Performatory in Berlin, rethinking study trips

The last few years, many study trips with students and lecturers have been to different places in Europe. The aims of these trips were mostly gaining international experience, community building and visiting industry abroad. But errm.. we thought: for how long have been thinking of study trips in this way now? Going as a group, staying at the same hotel, lecturers or student groups leading the programme, a written report or reflection to be handed in at the end. 
 
We wanted to search for alternative meanings, so we started an experiment. Suzan and Frank (two lecturers involved in the learning community), wanted to offer a similar learning structure to the one Performatory offers at the Buas campus: supportive to the needs and learning desires of the students, but then in an international context: Berlin. The lecturers had a goal too: building connections and exploring the possibilities of an outpost learning hub on Social Innovation. We sent an open invite to all students: come build and explore and let’s see how we can learn together in an international environment. This is the harvest of that week: 
 
Practical
Students took care of their own travel and stay. Some came by train or coach, others by car. Also, the stay was their own responsibility. Some took a comfort hotel, others a hostel or slept at a friend’s place in Berlin. The only fixed programme part was the first and the last get-together. The group collectively created a programme that fitted the needs of everyone in the group.  We made agreements on safety, communication and touchpoints during the week. Some students arrived in Berlin a few days earlier, some stayed longer than that particular week.  
The core principle was: fix it how you want it. 
 
Determining the aim of the trip 
Before the trip, we came together several times. In these sessions, we talked about the intentions we all had. Some intentions overlapped whereas others were completely different. One student wanted to work solely on some paperwork and enjoy the city afterwards. Two students wanted to visit social innovation initiatives, some wanted to startup a project, and some did research on a target group. The lecturers were there to connect to SRH University of Applied Sciences. Knowing each other’s needs made the group helpful towards each other. At sharing moments during the trips, insights, questions and tips were exchanged and the programme was filled organically. Students and lecturers joined each other at activities out of interest or support.  
The core principle: you know best what you want to learn. 
 
Engagement
The energy of this trip was totally different compared with a traditional study trip. Everyone took responsibility and showed willingness to support each other. When we asked students what terms they would use to describe how they had experienced this trip they came up with equal, freedom, responsibility, unprogrammed.. The lecturers experienced it as facilitating a deep personal learning process in an international environment. 

Coaching
Suzan and Frank had two intentions: building a relation with SRH Berlin University of Applied Sciences and coaching the students on how to be effective during a one week stay in an international environment. Students learned how to prioritize, get in touch with strangers, take the lead, work with students with less/ more experience. There was a two-hour session with the group every day in which we exchanged tips, discussed theory and explored experiences and concerns. 
 
The experience of this alternative way of working was seen as valuable for all stakeholders. We want to continue this experiment next year. In collaboration with SRH we will expand the possibilities of this open learning space in an international context. We are considering the following additions: 

1. We will facilitate more specific expert meeting based on the projects/ questions of the students we can offer online availability. 

2. We will specify the needs of the students more specifically before we go to Berlin 

3. Together with SRH University of Applied Science we will host knowledge, experience and network exchange between our students