Participants are the very essence of MEDS Workshop. They come from very diferent countries, backgrounds and mindsets. They are gathered all together with a passion in common: love for design, love for learnig and love for sharing. Curiosity and enthusiasm are some of the main features that represent a MEDS participant. At the beginning of each workshop, participants select a project that they want to join. During the next days, each team along with their tutor(s) will create, develop and build their project together.

A tutor is a person who is responsible for leading a project with one or two other tutors, and plays a key role at MEDS workshop. You can become a tutor by making a successful application for a workshop. The roles of a tutor includes being flexible in their design-build projects in terms of guiding participants and responding to their building environment, having experience with the tools and materials required to create their project, and having the ability to lead participants throughout the duration of the workshop.

Helpers play a vital role in making the event happen, by supporting a variety of functions and logistics throughout its duration. Possible roles include staffing the info point, assisting with food, cleaning, documenting and photographing, keeping the tool shed and materials organized, running errands and other essential tasks. Outside of their scheduled shifts, helpers are free to enjoy their time as they wish, whether that means joining one of the workshop projects, relaxing, or connecting with others. The schedule is designed to offer balance, giving each helper the space to rest, participate in the workshop and its side events, and fully experience the spirit of MEDS Workshop.

National Contacts (NC) are the national representatives of MEDS, responsible for promoting the organization and workshops in their own country and advising participants before and during the Workshop. If your country is not on this list, you can still take part in the workshop by applying with the International Team.

The organizers are the main people responsible for making the whole workshop possible. These are the people who already know MEDS well and who propose to do the workshop in their country. They propose their idea with a team in the MEDS Forum and the best proposal is chosen.

An active member is a member of the MEDS network, who, outside of the annual summer workshop, remains engaged with supporting and developing the network. This can include future events, activities, and more and can be done according to each individual’s capacity, interests, and time commitment. Through the effort of active members, our network is able to thrive.

My MEDS experience:

“I have been coming to MEDS each year for enough time to say that I grew through it. I have made friendships that are everlasting, and together we are still creating memories each year, even outside the workshop!”

On the professional side:

 “I get to learn things by first hand experience, and my network grew with people from all over the world even from fields I never thought I’d work with. I was also enabled to materialize my ideas through the various initiatives and the support of people in MEDS.“

My MEDS experience:

“MEDS was my first international workshop as a student, and it became a turning point for me. What makes it unique is how it brings together people from different cultures, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, and turns them into one supportive family. Through MEDS I discovered how to broaden my perspective, stay grounded, and embrace every challenge as an opportunity to grow. It showed me that contributing to a community isn’t only about large-scale projects, but can also start with small actions that create real impact.“

On the professional side:

“My journey with MEDS grew from being a participant, to organizing the workshop in Lebanon, later becoming a tutor, and taking on the role of National Contact for Lebanon. Each role gave me new skills, friendships, and confidence, while also letting me discover new countries and cultures every year. For me, MEDS is more than a workshop, it’s a community that teaches dedication, collaboration, and the joy of creating together.“

What did you get out of MEDS for yourself?

One of the biggest personal challenges was to trust that nothing is impossible. MEDS taught me that with the right mindset, belief, and strong collective will, even the most ambitious ideas can become reality. It was more than just organizing a workshop—it was about growing together, pushing limits, and discovering how powerful teamwork can be.”

What were your personal highlights/achievements that you were able to take out of MEDS for your personal or professional development?

“The most important thing I learned through MEDS is that nothing is impossible. No matter how complex or challenging a task may seem at first, with the right mindset, a clear structure, and mutual support, it can be achieved. This experience truly convinced me that belief and persistence are more powerful than fear or doubt.

Another big achievement was learning how to work with people remotely. Coordinating across distances, managing communication, and still keeping the team spirit alive taught me a lot about leadership and flexibility.

I also realized how important it is to divide big responsibilities into small, manageable tasks. When no one feels overwhelmed, the entire process becomes smoother and more enjoyable. That’s the key to creating a healthy, creative, and productive work atmosphere.

Of course, there were moments when I felt unsure, when I thought maybe I couldn’t handle it—but having people around who noticed that, who encouraged me to pause, take a break, and come back stronger, made all the difference. That balance of ambition and care is something I now carry forward in both my personal and professional life.”

Website 

https://cargocollective.com/andy-you-and-me

What did you get out of MEDS for yourself?

“A chance to work with a great community of students and user on ideas which I believe were relevant.”

What were your personal highlights/achievements that you were able to take out of MEDS for your personal or professional development?

“The highlights / achievements for me were that myself and my co-tutor were able set up a multifaceted environment that we were able to teaching, experiment and build our workshop outcome. It was a management, teaching, logistics and collaborative challenge.”