After travel restrictions for the majority of European countries were loosened as of the middle of June 2020, the decision was taken to hold the Salem International Summer Schools again in this year as usual on the campuses of Salem and Spetzgart – from July 25th through August 9th. Of course it is not quite accurate to say “as usual” under the current circumstances. This year’s programmes and events will have to be conducted under strict observation of hygiene regulations and social distancing.

The organisers of the summer school programmes have developed a comprehensive plan to implement the necessary hygiene precautions and adjusted their plans for daily activities accordingly. The specific measures comply with the recommendations of Germany’s Robert Koch Institute (RKI) as well as the latest regulations issued by the German federal states. These include a health check-up for all participants upon arrival and obtaining a statement of their travel history for the weeks prior to arrival at Salem. All participants coming from regions which RKI has identified as “risk areas” will, in addition, be required to present a very recent certification of a negative Covid-19 test or of a 14-day quarantine. Furthermore, the daily routine and the activities being offered this year have been adjusted to meet these requirements. The international composition of the groups also differs from that of previous years. Whereas in the past students from every continent were able to travel to Lake Constance, this year the majority of registrations have come from Germany and other EU countries. Nonetheless the programmes for all three age-groups are fully booked.

Much will be new, some things will be different, but everyone is greatly looking forward to the day, in only a few weeks time, when we can say “Welcome to Salem! Welcome to the Salem International Summer Schools!”

Julian Priebus, Head Coordinator of the Salem International Summer Schools