Arts et Métiers Institute of Technology, France
PhD candidate and researcher at ENSAM (Arts et Métiers), France, specializing in virtual reality, machine learning, and rehabilitation engineering. Holds a strong background in computer science, Python programming, and artificial intelligence, with teaching experience in machine learning at the university level.
My EuroSSIG 2026 Summer School Experience
I have participated in several summer and winter schools during my studies, but I can say that EuroSSIG 2026 was probably the best experience I have had so far when I consider everything together.
The first thing that impressed me was the quality and variety of the sessions. The programme covered many different areas, and this was very useful because naturally no student can be familiar with all of them. Some topics were close to my own background, while others showed me areas where I still have a lot to learn. For me, this was one of the strongest points of the summer school. I left not only with new knowledge, but also with a list of subjects that I would like to study more.
Another important point was the quality of the speakers. Many of them are key and experienced people in their fields, and it was a great opportunity to hear directly about their work, experience, and also the real problems they have faced. Being around such people also changes the way you think about your own work. Personally, I came back with higher expectations from myself and more motivation for my future work.
Some sessions were especially memorable because they were not only informative but also very engaging. One example for me was Dirk Krischenowski’s story about .berlin and the many challenges behind it. Hearing the real story, including the difficulties and obstacles, made the subject much more interesting than simply reading about it in a book or on slides.
As an engineer, I also enjoyed the more technical parts of the programme. Discussions about DNS and IP blocking, Internet infrastructure, ICANN, cybersecurity, and the technical side of Internet governance were particularly interesting for me. I liked seeing how technical decisions are connected to legal, social, economic, and political questions. This connection between technology and policy was one of the most valuable things I learned during the week.
The positive experience was not limited to the lectures. I really appreciated the organisation and the good timing of the sessions. Everything felt well planned. The friendly and open atmosphere also made it very easy to speak with other participants and lecturers. The variety of food, the social activities, and the visit to Meißen were also very nice parts of the week and helped make the whole experience enjoyable.
I honestly cannot point to any negative aspect of the summer school. If I could make one small suggestion, it would be related to preparation before the school. Because the programme covers such a wide range of subjects, it is normal that participants do not have the same background in every topic. If some presentation slides, slides from previous years, or a short list of recommended materials approved by the lecturers could be shared before the summer school, it would help participants do some preparation and probably get even more from the sessions.
Overall, EuroSSIG was a very valuable experience for me, both academically and personally. I learned a lot, met many interesting people, discovered new areas that I want to explore, and returned with more motivation.
I would like to sincerely thank the organisers, lecturers, sponsors, and everyone who made this experience possible.