International Cooperation Office

On December 6, 2023, the Auditorium of the Collegium Artium of the University of Applied Sciences in Nysa transformed into a theater featuring young actors representing primary schools in the Nysa district. They participated in the Nysa Christmas English-language Art Forms competition, a theatrical contest titled "A Fairy Tale of What Happened in Nysa," organized by the Nysa University under the Patronage of the Mayor of Nysa.

The event, organized by the students of the Scientific Circle of English Philology, Lingua Musica, under the supervision of Dr. Alina Bryll, and the International Cooperation Office of the University of Applied Sciences in Nysa, aimed to promote and develop the interests of youth related to the English-speaking cultural sphere. It also aimed to ignite the desire to learn foreign languages, foster tolerance and openness to differences and similarities between nations, and provide an opportunity to showcase the artistic talents of primary school students in the Nysa district. Furthermore, the event contributed to promoting the commune as open to international cooperation, supporting youth artistic endeavors, and enhancing language education and knowledge about the Nysa commune.

The competition was open to students from grades V to VII of primary schools in the Nysa district, and each school could submit a maximum of two theater groups. The judging panel evaluated linguistic correctness, performance quality, stage decoration, and students' engagement.

Jury members:
Dr. Agnieszka Kaczmarek – Chair of the Jury and academic teacher at the Faculty of Neophilology of the University of Applied Sciences in Nysa
Dr. Eng. Piotr Chwastyk – Vice-Rector for Cooperation and Development of the University of Applied Sciences in Nysa
Alyssa Sharp - an alumna of the Ohio State University in Columbus, Fulbright Program scholarship holder at the University of Applied Sciences in Nysa
Mgr. Dagmara Bojda – employee of the International Cooperation Office of the University of Applied Sciences in Nysa
Gracjan Surówka – representative of English Philology students

Twenty-five students from primary schools in the Nysa district participated in the competition, presenting the following short theatrical forms in English:

• "The Stone Soup" - School and Preschool Complex in Biała Nyska 
• "The Story of Santa Claus" - Primary School No. 2 in Głuchołazy
• "The Match Girl" - Primary School No. 2 in Głuchołazy
• "A Santa Claus Story!" - Diocesan Primary School in Nysa
• "A Christmas Carol" - Diocesan Primary School in Nysa

After intense deliberations, the Jury decided to award:
1st place - "The Story of Santa Claus" - Primary School No. 2 in Głuchołazy
2nd place - "The Match Girl" - Primary School No. 2 in Głuchołazy
3rd place - "A Santa Claus Story!" - Diocesan Primary School in Nysa

All participants received sweet Christmas packages, and the groups that took place on the podium also received attractive prizes sponsored by the University of Applied Sciences in Nysa, including electronic equipment. Additionally, all participants received commemorative diplomas.

During the event, students had the extraordinary opportunity to attend a presentation by Ms. Alyssa Sharp on "Christmas traditions in the USA," an alumna of the Ohio State University in Columbus and a current Fulbright Program scholarship holder at the University of Applied Sciences in Nysa, which garnered significant interest.

The program also featured many attractions for the audience, including musical performances by English Philology students, quizzes about English-speaking countries, and other language-related activities. Santa Claus and snowflakes were also present, treating the audience with sweets. The event garnered tremendous interest from the audience, who attended in large numbers to listen to their friends’ stories and enjoy Christmas time with the UAS in Nysa.

Special thanks to Mayor Kordian Kolbiarz for patronizing the event and to companies Intersnack Poland and Wacuś from Nysa for supporting the event by providing their products to the participants.

Heartfelt thanks to all students who contributed as co-organizers of the event. Special thanks to Dr. Alina Bryll – supervisor of Lingua Musica Circle and Mr. Piotr Kulczycki – employee of the Nysa University, as well as the staff of the International Cooperation Office and the Career Office without whom the initiative could not have taken place.

We express our gratitude to all teachers for their preparation, to the participants for their participation in the competition and the time spent together, and we warmly congratulate the winners!