Summer School - Sport in China and Europe

Academic Summer School Program 2023 on Sport Development and Tourism Studies in Germany and Europe

Since 2016, the Institute of European Sport Development and Leisure Studies offers annual summer schools for students, scholars, teaching staff and experienced practioners. The target groups are either Bachelor, Master, and Doctoral students from Chinese (sport) universities or higher educational institutions of sport as well as professionals with a working experience in the field of sport. The program addresses in particular people who are interested in Germany and Europe with a particular view on interdisciplinary sport studies, leisure and tourism studies as well as comparative and transnational research projects. In addition, the summer school allows further insights into a potential study in Germany and the study requirements at German Sport University.

The short-time training program combines academic studies in 6 theoretical learning modules and onsite field trips in a unique manner:
Participants will have the opportunity to become familiar with academic approaches such as sports systems in Europe, education systems, sport governance, sport economics as well as Olympic studies and Sport Mega Events.

Furthermore, leisure and outdoor sport and tourism will be covered. In addition to the onsite activities in the lively host city of Cologne (history of the city and guided city tour; sport clubs, facilities, and events in Cologne) 3 field trips will be organised:

1. to the Eifel (national parks in Germany, GPS hiking combat);
2. to the former German capital Bonn and the Siebengebirge including the Rhine valley (history of Bonn and its transformation to an international city, outdoor sports and tourism in Germany);
3. to Brussels (Belgium’s history as well as a the state’s presence as a multi-national and -lingual federal state, European Union and European sport policy).

The schedule, on top, includes several practical sport events such as watersports in Germany (waterski) and traditional leisure ("Kegeln" similar to bowling). 

The 2023 summer school is focussed on urban and regional sport development as well as on new approaches in leisure and tourism studies. It will be held for 3 weeks onsite in Cologne. As a follow-up and to ensure sustainability a 3-day online follow-up will complete the summer school. Successful participants will be awarded with a certificate.  The whole program is held in English. Depending on the background of the participants, additional Chinese translation will be provided.

The Institute of European Sport Development and Leisure Studies will take care of all relevant academic matters and the contents of the summer school, including the preparation and implementation of academic seminars and lectures. Other accomplishments considering local transportation, accommodation, meals, field trips and individual weekend activities will be coordinated by the partner organisation ECSDA.