Summer Universities 2008

What is a Summer University?

Although the name might suggest that “Summer Universities” are academic events, they are not. You will not get any ECTS credits, but something else…

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. Each year around 90 Summer Universities take place all around Europe, with around 2500 students from more than 30 European countries; from Spain to Georgia, and from Finland to Malta. The Summer Universities are organized by local AEGEE members.

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 and more!

However, figures can hardly express the unbelievable spirit of a Summer University. Because you never come as a tourist, but you come as a friend. 14 or more unforgettable days lie in front of you, filled with funny conversations in any language from French to Ukrainian, exciting excursions to archaeological sites and palaces, with crazy parties and deep philosophical talks with your new friends, when the sun goes down.

When you wake up with sleep in your eyes and your host gives you a cup of espresso with a smile – at that point you know the difference between a holiday trip and a Summer University. Forget about travel books and tourist trips. Get in to the culture.

Ville visited in July 2004 the Travelling Summer University from Munchen to Innsbruck. For AEGEE-Sanomat edition spring 2005 he wrote the following story!

One of our other members, Erkki, visited in August 2003 the Summer University in Groningen. For our magazine AEGEE-Sanomat edition spring 2004 he wrote this article!

When and how long?

The Summer Universities usually last two weeks. The first ones start in June, and the last ones are as late as in September.

Types of Summer Universities

There are five types of summer universities:

• Language Course
• Language Course Plus
• Summer Course
• Summer Course Plus
• Travelling Summer University

Read about different types of SUs.

What does it cost?

It is a general policy that the Summer Universities are made as cheap as possible: the participation fee is 70-90 Euros/week (+ 2,5 Euros application handling fee). In addition, you have to cover your trips to the Summer University city and back.

If you are not yet a member of AEGEE, you must join and pay membership fee

More information

You will find the application page and more information on the Summer University project page.

If you have any questions concerning the AEGEE Summer Universities, email su-info (at) aegee-helsinki (dot) org. But before you do, first read Guidelines and FAQs