Last year, I decided to visit Bucharest, Romania and take part in UN Youth Romania project ‘Brexit – Unfolding EU’s future’, and that was the best summer school I participated in so far. Organizational committee did everything to provide us with information and comfort we needed for smooth learning process and adaptation. Not only I gained loads of interesting knowledge from speakers, but also enjoyed the beautiful city of Bucharest. But most importantly, thanks to school, I met like-minded people and built strong friendly relationships.

First things first, I should begin by saying that ‘Summer School on Diplomacy 2017’ was the project that has changed my life! Having been my first ever contact with UN Youth Association of Romania, I was pleasantly surprised by this fulfilling and enriching experience. Last year’s general theme was ‘Brexit – Unfolding EU’s future’, a very broad and limitless subject. The interesting lectures, workshops, but also debates and negotiations classes held by numerous experts have made the edition a very complex one, unfolding indeed many approaches on the Brexit issue. From diplomats to professors and experts, the speakers were brought from diverse fields, in order for the participants to gain different perspectives on the issue. Each and every one of them made the lectures as interactive as possible, bringing powerpoint presentations, some materials for us to read and they were more than willing to answer all of our questions. One more fascinating aspect of this project is that it brings people together, from every imaginable walk of life! Last year, there were people from Russia, Ukraine, The Netherlands, but also Vietnam and Pakistan (to name a few), all brought together by the mutual passion which is diplomacy. I believe that ...

I would have never thought that one week spent at a summer school would enrich not only my knowledge on diplomacy, but also my social experience! I was fascinated by the lectures and the presentations held by the speakers and I can say that I found it easy to keep up their pace, as I was not familiarised with the specific terms the field of international relations contains. Even now I reread with interest and curiosity the notes of my favourite lectures. One aspect even more valuable than the gathered knowledge was the opportunity of forming strong bonds with my fellow colleagues. Even though most of them were foreigners, we managed to tie long and lasting friendships. Today, one year later, we are still in touch and even meet whenever we have the chance. Russia, France, the Netherlands, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Ukraine, Taiwan are only a small part of the countries that were gathered at this project. During the lectures, we learned a lot from diplomats, professors and experts, but I have also learned valuable lessons from the other participants, when we met at the social events. Last but not least, my colleagues and myself have expressed a sincere respect for the ...

I would say that the UN Summer School of Diplomacy was an event I am glad to have attended. In the current tumultuous political climate, it was refreshing to have a gathering of similarly passionate people analyzing and studying the finer details of Brexit and its effects both on the UK itself, as well as on the European Union at large. In all frankness, while the topic itself can be rather dry due to the complexity of the EU law and the sheer number of possibilities available in the current scenarios, the special guests and teachers present during the event managed to add a flair of curiosity, ingenuity and dare I say, charisma to the topic itself, making it a generally pleasing experience. On a side note, I would command the organizing staff for proving such a cheerful and culturally enriching experience for all those who have attended. The guided tours, and planned activities after each study day not only added a needed dose of entertainment, but also a lovely chance of socializing with all those present, as well as making some new connections, or better said, friends. As a learning and social experience, I’d say it was well worth it!

My time at last years UN summer school on diplomacy was everything I had hoped for and more; far exceeding all expectations I had had since the day I set foot in unarguably one the most beautiful cities in the world. From the organizing committees’ passionate welcome, to the way each and everything was organized and executed till the very last day, I feel only privileged to have been a part of it. With lectures from one of the most well versed professors in their fields who inculcated the desire in all the particiapnsts to live life fueled by the need to achieve, providing a compelling insight on brexit and reassuring that everyone’s opinion was of equal importance to meeting the most beautiful set of people from all across the globe, each with a unique story to tell, each you’d fall in love with almost instantly. The summer school on diplomacy allowed me the most engaging and exciting experiences and friendships that I am going to cherish and hold on to for a life time.   Apart from the well organized event schedule, site visits and the most amazing social events, I was particularly blown away by the hospitality and ...