6th Summer School

From 7 to 25 August 2023, the 6th Academic Summer School (ASSP) of the Institute of European Sport Development and Leisure Studies took place in presence again for the first time after a two-year break due to the pandemic.

This year, 47 students and young academics from five Chinese partner universities took part: Beijing Sport University, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Wuhan Sport University, Chengdu Sport University and Shanxi Normal University. The group was made up of 30 Bachelor's students, 14 Master's students and 3 doctoral students with academic backgrounds in social and sports sciences. Many participants also brought sporting excellence in disciplines such as golf, badminton, dance, swimming and free combat and combined this with studies in management, international sports organisation, journalism, rehabilitation, tourism and public affairs.

During the 19 days, the participants completed a clearly structured academic curriculum consisting of six modules:

• Social science basics
• European sports systems and good governance
• Olympic studies
• Sports media
• Tourism and outdoor sports
• Recreational and school sports

Each module comprised lectures, seminars and tutorials. The didactic concept systematically combined theoretical principles with practical learning units and encouraged active reflection on the part of the participants.

Practical sports exercises (including boxing, minigolf, outdoor yoga) were carried out to consolidate the content. They served the methodical application of theoretical concepts and were not part of the leisure programme. In addition, academically supervised excursions took place that were thematically linked to the modules:

• Dortmund: Visit to the BVB stadium, the Borusseum and the German Football Museum to analyse German football culture and history of remembrance.
• Cologne: City tour with reference to urban development, history and culture.
• Brussels: Visit to the European Quarter and the Parliament building to familiarise with EU institutions and decision-making processes.
• Netherlands: Excursion to illustrate cultural diversity in Europe (Giethoorn, Roermond).

The excursions were didactically prepared, scientifically accompanied and served to contextualise and deepen the content covered.

All participants were obliged to regularly take part in lectures, tutorials, exercises and excursions. A written examination was taken at the end of the programme. The Institute for European Sport Development and Leisure Research issued a certificate of participation documenting the content covered, the amount of time spent on the programme and the work completed.

Accommodation in the guest house of the German Sport University Cologne, catering and the provision of public transport tickets formed a supportive framework that ensured the smooth running of the programme and enabled continuous participation in the courses.

At the end of the programme, Prof. Dr Mittag, Director of the Institute and mentor of the programme, gave a speech on the topic of "Responsibility, courage and curiosity". In it, he emphasised that every generation must bear its responsibility, that knowledge should always be linked to responsibility and that courage and curiosity are necessary to meet the challenges of our time.

One Chinese participant summed it up in poetic words:

„短短数日，不胜感激。今虽离别，情谊不绝。“

"Even though it was only a few days, I can't put my gratitude into words. Even if we part now, our friendship will never end."