Dozens of students from all over the country learned in UAlg's Summer Courses

During the holidays, secondary school students chose to “study” on the University of Algarve ( UAlg ) Summer Courses, which began on June 30th and ended on July 11th.

For two weeks, dozens of young people participated in an immersive experience in different areas of knowledge and in the university environment.

"For many, it was their first contact with higher education and, for almost all, an experience they will never forget," according to the academy.

Confirming the success of previous editions, in addition to students from all municipalities in the Algarve registering, several districts of Portugal were present.

Braga, Setúbal, Lisbon, Aljezur, Santarém, Castelo Branco, Beja, Cercal do Alentejo, Sintra, Santiago do Cacém, were some of the locations represented outside the region.

Students could enroll in three different modalities: "Residential Regime" (includes course, sports activities, all meals and five nights' accommodation); "Full Day" (includes participation in morning teaching activities, afternoon sports activities and two meals a day); and "Course Only" (includes participation in morning teaching activities).

Jorge Alão, 16, lives in Odemira and chose the course "The Molecular Detective: The Science of Alcohol Detection."

From the very first class, he felt motivated and engaged, and describes his participation as a unique experience. "It was truly worth it. I'm taking away important knowledge and new perspectives for the future," he said.

The young man also highlights the atmosphere of camaraderie, but remembers that there is also a side of responsibility: "the people, the friendship, lots of memories, but at the end of the day we have to do the classes and pay attention, because we are defining our future."

Inês Lourenço, from Faro, also 16, had an equally positive experience in the "Discover Yourself Under the Microscope" course. Already interested in science, the training confirmed her aspirations.

"The classes gave me more confidence and broadened my horizons. It was an experience that exceeded my expectations," he notes.

Inês was surprised by the organization of the event and the presence of colleagues from different parts of the country and abroad, reinforcing the multicultural environment that also marked participants such as Lorena de Braga, from Brazil, who valued "getting to know new cultures and people my age."

David Loureiro, 15, lives in Alcantarilha and also participated in this edition. He enrolled in the course "Some Applications of Mathematics in the Real World of Young People" with low expectations, but was captivated by the dynamic activities.

"I thought it would be boring, but it ended up being interesting. The atmosphere was very welcoming, and I felt a real family spirit," he says.

For 16-year-old Nuno Martins, from Ourique, the course he chose was "Encounters with the Sea," an option that allowed him to explore the science of the oceans and biodiversity and "was special. I'd love to do it again. I'll take back memories like I'll never have before," he says.

"Come with confidence, without fear. Have fun. We're all friends." This is the young man's message to future participants in UAlg's Summer Courses.

Teaching and experimental activities took place in the morning, with the afternoon reserved for sports and leisure activities, including surfing, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), bodyboarding, canoeing, basketball, sailing, among others.

Several municipalities such as Mértola, Odemira and Ourique have already joined this initiative and established collaboration protocols with UAlg, thus encouraging the participation of their students in Summer Courses.

For many of these students, an adventure has come to an end, at least for now. For others, this course was just the beginning, and they hope to become UAlg students next academic year.

Others still, because they liked it so much, promise to return for the next edition.

At the farewell ceremony, everyone unanimously stated that, once again, UAlg exceeded expectations. True to its slogan "Studying where it's good to live," everything was thought out down to the last detail, and, according to the students themselves, "they learned, studied, and had unforgettable days and experiences."