Menu
Back to News ListPreviousNext

BootStRap Project: Hannah and Pranav Represent Croxley Danes in Lithuania!

Croxley Danes School is involved in the University of Hertfordshire’s three-year study into understanding how young people use the internet and how it affects their mental health: the BootStRap project. As part of this study, our BootStRap student ambassadors, Hannah M and Pranav V in Year 8, travelled to Lithuania last month to attend the BootStRap international youth camp. They were joined by teachers and other young people participating in the project from nine different European countries. Over the three days, Hannah and Pranav engaged with an international team of researchers to share their experiences and take part in collaborative and creative activities. 

Here is Hannah and Pranav’s write up of the trip:

'We represented the UK for the Bootstrap project by attending the bootcamp in Vilnius, Lithuania from 14th - 17th May. The Bootstrap Project trip to Vilnius through the University of Hertfordshire was an unforgettable experience filled with learning, culture, and new friendships. 

What is Bootstrap?

Bootstrap is a study exploring the effects of the internet and social media on teenagers, supported by a research app that helps collect information and opinions from young people. Working alongside the Euro Youth Mental Health group, we travelled to Lithuania to collaborate with students and staff from countries across Europe; including Germany, Portugal, Lithuania, and France. The trip gave us an amazing opportunity to share ideas, learn from different cultures, and make lots of new friends in a fun and stress-free environment.

Throughout the trip, we took part in engaging sessions focused on the negative impacts of social media on teenagers, discussing important issues such as mental health, online pressure, and privacy. Working in different and diverse groups, we created policies while considering how these challenges connect to human rights and the responsibility of protecting young people online. During the sessions, we used skills such as critical thinking to study complex cases of problematic experiences people have had with the internet.

Outside of the workshops, we had plenty of opportunities to enjoy the beauty of Vilnius itself. The Old Town was especially stunning, with its historic streets, colourful buildings, and lively atmosphere. One of the highlights of the trip was a fun guided tour where we learnt more about the city’s rich history and culture.

We stayed in a fantastic 4-star hotel with excellent food and great facilities, making the experience even more enjoyable. There was also lots of free time to relax, explore the city, play games with friends, or simply take a quick break in our rooms after busy sessions.

A particularly special part of the project was meeting people from all around Europe. Everyone was incredibly kind, cooperative, and welcoming, which made it easy to work together and build lasting friendships. Overall, the trip was both educational and memorable, giving us experiences, knowledge, and connections that we will remember for a long time.’

Back to News ListPreviousNext

Categories

Category / All Articles

Archives