EUGLOH students participating in the Joint Innovation Challenges, recently had the opportunity to travel to Hungary to present their solutions to real-world problems. The activity was organized by the University of Szeged. Over several weeks, the participants worked remotely in international teams on various topics such as the future of healthcare, under-the-skin solutions and mental health. The teams explored their given phenomenon: what the state-of-the-art is, how they are affected by global trends, and how they could change in the future. The exploratory phase was supported by Demola and its facilitators throughout the first 8 weeks. In addition, business mentors helped them develop solutions to monetize certain aspects of their topics. The last week, 15-19 May, was held at the University of Szeged. The students travelled to Hungary where they prepared for the pitching day, during which all teams presented their innovative business ideas to tackle their challenge.
Read some of the participating students’ testimonials below and take a look at the Pitching Day.
Inês' EUGLOH Story:
I was part of the awesome team called "Reality of Modern Cyborgs," and let me tell you, the project was a wild ride! We were all about figuring out how technology could revolutionize a specific part of the health sector. I have to admit, the beginning was a bit tough. We had people from different backgrounds with different ideas and approaches to our challenge. But you know what? That's what made this project so cool! It opened my eyes to new horizons and let me dive into a topic I wasn't familiar with. Being part of a multidisciplinary team was a game-changer and taught me so many cool and useful things.
The project started online and, well, the initial brainstorming sessions were challenging! Every week, we had meetings where we exchanged a ton of ideas and debated a lot to find the right approach to our specific challenge. Surprisingly, even though I hadn't met my teammates in person, working with them was really easy. Then came the best part, when we finally met face-to-face. That week was really intense, but it was totally worth it. We came up with a real-deal solution that could have a significant impact on our target group's future. It wasn't an easy task, but with everyone's support, creativity, effort, and enthusiasm, we made it happen. We truly felt like a rock-solid team, with each of us bringing our unique perspectives. And you know what? Even people from other groups stepped up to help whenever we needed it. That created such a cool and interesting collaboration among all the groups participating in this EUGLOH course.
From an academic and professional standpoint, we had to develop a business analysis for our idea, an aspect I was particularly excited to explore. Throughout my university studies, I didn't get many opportunities to explore this area, but I believe it's highly relevant to my future career. This course not only expanded my knowledge in this field but also allowed me to apply that knowledge to a practical case.
But this experience wasn't just about the work. It was also about the people, the memories, and personal growth. Sure, getting to travel to a different country was amazing, no doubt. But the best part was meeting incredible people from all over the world, making new friends, and spending a whole week with them. It was an unforgettable adventure that I'll cherish forever.
Andjelka's EUGLOH Story:
Participating in the EUGLOH innovation challenge in Szeged was undoubtedly one of the most stimulating activities I’ve been involved in. Primarily, it was very well planned, with the sessions carefully crafted to ensure that each participant can reach their final potential as well as to establish thorough comprehension. Secondly, the moderators/facilitators made a great effort to create a pleasant and respectful atmosphere within the team and to make each member’s voice heard. In addition, the sessions and workshops were informative and adapted both for complete beginners like myself and more experienced members. Furthermore, the project provided me with a comprehensive overview of business model development. It, therefore, encouraged me to envision myself in a startup founder role – something I had never thought I would be capable of. Finally, working with my teammates was a gratifying aspect of the project. Sharing ideas, brainstorming, or simply respectfully discussing future steps was beneficial in different ways, including personal growth, developing interpersonal skills, expressing one’s thoughts comprehensively, and accepting and providing meaningful feedback.
Moreover, each team member contributed with their own expertise and, more importantly, improved on the personal and academic aspects they lacked. Personally, I developed my collaboration skills and became a more considerate listener and a more respectful team member who can readily and without negative feelings accept any feedback. It is also a great takeaway to understand how business, start-ups, and innovation work and what traits and competence one needs in order to turn far-fetched ideas into reality. Still, the most delightful part of the project was a visit to Szeged, where I could enjoy the fantastic wine in the company of my colleagues, participate in cultural exchange, expand my network, and explore the wonders of this charming little town. Therefore, even though I am genuinely proud of my team for winning the challenge, I consider each EUGLOH participant a winner, as the experience of shaping, developing, and presenting an innovative startup idea in a multicultural environment is a demanding exam that all the participants passed with flying colors, thriving on every step of the way. I am more than grateful for this opportunity and look forward to the following insightful projects and collaboration with some dear old and many new inspiring people.
Julia's EUGLOH Story:
We had been preparing for this moment for seven weeks, and even though it may feel like a long time, it flew by in an instant. The anticipation grew as I boarded the train from Budapest to Szeged. During the two-and-a-half-hour journey, countless questions raced through my mind: "How will it unfold?" "Will our team collaborate effectively?" "Is our idea truly innovative?" There were so many variables to consider, but one thing was certain: it was going to be an amazing week.
On Monday, we gathered together to embark on our project. To actually see my teammates, after having just met them through online interactions, changed the dynamic completely. The room buzzed with vibrant energy as everyone brimmed, ready to start.
And over the past weeks, my team and I had been brainstorming new forms of entertainment. Through various assignments and discussions, I encountered a multitude of perspectives that were previously unimaginable. But, as the moment arrived, we were confident in the idea we had chosen to pursue. Together, the four of us set out to transform our thoughts into a tangible and impactful pitch, developing our emotion-tracking device.
Collaborating with students from diverse backgrounds within the Alliance was an enriching experience. The perfect blend of factors—varying fields of study, different countries of origin, and a shared passion for creating something meaningful—contributed to the uniqueness of our teamwork. Simply sitting together, discussing, working, adapting, and producing with my team was already immensely fulfilling. Nevertheless, if you were to ask me about my favorite moment of that week, I would have to honestly admit that it was the game night. It provided an opportunity for everyone to come together, laugh, and get to know each other better. Participants from all the teams united, sharing laughter and introducing games that were unfamiliar to us in Portugal. It was a night of relaxation and camaraderie, offering a glimpse into the bliss of a diverse group of people enjoying themselves together.
This week brought forth numerous positive outcomes: friendships, innovative ideas, valuable knowledge, and memorable experiences. However, one aspect will forever hold a special place in my memories, despite its seemingly humble nature: it was the first time I delivered a presentation in English. While it may not seem significant to some, for me, it marked a significant step towards personal growth—a testament to my willingness to face and overcome challenges presented by life and academia, and for that, I couldn't be more grateful.