General Introduction
A Summer University is usually a two-week event organized by an AEGEE local where between 20 and 60 students come together from all over Europe.
Summer Universities are organized by students for students. The activities carried out during a Summer University range from academic activities as classes to learn a foreign language, different courses on technical themes to multicultural activities: get familiar with Finnish culture, Spanish history, Greek mythology;
learn how to sail or tracking or etc. Each year around 90 Summer Universities take place all over Europe, with around 2500 students from more than a 30 European countries; from Spain to Moldova, and from Finland to Malta.
Objectives
The Summer University Project aims at opening a new perspective to the participants over the multicultural dimension of the European continent.
It also promotes understanding among European students, removing national borders and creating a European feeling.
It also promotes understanding among European students, removing national borders and creating a European feeling.
History
The Summer University Project was born in 1988 with the intention to promote the European Integration. This project is the main tool developed by AEGEE to attain this difficult but fascinating target. Since that time, it has been continuing every year with the participation of more than 90 antennae.
It reflects AEGEE's traditional formula: Acquaint Europeans with Europe. This year, it will be the 19th anniversary of the project, which makes it the longest lasting project in AEGEE history.
It reflects AEGEE's traditional formula: Acquaint Europeans with Europe. This year, it will be the 19th anniversary of the project, which makes it the longest lasting project in AEGEE history.
Programme
The programme's key to success is the effort to involve as many people as possible, also offering a low cost set up typical of a non-profit association. It includes workshops in different areas as history, literature, culture, art, cinema etc. It also offers the opportunity to experience traditional food, enjoy a European Night party and a compulsory AEGEE lesson :), learn about other cultures and even discover yourself. Active debates, music and youth spirit are traditionally part of the programme of a Summer University.
Tools
The Summer University Booklet is the main information tool of the project. It contains a detailed description of every Summer University taking place in the framework of the project. Based on the information provided in the booklet, AEGEE members can apply for a place. The website of AEGEE Europe contains an on-line version of the SU Booklet, as well as all the necessary information for participants along with latest news and updates about the project.
The SU page on the european website is also another tool of the project. It contains all necessary information and participants can also submit their applications through the website. Attention: it is necessary to be subscribed and members of AEGEE before accessing the online application form! Around the end of March and April AEGEE Florence sets up a calendar of weekly meetings for all those who want to become members, apply for a Summer University or simply ask for information. These appointments will be carried out every week at INFORMAGIOVANI office, in via Alfani 54. The booklet with the complete list of SUs is usually received in April and is at disposal of everyone who wants to consult it.
The SU page on the european website is also another tool of the project. It contains all necessary information and participants can also submit their applications through the website. Attention: it is necessary to be subscribed and members of AEGEE before accessing the online application form! Around the end of March and April AEGEE Florence sets up a calendar of weekly meetings for all those who want to become members, apply for a Summer University or simply ask for information. These appointments will be carried out every week at INFORMAGIOVANI office, in via Alfani 54. The booklet with the complete list of SUs is usually received in April and is at disposal of everyone who wants to consult it.
Application for Participants
Applying is only possible after becoming a member of AEGEE and receiving the required membership number, which is necessary to fill out the application form on the website. It is expected from the applicants to write a motivation letter for each of their three choices. In fact, in the application it is possible to indicate up to three preferred SUs. But, as described below, just one of them will participate to the selection.
Selection procedure
The selection is carried out in two stages:
1.Pre-selection: The Summer University Coordination Team makes a first general selection of the received applications, which means that only one choice from each application will be considered. The pre-selection aims at ensuring that each SU receives a heterogeneous group of nationalities, sex, ages and cultures, and making sure that all organizing locals receive as many applications they need. The preselection aims to make sure every SU receives a heterogenous group of applicants on nationality, sex, age and culture. The choice is usually based on the possibilities that a person has of being accepted and participate to a SU. Therefore the SU that received less applications, among the three indicated on the application, is usually selected in the preselection. If a member has indicated one single preference (not two or three), then this one goes directly to the next phase. The preselection is usually made at the end of May.
2. Selection: The local organizers make the last and definite selection of participants among the applications given by the SUCT. The local organizers make the last and definitive selection of the participants among the applications received from the SUCT. If the applicant is accepted then he can participate without problems. Otherwise he's usually inserted in a Waiting List: in case of cancellations the members on the waiting list are contacted directly by the organizers of the SU. The selections are generally made one to two months before the beginning of the Summer University.
1.Pre-selection: The Summer University Coordination Team makes a first general selection of the received applications, which means that only one choice from each application will be considered. The pre-selection aims at ensuring that each SU receives a heterogeneous group of nationalities, sex, ages and cultures, and making sure that all organizing locals receive as many applications they need. The preselection aims to make sure every SU receives a heterogenous group of applicants on nationality, sex, age and culture. The choice is usually based on the possibilities that a person has of being accepted and participate to a SU. Therefore the SU that received less applications, among the three indicated on the application, is usually selected in the preselection. If a member has indicated one single preference (not two or three), then this one goes directly to the next phase. The preselection is usually made at the end of May.
2. Selection: The local organizers make the last and definite selection of participants among the applications given by the SUCT. The local organizers make the last and definitive selection of the participants among the applications received from the SUCT. If the applicant is accepted then he can participate without problems. Otherwise he's usually inserted in a Waiting List: in case of cancellations the members on the waiting list are contacted directly by the organizers of the SU. The selections are generally made one to two months before the beginning of the Summer University.
