Summer Universities FAQ
Saturday, 12 March 2011 14:11
How can one apply for a summer university?
Every member of our organization can apply. There are no further conditions. The process of joining and applying is the following:
- Only AEGEE members can apply for the summer universities. In order to be a member, you have to transfer the 5400 Ft annual membership fee to our account. This fee also includes the application costs of the summer university. You can join our organization at any time, and the membership is valid for one year (365 days.)
Transfer details:
Name: EHHE
Bank Account Number:
10102086-54872100-01000004
Note: Name, membership fee + SU fee
Amount: 5900 Ft
You must include your own name in the ‘Note’ field.
- When the transfer is complete, fill out this online statement of entry form.
- Then register on intranet: http://intranet.aegee.org/login/SignUp
- When the money has arrived to us, we will confirm your registration, and you can send in your application for the summer universities through the http://www.aegee.org/su website. You can only apply for three summer universities at once, and you have to organize your list according to your preferences. Besides providing your personal data and your preference list, the only thing you have to upload is a motivational letter.
How much does it cost?
The admission fees for the summer universities vary between 70 and 90 €. Since most of the summer universities last for two weeks, those fees are between 140 and 180 €. The payment options differ with every summer university. You might need to transfer half, or all of the admission fee before the start of your travel, but, in some cases, you have to pay the whole fee in person once you get there.
Apart from that, you must cover your own travel expenses when getting there.
How is it a university?
For many people, the word ‘university’ is misleading. There are no exams and studying all day long! For two weeks, you will be discovering the culture and beauty of the place with 30 European youngsters, you will get to know the local residents, and you will get to experience what it means to be a European and therefore learn how to be tolerant and open towards different cultures. Furthermore, depending on the topic of the summer university, you will get to know each other and the given topic more thoroughly through workshops, trainings and other non-formal learning practices. In the case of Language Courses, you will obviously be attending language lessons as well.
What’s the accommodation like? What’s the food like?
The accommodation is usually a hostel or a dormitory, but sometimes the participants stay in a hotel or a gym. If you will be accommodated in a gym, you need to bring a rucksack with you. Apart from one warm meal a day, the organizers also provide breakfast each day, the quality and quantity of which are ordinary.
Which foreign languages are required?
At the summer universities, the common tongue is English, so if you know English at least on an intermediate level, you will have no problems. If you have applied for a Language Course, and not for a beginner one, then you obviously have to speak that language on the level that you have checked. The summer university is always a great place to improve your language skills.
How many summer universities can I apply for? Is there a preference list?
You can apply for 1-3 summer universities in one year, and you have to list them according to your preferences. You can only attend one summer university each summer.
What should I include in my motivational letter?
The motivational letters are read by young people, and they are always looking for participants who are motivated, joyful, open-minded and ready for the 24 hour programs. It does not have to be long: a short introduction, and your reasons for why you would like to go there. You have to write it in English, but it only raises your chances if you write it in the language of the target country.
Who chooses the participants?
The participants are chosen by young people in your target city, so your application will not be judged in Budapest. All of the applications arrive to the organizing city, and they are the ones who choose the participants and communicate the results as well.
When can I check the results?
The results come out around the middle of May every year. In 2012 they came out on May 10. You will get an e-mail even if your application was rejected. It is very important to emphasize that you should not buy your airplane ticket before the official results are in. You should also check your e-mails regularly, since most of the time you have to confirm your will of participation before they consider you an official participant.
I was rejected, what should I do? How does the waiting list work?
You should not let yourself down, because you still have a chance with the waiting list. Those places that did not have enough applicants to fill in all the vacancies send out so-called open calls. These will be available on the http://www.aegee.org/su website.
