Beyond Boundaries: VMU Nurtures Interdisciplinary Learning in T4EU Summer School

Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania

About

The Transform4Europe university alliance recently concluded a successful three-day summer school, the (Co)happiness Lab, organized by Vytautas Magnus University, a partner within the alliance, from 27 to 29 August. The program attracted 21 students representing nine partner universities, fostering a rich intercultural environment that allowed participants to experience diverse cultures and gain valuable skills in navigating interdisciplinary and intercultural programs.

The summer school showcased a dynamic mix of lectures, hackathon, workshops, excursions, and creative activities, all centered around exploring the concept of happiness from multidisciplinary perspectives, including psychology, philosophy, politics, and more. The interactive format, particularly the hackathon where teams tackled happiness-related challenges and presented their solutions, was highly praised by the participants. The integration of leisure activities further enriched the learning experience, allowing for deeper engagement with the subject.

The interdisciplinary approach, where a single case or problem was examined through the lenses of various disciplines, from anthropology and neuroscience to political science, provided a unique opportunity for in-depth study. The combination of lectures, group work, and project presentations with expert feedback was particularly effective.

Students delved into the theory of happiness from various fields and also explored ways to create it for themselves, the people around them, and society. The event included not just theoretical sessions but also creative and interactive activities, such as the hackathon on happiness, where teams solved challenges and presented their ideas to a commission of experts who provided valuable insights.

The overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants has prompted plans to continue this format and potentially adapt it into a university course. The success of the (Co)happiness Lab underscores the effectiveness of its innovative approach to teaching and learning, and its legacy is likely to inspire future programs within the Transform4Europe alliance and beyond.