Here is what some of our former participants have to say about their summer school experience:
| AKMIS LOMSARGIS (Lithuania) |
| I have taken part in Baltic International
Summer School twice. Try it and you would not be able to forget it
either. Spending few weeks with people from all over the world in a
Baltics, in the middle of nowhere, might seem weird but actually you
would soon get so comfortable like you are at home with your old
friends. Ruins of the castle, beach by the river, long evenings, trips
every weekend, enthusiastic professors, friendly organizers are only a
few things you would certainly enjoy! |
| RICARDO PEREIRA (Portugal) |
| What to say about BISS five years after my
participation in 2002? I would say it definitely helped me to shape my
international profile, both academic and professional. Presently I work
at international developmental non-governmental organization "Doctors
of the World", in my home country Portugal, and I am a Ph.D. student in
International Relations at Coimbra University. It is good to recall how
all those cross-cultural experiences in Valmiera contributed to pave
this way. Thank you for that, BISS! |
| GREG TAFF (United States) |
| The two BISS sessions I attended were some of
the happiest times in my life. The people I met from so many countries
were wonderful, and years later, I am still friends with some of them.
I studied the Latvian language and history in preparation for my
dissertation field research in Gauja National Park, Latvia. In addition
to the intensive coursework, we enjoyed lots of fun cultural activities
and still had time to socialize in the long Latvian summer evenings.
Valmiera is a beautiful small town for this wonderful international
experience. |
What else could I say that what I am saying to all my friends, colleagues and relatives: "It was absolutely fabulous". I liked the interesting lectures, demanding workshops and teamwork, mellow language classes, most entertaining social events, parental support from the staff and of course time spent together with my new friends.
|
| TEODORA MILCHEVA VASSILEVA (Bulgaria)
|
|
So, how did I feel during the last two weeks - I really have no words to express myself. It was an amazing event - something that I have never expected in a positive way; so many unique people with picturesque personalilties.
As we said in the final slides of our presentation: it is not the destination but the journey, a journey measured not in miles, but in friends.
During the last two weeks I had a wonderful journey which made me believe that great people still exist. The knowledge that I gained during the last two weeks was more valuable that my two years of education at IU, because it is not about taking exams, reading books or writing papers.... it is about experience, about having fun, meeting people and feeling as if you are in paradise.
Thank you for ogranizing BISS 2008 and letting me be part of it!
|
| ANNA SHEVCHENKO (Ukraine) |
|
I would like to say that BISS 2008 appeared to be one of the best experiences in my life! Speaking about experience I mean all aspects of the notion. Magically organizers managed to combine very interesting and diverse studying process with intensive leisure experience, traveling and assignments. Merely each day we had a new highly professional lecturer and each of them shared with us not only their knowledge but life experience. I can say that our lecturers by themselves were great examples of the key topic of school – communication, integration and tolerance. I'm happy I met all these people – they really expanded my world and influenced my greatly! And of course studying would be so excited without our travel experience to Narva and Dauvgopils – that was real "dipping" into the topic! :) I guess that each team had a real challenge while working under Multimedia and Video projects in these two cities but the results were just amazing!
Speaking about leisure in BISS, it's so difficult to define myfavorite activity because each day was unique and impressive. Starting from international food party that made us feel a real family from the first days and ending with excursions to different Baltic cities. Each activity was like a small brick and as a result from this bricks a great atmosphere of friendship, union and benevolence was created!
I will always remember these 17 days and every member of BISS and hope that we will not be lost in the world but stay in touch with eachother.
|
You are welcome to apply for this program if you have at least a high school diploma and you speak English. Please contact us if you have any questions. Application form can be found here.
See you in Latvia this summer!
