Building Resilience on the Adriatic Coast

Six students from Xamk participated in the event. Eerika Laitinen, studying in Kotka, and Tiina Partanen, studying in Mikkeli, share their experiences from the enlightening week.

Eerika, a social services student, decided to apply after seeing the call for applications on Lux. She felt the skills taught during the week would benefit her personally, academically, and professionally. She had also long wanted to visit Italy, so the trip offered many opportunities! Community educator student Tiina had previously participated in a 10 Days of INGENIUM event organized by Xamk, where she planed activities including ice fishing and snowshoeing for the event as part of their experiential pedagogy course. That experience inspired her to apply for the Junior School in Italy.

Promoting Wellbeing and Stress Management by the Sea

The exercises and methods introduced during the week in Italy were both interesting and useful for the students. The methods were explored in depth, with lecturers also sharing the scientific background behind them. Tiina and Eerika found connections between the programme and their future professional fields, even though these topics hadn’t been covered in their studies before. Tiina appreciated the hands-on nature of the exercises.

– The themes focused on promoting wellbeing, managing stress, and strengthening resilience through practical means. Mornings started with either yoga or mindfulness. — I also learned how important it is to find relaxation and stress management techniques that work for you personally. One method doesn’t fit all, Tiina explains.

Eerika described the week as a valuable opportunity to pause and reflect.

– I felt the week gave me peace and permission to slow down. I noticed the effects of the exercises immediately and throughout the week. It gave me practical tools for stress management and practicing mindfulness, Eerika says.

In line with the week’s theme, students emphasized how well recovery and rest were supported.

– The hotel was a nice surprise, because everyone had their own room. It was important to have time to unwind in the evening and be alone for a bit, so I had the energy to socialize during the day, tells Tiina.

Italian Life!

The week wasn’t just rewarding academically, it also offered a chance to explore local culture and a new region. The opening ceremony featured a stunning soprano performance accompanied by a pianist. Lectures were held in the historic Museo delle Genti D’Abruzzo in Pescara’s old town. On Thursday, participants explored the Abruzzo region by cycling along the coast, kayaking in the sea, and hiking to a monastery.

– My favorite was definitely kayaking in the sea because the water was warm and it didn’t matter if you got wet, Tiina shares.

The Thursday ended with an eight-course Italian dinner at a restaurant overlooking the sea! The Italian food served throughout the week received high praise from participants. In addition to the culinary experience, students explored the city of Pescara.

– Pescara was just the right sized city, not a large city. It has a long coastline, so naturally morning yoga was held on the beach. That was lovely. It was warm and sunny, a nice change from the cold Finnish summer, Tiina says.

European Connections and Community

Participants built networks across Europe, getting to know fellow students from different INGENIUM institutions.

– Most of the exercises were individual, but during meal and coffee breaks we had time to chat. It was fun to hear others’ opinions and perspectives, Tiina says.

Eerika tells she made new friends from Finland and other parts of Europe. During free time, students explored the city together, visited cafés and restaurants, and went swimming. Gelato was a favorite treat!

Apply for Future INGENIUM Events!

Both students recommend participating in INGENIUM events! Eerika highlighted the relaxed Italian approach to doing things as a valuable experience.

These kinds of trips are a perfect opportunity to meet new people, explore different cultures, and step outside your comfort zone. You learn a lot about yourself in the process, Eerika says.

I definitely recommend getting involved in international activities, they offer so much! You get to see different ways of working and living, and you learn a lot about yourself too. Sometimes the most important lessons come from unexpected moments, not just lectures. And as they say – travel broadens the mind, Tiina adds.

Xamk students and staff can apply to participate in upcoming INGENIUM events and activities! Applications for the next Junior and Senior Schools will open in the autumn, as the 10 Days of INGENIUM will be held as a Winter School in January/February. Keep an eye on INGENIUM updates on Lux, follow INGENIUM on Instagram and LinkedIn, or subscribe to INGENIUM’s newsletter!

INGENIUM

• Xamk is part of the European University INGENIUM, a campus consisting of ten European higher education institutions.
• Joint studies and degrees, research cooperation, information and experience sharing, student exchange, and staff mobility are at the heart of INGENIUM.
• INGENIUM is co-funded by the European Union.