Urban Changemakers
Cities such as Amsterdam are commonly densely populated and heterogeneous. The melting pot of cultures and varied backgrounds of city residents create the vibrant urban spaces that we know. Cities with universities are typically more diverse, bringing creative minds together that facilitate change, innovate and question the norm. In this programme, students will explore differences and similarities between their home university city and Amsterdam, to identify commonly found urban issues. Students will ultimately learn how to tackle these problems in order to make change for the better.
There are still some spots left on this programme. We will close the application link once the programme is full, or by latest 20 April.
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Programme at a glance
Mode of instruction: On-campus (4 weeks) Academic dates: Wednesday 10 July - Wednesday 7 August Housing dates: Tuesday 9 July - Friday 9 August Academic fees:
€1800 for students who are part of the Universitas 21 network, the LERU network, or other University of Amsterdam partner Universities (see full list here). First Generation students will have priority for this scholarship.
€2300 for all other students
Housing fees: €900 for a shared room with shared facilities
Credits: 8 European Credits. Read more about credits and credit transfer. Admission deadline: Sunday 28 April 2024 Who is this programme for? Level: Bachelors students.
Background: Students should have a background in the social sciences or humanities. Students should have an interest in changemaking, have an open-mind and are passionate about exploring today's societal issues from various perspectives.
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Programme description
In this four-week programme, we will dive into several areas relevant to urban life. In week one, we will explore the various societal challenges Amsterdam has faced in its long history. Students will be challenged to identify how these challenges resonate within their home cities, whilst also looking to the future. In week two, we'll delve into empowerment and leadership. Week three is pride week in Amsterdam: the perfect time to discuss sexuality, gender and identity. Finally, in week four we'll address urban mental health, diving into problems but also into possible solutions (such as mindfulness).
By the end of this programme, students will possess a deeper understanding of the dynamics and complexities of urban life. They'll be equipped with the tools and knowledge to become a real changemaker, both in their own lives and their home cities.
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Programme directors
Mirjam Schieveld, MSc | Programme Director
A cultural anthropologist by training, Mirjam grew up in and around Amsterdam. She is the founder of the Summer Programmes Office, starting with the Summer Institute on Sexuality, Culture & Society over 25 years ago. Mirjam is an alumna of the University of Amsterdam, and has devoted her professional life to the creation and development of short academic programmes. Her main academic interests revolve around mental health, addiction, sexuality and esotericism. She believes in changing the world one student at a time.
Imran Khalid, MSc | Programme Coordinator
A social scientist who has studied the the impact of emerging technologies on human behaviour both in his home country of Scotland and in the Netherlands. He obtained his master's in communication science at the University of Amsterdam in 2022. His research interests focus mainly on digital media and its impact on various aspects of mental health, as well as how the prevalence and susceptibility to misinformation varies across cultures and how this affects society as a whole.
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Explore our community
Want to get to know more about studying in Amsterdam? Follow us on social media and join our summer community. Get a feel for our summer school vibe and our academic and social community, and learn about studying with us through the eyes of past summer school students.
- Mode
- Short-term
- Credits
- 8 ECTS, 4 weeks
- Language of instruction
- English
- Starts in
- July