ISA – International Schools Association

Leadership Through Innovation: Solving Global Challenges with STEAM

Cluj, Romania | OCT 25 - OCT 31, 2026

International Schools Association

Youth Leadership Encounter

The central concept of the meeting will be Leadership Through Innovation: Solving Global Challenges with STEAM

You are cordially welcome to participate in the annual ISA Youth Leadership Encounter to take place in Cluj, Romania in the autumn of 2026. Between October 25 and October 31 our global challenge topic is to be Leadership Through Innovation: Solving Global Challanges with STEAM

Venue

Transylvania College

Transylvania College provides a bilingual educational pathway from Nursery through high school, offering both a Romanian national track and a British International track. The school delivers internationally recognised qualifications, including IGCSEs, A Levels, and the Romanian Baccalaureate, and is the only Cambridge-accredited British School Overseas in the region, as well as an Edexcel examination centre.

Renowned for academic excellence, Transylvania College consistently achieves outstanding examination results and has received numerous national and international awards. Its graduates are admitted to top universities worldwide, reflecting the school’s strong academic standards and global perspective.

Learning is supported by a diverse, highly qualified international faculty and a strong commitment to continuous professional development. As an accredited member of COBIS, Transylvania College fosters a high-quality, student-focused learning environment that promotes academic achievement, international mindedness, and personal growth.

Accomodation

Hotel: Royal Class

Royal Class Hotel provides a safe and comfortable accommodation option for students, offering a secure environment and modern facilities designed for longer stays. The hotel features well-appointed rooms with free Wi-Fi, private bathrooms, air conditioning and study-friendly layouts, ensuring both comfort and functionality. Students can enjoy welcoming common areas ideal for studying, socialising and relaxing, along with on-site dining options and attentive staff, creating a supportive and reliable living environment close to the city and key transport links.

Activity Scheme

The draft outline for our 2026 event is as follows

Sunday

October 25th

Arrival to Cluj International Airport

Airport transfer to the hotel

Check-in and leisure time

Evening: Greetings, registration & casual dinner

(hotel)

Chaperones short meeting

(hotel)

Monday

October 26th

7:30-8:30 Breakfast at the hotel

8:45-9:30 Welcoming guests, school tour

9:30-10:45 Opening ceremony

11:00-12:30 Discovery groups games

Getting to know each other

12:30-13:30 Lunch @ Stradale, TC

15-18:00 Walking city Tour

Casual clothing

18:30 -20:30 Dinner in the City (Chios/Boema/Unirii Square)

Tuesday

October 27th

7:30-8:30 Breakfast at the hotel

9:00-9:30 Previous day reflection & discovery group challenge

9:30-12:00 Project presentation

Day 1

12:00 - 13:00 STEAM & Robotics workshops

12:30-13:30 Lunch @ Stradale, TC

14:00-17:00 Visit to Robots / UTCN

Bus to hotel, free time

18:30 - 20:30 Traditional dinner: Casa Dacilor - Brancusi

15 min walk from hotel

Wednesday

October 28th

7:30-8:30 Breakfast at the hotel

09:30 - 10:30 Leadership teams / Leadership workshops

10:45 - 12:00 Drive to Turda Salt Mine

13:00 - 16:00 Visit the salt mine, guided tour and activities

16:30 - 18:00 Visit ISSA Resort Horse show

18:30-20:30 Dinner @ ISSA Resort

Thursday

October 29th

7:30-8:30 Breakfast at the hotel

9:00 -9:30 Previous day reflection & discovery group challenge

9:30-12:30 Banffy Castle (guide tour & workshops)

12:30-13:30 Lunch @ Stradale, TC

14:00-18:00 Spending time together and shopping @ Vivo / Urban Mall

18:00 - 21:00 Hype Park - activities and dinner

Bus to hotel

Friday

October 30th

7:30-8:30 Breakfast at the hotel

8:45-9:30 Drive to Sighisoara + previous day reflection & discovery group

9:30-12:00 Hike Discover Sighisoara medieval fortress

History museum, clock tower, guilds towers and museum, church on the hill, covered stairs... treasure hunt on 3 teams & discovery groups challenges

13:30 Drive back to Cluj

13:30 - 17:00 Free Time

18:00-21:00 Closing Ceremony Dinner & Dracula Party @ TC

Saturday

October 31th

Breakfast and check-out

Transportation to the airport

Registration - Fees

Included Services

Services Not Included

PLEASE NOTE

Participants are responsible for their own travel and health insurance.

There is no student discount or grant.

FAQ's

Some of the most common questions

  1. Early bird registration: March 31st

  2. Normal registration: May 30th 

  3. Late Registration with a late fee: June 30th

None. You can register as many participants as you want.

No. You have to be an ISA member

Contact Form

Do you need more information?

Use the contact form to ask any question or ask for any other additional information.