Pride Summer Experience

In the summer of 2026, Saxion welcomes students from across Europe and beyond - including participants from Hungary, Germany, Portugal, Southern and Northern Europe, as well as international partner countries such as Canada. The programme is designed for students enrolled in higher professional education (University of Applied Sciences / HBO) who are curious about leadership, identity and collaboration in an international context.

The Pride Summer Experience is thematically connected to WorldPride Amsterdam 2026, with Unity as its guiding principle:

unity across cultures, identities, disciplines and perspectives.

Saxion functions as a safe, supportive and intellectually open learning hub: a place where students meet, learn and reflect together - before travelling collectively to Amsterdam as the concluding educational component of the programme.

What Is the Pride Summer Experience?

The Pride Summer Experience is an educational summer programme, not a campaign. It focuses on developing students’ professional and personal leadership capacities in a diverse and international setting.

Core learning areas include:

• Inclusive and values-based leadership
• LGBTQ+ themes within society, media and organisational contexts
• Identity, belonging and personal development
• Collaboration across borders, disciplines and lived experiences

The programme combines interactive workshops, reflection sessions, creative labs and educational excursions, all embedded within a structured academic framework and guided by experienced facilitators.

Participation is open to all students, regardless of background, identity or orientation. Curiosity, openness and respect are the only prerequisites.

Where & when?

• Period: Mid-July – Late August 2026
• Time: nnb
• Location: Enschede

Workshops & Learning Tracks

Interactive Workshops & Creative Labs

Participants take part in facilitated sessions exploring topics such as:

• Inclusive communication and storytelling
• Leadership in diverse teams and organisations
• Identity, resilience and self-awareness
• Media, representation and social impact

The learning design is grounded in:

• Education rather than activism
• Reflection rather than prescription
• Dialogue rather than debate

Students are invited to engage at their own pace and comfort level, within a respectful, academically grounded and culturally sensitive environment.

WorldPride Amsterdam 2026 – Educational Context

The Pride Summer Experience connects learning in Enschede with the international context of WorldPride Amsterdam 2026.

Educational components include:

• Participation in the WorldPride Conference, focusing on leadership, policy, education and human rights

• Selected cultural and educational WorldPride events that align with the programme’s learning objectives

The collective journey from Enschede to Amsterdam symbolises the programme’s core idea: unity between regions, people and perspectives - from campus to global context.

Accommodation – Arranged by Saxion

To ensure accessibility, safety and peace of mind, accommodation is fully arranged by Saxion for international participants.

• Safe and comfortable student housing

• Located close to campus and programme activities

• Designed to encourage connection and community

Participants do not need to arrange housing independently, allowing them to focus fully on learning, collaboration and experience.

Why Participate?

By joining the Pride Summer Experience, participants gain:

• An international educational experience within the E³UDRES² network
• Practical leadership skills grounded in inclusion, dialogue and culture
• A strong international peer network
• A meaningful connection between education and global societal events
• An official certificate of participation

This is not just a summer programme - it is a shared learning journey.

Programme Overview

The programme includes:

• Educational workshops and creative labs
• Reflection sessions and group-based learning
• Accommodation arranged by Saxion
• Educational excursions to Amsterdam (WorldPride context)
• A closing moment centred on unity, learning and connection

Ready to Apply?

Participation is limited to ensure a high-quality and personal learning experience.

After applying, a selection process will take place to ensure a balanced and diverse group of participants.

Selection is based on:

• Motivation and learning interest
• Fit with the educational goals of the programme
• Availability during the full programme period

All applicants will receive feedback on their application.

Scholarships & Financial Support

To support accessibility, a limited number of scholarships may be available for international participants.

A programme fee applies at pre-registration. More information about fees, scholarships and eligibility will be shared during the application process.