SU Pescara 2025 Review: Being Connected Without a Phone

From 30 August to 7 September 2025, 18 participants took part in SU Pescara 2025 in the Abruzzo region of Italy. Under the title “De-Tech 5.0 – Survive in the greenest region of Europe without your phone!”, the Summer University challenged participants to reduce their use of modern technology and to rely instead on orientation skills, shared responsibility, and community.

GT: What was your Summer University about?
AEGEE-Pescara: Our Summer University was about not using modern technology. This year, we wanted to launch a double experiment: we decided not to “confiscate” phones, allowing participants to manage their phone use themselves. We also divided participants into four groups to manage accommodations and various experiences during the SU, creating a sense of community that would sever the umbilical cord that ties us to the Internet and its constant use.

How many participants and organisers joined the SU?
18 participants, 3 helpers and 5 organisers joined the SU.

Which workshops and other activities best represented the spirit of your SU?
Three activities stood out in particular. The first was the city tour and treasure hunt in the middle of the village of Penne, where participants were provided only with a map to explore some special places: no help from the organisers, just their own sense of orientation. The second was the ascent of Monte dei Cappuccini, a two-hour uphill hike to reach the peak from which you could admire the entire region, from the sea to the mountains – don’t worry, at the end of the hike we satisfied their hunger with a rich meal of local products. The last one was the bike ride on the Trabocchi coast, a 10-kilometre-long route along the sea to see one of the last stretches of coast not yes destroyed by man and with a swim near a stretch of wild cliff.

What was a funny or emotional moment that defined the event for you?
We had a lot of weird moments, like late-night museum visits, a workshop in a birdwatching hut, and flunkyball in front of a church. But the funniest moment was definitely the wedding, which was a complete disaster compared to the original plans. Have you ever seen the movie “The Hangover”? It went something like this – more or less.

Any stories from the gossip box you can share?
We didn’t have a lot of spicy gossip, but the most talked about one was definitely about pants…

What made your group of participants special this year?
This year’s group was made up of both beginners and experienced Summer University participants: very diverse. It was an enterprising group, ready to lend a hand, a group full of motivation.

How would you evaluate the SU overall? What would like to improve next time?
Overall, we’re satisfied with our SU: good participant selection, good overall organization. We’ll work to clarify some rules, improve some logistical aspects and increase the number of helpers. Applications are open!

Which impact did the event have on your antenna?
It was the first SU with an almost completely new organizing team: we discovered we’re a strong group, capable of facing the challenges and stress of such a demanding event while remaining united despite everything. There were obviously some organizational shortcomings, but we acknowledged them and are ready to improve. We emerged stronger than before!

Anything else you’d like to share about your SU?
Don’t make any plans because our 4th SU is coming, once again renewed from last year, much wilder and with a group of badass organisers!