Short Course Themes.

Every Short Course is different, different people, different locations, different climates, and above all different themes. Each Short Courses theme aims to focus the attention and energy of the students on one or many aspects of global life. The goal behind each theme however is always the same - to challenge students to examine the way they think and view the world by providing a dynamic and multicultural environment that constantly challenges them to ask questions, to work as a team, to take responsibility for their actions and to grow as people. Themes have ranged from highly focused intensive courses such as Marine Biology (Montenegro 1998) and Eco-tourism (Turkey 1999) to very broad topics such as the cultural East meets West (Lithuania 1996) and People, Places, Perspectives, and Peace (Lithuania 1999). On this page we give an outline of the themes from a number of courses, the activities involved and the response of the students.

The theme of East meets West is typical of the broad approach taken by the Lithuanian Short Course. Such an approach allows a wide range of activities to be undertaken in a short period of time and makes the students aware of the wide range of issues such a topic encompasses. On the surface this theme suggests the meeting of two different cultures - that of Eastern and Western Europe, and, true to the nature of the Short Course it encouraged a wide range of cultural events. However with just a little thought it becomes clear that this theme has far more to it than simple cultural differences, but also very differing histories, political systems and economies both geographically adjacent to each other, and yet poles apart. A series of Lectures on Eastern European and particularly Lithuanian history, economics and politics, coupled with the experience of the Western European way of life provided by a number of the participants, highlighted for all present the vast differences and experiences in life that existed within the student group. The theme was built upon by a series of three conflict resolution games - including Bafa Bafa - which emphasised the ease with which differences and conflict can arise, and the importance of education and good listening skills in achieving a broader understanding, which, in turn often brings with it co-operation as opposed to compromise, and friendship as opposed to mistrust.

"The Short Course is an experience that they [the students] will remember for the rest of their lives and for some of them it may even change the direction of their lives." - Chris Urwin, England, SC Tutor

This theme became known within the 1999 Short Course as 'the four P's' a reflection of the close association which the participants felt with it. One of the broadest themes chosen for any Short Course it led to a huge variety of activities focusing on the many issues that affected the lives of those present on the course. Topics included case studies of the media - with an emphasis on Kosovo, Model European Parliaments, Simulation Games, debates on the legalisation of soft drugs, lectures on leadership, The Jewish Community, Land art, National Presentations and Concerts to mention a few. Such a wide variety of topics and the scope of the theme meant that the course gave the widest possible exposure of issues to the students, demanding, as a result, that they disregard nothing in life and instead take an interest in everything. Exploration of the talents of the human being, exercises in effective listening and a detailed and focused service program helped the students to realise the part that they had to play in the world, the responsibility that they have to society, and most importantly that these were realistic and achievable goals.

When I came back to Switzerland I realized that I am an important part of the world. If I want to I can change something, together with others. After the Short Course I realized that there are so many people thinking in the same way, they all have the same aim: Peace. And that gave me hope and power to change something. -Flavia Suter, Switzerland Lithuania 2000

	"The Short Course is an experience that they [the students] will remember for the rest of their lives and for some of them it may even change the direction of their lives." - Chris Urwin, England, SC Tutor
	This theme became known within the 1999 Short Course as 'the four P's' a reflection of the close association which the participants felt with it. One of the broadest themes chosen for any Short Course it led to a huge variety of activities focusing on the many issues that affected the lives of those present on the course. Topics included case studies of the media - with an emphasis on Kosovo, Model European Parliaments, Simulation Games, debates on the legalisation of soft drugs, lectures on leadership, The Jewish Community, Land art, National Presentations and Concerts to mention a few. Such a wide variety of topics and the scope of the theme meant that the course gave the widest possible exposure of issues to the students, demanding, as a result, that they disregard nothing in life and instead take an interest in everything. Exploration of the talents of the human being, exercises in effective listening and a detailed and focused service program helped the students to realise the part that they had to play in the world, the responsibility that they have to society, and most importantly that these were realistic and achievable goals.
	When I came back to Switzerland I realized that I am an important part of the world. If I want to I can change something, together with others. After the Short Course I realized that there are so many people thinking in the same way, they all have the same aim: Peace. And that gave me hope and power to change something. -Flavia Suter, Switzerland Lithuania 2000