Uff, its over now… Alas, all the great things come to an end… but only to give way to new beginnings. With all due self-criticism (particularly towards the technicalities of the digital lab), we have to admit that the event was next to perfect! A quick glance at the participants evaluation forms - over 4/5 of the students rated their ISSP experience as ‘excellent’… More feedback in quotes:

“Didnt expected to learn sooooooo much.”

“Šī skola pārsita visas manas labākās cerības - bija daudz labāk neka biju iedomājies. Atmosfēra bija vienkārši dievīga.” (This school beat my best expectations – it was way better than I imagined. The atmosphere was amazing!)

“Everything was very well organised, the place was great and I was happy.”

“Nebiju gaidījis tik nopietnu attieksmi veikt uzdoto darbu priekš plenēra. Rezultāts finālā lielisks, jo iegūldītie līdzekļi sevi attaisnoja.” (I was not expecting such a serious attitude towards producing the works. In the end the result is great.)

“As I had not much information about ISSP, my expectations were not high, maybe thats why I really, really liked the ISSP - from the idea to the results.”

“Very, very professional organisation at very high level. Excellent teachers.”

“It was my first experience of this school, I got a lot of useful information and met great people!”

“Negaidīju, ka šeit notikušais būs tik efektīvs un jumtu raujošs. Negaidīju, ka būs tik intensīvs darbs. Negaidīju, ka tas var būt tik iedvesmojoši.” (I wasn’t expecting that everything will be so effective and minblowing. Wasn’t expecting such serious work. Wasn’t expecting that the whole thing will be so inspiring.)

“Interaction with the group and the teacher was very intense and helpful.”

“Lieliska, radošā, brīva atmosfēra. Ļoti labi pasniedzēji, fantastiskā organizācija.” (Great, creative, free atmosphere. Very good teachers, fantastic organisation.)

“I expected it to be very interesting, but the reality was even better.”

“Good organisation, friendly atmosphere, high educational level.”

“The atmosphere was great - very creative. The staff and teachers were super supportive.”

We as organisers had a great time too and wish to thank all the 52 students and the 5 teachers for the inspiring time together.

The Exhibition of ISSP 2008 students’ works will stay in Ludza till 21 August (for exhibition brief in Latvian, see here). In October, the photo series produced by the students shall be exhibited at Goethe institute in Riga - the Opening is envisaged for October 6. Meanwhile, we are already working on a project of producing the ISSP 2008 Catalogue, to be ready this autumn… See you all soon!

photo: Stefan Rohner