IUS Architecture Students at EASA 2025: A Summer of Creativity, Collaboration, and Learning in Finland
Students of the Architecture (ARCH) study program at the International University of Sarajevo (IUS), Ena Ribičić and Nerma Hodžić, were selected to participate in the prestigious European Architecture Students Assembly (EASA) Summer School 2025, held from July 26 to August 10, 2025 in Savonlinna, Finland.
EASA is one of the most inspiring international platforms for architecture students, bringing together around 500 participants from more than 40 countries for two weeks of intensive workshops, lectures, collaborative projects, and cultural exchange. The initiative is built on a unique educational philosophy that emphasizes non-hierarchical learning, teamwork, hands-on experimentation, and student-led creative exploration, pushing participants beyond traditional academic boundaries.
Ena Ribičić’s Experience
For Ena, participating in EASA was a dynamic and transformative encounter with an alternative approach to architectural education: “EASA was an incredibly inspiring and intense experience, completely different from traditional academic environments. It offered freedom, encouraged teamwork, and pushed beyond conventional educational boundaries. Here, there is no hierarchy - everyone contributes equally and learns through hands-on projects, discussion, and experimentation.”
Her primary workshop focused on nail design inspired by Holla the Wood Fairy, where the team explored the process of building a functioning nail salon from concept to realization. Students designed and built furniture, developed advertising strategies, organized the working environment, and practiced nail treatments. Beyond aesthetics, the workshop investigated the role of salons as social hubs, examining how interior design influences communication, storytelling, trends, and interaction between visitors.
“EASA taught us something often missing in formal architectural education - that architecture is not only about creating beautiful buildings, but about understanding context, community, and the social processes behind space.”
In addition to her main workshop, Ena participated in numerous other activities, exchanging perspectives with students from across Europe and beyond. Altogether, the Summer School featured more than 30 workshops, contributing to an unforgettable collective learning experience.
Nerma Hodžić’s Experience
For Nerma, this was her first participation in an international summer school of this scale, and the experience proved both academically and personally transformative: “Being surrounded by 500 students from 40 different countries was an extraordinary experience. It enriched my education and personal development in the best way possible”.
Nerma joined the Hyphae Lab workshop, focused on sustainability, material innovation, and biological design. Under the mentorship of representatives of ETH Zurich, professors Ina Pop and Irene Giubbini, the team experimented with growing mycelium panels from recycled wood and cardboard, developing environmentally friendly materials for thermal and acoustic insulation.
During two intensive weeks, a team of 25 participants researched, designed, and built a semi-pavilion / semi-park structure located within the forests of the Saimaa Lake region, Finland’s largest lake - famous for its breathtaking natural scenery and evening sunsets. The structure remains on display as a tangible outcome of the workshop.
Nerma explained the process: “The project involved growing the mycelium, drying the panels, and mounting them onto handcrafted wooden easels treated with layers of vinegar for durability. This hands-on process strengthened my connection with nature while reinforcing the power of collaborative design.”
Academic Exchange and Inspiration
During the Summer School, students also attended a lecture and study visit at the Faculty of Technology in Savonlinna, further deepening their engagement with Finnish academic and architectural contexts.
Both Ena and Nerma emphasized how the EASA experience helped them build international connections, explore new forms of sustainable design, and develop confidence in creative experimentation, strengthening skills that will directly benefit their architectural studies at IUS.
They warmly encourage colleagues, students, and professors across all IUS faculties to consider participating in future EASA programs: “Every year, EASA is hosted in a different country, under a new theme, with 30 new workshops each time. It is a truly unique opportunity to learn, collaborate, and grow.”
Acknowledgements
Ena and Nerma extend heartfelt thanks to Assistant Professor Dr. Leila Krivošić–Dizdarević, IUS Secretary General Mr. Ibrahim Inal, and Assistant to the Finance Manager Mr. Semir Fočić for their encouragement and continuous support. Special appreciation also goes to the International University of Sarajevo for providing financial assistance that made participation in this international academic experience possible.
More information about the event is available at: https://www.easarhizome.fi
