What I Brought Home from FOV’s International Summer School

Written by Amrita

Why I chose it

I was looking for something short, intense, and useful not just summer school tourism. I wanted a program that connected management, technology, and society, and did it with people from different countries and backgrounds.

FOV’s blended intensive program (BIP) checked every box: Erasmus covered the core costs, I’d get 3 ECTS at the end, and the in-person part was just one focused week in Kranj. Exactly the right level of “this will stretch me but won’t eat my whole September.”

What the week felt like

The schedule balanced big-picture conversations about society with very practical skill-building. Some highlights:

Sustainability & society: We talked about social entrepreneurship, climate protection management, and how organizations can respond to real global challenges without hiding behind buzzwords.
Digital & data skills: We looked at generative AI trends and practiced data visualization for decision-making. The message was very clear: “digital” is only valuable if it helps someone make a better call.
People & practice: We dug into soft skills, HR competencies for digital transformation, and ergonomics. It wasn’t just theory it was about what actually happens in teams and workplaces.
Security & responsibility: We had workshops on EU digital security rules and risk mitigation. Less “policy slide deck,” more “okay, what would you actually do on Monday morning if something goes wrong?”

Outside class, we worked with students from all over Europe, and honestly, that was half the value. We weren’t just swapping Instagram IDs, we were discussing things together, debating each other, and then grabbing dinner and drinks.

Evenings were social and very intentionally planned. The organizers took us around Kranj and Ljubljana, and we had group dinners that made it really easy to actually talk to people, not just sit with whoever you already knew.

Also: Kranj itself. I loved it. It’s small, green, quiet, and everything is within a 10-minute walk. That made it perfect for an intensive week because you’re not wasting time commuting or getting lost.

And yes we did make it to Lake Bled in the end. It honestly felt like a fairy tale carved into the mountains. The water was insanely clear, the weather was perfect, and the views were ridiculous in the best way.

I came back with practical skills and really good memories. The week was fun, dinners in Kranj, wandering Ljubljana in the evening, and finishing at Lake Bled with so many beautiful moments I will cherish a long time.

Thinking about going next year?

Here’s what I’d tell you:

Apply early. Spots go fast, and you’ll need to send a short motivation letter and a CV. Your grades plays a important role in selection too.
Be ready to present. The format is very case-driven, which means you’ll be speaking, iterating, and defending your choices. It’s excellent practice if you’re aiming at consulting-style interviews or any role where you need to justify your recommendations under time pressure.