Poland Summer Language Institute

  Poland

Warsaw

Term: Summer 
Dates: Next Offering - 2010

Description: Next Offering - Summer 2010!

University of Warsaw was founded in 1816 and today is the largest and one of the most prestigious higher education institutions in Poland with over 60,800 students and about 5,490 academic and administration staff.

Polonicum operates as a language institute within the Department of Polish Studies and is the oldest center for teaching Polish language and culture to foreigners in Poland. It offers language classes at all levels of proficiency throughout the academic year as well as a variety of history, literature, film and culture courses both in Polish and English.

Warsaw, the capital of Poland, is located on both banks of the River Vistula. The city is often compared to the mythical Phoenix. Having been completely destroyed during WWII, it managed to lift itself from the ashes as early as the 1950s with the tremendous reconstruction effort of the whole nation. Almost two decades after the fall of Communism, Warsaw has turned into a cosmopolitan, dynamic, and sophisticated European metropolitan, where the landmarks of Polands glorious past uniquely intertwine with the markers of modernity. For many people the very symbol of the city is the voluminous Palace of Culture and Science, which was gifted to Warsaw by Stalin.

The tourist epicenter of Warsaw, however, is The Old Town which was restored to its former splendor so carefully that it is now included on UNESCOs World Heritage List. The four-kilometer Royal Route leads from Royal Castle along with famous streets of Warsaw to Lazienki, the summer residence of the last Polish King, Stanislaw August Poniatowski. Warsaw boasts a number of green lungs and Lazienki Park is one of the most relaxing with its Palace on the Water and boating lake.

Warsaw is much more than just a collection of historical monuments. It is also the cultural capital of the country. There are over fifty museums and galleries there, as well as over thirty professional theatres. Warsaw is also the music centre of the country. Many international festivals and competitions take place there every year, such as the renowned Fryderyk Chopin International Piano Competition, the Warsaw Autumn International Modern Music Festival, International Jazz Jamboree Jazz Festival and the Warsaw Summer Jazz Days.

Highlights: Academic Program
The six-week program offers an intensive Polish language course and courses in Polish art, history, music, film, literature, and government.
Students take a placement test on the first program day to determine their knowledge of Polish. The Intensive Polish Language course (3-5 hours a day) is designed to build a firm linguistic foundation. Since students from all over the world and speaking various languages come to study, all language classes are conducted primarily in Polish.

Courses Offered
PLSH 312: Polish Language & Civilization in Poland
and/or
PLSH675: Readings in Polish Language & Literature

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: TBD

Estimated additional costs: TBD. Airfare, most meals (students have kitchen access), personal expenses, passport fees, and extracurricular excursions.

Note:
All dates, costs, and program information are subject to change as necessary due to fluctuations in the exchange rate or other reasons.

Experience Required: yes

All students in good standing (undergraduate or graduate) with a minimum of one year of Polish are eligible. Students will be asked to submit a language proficiency report as part of their acceptance materials, in addition to a separate Polonicum application form.

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Transcript
• Written Application