A group of students and teachers standing on a staircase

1 Jul 2025

EUniWell Summer School 2025

Summer of 2025 there are two EUniWell courses available, held by Linnaeus University. They are blended intensive programs, hybrid courses, which are online except one mandatory week in Kalmar, Sweden. The focus of the Summer school is sustainable futures.

The courses started online on June 9 and will continue until July 11. From June 23 to June 27, the courses were held on-site in Kalmar.

In addition to participating in the respective courses, there were also opportunities for joint activities, such as visiting Kalmar Castle and joining a guided tour to Öland, where places like Station Linné and the Ottenby Bird Observatory were visited.

EUniWell Summer School Sustainable Futures Courses:

Sustainable Democracy and Governance - BIP

Today, changing geopolitics have reinforced challenges to global peace and democracy. The previous global democratic upsurge has halted with worrying tendencies in authoritarianism and interstate as well as intra-state tension and war.

Find out what Gabriel Hofmann, who was on-site in Kalmar, thinks about the summer course Sustainable Democracy and Governance.

"I find the seminars extremely interesting, and he particularly appreciate the diversity of the guest lecturers, who come from various countries such as Kosovo, South Africa, and Spain"

Read the whole interview with Gabriel

I applied for the EUniWell summer school because I wanted to validate academic credits while deepening my knowledge through high-level courses in the humanities. This program also represented a unique opportunity to discover the Swedish academic system, which is known for its interdisciplinary and student-centered approach. Participating in this international environment seemed ideal to broaden my academic horizons and develop the intercultural skills essential for my goal of becoming a diplomat says Gabriel.

His overall impression of the course is very positive. The seminar he finds extremely interesting, and he particularly appreciate the diversity of the guest lecturers, who come from various countries such as Kosovo, South Africa, and Spain.

This international perspective really broadens my understanding of political science and democratic issues continues Gabriel. He also enjoy the warm and welcoming atmosphere at Linnaeus University, as well as the great effort made to make students feel comfortable, through social activities and visits to local cultural and historical sites.

Gabriel will be attending a seminar at Linnaeus University, eager to explore today’s democratic challenges: how to engage citizens, strengthen transparency, and keep democratic values alive in a rapidly changing world.

But let’s be honest says Gabriel — between deep discussions about participatory governance and civic rights, I’m also hoping to master the art of the fika, that sacred Swedish pause where cinnamon buns, and meaningful conversations come together in perfect harmony.

And, as any Swede might say, it’s all about finding the right balance – not too much, not too little, just right: "lagom"!

So here’s to a week of serious reflection on the future of democracy… with a generous side of coffee and connection.

Scandinavian Tourism Management - BIP

Numerous communities’ and countries’ economic prosperity depend on consumption by temporary visitors. No coincidence then, that we hear about overtourism in popular destinations and pressure on vulnerable natural resources and cultural heritage, as well as emissions and pollution from transportation and food systems.

Find out what Freya Middendorf, who was on-site in Kalmar, thinks about the summer course Tourism Studies I – Scandinavia.

"Thanks to the variety of guest lecturers, the course remains diverse and engaging, with each session offering something unique"

Read the whole interview with Freya

I first learned about the EUniWell Summer School through my university’s study coordinator in Cologne while I was still on my semester abroad in Taiwan, where I had many enriching experiences. This experience sparked my interest in further international exchange, especially within Europe. Although the summer school topic is only loosely related to my degree in Management, Economics, and Social Sciences, I saw it as a valuable opportunity to broaden my academic horizons says Freya. Moreover, as she enjoy traveling, she founds the focus on tourism management, particularly sustainable tourism, very appealing. She was also interested in the destination itself, Småland in Sweden, which further increased her motivation to apply.

So far, my experience with the course has been very positive continues Freya. I’ve gained many new perspectives and insights. Thanks to the variety of guest lecturers, the course remains diverse and engaging, with each session offering something unique. I particularly appreciate the international atmosphere. There are students from all over the world in my class, and their different backgrounds contribute a wide range of viewpoints that encourage reflection and discussion. The interactive format, including lively lectures and meaningful group exchanges, fosters a dynamic learning environment that builds on Freyas prior knowledge while challenging her to think in new ways.

Freya hopes to gain further valuable insights into the course topics, but above all she is looking forward to the valuable exchange with the other international participants. She is also curious to learn more about student life in Sweden, as she is considering doing a Master's degree here in the future. Furthermore, I am excited about the social activities and the opportunity to experience Swedish culture, especially by getting to know Kalmar and the surrounding countryside. What I am particularly interested in is exploring how sustainability is integrated into the local community and environment says Freya. On a personal level, She also hopes to build lasting connections with other participants. Finally, she looks forward to immersing myself in the Kalmar region, learning about Öland and gaining practical insights that will enrich both my academic and personal.

More information about EUniWell summerschool and EUniWell