VUB–BNU Summer Classes Program: Exploring European Culture and Education Through Immersive Learning

📍 Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 5–20 July 2025

From 5 to 20 July 2025, the LEAD Academic Network, in collaboration with the EU–China Higher Education Research Center (ECHE) at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), co-organized the European Culture and Education International Summer Program with Beijing Normal University (BNU).

The two-week program brought BNU students to Brussels for an intensive and hands-on experience focused on the cultural, historical, and educational foundations of Europe. This initiative aligns with the LEAD Network’s broader mission to support the development of emerging scholars through international learning and institutional partnership.

Participants explored a variety of themes, including European languages and cultures, postcolonial perspectives, multilingualism, intercultural communication, and the functioning of European institutions. The academic program combined lectures and classroom discussions with experiential learning through visits to Ghent, Bruges, Cologne, Aachen, Paris, and Amsterdam.

At the final session, students presented their group projects during a formal closing ceremony at VUB, which also featured performances prepared during the program. The event marked a cheerful and successful conclusion to two weeks of collaborative learning and cross-border engagement.

This summer school reflects the LEAD Academic Network’s commitment to fostering academic leadership, advancing international cooperation, and creating opportunities for global academic dialogue.