Ferienakademie 2025: Two weeks in the Alps

Joining the Ferienakademie 2025 (summer school) in South Tyrol was one of the most inspiring experiences of my studies. A summer school is a short, intensive program held during the semester break where students learn in small, interactive groups and work closely on focused topics.  Unlike normal lectures, which are larger and more structured, summer schools are more hands-on, discussion-based, and collaborative. We worked on real projects given by Linova Software GmbH and Siemens Healthineers, climb mountains, and learn from each other. These two weeks showed me how much we can grow when we mix curiosity, teamwork and a bit of courage.

The Ferienakademie is a two-week summer school organized by the universities of Stuttgart, Erlangen, and TUM. It’s open for students from many disciplines ranging from computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, game engineering, aeronautics, mechanical engineering, and more. It has created a unique space where students and professors learn together in small groups, away from the usual busy university routines. Instead of lectures, the Ferienakademie focuses on project work, and network building, often continuing over walks, meals, or evening sessions. The courses cover a wide range of topics, and the atmosphere is informal, creative, and highly collaborative. The program allows students to dive deeper into subjects they love, explore new disciplines, and work closely with motivated peers and tutors.

It’s meant for students who want to deepen what they already know, work on real projects, and learn in a collaborative setting. Many students think it’s hard to get in, but the process is simple and fair. I first saw the application link from the University of Stuttgart Examination Office and later again on LinkedIn.

The journey to the Alps already felt special. Our group travelled together and shared the same mix of excitement and curiosity. In the evening we met the professors and the other students. The first activity, the Ice-Breaker Challenge, brought us together quickly.

On the next day we started with Scrum and Agile basics. Linova Software GmbH and Siemens Healthineers explained their real-world challenges and trusted us to work on them. The task was ambitious, but this also made it exciting. Short walks in the valley helped us stay motivated and clear our heads. The group spirit grew stronger each day.

The first week brought long planning sessions, architecture ideas and the first lines of code. Everyone joining the team brought something unique, and we learned from each other all the time. The Design Review turned into a fun surprise. Instead of a classic presentation, we created a short film-style trailer. I was the director of the short-movie guiding our commendable actors for their grand debut. This playful idea pushed us to think outside the box. It reminded me that creativity often appears when you dare to try something new.

Our first hike was a moment I will never forget. I had never done a hike like this in Germany. The climb was not easy, but reaching the top felt like a small personal victory. The view reminded me why experiences beyond books and screens matter so much. The weekend in Bolzano brought new impressions, local traditions and a bit of magic from South Tyrol’s history. Exploring together made the group feel even more connected. Good food kept us energized, with four daily meals full of soups, salads, cakes and a mix of Italian and German specialties that felt like a warm reward after every task.

The last days were intense and full of learning. When the CEO of Linova visited us, he shared honest insights into leadership and innovation. His story motivated us to think bigger and believe in our ideas. Our final presentation combined system design, GenAI, role-play and even drones. We wanted to tell a story, not just report results. When the professors said it was the best presentation in 25 years of Ferienakademie, I felt deeply proud of our team. Hard work, creativity and trust had paid off.

Looking back, these two weeks changed me more than any lecture. I learned new methods, improved my teamwork and discovered how powerful it is to combine technology with creativity. The most valuable part was the people. We shared ideas, helped each other and had conversations that stayed with me long after returning home.

Satya