References
Abdulkerim Kurgas (BIE2023 winner)
Gimnazija "Visoko"
Visoko, Bosnia
Abdulkerim had to choose an alternative course within the EU as a main prize, as he was unable to obtain a Canadian visa from Bosnia: "When I arrived in Dublin, my host family welcomed me warmly. They were some of the kindest people I’ve ever met. From the start, it felt like they genuinely cared about my experience in Ireland. On my first city tour, I was stunned. Dublin looked both modern and medieval at the same time, with a charm that’s hard to put into words. The city is incredibly walkable. I never once needed the tram or a bus. Strolling through its streets felt like stepping into a fairytale, and even the famously gloomy weather somehow added to the atmosphere. The most impressive sight for me was the Samuel Beckett Bridge. What amazed me was how its lighting changes almost every night, often to celebrate global events. My course at the Dublin Cultural Institute was another highlight. The teaching style and approach of the instructors made learning genuinely enjoyable. Since the Institute is located right in the heart of the city, it was easy to explore after classes. This opportunity meant a lot to me. Coming from a small country, I don’t often get to travel to places like Dublin. The whole experience showed me that hard work truly does pay off."
Oliwia Świerkot - student
I Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. L. Kruczkowskiego w Tychach
Tychy, Poland
"As a 3rd BIE best student I won a voucher for the European Summer School. After realizing that I would never have been able to afford it on my own it seemed like an opportunity I couldn’t pass on. I went, had the time of my life and am definitely going back next year."
Attila Agárdi (2022 BIE Contest Winner)
Magyar-Angol Tannyelvű Gimnázium és Kollégium
Balatonalmádi, Hungary
My experience in Canada was awesome. I met some incredible people and visited fantastic places, and I got to experience a really different culture. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to go to such an amazing country.