The Cologne Summer School: A Global Experience
The Cologne Summer School is a two-and-a-half-week program that brought together 33 participants from 17 countries. As every year, our main focus is high-standard education, networking, and intercultural exchange, which are integral parts of the Cologne Summer Schools. We strongly believe that the participants are not just beneficiaries of the academic program, but the core of the program itself.
The participants are the heart of our Summer School, making it a lively, intercultural, educational, and unforgettable experience. This year, we received applications from students from all over the world and across various countries and fields of study. After a competitive selection process, we were fortunate to welcome 33 students from four different continents and 17 countries. Our hybrid concept, which we update and further develop every year, allows us to offer the summer school experience to students globally, considering their individual needs and circumstances. During the program, we had 12 students from 6 different countries participating online, interacting with the onsite group. This created a diverse representation of 17 countries in total, with 21 participants engaging in the academic and cultural program in and live from Cologne.
To foster interpersonal exchange and encourage group cohesion, we dedicated extra time at the beginning of the program for participants to get to know each other beyond academic topics and to take part in intercultural training and social activities.
As someone deeply interested in the field of migration, this program exceeded my expectations in every way. (...) The sense of community and the diversity of backgrounds among both students and instructors created an environment that fostered meaningful discussions and connections. It was inspiring to engage with people who were equally passionate about understanding the complexities of migration. (...) In summary, my time at the University of Cologne's Summer School for Migration Studies was a profoundly rewarding experience. It equipped me with not only knowledge but also the skills and perspective needed to make a meaningful contribution in the field of migration. I wholeheartedly recommend this program to anyone interested in understanding and addressing one of the most critical issues of our time.
The summer school was planned for 16 days, but now when the course is about to end, it feels like it started just yesterday. The lectures, discussions, interactions, fun tasks, and the buddy program never made me feel that I had been sitting before the computer for 4 hours. It was the first time that I was studying with students from all over the world. They offered me some entirely new perspectives of seeing things which I could never have received otherwise.
Our participants came from partner universities worldwide and Santander's international network of universities. The program was open to all university majors and advanced Bachelor and Master students, providing a unique opportunity to connect and network with students from various academic fields. The selected participants, with their diverse perspectives on the topic Migration and their different approaches to scientific methods, epistemology and research paradigms contributed immensely to the multidisciplinary summer school program.
Throughout the program, participants engaged in academic sessions, hands-on workshops and site visits with local partners in Cologne. Taught by lecturers from the University of Cologne and its partner universities, the hybrid classes allowed participants to discuss this year's topic from different disciplines and points of view. They gained knowledge about categories and causes of migration and a deeper understanding of various aspects related to the study of human mobility.
Below you see the list of countries and universities of onsite and online participating students. If you are still wondering whether to apply for next year's project, you should not be hesitating anymore. The Cologne Summer School is the place to be for a truly global experience!
| Country of origin | Participation format | University | |
| 1 | Colombia | onsite | Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| 2 | Ecuador | onsite | Linnaeus University, Sweden |
| 3 | India | onsite | Jawaharlal Nehru University, India |
| 4 | India | onsite | Jawaharlal Nehru University, India |
| 5 | Italy | onsite | University of Trento, Italy |
| 6 | Mexico | onsite | Universidad de Guadalajara, Mexico / Universität Leipzig, Germany |
| 7 | Mexico | onsite | Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico |
| 8 | Mexico | onsite | Universidad de Guadalajara, Mexico |
| 9 | Mexico | onsite | University of Guadalajara, Mexico |
| 10 | Myanmar | onsite | Chulalongkorn University, Thailand |
| 11 | Namibia | onsite | University of Namibia, Namibia |
| 12 | Namibia | onsite | University of Namibia, Namibia |
| 13 | Poland | onsite | University of Warsaw, Poland |
| 14 | Spain | onsite | University of Salamanca, Spain |
| 15 | Spain | onsite | Pompeu Fabra University, Spain |
| 16 | Sri Lanka | onsite | Linnaeus University, Sweden |
| 17 | Ukraine | onsite | Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Ukraine |
| 18 | Ukraine | onsite | University of Helsinki, Finland |
| 19 | United States of America | onsite | University of South Alabama, USA |
| 20 | Vietnam | onsite | KU Leuven, Belgium |
| 21 | Vietnam | onsite | KU Leuven, Belgium |
| 22 | Cameroon | online | University of Bamenda, Cameroon |
| 23 | China | online | Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands |
| 24 | Greece | online | University of Cologne, Germany |
| 25 | India | online | Jawaharlal Nehru University, India |
| 26 | India | online | Symbiosis International University, India |
| 27 | India | online | Jawaharlal Nehru University, India |
| 28 | Mexico | online | University of Guadalajara, Mexico |
| 29 | Mexico | online | University of Guadalajara, Mexico |
| 30 | Mexico | online | Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM), Mexico |
| 31 | Mexico | online | Universidad de Guadalajara, Mexico |
| 32 | Nigeria | online | Afe Babalola University, Nigeria |
| 33 | Nigeria | online | Afe Babalola University, Nigeria |
What are Cologne Summer Schools?
The project Cologne Summer Schools belongs to the International Office of the UoC and coordinates Spring, Summer and Winter Schools taking place at the Unviersity of Cologne and abroad. Additionally, we organize one annual project on a relevant topic approached interdisciplinarily and invite 20 to 25 international students from all over the world to Cologne to study and research together.
What does a Cologne Summer Schools project consist of?
Cologne Sping, Summer and Winter Schools combine academic program and cultural activities in a balanced way. Usually during the day you will have lectures, workshops or group work and in the evenings and on the weekend there will be cultural events such as city tours, museum visits, field trips an anything else that your creative organizers had thought of.
Who can apply?
It depends on the school you would like to apply for. If the project is a collaboration between the UoC and another partner university, you should be a student of this respective university. Furthermore, an above average university performance and a very good command of English are required.
Are Summer Schools designed only for international students?
Definitely not. The projects are open for students of the University of Cologne as well and are a great oppotunity to create new international contacts and practice your English skills. In fact, it is sometimes possible to receive course credits for your participation. Please inform yourself on the project's page or ask the organizational team.
Which projects can I apply for?
Since Spring, Summer and Winter Schools are organized by the different faculties and institutes of the University of Cologne, there is a wide variety of topics and research areas in which you can gain summer school experience. Here you can take a look at projects taking place in Cologne and abroad.
What are the application requirements?
The requirements such as study major, language certificates, resume, cover letter etc. are listed on the respective page of the project organizers. Please consider potential differences in the organizational procedures for different projects.
How much does the participation in a Cologne Summer Schools project cost?
We do our best to provide you with highest quality of teaching and cultural experiences without tuition fees and in the best case scenario, without you having to cover your transportation fees. Be aware of projects' specifics and inform yourself on the respective pages about what costs are covered by the UoC and what you should cover yourself.