PhD researcher Daniel Lopez at University of Roskilde, Denmark

Sometimes the summer turns too long, especially when one can’t afford to go back home. However, academia has opportunities for students to seize the summer by travelling while learning, meeting peers and expanding their experience into new schools and universities.

The summer schools are an excellent opportunity for young scholars to share knowledge with other professors and fellows, and to visit other institutions all around the world. In the end, it is not only about studying but also about visiting new places and meeting great people that share interests with us.

The University of Kent supports students to live this experience with the PARTNER UNIVERSITY SUMMER SCHOOL FUND. This Fund is a grant that allows students to pay for the fees, accommodation and travel expenses.

This summer I got awarded with this Fund and got the opportunity to attend the summer school “Summer School: Repoliticising Capitalism – contradictions, critique and alternatives” at the University of Roskilde in Denmark.

Currently, I am a PhD student at BSIS researching on the political economy of Colombian social and armed conflict. Professionally, this was a fantastic opportunity to share my research and to receive some feedback about my work. Personally, I got to meet great people that, like me, are also starting their academic career. This grant allowed me to take advantage of the summer to visit a new country, to experience timeless memories and to keep fresh the learning practice. The summer is definitively something to look forward, and a summer school is a great chance to mix leisure with work. Even better, it is to use the resources provided by the University to improve our skills. This Fund is available for both Master and PhD students, and it is not too hard to get. I advise you to use it.