The programme didn’t just explore island nations and their unique vulnerabilities. It also challenged students to think about urban “islands” like Berlin, Paris, and London: dense cities grappling with rising heat, ecological strain, and the urgent need for climate-responsive planning. Through lectures, workshops, simulations, and site visits, students examined how communication, policy, and individual agency can converge to drive meaningful change.
For Matilda Løvgren, a political science student from the University of Oslo, it was the course content that stood out:
“My favourite part was the thoughtfully chosen curriculum. I found Urban Heat Islands especially fascinating and discovered effective strategies for advocating policies. The programme seamlessly merged different disciplines, illuminating their intersections and impacts on climate change.”
Interdisciplinarity was a running thread throughout the summer school – whether during a visit to the German Parliament, engaging in a UN climate negotiation simulation, or exchanging research insights across fields. Students explored not only the science and policy behind climate change, but also how psychology, communication, and culture shape our responses to it.
Khatia Dardzuli, studying English and American Studies at the University of Vienna, recalled the moment theory met practice:
“Visiting the Environmental Education Centre at Gärten der Welt was inspiring. It reminded me that real solutions exist and that we can be part of them.”
Beyond the structured learning, the informal connections proved equally powerful. Working across national and disciplinary borders, students developed a strong sense of collective purpose.
“What I appreciated most,” said Marija Bursać from the University of Belgrade, “was connecting with fellow students from the Circle U. University Alliance. These meaningful connections opened doors to future academic collaboration and personal growth.”
The summer school’s international dimension was also deeply felt in Berlin’s historic and political spaces. Alisa Gortz, a political science student from the University of Pisa, reflected on their group visit to the Bundestag:
“The writings left by Russian soldiers on the walls – I had no idea they existed… Seeing them in their original form was a really great and touching experience.”
While each student brought their own academic lens, all left with a shared understanding: the climate crisis demands not only knowledge but collaboration, creativity, and the confidence to act. Whether you're a mathematician, literature student, or studying environmental policy, this summer school invites you to rethink your role in climate action – and to join others in finding practical, hopeful ways forward.
Feeling inspired? Applications for the next edition open in 2026. Stay tuned!
