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Central Europe Study Abroad in the Czech Republic
(
Maymester 2009)
Program Dates
For the 2009 Maymester Study Abroad in the Czech Republic program, the group will depart from Atlanta on May 14, 2009 and return on June 6.
Program Location
The primary site for the three-week program is the campus of Palacky University, in the historic city of Olomouc. The main Palacky campus is located in the historic center of Olomouc, within the medieval town walls and an easy walking distance from the main town square. The building housing the Philosophical Faculty, site of the classroom lectures and discussions for the program, is the former Archbishop’s residence that was built in the 17th century.
Olomouc sits in the gently rolling, fertile basin of the Morava River, in central Moravia. It is in the heart of Central Europe, near the Czech borders with Slovakia and Poland and within three to five hours by car or train of such famous cities as Prague, Vienna, Krakow, and Budapest. Olomouc has been a center of political, religious, military, and educational importance for many centuries. Its history is reflected in its architecture, second only to Prague’s among Czech cities for its beauty and importance. Today Olomouc is a thriving educational, governmental, and commercial center of some 120,000 residents.
Courses and Credits
Students will attend lectures given by Palacky University faculty in Central European history, politics, sociology, economics, culture, and contemporary issues. All lectures are in English.
Lectures will generally be in the mornings, while afternoon discussions will be led by accompanying faculty from VSU. There will be a final examination on the last day in Olomouc that will be graded by the VSU faculty.
Students may take a maximum of six semester hours credit, among the following courses:
| Three Hour Courses: SOCI 4900 Special Topics in Sociology: Central Europe INTL 3500 Study Abroad: Central Europe HIST 3030 History of Central Europe POLS 4830 Special Topics in Comparative Politics: Central Europe POLS 4840 Special Topics in International Politics: Central Europe and International Relations |
Six Hour Course: INTL 3510 Study Abroad: Central Europe |
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Students will also receive a special introductory language lecture on "Survival Czech" at an orientation session prior to departure for the Czech Republic.
Accomodations and Meals
Students are accommodated in student housing provided by Palacky University. Meals are not a part of the package cost. This is because of the relatively low cost of restaurants in Olomouc; $8-10 buys a full meal with beverages including service. We also desire to give students the maximum choice possible in deciding where to eat. Olomouc has a great variety of good restaurants featuring local and international cuisine. Meal costs will be slightly higher in Prague and Krakow on the field trips, but both cities also provide a variety of low-cost options. We estimate that students should budget a minimum of $800.00 to cover meal costs.
Field Trips
The program includes two required overnight field trips to Krakow, Poland, and to Prague. The Krakow field trip will involve round-trip bus travel from Olomouc to Krakow, two nights stay in Krakow (in a hotel or hostel), and a visit to the nearby Auschwitz/Birkenau death camp. Other visits will be the Wawel castle and sites in the historic city center.
The Prague field trip will come at the end of the program, before departure for Atlanta. It includes two nights in Prague (in a hotel or hostel) and the opportunity to visit Hradcany Castle and other sites in the historic Prague city center. Both required field trips will be led by accompanying Georgia faculty and faculty or graduate students from Palacky University.
There is also an optional weekend field trip to Budapest that will be led by accompanying Georgia faculty. Participants will travel by train to Budapest from Olomouc and back, and spend two nights in a hotel or hostel. While in Budapest they will have the opportunity to visit sites of historical and cultural interest and attend cultural events. This optional field trip is not covered in the program package costs. Students interested in participating in the optional field trip should budget an additional minimum of $300 to cover hotel, train travel, local transportation, and other expenses. Payment for the Budapest optional field trip will be due before the MAY 14 departure date.
In addition to the overnight field trip, the program includes shorter-length excursions to sites of historical and cultural interest in the Olomouc and the Moravia region.
Admission Requirements
Any full-time or part-time student is eligible to participate in the program, including those from institutions that are not a part of the University System of Georgia. Students not enrolled at VSU or GCSU must be admitted to and enroll in VSU on a transient basis in order to participate in the program.
Application forms are available on request, or contact one of the program directors listed on this web site. Application forms can also be downloaded from this web site. Completed applications should be sent to the Center for International Programs or to one of the program representatives along with the required application fee of $150.
Because of space limitations acceptance is on a first come, first serve basis, according to the date of receipt of the application and application fee. Students are encouraged to apply well in advance of the application deadline to assure themselves of a place in the program. Please note that students must be in good standing in order to be admitted to the program. Completion of the application form does not in itself guarantee acceptance into the program.
The application deadline for the 2009 program is Monday, February 9, 2009.
Program Costs
The package cost is $3700 for the three-week program. This cost includes the following items:
- Round-trip airfare between Atlanta and Prague
- Round-trip bus transportation between Prague airport and Olomouc
- Accommodations in Olomouc and in Krakow and Prague on required field trips
- Lectures by Palacky University faculty
- Two to three-day field trips to Krakow, Poland (including Auschwitz/Birkenau) and Prague (transportation and tour admission fees)
- Excursions to sites of historical and cultural interest in the Olomouc region
- Health insurance
The package cost does not include: tuition, meals (as explained above), passport and related expenses, travel to and from Atlanta, spending money, or other costs beyond those listed above. The package cost also does not include the optional weekend field trip to Budapest.
Transient students are required to pay in-state tuition for the Maymester (full-time, 6 hours) at VSU. In addition to the estimated minimum of $800 for meals, students should plan to budget an additional minimum of $300 for extra meals, tickets to cultural events, entrance fees, and evening entertainment. Students taking advantage of the optional weekend fieldtrip to Budapest should budget an additional minimum of $200-250 for this trip. If students plan extended travel or major shopping, additional funds should be budgeted.
All costs are subject to change due to unanticipated increases in airfares or other program elements or fluctuations in monetary exchange rates. The program directors will make every effort to keep program costs as advertised and will inform prospective participants of any changes as they occur.
Payment Schedule and Refunds
A $150 application fee is due at the time of application. The application fee is applied towards the total program cost of $3700. Other payment deadlines are as follows:
February 9, 2009: First payment of $1775 plus $150 application fee, to cover airfare, travel passes, and facility deposits in the Czech Republic and Poland.
March 9, 2009: Final payment of $1775
Students' application fees and other payments are applied towards required advances, purchase of airline tickets, and other costs related to the program. Note that $75 of the $150 application fee is non-refundable and covers processing and reservation fees. Participants who withdraw from the program after the application deadline will receive a refund according to the following schedule:
- Withdrawal before March 9 : All but $75 will be refunded.
- Withdrawal between March 9 and April 9 : All but $1500 will be refunded.
- Withdrawal after April 9: No money will be refunded.
Note: All withdrawals must be made in writing to the Center for International Programs or the program directors at Valdosta State University in order for refunds to be processed.
Financial Aid
Courses in the Maymester 2009 Czech Study Abroad Program are part of the regular offerings of VSU; therefore, students may apply for loans or grants for which they would normally be eligible. Students should apply for financial aid at their home campus. Campus representatives will assist students in obtaining information about financial aid. Students must meet all campus requirements in applying for financial aid.
Registration
VSU students register for the program courses on the usual dates for pre-registration for the summer sessions (March - April 2009).
Students not enrolled at VSU or GCSU campuses must register on a transient basis at Valdosta State University for the Maymester 2009 term. This entails formally applying to and being admitted by VSU. For application forms and procedures, contact the VSU Admissions Office. Once admitted to VSU, you can register through the usual procedures.
Passports and Visas
Everyone who travels to the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary must have a valid passport. Participants who have expired passports should have them renewed. Participants who have never had a passport should begin the process of obtaining one immediately; it sometimes takes six to eight weeks to get a passport. Inquire at your local post office for directions on obtaining a passport.
Holders of U.S. passports do not need visas to enter the Czech Republic, Poland, or Hungary for stays of less than three months. Participants traveling on passports of other countries should contact the VSU Center for International Programs for assistance in determining whether they need a visa.
For everything you need to know about getting a passport, be sure to visit the State Department's Office of Passport Services on the web.
Faculty
Dr. Michael Baun
|
Dr. James LaPlant Email: jlaplant@valdosta.edu |
Additional Links
For additional information about the Czech Republic and Central Europe, be sure to visit the following websites:
- Palacky University
- Official Czech Republic website
- Palacky University Dept. of Political Science
- Krakow website
- Prague website
- Vienna website
- Central Europe Online
- Olomouc website
- Praque Post online
- Student Quotes and Pictures
- A Short Presentation About the Program