Summer school: Health and Happiness

See you at a fully new summer school in 2024

NEW BEGINNING

We are excited to announce that our summer school is in the process of repositioning and rebranding. This change will require us to cancel CuriousU summer school 2023, but we are incredibly proud of our progress and look forward to offering a refreshed and improved program in the near future. We thank all our students and staff for their support and look forward to continuing to serve our community.

Studies show that individuals can actively influence their own health and well-being.

Numerous interventions and techniques, often with the use of technology, have been developed to help people improve their well-being and health. In this course you will learn about the different approaches, methods, and interventions that are used to improve happiness and (mental) well-being. In addition to that, you will also learn about the theory behind mindfulness and practice some techniques yourself. 

In this summer course, we will address a couple of questions:   

Inspired by a combination of insights from positive and health psychology, and design and technology this course will help you address these questions. After an introduction to key concepts in positive and health psychology, you will learn about current interventions on improving (mental) health and well-being. How can individuals be encouraged to engage in healthier lifestyles? How can positive psychology be applied in the classroom and in the workplace? During the course, you will not only participate in active classroom discussions, but you will also have the opportunity to design an intervention yourself, with the ultimate goal to boost mental and/or physical health.  

Course video

Course topics

Together with other participants you will discover and learn more about these topics:

  • Fundamentals

    You will learn about the core pillars of this course, including the basics of positive psychology, health psychology, behavioural change and mental health.  Additionally, you will also learn and practice mindfulness techniques.

    Some of the sessions offered in the course are introductory workshops and lectures, while others are about specifically applying knowledge from these disciplines in practice. The topics included in this course are: Positive Psychology, Mental Health, Health Psychology, and Behaviour Change.

  • Positive psychology

    Positive psychology approach looks at mental health from the perspective of people’s strengths. Strengths are positive features, such as talents and resilience. You will be introduced to various concepts and interventions based on positive psychology and learn how this approach can complement the traditional psychopathological approach to improve mental health.

  • Health Psychology & Behaviour Change

    Health psychology looks into the relationship between health, cognition and behaviour and aims at promoting healthier lifestyles. You will learn about specific intervention methodologies and behavioural change techniques that can be applied in practice. This will form the basis for your own intervention design.

  • Mindfulness

    Besides learning about various applications of positive psychology and technology on improving health and mental health, you will also learn and practice mindfulness. In these sessions, you will learn about improving your awareness and integrating core self-compassion exercises into daily life.

  • Designing your own intervention

    After gaining insight into the aforementioned subjects, you will collaborate with fellow students on a project in which you will design an intervention to promote mental and/or physical well-being.

  • Presenting your intervention

    You have designed your own intervention, great! On the last day, you will present your results to your fellow students and a jury of experts. Through this exercise, we would like you to showcase, in a convincing manner, the real-world implications of your intervention.

Learning outcomes

Participants will...

TESTIMONIAL: DEIRDRE (FROM IRELAND)

Stay tuned for more upcoming information regarding the 2023 course!

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Health & Happiness 2022

Day
Breakfast
Time:08:15 - 09:00
Day:Tue. 23-08

Have a breakfast first.

CuriousU Participants Departure
Time:09:00 - 10:00
Day:Tue. 23-08

The last day: please check out (i.e. returning the keys) and saying goodbye to all your new friends. By returning your key you will get back your deposit for the log cabin or student dorm (online refund).

Project Presentations
Time:14:00 - 17:00
Day:Mon. 22-08

After lunch you’ll dive back into your course.

Breakfast & keynote
Time:08:15 - 09:30
Day:Mon. 22-08

Get your day off to an inspiring start by listening to our keynote speaker over breakfast.

Project: Group Work
Time:09:30 - 12:30
Day:Mon. 22-08

Learn while having fun! You’ll join in the morning session of your course for the day. That might be a workshop, a lecture or a project depending on the course you choose.

Check our courses.

More information
Dinner
Time:18:00 - 20:00
Day:Mon. 22-08

Every night we serve you a fantastic dinner.

CuriousU Closing Ceremony
Time:20:00 - 23:00
Day:Mon. 22-08

This night we'll close off CuriousU 2022 with everyone and you'll receive your certificate.

Lunch: Cherishing Moments
Time:12:30 - 14:00
Day:Mon. 22-08

After the first course sessions of the day you’ll then join the other festival-goers for a themed lunch in an informal, interactive setting. Here is the chance to lock all the memories you made the last days into pictures! During that lunch break you also have the chance to break some pinatas!

Free
Time:17:00 - 18:00
Day:Mon. 22-08

This hour is 100% free time: relax or use our sport facilities :-)

Lectures: Research in the field of Positive and Health Psychology
Time:14:00 - 17:00
Day:Thu. 18-08

How can you solve (societal) problems with insights from psychology? How can you design interventions for behaviour change? We will address these questions in this session to help you get started with developing your own intervention!

Breakfast & keynote
Time:08:15 - 09:30
Day:Thu. 18-08

Get your day off to an inspiring start by listening to our keynote speaker over breakfast. 

Mindfulness& BMS Lab Tour
Time:09:30 - 12:30
Day:Thu. 18-08

We will visit the BMS Lab of the University of Twente. Here you will learn about how various technologies are used in research areas of health, human behaviour, human cognition and learning.

More information
Dinner
Time:18:00 - 20:00
Day:Thu. 18-08

We go out for dinner at the city: Happy Italy

Summer sounds
Time:20:00 - 23:00
Day:Thu. 18-08

Enjoy the night in the city listening to some musical entertainment at Grolsch Summer Sounds.

Lunch: Playland
Time:12:30 - 14:00
Day:Thu. 18-08

After the first course sessions of the day you’ll then join the other festival-goers for a themed lunch in an informal, interactive setting.This is one of the most popular lunch activities where together with your fellow participants you can enjoy some outdoor games in the main festival area! Join us!

Free
Time:17:00 - 18:00
Day:Thu. 18-08

This hour is 100% free time: relax or use our sport facilities :-)

Arrival day: check in
Time:10:00 - 18:00
Day:Sun. 14-08

The registration point will be in the biggest tent. Please register as soon as you arrive. If you arrive earlier or later please contact us via curious@utwente.nl 

Meet-up and pizza
Time:18:00 - 20:00
Day:Sun. 14-08

Eat pizza and meet up with your fellow students!

Introduction to Positive Psychology
Time:14:00 - 17:00
Day:Mon. 15-08

During this session, you will be introduced to the study of positive psychology as complementation of the traditional psychopathological approach and learn about various theories and interventions related to it.

Breakfast & keynote
Time:08:15 - 09:30
Day:Mon. 15-08

We will kick-off breakfast and CuriousU with the first inspirational speech!

Introduction & Design for Happiness and Well-Being
Time:09:30 - 12:30
Day:Mon. 15-08

Welcome to the Health and Happiness track. In this session, you will meet the course leaders and get to know each other. How can products be designed to enhance users’ experiences with insights from positive psychology and persuasive technology? In this session, Dr Jay Yoon will talk about his work focused on design for positive emotions.

More information
Dinner
Time:18:00 - 20:00
Day:Mon. 15-08
Stand Up Comedy
Time:20:00 - 22:30
Day:Mon. 15-08
Lunch: Taste the Netherlands
Time:12:30 - 14:00
Day:Mon. 15-08
Free
Time:17:00 - 18:00
Day:Mon. 15-08

This hour is 100% free time: relax or use our sport facilities :-)

Field Trip to Phillips Museum
Time:14:00 - 17:00
Day:Wed. 17-08

We will visit the Philips Museum in Eindhoven and learn about how various innovative technologies play a role in (mental) health care.

Breakfast & keynote
Time:08:15 - 09:30
Day:Wed. 17-08

Get your day off to an inspiring start by listening to one of our inspirational speakers over breakfast. Once you’re all fired up, you’ll join in the morning session of your course for the day. 

Field Trip to Phillips Museum
Time:09:30 - 12:30
Day:Wed. 17-08

We will visit the Philips Museum in Eindhoven and learn about how various innovative technologies play a role in (mental) health care.

More information
Dinner & Barbecue
Time:18:00 - 20:00
Day:Wed. 17-08

We will serve an amazing BBQ dinner tonight!

Beach volleyball tournament & DJ
Time:20:00 - 23:00
Day:Wed. 17-08

Enjoy a unique volleyball tournament together with your fellow CuriousU participants! Are you gonna be the winning team? Let's find out!

Lunch: C- your future
Time:12:30 - 14:00
Day:Wed. 17-08

After the first course sessions of the day you’ll then join the other festival-goers for a themed lunch in an informal, interactive setting. You can do one of the following lab tours: Behavioral Management and Sciences LabWearable Robotics Lab, combined tour in AeroAcoustic WindTunnel & Rapid Prototyping LabNanoLab or the Experimental Centre for Technical Medicine. Enjoy our dance workshop too!

Free
Time:17:00 - 18:00
Day:Wed. 17-08

This hour is 100% free time: relax or use our sport facilities :-)

Workshop on Character Strengths & Positive Education
Time:14:00 - 17:00
Day:Tue. 16-08

During this session, you will be introduced to the study of positive psychology as complementation of the traditional psychopathological approach and learn about various theories and interventions related to it.

Breakfast & keynote
Time:08:15 - 09:30
Day:Tue. 16-08

Get your day off to an inspiring start by listening to one of our uplifting keynote speakers over breakfast. Once you’re all fired up, you’ll join in the morning session of your course for the day. 

Introduction to Mindfulness
Time:09:30 - 12:30
Day:Tue. 16-08

During this session, you will be introduced to the theory and practice of mindfulness. You will learn what mindfulness is about, the benefits associated with practicing mindfulness and how you can apply it in your daily lives.

More information
Dinner
Time:18:00 - 20:00
Day:Tue. 16-08

We serve you a fantastic dinner!

Game Night
Time:20:00 - 23:00
Day:Tue. 16-08

During this evening activity you can join our lean simulation game, dungeons and dragons and many more!

Lunch: Artist for a day
Time:12:30 - 14:00
Day:Tue. 16-08

After the first course sessions of the day you’ll then join the other festival-goers for a themed lunch in an informal, interactive setting. You will have the chance to get to know the programmes of our university and speak with representatives from our admissions office in case you are interested in continuing your studies here! During this lunch activity, you can also get to know the different student teams of our university.

Free
Time:17:00 - 18:00
Day:Tue. 16-08

This hour is 100% free time: relax or use our sport facilities :-)

Free day
Time:08:15 - 20:00
Day:Sat. 20-08

Enjoy your weekend and see you Monday!

Project: Group Work
Time:14:00 - 17:00
Day:Sun. 21-08

After lunch you’ll dive back into your course.

Breakfast & keynote
Time:08:15 - 09:30
Day:Sun. 21-08

Get your day off to an inspiring start by listening to our inspirational speaker over breakfast. 

Project: Group Work
Time:09:30 - 12:30
Day:Sun. 21-08

Brainstorm, discuss, implement! You will spend the day working with your project group to design a behaviour change intervention.

More information
Dinner
Time:18:00 - 20:00
Day:Sun. 21-08

Every night we serve you a fantastic dinner.

Escape Rooms
Time:20:00 - 23:00
Day:Sun. 21-08

We'll watch a cool movie together!

Lunch: Dutch Olympic Games
Time:12:30 - 14:00
Day:Sun. 21-08

After the first course sessions of the day you’ll then join the other festival-goers for a themed lunch in an informal, interactive setting.


During this lunch you can join a sand castle competition and a graffiti workshop!

Free
Time:17:00 - 18:00
Day:Sun. 21-08

This hour is 100% free time: relax or use our sport facilities :-)

Psychology and Intervention Design & Project: Group Work
Time:14:00 - 17:00
Day:Fri. 19-08

How can you solve (societal) problems with insights from psychology? How can you design interventions for behaviour change? We will address these questions in this session to help you get started with developing your own intervention!

Breakfast & Inspiration
Time:08:15 - 09:30
Day:Fri. 19-08

Get your day off to an inspiring start by listening to one of our uplifting keynote speakers over breakfast. Once you’re all fired up, you’ll join in the morning session of your course for the day. 

Narrative Psychology and Meaningful Moments
Time:09:30 - 12:30
Day:Fri. 19-08

Dr Jacky van de Goor will introduce you to the study of narrative psychology with special attention for her own research in the field. She will invite you to learn about its effects yourself!

More information
Dinner
Time:18:00 - 20:00
Day:Fri. 19-08

Every night we serve you a fantastic dinner.

Music night
Time:20:00 - 23:00
Day:Fri. 19-08

Tonight we will have a great band night in our main tent! Next to that, a dj to play music and karaoke activity are planned for you!

Lunch: ExploreU
Time:12:30 - 14:00
Day:Fri. 19-08

After the first course sessions of the day you’ll then join the other festival-goers for a themed lunch in an informal, interactive setting. You will have the opportunity to learn more about yourself by doing some career and personality tests ! Do not miss the chance to try the VR Parachuting experience!

Free
Time:17:00 - 18:00
Day:Fri. 19-08

This hour is 100% free time: relax or use our sport facilities :-)

Course details 

Methods: Lectures from experts of the field, interactive workshops, project work
Course level: Beginner's/Intermediate/Advanced
Target group: Everyone with an interest in technological interventions with a human touch to improve health and well-being.
Required knowledge: There are no entry requirements for this course but an interest in psychology and converting theory into practice is desired.
Credits: 2 ECTS for successfully completing the summer school