When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Europe, the International Summer School was faced with an important choice. Every year for almost 75 years since World War II, the ISS has hosted international students from around the world at the University of Oslo for a summer of academic achievement and intercultural exchange, as an instrument for peace and international goodwill in the world. The choice that faced us now was: Shall this be the first year since its beginnings that the ISS will not take place? Or do we take the bull by its horns and try to offer our students something different – something that we perhaps can offer, that will foster academic achievement and intercultural exchange, and through which our students continue being agents of positive change and international goodwill in the situation we currently find ourselves in?
“Your Disability is Your Opportunity” – Kurt Hahn
What was the greatest challenge to the ISS yet might also be our greatest opportunity to put words and ideals to action. Now that we cannot offer our students the chance to come together physically, live with one another, eat with one another and experience Norway together this year, we try to offer them something else instead. We have over the past weeks overhauled the ISS fabric and are ready to offer our admitted students online courses, which we hope many of them will accept.
Our online alternatives will never be a substitute for the actual, physical getting together at Blindern Campus in Oslo from all around the world. Nevertheless, knowing that many of our students are facing difficult times, this will be a contribution to continuing to build the global academic community which is a hallmark of the ISS, in line with our ideals of academic achievement and international goodwill.
We are very hopeful and excited about our online classes, and hope that many students will see this chance as an opportunity to connect with others around the world, share experiences and share in learning even as the world may seem to have come to a halt. Accepting the challenge to adapt and pursue goals persistently is what we mean by going with the times, and staying with the trouble.
Our Online Offer
Several changes have been made in order to facilitate the digitalization of our courses. First and foremost, there is no participation fee for our admitted students this summer. Second, although we in no way intend to replace the physical summer school (indeed, we believe nothing can), the online courses will nonetheless retain many elements of the international classroom pedagogy of the ISS. Third, all course instructors have previously taught classes at the ISS, and will work to ensure an active level of engagements in their online classes. Fourth, yes, the classes will be properly accredited with ECTS. And finally: all students will be eligible to apply again next year!
In this process of sudden digitalization and rapid response, unfortunately not all courses that we were planning to run were possible to arrange online. Those students whose courses have been completely cancelled have been offered the chance to join another course. Due to the scheduling of digital courses, students will only be able to take one course this semester. In order to participate, students will need access to a stable internet connection and a computer/laptop with a microphone and webcam. Students will have to accept some abnormality in terms of virtual class scheduling, due to differing time zones for the international student body gathered in the various courses.
The courses that will be offered, which is most of them, have been adapted for a virtual classroom. They will consist of lectures and discussions in real time, as well as readings, preparatory assignments before class, group work, interactive assignments and recorded lectures. There will be exams in all classes, and obligatory assignments for feedback. Even in a digital format, the ISS will continue to demand rigorousness of its students. Despite the circumstances, this summer is shaping up to be another intense 6 weeks of study, learning, and establishing lasting bonds.
Dialogue, Friendship and Hope
At a time of social distancing and while the world is facing unprecedented hardships, we feel it is more important than ever to stay connected and build new arenas for dialogue, friendship, and hope. Our students’ experiences are a central part of the learning and sharing happening in the ISS international classrooms, and we hope that as many as possible of our admitted students will join us this summer. We believe that global sharing during this global crisis may even strengthen our resilience and fortitude, both individually and collectively.