Event Gathers 100 Participants at Unique Alte Utting Venue

On 14 June, Wittenborg’s Munich study location, the New European College (NEC), celebrated the start of summer with a memorable event: the Captain Summer Bash. The party was themed around a nautical adventure, with Sascha Liebhardt, NEC's chancellor, as the captain of the evening. The venue could not have been more suitable, with the activity taking place at Alte Utting – a historic ship dating back to 1950, repurposed into a bar and restaurant situated on decommissioned train tracks on a bridge. 

Beginning at 19:00 and concluding at midnight, the event gathered approximately 100 participants. The mix included students, lecturers, friends of NEC and members of Munich’s German Dutch Business Club.  

Guests were greeted with packets of Ahoj Brause, a popular German fizzy drink, setting a festive tone for the evening. The party featured various engaging activities, including temporary tattoos, a live stream of the UEFA Euro 2024 match between Germany and Scotland (ending in a 5-1 victory for the German team), continuous music and name tag games with a role-playing twist. Attendees also had the opportunity to take Polaroid photographs, capturing moments to take home as souvenirs. One of the highlights was a party quiz with 15 questions about NEC, Wittenborg and even Leonardo DiCaprio and the Titanic.

The party atmosphere was enhanced by a variety of snacks, including crisps, pretzels, popcorn and nuts, along with lollipops at the bar. Guests received vouchers to redeem for drinks of their choice, and dinner featured a selection of traditional Italian pizzas from a local food truck, offering various flavours, including vegetarian options. 

MBM (Master of Business Management) student Andrea Aberde, specialising in Digital Marketing and Communication, shared her excitement about the event. "Coming from the Philippines only a couple of months ago means I have only been acquainted with the students in my MBM courses. The party was such a blast and an amazing opportunity for me to get to know more of the other students and lecturers outside the classroom setting. The fake tattoos were such a great feature. If you're partying, you might as well make bad decisions – but only temporary ones. Having a memento from the Summer Bash Party was a fun touch, thanks to the Instax photography. Can't wait for the next party!” 

Brunilda Puci, a BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) student from Albania specialising in Economics & Management, echoed these sentiments. “The party was amazing. There were more people than I expected, and I got to know new people including students and lecturers. Fortunately, we saw the match on TV and cheered for Germany's victory which was something not so usual in parties but anyway fun. The place was cosy but fun at the same time, so the atmosphere was exciting. This was the best party I have been to in Munich since I moved here.” 

NEC chancellor Sascha Liebhardt explained that this was the first summer party organised by Wittenborg’s Munich study location since 2019, following the interruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. “From the moment we were allowed by our government we started holding many leisure academic events with the German Dutch Business Club and the American German Business Club. In September 2023, we had our first big event when faculty and students attended the Oktoberfest. But we were missing a big summer event celebrating the past academic block and this was the perfect opportunity.” 

Liebhardt added that organising parties for students and faculty is crucial for fostering a sense of community and belonging within the institution. “These events provide invaluable opportunities for networking, collaboration and the exchange of ideas in a relaxed environment. Additionally, they enhance the overall campus experience, promoting well-being and strengthening the bonds that contribute to our institution's success.” 

With everyone playing their part as sailors on the NEC ship, the evening was a success, setting the bar high for future events. 

WUP 18/07/2024 
by Ulisses Sawczuk & Domenica Delgado 
©WUAS Press