The participants got to know each other in an online meeting back in October. This was followed by an intensive week in Lisbon filled with workshops, teamwork, and cultural encounters. The aim of the project was to develop a social media campaign and create a video prototype to raise awareness of Paralympic sports. The Portuguese Paralympic Committee was a partner in the project, which was funded by Erasmus+.
The students worked in mixed teams—across national and disciplinary boundaries—and gained valuable insights in workshops on design thinking, practical design, and the development of technological solutions. Accompanying professors provided support as mentors. At the end, eight groups presented their concepts to a jury, which particularly highlighted the diversity and creativity of the ideas.
In addition to the technical program, the participants experienced Portuguese culture firsthand: The local ESN team organized a city tour of Lisbon, a welcome dinner with typical local specialties, and a visit to the interactive “Pavilhão do Conhecimento – Ciência Viva Science Center,” which makes inclusion tangible in a playful way. The Portuguese students also showed their hospitality in their private lives, taking their international guests to other sights and culinary highlights such as the famous Pastéis de Nata.
