What do AEGEE-Siena, AEGEE-Tallinn and AEGEE-Thessaloníki have in common? They didn’t organise a Summer University last year. But they are back with new energy – and a great Summer University! Altogether 18 antennae, which offer a course in 2015, skipped either the last or even several years. The Golden Times asked them why that happened – and why you should apply for their Summer University this year. Read in this second part about the SUs of AEGEE-Castelló, AEGEE-Darmstadt, AEGEE-Dnipropetrovsk, AEGEE-Siena, AEGEE-Tallinn and AEGEE-Thessaloníki.
AEGEE-Castelló: Discover Castles, Festivals and Mediterranean History
GT: What’s the title of your SU?
Pipe Aguirre, AEGEE-Castelló: The title of our SU is “LaegeeNDARY (K)nights”.
GT: What’s the date of your SU?
Pipe: It will take place from 17th to 28th August.
GT: Are you organising it with another antenna?
Pipe: Yes, we are. Both of us, AEGEE-Castelló and AEGEE-Valencia, will arrange it.
GT: Why should AEGEE members specifically apply for your event?
Pipe: Because this is a different one, it’s not only about the importance of the cities where you go, it’s about how much special they are! And, on top of a very nice programme, we have different beaches to rest in almost all the places we are going to!
GT: What’s the main topic and the three main thematic highlights?
Pipe: We will discover the Mediterranean history of the Valencia and Castellon regions through their castles and festivals. The main highlights will be the visit to Peñiscola castle, the gastronomy workshop “How to cook a paella” and the Tomatina festival.
GT: Which cities or other interesting places will you visit?
Pipe: Benicassim, Peñíscola, Castelló de la Plana, Sagunto, Valencia and Buñol.
GT: What will be the social programme highlights?
Pipe: The social programme will be awesome, but if we have to choose, there are four top moments: the Benicassim beach music festival, L’Umbracle terrace club in Valencia, the Tomatina festival and the visit to the Aquarama water park.
GT: In which year was the last SU that you organised?
Pipe: The last SU organized by AEGEE-Castelló was in 2010.
GT: Why didn’t you organise an SU in the last years?
Pipe: The main point was the lack of members and experience. Anyway, the fact that we are celebrating it again means that we are very excited, we feel like celebrating it, and doing our best!
GT: What motivated you to organise an SU this year?
Pipe: Life’s a beach! That was the title of our last event, organized in September 2014. As well as our participants and the opportunity to work together with AEGEE-Valencia. All of them are awesome people!
GT: How can interested people find out more?
Pipe: They can check out our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/SU-2015-L-AEGEEndary-K-Nights-by-AEGEE-Valencia-Castelló/888131591231774, and the SU 2015 website. And we will be answering all questions from members writing to our e-mail: suaegee.valencia.castello@gmail.com!
AEGEE-Darmstadt: A summer like a crazy self-made delicious cocktail
GT: What’s the title of your SU?
Deniz Emre Mohr, AEGEE-Darmstadt: The name of our Summer University is: “Master course for a Dutch-German cocktail”.
GT: What’s the date of your SU?
Deniz: The Summer University will take place from the 4th till the 19th July and will start in Mainz.
GT: Are you organising it with another antenna?
Deniz: We are organising it with AEGEE-Eindhoven and AEGEE Mainz/Wiesbaden.
GT: Why should AEGEE members specifically apply for your event?
Deniz: This event will be a new mixture of everything, like a crazy self-made delicious cocktail, with all kinds of different ingredients, from sightseeing by night to brewing your own beer, from cycling in the beautiful Dutch landscape to a panoramic view of Europe’s Manhattan, from German carnival to Dutch cheese, from Van Gogh to European Night and thematic parties: it will be a mixture of Dutch and German tradition and events! We want crazy, energetic, open-minded, sleepless and motivated participants, who are curious to learn more about German and Dutch culture and be able to enjoy every minute of the SU.
GT: What’s the main topic and the three main thematic highlights?
Deniz: We will show Dutch and German culture from a different perspective. It is a Travel Summer University, there will be plenty of different cities to visit. The participants will experience the German and afterwards the Dutch traditions and cultures. This will be done with several Dutch-German activities.
GT: Which cities or other interesting places will you visit?
Deniz: Mainz, Wiesbaden, Darmstadt, Frankfurt, Eindhoven, Amsterdam and some small villages.
GT: What will be the social programme highlights?
Deniz: Our social programme will include cycling through the Dutch landscapes and even across the border into Belgium, visiting all kinds of German cities, like Frankfurt, the Manhattan of Europe; Mainz, the perfect student city; and Darmstadt, the city of science. Classic events, such as pub crawls, European Nights, parties and much more are of course all included.
GT: In which year was the last SU that you organised?
Deniz: The last Summer University organised by AEGEE-Darmstadt was four years ago, in 2011 and the first in 2008.
GT: Why didn’t you organise an SU in the last years?
Deniz: We wanted to organise a Summer University in the last two years, but couldn’t do it, due to several problems: miscommunication with our NetCom, finances and others. We will finally manage to organise an SU this year together with two great known antennae!
GT: What motivated you to organise an SU this year?
Deniz: The motivation to organise an SU started with the first Summer University attendances of us, the main organisers: Hamdi Altin, Eugen Grenz, Zacharias Grenz and me. Since then we have been visiting other Summer Universities, Agoras and all kinds of European AEGEE events together. Each of us experienced between two to four SUs, so we gathered lots of experience to combine them to a perfect SU. When Last year the four of us returned from their great SUs we went out to grab some beers and told each other our amazing SU stories; then one of us came up with the idea to organise definitely an SU this year, and in just one second we all wanted to do that.
GT: How can interested people find out more?
Deniz: They can find out more on the official Summer University page, our official TSU Facebook page: www.facebook.com/AEGEEtsu2015 and of course check out our teaser: www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAjCcZuzD10.
AEGEE-Dnipropetrovsk: from the East to the West of Ukraine
GT: What’s the title of your SU?
Olena Chertilina, President of AEGEE-Dnipropetrovsk: Our SU this year is called “Across the UAniverse”.
GT: Are you organising it with another antenna?
Olena: Yes, we are five Ukrainian antennae working together on this SU.
GT: What’s the date of your SU?
Olena: 3rd to 19th of July. AEGEE-Dnipropetrovsk is the second hosting antenna, so we’re getting ready to welcome the participant from the 6th till the 8th of July.
GT: Why should AEGEE members specifically apply for your event?
Olena: There has been a lot of talks about Ukraine for the last year and a half. The situation in Ukraine worried and terrified a lot of people around the world. We have been living through hard times. However, most of Ukraine is being completely peaceful. We, the young people, want to show everybody that we are as much European as any EU citizen. And our country is ready to offer a lot of opportunities.
GT: What’s the main topic and the three main thematic highlights?
Olena: We have chosen the topic of history and local culture. The main highlight is going to be the diversity of Ukrainian traditions, from the East to the West of our enormous country. Yet, we want to stress that considering linguistic and cultural diversity the unity of Ukraine should never be doubted.
GT: What will be the social programme highlights?
Olena: During the daytime the participants will take part in various excursions and workshops on Ukrainian cuisine and culture. In the evenings we’ll experience traditional Ukrainian nights, including the celebration of Ivana Kupala holiday, and modern and crazy parties.
GT: Which cities or other interesting places will you visit?
Olena: We’ll travel 1000 kilometres from the East to the very West of Ukraine, starting from Kharkiv, followed by Dnipropetrovsk, passing Kyiv and Ivano-Frankivsk and finishing the trip in Lviv. Each of these cities has a lot to offer, and all of them differ. Additionally, the participants will visit the ethno village Petrykivka and see how kozaks lived in the Dnipropetrovsk region; we will see wonderful castles in the Lviv region and the most extreme participants will have a chance to go for an optional trip to the Chernobyl zone and see the town which has been deserted for over 20 years after the accident at the nuclear plant.
GT: In which year was the last SU that you organised?
Olena: Our previous SU was in 2013. It was called “Opa Dnipro Style!” Some might still remember the song of our SU and the crazy video on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeM211q_kHs.
GT: Why didn’t you organise an SU last year?
Olena: We didn’t have an SU last year as we were planning to hold an international youth training in summer and decided not to take too much responsibility. However, we had to cancel the training course because of the uncertainty of the situation last summer.
GT: What motivated you to organise an SU this year?
Olena: Our antenna organised SUs for five consecutive years, so skipping one year was rather an exception. This year or motivation is also grounded on the desire to show the whole of Ukraine and demystify the wrong perceptions.
GT: How can interested people find out more?
Olena: If you feel like catching the next train or plane to Ukraine to our SU, just wait a bit. So far, you can check the whole description at the SU website and surely pay attention to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/acrosstheua.
AEGEE-Siena: Get to know the beauty of Tuscany
GT: What’s the title of your SU?
Andrea Cianti, President of AEGEE-Siena: The title of our SU is “PostCards from Italy: from nature to culture”. Our antenna partner for this SU is AEGEE-Genova and we chose this name according to the evidence that both in Tuscany and in Genova there are amazing views and landscapes and an attractive history that many modern European cities don’t have. The participants will see amazing places which are destinations of tourists from all around the world.
GT: What’s the date of your SU?
Andrea: The SU will begin on Monday, 27th of July in Siena. Then, on Monday, 3rd of August, the participants will move to Cinque Terre, then go to Genova until Monday the 10th of August when the SU will be over.
GT: Why are you organising it with AEGEE-Genova?
Andrea: Our active members have always been in good relations with their active members and the organization of the SU so far is strengthening this good relationship.
GT: Why should AEGEE members specifically apply for your event?
Andrea: I think there is no need to mention how beautiful Tuscany is. Talking about Siena, it’s a city that is surrounded by a mystical medieval atmosphere, has an extremely interesting history, has the unique Palio, a horse race that has taken part for centuries, and many attractions related to Italian’s culture. But not only that! We will also bring participants to San Gimignano and Val d’Orcia, which are Unesco world heritage, just like Siena’s centrum.
GT: Which other cities or other interesting places will you visit?
Andrea: Next to San Gimignano and Val d’Orcia we will also see Montalcino and Chianti. Plus, there will be Genova’s part, which has a lot to show too.
GT: What will be the social programme highlights?
Andrea: The social programme highlights will be visiting Siena’s centrum, a contrada’s museum, have dinner in a contrada, possibly the one who won last Palio. A contrada is a district of the centre of Siena. After dinner we plan to have parties at clubs in Siena and we’ll bring participants to contrada parties as well, which is something which was an amazing success in the last SU in Siena.
GT: In which year was the last SU that you organised?
Andrea: Siena’s last SU was organized with AEGEE-Firenze in 2013 and it came third in the participants’ evaluations ranking.
GT: Why didn’t you organise an SU last year?
Andrea: Last summer we didn’t organize an SU, because we had a completely new board and we thought that it was better not to try to do something so important and challenging like a SU. Now that the young board grew, we are ready!
GT: What motivated you to organise an SU this year?
Andrea: After coming back from participating in the SU in Bratislava, I wanted to organize an SU in Siena. The other members agreed and after several discussions we had everything done in order to organize an amazing SU!
GT: How can interested people find out more?
Andrea: In addition of the official SU page, there is the event of Facebook: www.facebook.com/events/1543945549218482/.
AEGEE-Tallinn: future and nature in one amazing place
GT: What’s the title of your SU?
Matis Joab, President of AEGEE-Tallinn: The title is “High-Tech ForEST”.
GT: What’s the date of your SU?
Matis: 15th to 29th of July.
GT: Are you organising it with another antenna?
Matis: Yes, we are organising it with AEGEE-Tartu.
GT: Why should AEGEE members specifically apply for your event?
Matis: We really feel our Summer University offers the best balance possible. Between relaxing on the beach and fun physical activities, between crazy city life and beautiful nature, between medieval castles and high-tech modernity! If you just want to lay on the beach for two weeks or move from tourist attraction to tourist attraction for 15 days, then there are probably better SUs for you. But if you dislike routine and want to embrace all the variety this world has to offer, then join us on our adventure!
GT: What’s the main topic and the three main thematic highlights?
Matis: The topic of this year’s Travelling Summer University is focused on the two main treasures of Estonia – high technology and untouched nature. It is hard to point out only three highlights, we will get to know all the most innovative high-tech that can be found in Estonia, also we will dive deep into the traditions and culture of Estonia, we will have days packed with awesome activities, balanced out with relaxing in the spa and beach.
GT: What will be the social programme highlights?
Matis: All participants will get the full Estonian Sauna Experience, which for us is a very social event. The European Night is of course another highlight of any SU. There are many more cool parties and social events that we have planned, but let’s leave some of those as surprises.
GT: In which year was the last SU that you organised?
Matis: In 2012.
GT: Why didn’t you organise an SU in the last years?
Matis: We were going through a bit of a generation change in our antenna.
GT: What motivated you to organise an SU this year?
Matis: We have a lot of new active and motivated members who wanted to introduce our wonderful country to other AEGEEans and organise a fantastic SU!
GT: How can interested people find out more?
Matis: Check our Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/338049109734809/ and of course the SU page itself.
AEGEE-Thessaloniki: green summer and blue sea
GT: What’s the title of your SU?
Elena Georgiefendi, Incoming and Outgoing Responsible of AEGEE-Thessaloniki: The title is: “Smells like Greek Spirit!”
GT: What’s the date of your SU?
Elena: Our TSU will take place from 14th until 28th of July!
GT: Are you organising it with another antenna?
Elena: No, we are organizing the TSU alone.
GT: Why should AEGEE members specifically apply for your event?
Elena: First of all, AEGEE-Thessaloniki is organizing a TSU full of fun and energy! Combining not only Greek parties and endless fun, but also focusing on the numerous environmental issues that concern all of us. Our aim is to introduce to our participants the Greek nature and culture and make them feel the Greek Spirit as much as possible. But really, who could resist summertime in Greece? We expect environmentally concerned participants, but also people full of energy, craziness and excitement – just in order to be a great match with their organizers!
GT: What’s the main topic and the three main thematic highlights?
Elena: Our SU is going to be a green one. During the SU we are going to be environmentally friendly by recycling and taking care of the nature. We will hold workshops about environmental issues and the EU policies. We will also talk about sustainability and we will have discussions and share ideas about how could young people help in resolving the environmental issues that affect us. All of those will take place in the great and beautiful mountain of Pelion, which seems like it is a heaven on Earth! There our participants will have the chance to have long walks in the nature but also to relax and swim in some of the greatest and most beautiful seas in Greece!
GT: What will be the social programme highlights?
Elena: Our participants will experience at first Thessaloniki’s nightlife. Thessaloniki never sleeps! But that’s not all. The best social highlight is for sure Halkidiki! In Greece we say: ”Like Halkidiki, nowhere”. Meaning that Halkidiki’s beaches are of unique beauty. Expect beach games and sports! But, wait, I didn’t mention that the greatest parties will occur in Possidi at the famous student camping of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Last but not least, we will also have traditional Greek dances and visit Greek taverns for tasting traditional food!
GT: Which cities or other interesting places will you visit?
Elena: Our TSU starts from Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece. Next we will visit the region of Halkidiki-Posidi, where we are going to stay in the student camp. Mount Pelion is following for the environmental part of the TSU and the island of Skiathos in the Aegean sea will be our final destination.
GT: In which year was the last SU that you organised?
Elena: The last Summer University that AEGEE-Thessaloniki organized was in 2007!
GT: Why didn’t you organise an SU in the last years?
Elena: AEGEE-Thessaloniki wasn’t ready to organize such an event. The active members used to be only a few and it is impossible to organize a Summer University if there aren’t enough people.
GT: What motivated you to organise an SU this year?
Elena: 2014 was a great year for AEGEE-Thessaloniki! New members joined the antenna, new members full of energy and motivation. Most of them attended a Summer University themselves last year and came back excited and really motivated. After organizing a pre-Agora event in April and after our recent Regional Training Course, we are ready to take it further and push our limits. We are really excited and happy about organising a TSU this year as we are a great team as well. We are confident that it will be a great success!
GT: How can interested people find out more?
Elena: For any questions send us an e-mail: thessaloniki2015su@gmail.com. And of course, apply through the Summer University page.
Check also these Summer Universities: https://www.aegeegoldentimes.eu/comeback-of-aegee-summer-2015/