Social Media Communication & Storytelling Summer School
Step into a dynamic learning environment where creativity meets critical thinking. The Social Media Communication & Storytelling Summer School invites you to explore not jus how digital narratives shape our world, but also how YOU can shape the narratives. Designed for curious minds ready to experiment, collaborate, and create, this programme blends academic insight with real-world media practice in an intensive, hands-on experience.
The Social Media Communication & Storytelling Summer School is an intensive, face-to-face learning experience hosted by the Faculty of Letters at “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galați, Romania. Building on the success of previous local editions, the 2026 programme brings together university students and high school pupils in a collaborative environment focused on digital communication, storytelling, and media literacy. Over the course of one immersive week, participants will engage in interactive workshops, practical exercises, and team-based projects.
The programme emphasises:
- Critical analysis of social media content and communication strategies
- Creation of digital storytelling formats adapted to multiple platforms
- Ethical and responsible communication in online environments
- Collaborative learning through mixed teams and peer mentoring
- Reflection on the societal impact of digital narratives
Participants will work closely with academic staff and media professionals, including journalists from Viața liberă Galați, gaining direct insight into contemporary media practices. Viața liberă Galați is a local media company involved in the programme as a media partner, providing participants with direct exposure to real journalistic practices and supporting the creation and potential publication of the materials developed during the activities. Real community topics will serve as the foundation for content creation, with selected outputs having the opportunity to be published.
This Summer School offers a unique opportunity to develop practical skills, expand creative thinking, and understand the power of communication in the digital age.
Whether you aim to become a media professional, a content creator, or simply a more critical and responsible digital citizen, this Summer School offers the tools, context, and inspiration to move forward.
Join us in Galați and be part of a learning experience where ideas become stories and stories make an impact.
13th of July 2026 to 17th of July 2026
English
The Learner Exchange School is awarded with 1 ECTS credit, in line with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System. At the home institution, the learning outcomes may be recognised as part of elective courses, complementary academic activities, or extracurricular learning, depending on institutional regulations. The SLO can also be included in the student’s academic record or Diploma Supplement, reflecting the competences acquired in digital communication, media literacy and collaborative content creation.
Eligible participants are undergraduate students from the universities within the RUN-EU Alliance who will have completed their first or second year of study by the end of the current academic year. Students from all fields of study are welcome to apply; however, priority will be given to those enrolled in Journalism, Communication, Digital Media, and related disciplines.
Please contact your International Office/ RUN-EU at your Home Institution.
Programme at a glance
09:00 - 12:30
Welcome session & programme overview
Ice-breaking and team formation
Lecture: Social media ecosystems and communication strategies
Workshop: Analysing viral content and storytelling patterns
12:30 - 14:00
Lunch break & informal networking
14:00 - 17:30
Group activity: Deconstructing real social media campaigns
Discussion: What makes content engaging?
Reflection session
Day 2: Digital Storytelling Fundamentals. From idea to narrative
09:00 - 12:30
Lecture: Principles of digital storytelling
Workshop: Platform-specific storytelling (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube)
Case studies analysis
12:30 - 14:00
Lunch break
14:00 - 17:30
Hands-on activity: Idea generation
Teamwork: Defining project concepts (community topics)
Mentoring session
Day 3: Content Creation & Production. Creating engaging media content
09:00 - 12:30
Workshop: Visual storytelling (video, photo, short-form content)
Technical basics: framing, composition, storytelling techniques
12:30 - 14:00
Lunch break
14:00 - 17:30
Field production (campus / city)
Teamwork: Content creation
Feedback session with instructors
Day 4: Editing, Strategy & Finalisation. From content to meaningful story
09:00 - 12:30
Workshop: Editing and post-production
Lecture: Ethical communication and social impact
12:30 - 14:00
Lunch break
14:00 - 17:30
Teamwork: Finalising digital storytelling projects
Mentoring with media professionals (Viața liberă Galați)
Preparation for presentations
Day 5: Experiential Learning Field Trip (Offline Day). Online vs Offline – Rethinking Communication
09:00 - 12:30
Thematic field trip in nature, in Europe’s oldest mountains - Măcin (offline / low-tech experience)
Guided observation tasks (attention, perception, interaction)
12:30 - 14:00
Lunch break (outdoor/informal setting)
14:00 - 17:30
Group discussions and reflection
Workshop: Translating offline experience into digital narratives
Closing session & certificate ceremony
Learning outcomes
By the end of this Learner Exchange School, learners will be able to:
Critical Analysis of Social Media. Participants will develop the ability to critically analyse social media content by identifying communication strategies, narrative structures and potential biases. They will explore how information is produced, distributed and consumed across platforms, gaining a deeper understanding of digital ecosystems. This outcome supports the development of media literacy and critical thinking, enabling participants to engage more responsibly and reflectively with online content.
Digital Storytelling and Content Creation. Participants will acquire practical skills in designing and producing digital storytelling content specifically shaped to different platforms. Through hands-on workshops and collaborative projects, they will learn how to combine visuals, text and narrative techniques to create engaging media outputs. Working in mixed teams, participants will develop creativity, adaptability and co-creation skills, supported by continuous feedback from instructors and media professionals.
Ethical and Reflective Communication in a Digital World. Participants will develop an understanding of ethical and responsible communication practices in online environments. Through guided reflection and experiential learning (including the thematic “online vs offline” field trip) they will explore the relationship between digital and real-world experiences. This outcome encourages awareness of the social impact of media content and supports the ability to create more authentic, meaningful and socially responsible digital narratives.
Selection criteria
Selection will be based: compliance to the prerequisites; order of submission; wide representation of fields of study and balanced participation of RUN-EU member institutions.
Involved organisations and persons
"Dunarea de Jos" University of Galați
Lead Organisation, Host Organisation- Marius Tuca (Lead Instructor)
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. Grant Agreement Number: 101124674
