Bringing together participants from different countries and academic backgrounds, the programme offered a unique opportunity to explore how space technologies can contribute to a more sustainable future while fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and international exchange.
To learn more about their experience, we interviewed three participants from different academic backgrounds and universities across the UNIVERSEH alliance. They shared what motivated them to join the programme, their highlights from the Summer School, and why they would encourage other students to apply.
Learning Beyond Disciplines
One of the defining features of the Summer School was the diversity of its participants. Students from fields ranging from engineering and psychology to accounting and auditing worked together throughout the programme, discovering new perspectives and approaches to complex challenges.
For Milena Harutyunyan, a Master’s student in Accounting and Auditing at the University of Luxembourg, the Summer School provided an opportunity to explore dimensions of the space sector beyond technology.
“It was a really exciting opportunity for me to discover the space sector in Toulouse. It was a great opportunity for me to discover not only space, but also its financial, governance and ethical dimensions.”
Similarly, Edward Ayertey, a Psychology Master’s student at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, was motivated by a different perspective on space exploration.
“I wanted to see the human side of space exploration, such as isolation under extreme conditions.”
Tackling the Mars Challenge
A highlight of the programme was the Mars Challenge, where students worked in interdisciplinary teams to imagine and design a sustainable village on Mars.
For many participants, the project was both challenging and rewarding. Students combined expertise from different disciplines to address technical, environmental and human factors, mirroring the complexity of real-world space missions.
Flavie Manent, a Space Systems Engineering student at ISAE-SUPAERO, particularly appreciated this aspect of the Summer School.
“My favorite part of the Summer School so far has been the Mars Project. We have to work together to design a mission and take care of every aspect: mission analysis, mental health and sustainability.”
Building International Connections
Beyond the academic content, participants highlighted the value of meeting and collaborating with students from different countries and educational backgrounds.
“It was way more fun than I expected,” said Milena, reflecting on the teamwork experience.
Flavie also emphasized how the international environment helped broaden her perspective:
“I’m from engineering, but I met people from psychology and humanities, and I became more open-minded because of that.”
Why Apply?
When asked why future students should apply for the next edition, participants highlighted the unique combination of learning, teamwork and cultural exchange.
“Students will gain lots of knowledge and combine their studies with teamwork, friendship and fun,” said Milena.
Edward agreed, noting that the Summer School is “a great opportunity to expand your knowledge and connect with different people.”
For Flavie, the experience is about much more than academics:
“If you want to discover a new country, a new city, make new friends and learn a lot of really interesting things, I think you really should apply.”
As the Summer School continues to bring together students from across the UNIVERSEH alliance and beyond, it offers a unique environment where learning, collaboration and international friendship go hand in hand.
Watch the full student testimonials on LinkedIn and hear firsthand what participants enjoyed most about the Space & Sustainability Summer School in Toulouse.
