Program Highlights:
The program combines classroom study with on-site experiential learning in the transforming European urban context. Through an interactive curriculum, students learn about how large processes of geopolitical change (the aftermath of WWII, ethnic and national upheavals, the fall of Communism, democratization, and European integration) play out in the local setting of a European city and its inhabitants. The program includes two interdisciplinary courses: 1) Explorations in Modernity: Lessons from Central Europe, and 2) The Urban Research Seminar.
The strong academic program is designed to give students a solid grounding in the history and culture of modern Central Europe. But learning moves far beyond the classroom and required readings. Not only does the program use the extraordinary city space of Wroclaw as a laboratory, but participants meet and exchange ideas with renowned academics, artists, filmmakers, policy makers, spiritual leaders and grass-roots activists and many more who are shaping the New Europe. An added benefit to the program is that US participants study together with Polish university students, a feature that has earned exceedingly positive reviews from past participants and has made the program a unique forum for the international exchange of ideas and experiences.
The University:
The University of Lower Silesia is a well-known private university that is fully recognized by the Polish Ministry of Education. The university promotes novel approaches to learning and forges research links on the national and international level. In addition to high-quality students, the school has attracted accomplished academic researchers and professors of education and the social sciences who have helped build the first-rate academic reputation of the school. In the seven years of the school’s existence, the student body has grown from 368 to almost 8,000 students who are served by a full-time academic staff of over 200 scholars.
The City:
Wroclaw is the fourth largest city in Poland. Most visitors remember it as a city of quaint bridges and canals (there are 12 islands and 112 bridges!). It also called the cultural center of the region due to its museums, tourist sites, theaters, galleries, music festivals, and numerous cultural events. There are wonderful restaurants and green parks, making it an attractive study abroad location. Moreover, within the city there are 13 institutions of higher education, so there are plenty of college students to meet!
Courses & Descriptions:
The program is composed an exciting interdisciplinary curriculum:
Core Courses
Students attend 2 courses (each worth 3 credits) awarded by the State University of New York at Brockport.
1) Explorations in Modernity: Lessons from Central Europe. It explores the culture and collective experience of that part of Europe which lies between Germany and Russia – a territory that includes Ukrainians, Poles, Czechs, Slovaks, Hungarians, Austrians, Slovenes, Croats, Serbs, and, historically, the majority of Europe’s Jews and Gypsies.
2) The Urban Research Seminar. The objective of this seminar is to help students understand the underlying cultural, historic and social forces at play in the making of Central Europe through action research.
Action Research… in Action
As a part of past Urban Research Seminars, participants study the following areas or neighborhoods of Wroclaw: Centennial Hall and the Exhibition Grounds, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a monument to the modernist movement; the Quarter of Mutual Respect, a historic area of town where representatives of four religious groups congregate, worship and work together toward the greater good of society; and Cathedral Island, the historic and spiritual heart of Wroclaw. The Urban Research Seminar culminates in the public presentation of research results, usually in City Hall and with the participation of city officials, including the Mayor of Wroclaw himself! Urban Research Seminar students complete projects that add lasting value to the local community.
Excursions into World Heritage
Experiencing the New Europe is more than just intensive study and fun in Wroclaw. Excursions to Prague, Krakow, and Berlin are an integral part of the Urban Research Seminar, providing a comparative perspective on the urban spaces of Central Europe. During the excursions, students are able to apply the knowledge gained in their coursework to become keen observers of the urban spaces they visit.
Transfer Credit:
The University of Lower Silesia is fully accredited by the Polish Ministry of Education. Most colleges and universities allow you to transfer credit from courses taken abroad. Before applying it’s important to speak with the study abroad advisor at your home institution to obtain pre-approval for your courses and determine how many credits you’ll receive. Every educational institution has different policies about transferring credit, so we encourage you to follow your institution’s regulations. Usually the number of credits that you receive depends on the number of teaching hours. Following the American system, we suggest awarding 1 semester credit for every 15 hours of class time or 1 quarter credit for every 10 hours of class time.
After completing the program, we’ll send your registrar or study abroad advisor an official transcript with the course titles, course hours, and grades. Your university will need this transcript to transfer credit.
Financial Aid:
It is possible to transfer your financial aid to pay for some or all of the program costs. The first step is to check with your home institution’s financial aid advisor before applying. Since every home institution has different rules, only your advisor can tell you what kind of aid can transfer. Study Abroad Poland is happy to provide you with a certificate of enrollment or any other documents that your university might require.
Scholarships are available on our scholarships page.
Application Deadline(s):
March 30, 2012
Late applications will be considered on an individual basis.
Applying for our programs is simple! Fill out the on-line application form and wait for more information from us.
