Baltic International Summer School

The Baltic International Summer School (BISS) has been a traditional summer programme at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (previously Vidzeme University College) since 1999. In total it has been attended by almost 300 students from different countries. For many participants the summer school experience has grown into a profound interest in the Baltic States and Latvia.

In the first seven years, BISS focused on general education of foreign students in issues concerning the Baltics - economics, history, culture, politics, languages and other aspects, thus serving as an ambassador for our country and informing the foreigners about the Baltics. Since 2006 BISS is organized within specialised topics, thus attracting also Latvian participants.

BISS participants are traditionally offered different entertaining and educational activities like excursions at weekends introducing the participants with the nature and the cultural and historical heritage of Vidzeme Region, the capital city Riga and other attractive places of Latvia. The students are also introduced with some of the main national dances and lyrics of most beloved Latvian folk songs. There is always an International food party where each participant cooks and offers traditional dishes from his/her country.

At the end of the summer school participants receive certificates, and the received credits are valid at their universities back home. Participants are eligible to different scholarships.