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SUMMER UNIVERSITY

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How long does a SU last?

What will we do during a SU?

Is it possible to enjoy a SU together with one or more friend?

If I apply for a SU, will I accept for sure?

How many participants during a SU?

When and where do the SUs take place?

Which is the lodging provided during a Summer University?

How does it cost to participate to a SU?

Do I pay before?

Why does it cost so few?

When do I know if my application is accepted?

Which are the criteria for the selection of participants?

What happen if my application is not accepted?

What do the abbreviations : SC, LC, TSU mean?

 

"How long does an SU last?"

The majority of the SUs lasts 2 weeks, with few exceptions. The date of all the SUs are already settled; so you cannot choose the city and then also when go there. Each Summer University takes place in a specific period and if it doesn’t fit for you, you simply have to chose another destination.
 

What will we do during a SU?

It depends from the SU. But the basis is the same for all: culture during the day (cultural tour, specific course…); party and fun in the evening. Few time to sleep, but lot of fun. Some excursions are also included in the program (sometimes for excursions there is an extra fee to pay, but it’s absolutely optional).
 

Is it possible to enjoy a SU together with one or more friend?

Sure, but we cannot assure you this will happen. Higher is the number of friends you want to travel with more difficult is to be accepted. And if you want to travel in a group of 4-5 persons, you don’t understand the spirit of the Summer University project…. The SU is the right opportunity for those who are searching something different, not for people looking for a cheap holiday with their friends. You are just two, good: read our guide “How to apply” to have more possibilities to be accepted.
 

If I apply for a SU, will I accept for sure?

No. Each year the applications are a little bit less than the double of the available places. But it’s true that a lot of students renounce so the probabilities increase.
 

How many participants during a SU?

Number of participants is different from SU to SU, but usually 30 participants from all over Europe plus 5-10 organizers of the hosting local.
 

When and where do the SUs take place?

Get a look at www.aegee.org/su all the descriptions of each SU are there. You can also download here the Summer University booklet in pdf format.
 

Which is the lodging provided during a Summer University?

Usually the lodging is in Students Residence, hostess, private apartment… but sometimes organizers ask you to bring a mattress and a sleeping bag with you because participants will be hosted in tents or other solutions, especially if the program included particular excursions like: canoe trip, natural park… Anyway in the SU descriptions and in the booklet is all clearly specify.
 

How does it cost to participate to a SU?

60-80 euro for week (so from 120 to 160 for a SU of 2 weeks) to cover the expenditures for lodging, almost all meals (usually breakfast and one meal), the activity you are going to attend and the special funny program the organizers prepare for you. The travel it’s not included as well as optional excursion, anyway it’s all written in the booklet. Obviously you need to be flexible so read careful the details of each SU: lodging, included meals….
 

Do I pay before?

No. You will pay after the confirmation of your participation. Some organizers let you to pay directly at the arrival.
 

Why does it cost so few?

Usually European project coordinate by NGO like AEGEE are supported by European Union, universities, private company and sponsors. So nothing to be surprised, be young in Europe sometimes is an advantage.
 

When do I know if my application is accepted?

Toward May. A delay is always possible but for sure before June you will know. How? You can check on-line using your username and password, ask the organizers or ask the responsible of your local (Aegee-Messina board members in our case).
 

Which are the criteria for the selection of participants?

It depends on what you wrote in your application form. Each organizing crew choose the participants looking at yours personal data (age, sex, nationality e city) in a way to have a good group of people coming from all the different European countries. Making the selection an important role is played by your “motivation letter”, the one you have to write when you fill in the application form, in wich you write why you want to attend that SU.
 

What happen if my application is not accepted?

If your application is not immediately accepted, usually it finishes in the “waiting list” and if anyone will delete his participation you will be accepted, otherwise you can apply for the free places also in SU you didn’t choose at the beginning. There are always free places in some SUs, so if you are really interested to enjoy the project and the point for you is to depart and not for where, for sure you will find a SU that will accept you, if some organizers didn’t accept you, someone else will do! The point is not to give up and wait a miracle, instead write e-mails and ask “I wasn’t accepted in Munich, could I enjoy your SU in Stuttgart”. If you need an help ask us.
 

What do the abbreviations “SC”, “LC”, “TSU” mean?

There are different kind of Summer University:
SC: Summer Course: It is a course of 2 weeks about one specific topic dealing with the local culture, at least 10 hours tuition, often dealing with practice.
SC+: Summer Course Plus: It is an intensive course about specific topics of general European interest. During the time of 2-4 weeks and supported by the university, participants receive at least 20 hours of tuition by professional lectures.
LC: Language Course: It is a course of language of 2 weeks, minimum 16 hours of tuition for week.
LC+: Language Course Plus: It is an intensive course of language of 2 weeks, at least 20 hours intensive language tuition by professional teachers for week.
TSU: Traveling Summer University: It is organized by at least two AEGEE antennae. During the 2-4 weeks of cultural trips through Europe, the group stays in at least 4 different places.