The summer school was organised by the Faculty of Technology, Art and Design and the Department of Computer Science for the third consecutive year in July 2019.
The students could choose between different subjects focusing on technology and innovation, including Big Data Analytics, Technology and Society, Ethical Hacking and Introduction to Programming.
They represented a variety of universities and countries, including OsloMet's partner institutions in Canada, Hong Kong and Ukraine.
Other students made their way to OsloMet from a wide range of countries - for example, Ghana, Italy, India, France and the Netherlands.
The summer school was also popular among Norwegian students
Full-time students at OsloMet also choose to attend the summer school, where they could expand their international network and earn extra credits during the summer holidays.
Hedda Marie Westlin, a second-year student of information technology at OsloMet, attended the Ethical Hacking summer school course and said it was great working with people from almost every continent. She can tell about many great conversations and experiences exchanged throughout the summer school.
Professionally, I learned about ethical hacking, a topic that is not offered many places in Norway. It was very exciting to learn a topic that few are well acquainted with, but many know from popular culture. After the course, I started a student union for ethical hacking at OsloMet. I really enjoyed the subject from the start of the course, and I still enjoy it.– Hedda Marie Westlin
Hedda Marie Westlin Photo: Private
Social and innovative programmes that bring students together across subjects
Although Hedda knows her way around OsloMet as well as the city, she says she benefited from joining the social activities with the international students.
I made friends I can visit in Germany, Finland, and Canada, among other places. We also got to know the lecturers and had great fun together on excursions.– Hedda Marie Westlin
Teaching assistants help organise social activities so students can get to know each other across subjects and countries of origin.
This year, the students explored the Nordmarka forest surrounding Oslo, the islands in the Oslofjord, they visited various museums and the highlight was a three-hour sailing boat trip in the Oslofjord with seafood buffet.
As in previous years, a three-day innovation camp was also organized. The students took a break from their courses and met to collaborate to resolve a challenge provided by a Norwegian aid organisation called Sabona, who are working on grassroots projects in Zimbabwe.
Students at the Summer School Photo: Benjamin Ward
Marina chose to return for a second year
Marina Gotovkina from Russia chose to return to OsloMet International Summer School, after studying Introduction to Programming last year. This year the choice of subject fell on Big Data Analytics. There were several reasons she returned to OsloMet:
I was very satisfied with the teaching, the people I met and the general experience.– Marina Gotovinka
In fact, I wanted to come back specifically to have Aiko Fallas Yamashita as a lecturer in Big Data Analytics. I am fond of her teaching style! Addition, she has great insight into the industry as a senior data analyst at DNB, and has a lot to teach her students.– Marina Gotovkina
Marina Gotovkina Photo: Private
The price of the summer school was another reason why Marina did not have to think twice when she applied for the summer school again.
A thousand Norwegian kroner is easy to spend on education. Had it been a few thousand more, I might not have had the opportunity to participate again.– Marina Gotovkina
Marina often talks about the summer school to others, and she recommends it to friends and colleagues at home.
Two people from the 'Women in Technology' network that I'm co-founder of actually participated this year, maybe after my endless recommendation? That was exciting!– Marina Gotovkina
She thinks the summer school at OsloMet has enriched her education.
I don't necessarily count credits, but it's not bad to have twenty extra ECTS after two years of OsloMet International Summer School. I will certainly be back again next year! It's also a great experience to demonstrate when looking for a job.– Marina Gotovkina
Diversity cures prejudice
The head of the summer school, Anthony Giannoumis, who also teaches the Technology and Society course, says that studying abroad or in an international environment can be a great cure for prejudice and xenophobia, in addition to being a wonderful experience.
It helps us understand and appreciate other cultures and ways of experiencing the world. After studying in another country or in an international environment, your experiences with different cultures will feel more important than your material assets.– Anthony Giannoumis
Due to the Corona epidemic, OsloMet Summer School was cancelled in 2020.
The top picture is from OsloMet Summer School, but is not related to the interviewed students in this article. Photo: Benjamin Ward.
