made your group of participants special?
The constant desire to stay active, even when we were tired, brought the group together.

Did the group stay in touch afterwards?
Through the WhatsApp group, and in October, some of us went to the AEGEE-Barcelona event, where we met up with other Summer participants.

How would you evaluate the SU overall?
We’re satisfied with how it went. A spirit of sacrifice has always been a hallmark of our work. We never gave up, even when we were extremely tired. The only thing we could improve on was the programme’s timing.

What impact did the event have on your antenna?
It had a huge impact; it sparked new enthusiasm and ideas for the future.

Anything else you’d like AEGEEans to know about your SU?
It’s an event held in a challenging but beautiful area, and for this very reason, it’s done with all our heart. We look forward to seeing you in Catania!