The First ARTEMIS Summer Camp: Confluence
From 29 June to 3 July 2026, Ovidius University of Constanța (Romania) hosted the on-site component of Conflunece: A Blended Intensive Programme in Intercultural Dialogue – the first ARTEMIS Summer Camp. The programme brought together students from the ARTEMIS Alliance, representing partner universities in Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Norway, and Romania, creating a vibrant international learning environment where intercultural dialogue, collaboration, and cultural diversity became the foundation of a truly European educational experience.
Designed to promote intercultural understanding through experiential learning, the programme combined academic sessions with creative workshops, collaborative activities, and cultural immersion. Following the official opening, participants explored the multicultural history of Dobrogea through an engaging lecture before discovering Constanța’s Roman, Ottoman, and multicultural heritage during a guided city tour. These activities offered valuable insights into one of Europe’s most culturally diverse regions and highlighted the importance of cultural heritage in fostering intercultural dialogue.
Throughout the week, participants took part in an extensive programme of interactive workshops dedicated to theatre, visual arts, traditional Romanian dance, sport and well-being, museum education, and intercultural communication. They developed creative thinking, communication, and collaboration skills while reflecting on cultural identities and the importance of dialogue in increasingly diverse societies. The programme encouraged participants not only to learn about different cultures but also to experience interculturality through active participation, shared experiences, and collaborative learning.
One of the highlights of the Summer Camp was the field trip across the Dobrogea region, where participants explored its unique blend of history, geography, gastronomy, and cultural anthropology.
The final day of the Summer Camp offered participants the opportunity to further explore the cultural heritage of Constanța through educational visits to the Art Museum and the Museum of Folk Art, where they reflected on the role of artistic expression and traditional culture in shaping intercultural understanding. The programme concluded with a collaborative podcast recording covering a range of topics, including the core values of the ARTEMIS Alliance. During the closing ceremony, students were awarded Certificates of Participation in recognition of their active engagement and successful completion of the programme, celebrating not only their achievements but also the friendships and intercultural connections established throughout the week.
As the first ARTEMIS Summer Camp, Confluence demonstrated the transformative potential of intercultural dialogue in higher education. By bringing together students from partner universities across Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Norway, and Romania, the programme strengthened intercultural competences, fostered lasting international friendships, encouraged collaborative knowledge creation, and reinforced the ARTEMIS Alliance’s commitment to building an innovative, inclusive, and globally engaged European Higher Education community.