From Preparation to Participation: A View into the Bauhaus Summer School
Hello, I'm Sandra! :)
And welcome to my work life... hehe
You might be wondering who I am. Well, I’m the Summer School Intern at the Bauhaus Summer School. Throughout July, I had the opportunity to experience everything that happens behind the scenes as the team prepared to welcome participants from all over the world. Then, as August arrived, I got to watch all those weeks of planning, organizing, and preparation come to life as students finally arrived and the campus filled with energy.
It was fascinating to see how every little detail we worked on in July became part of the participants’ experience.
So, let me take you along on this journey and give you a glimpse into what it takes to bring the Bauhaus Summer School to life.
Location: Dubai Miracle Garden
But first... a little about me!
As you already know, my name is Sandra :D I grew up in Dubai—a city full of creativity, innovation, and people from all around the world. After completing my degree in Business Management, I decided to pack up my life (yes... somehow fit everything into three suitcases!) and move to Germany for a brand-new adventure.
Looking back, it’s crazy how quickly life can change. One moment, you’re saying goodbye to family and friends, and the next, you’re starting a new chapter in a completely different country. But that’s what makes experiences like these so exciting!
I’ve always been someone who enjoys being creative and trying new things, especially when I can turn an idea into something people can see, experience, or connect with. Outside of work and university, I’m a big fan of the simple things—good coffee, long walks, baking, watching movies and series, and discovering new places whenever I get the chance.
Growing up in Dubai also meant being surrounded by people from so many different cultures, so I’ve always loved meeting people with different backgrounds and perspectives. Moving to Germany has given me the chance to experience that in a whole new way—and, of course, to learn how to navigate life in a country where I’m still figuring out the language! :D
Okay, okay... enough about me. Let’s get back to the point!
So... what actually is "the Bauhaus Summer School"?
Most people imagine students simply arriving, attending classes, making friends, and exploring Weimar. And while that’s absolutely true, there’s another side that many people never get to see—the days and days (and dayyyys!) of preparation that make all of that possible.
Before the classrooms fill up and the campus comes alive with conversations in dozens of different languages, there is an entire team working behind the scenes to make sure every detail is ready.
And that’s exactly where my internship began!
The first few days were quite relaxed, giving me the chance to settle in, get familiar with the workflow, and learn how everything comes together behind the scenes. It was the perfect opportunity to understand the systems, ask lots and lots of questions, and see just how much preparation goes into making the Bauhaus Summer School happen.
And speaking of preparation... I definitely cannot continue without introducing the amazing team behind it all! They are the people who keep everything running smoothly and, of course, made me feel welcome from day one :)
Here We Go!
The first day was all about welcoming our Deutsch in Weimar participants! The Welcome coffee was set up with plenty of snacks, lots of conversations, and, of course, a little bit of that first-day excitement. It was nice seeing everyone arrive, introduce themselves, and start getting to know the people they would be spending the next few weeks with.
We also had a few fun games planned! They were a great way to get everyone involved and make those first conversations a little easier. Before long, everyone was laughing, talking, and getting to know each other, and the place definitely started feeling a lot less like a group of strangers.
And for me, this was when everything finally started to feel real. After spending weeks working behind the scenes and preparing for this moment, seeing the participants actually arrive and watching the campus slowly fill with people was such a nice feeling. All those little things we had been working on were finally coming together, and just like that, the Summer School officially began!
After the first few days, the courses were in action, and everyone was starting to settle into their routines. But, of course, Summer School isn’t just about sitting in classrooms all day! We also had a BBQ gathering where everyone could take a break from their courses, grab some food, and spend some time together.
It was a really nice change of pace. People from different courses were able to meet, chat, and just enjoy the evening together. There was lots of food, lots of conversations, and that relaxed summer atmosphere that makes you forget you’re surrounded by people you only met a few days ago.
And then came movie night. After a day filled with activities, everyone had the chance to settle in, relax, and enjoy a film together. It was a simple evening, but a fun one a chance to take a break from the busy Summer School schedule and spend some time together outside of the workshops.
After movie night, the Summer School quickly shifted back into its creative rhythm, with a bunch of workshops taking place across the different courses. Each workshop brought something new, giving participants the chance to experiment, learn, and get hands-on with different ideas and activities. From practical sessions to more creative approaches, plenty was happening, and every workshop had its own atmosphere and energy.