Economies In Turmoil: Threats and Opportunities in the Baltics

- Multi-Country

Locations in Europe

  Estonia

Tartu

  Latvia

Riga

  Lithuania

Vilnius

Term: Summer 
Dates: June 1-21

Description: The program will begin on the 1st of June 2009 and will continue for three weeks until the 21st of June 2009. Participants will spend one week in Estonia (Tallinn), one week in Lithuania (both Vilnius and Klaipeda) and one week in Latvia (Riga). Professors from each university will give lectures in English concerning different aspects of development and competitiveness of Baltic economies. Six company visits will be organized in each country; companies will be chosen from the following fields:

- banking
- IT
- marketing or tourism
- ship building and repair
- marine trade and transportation
- food-processing industry
- construction

* Students will spend the 1st week of the program in Estonia
Tallinn - an important commerce city since the medieval times, the capital of Estonia is the driving force behind country's economy combining centuries of history and tradition with modern culture and active business life.

* 2nd week in Lithuania
Vilnius - the capital of Lithuania is one of the most visited cities in Eastern Europe and draws attention not only because of its diverse architectural character, but also by its cultural events and attractions. In 2009 Vilnius, as the first of the new cities of European Union, will become the European Capital of Culture.

Klaipeda - situated at the mouth of the Curonian Lagoon, the city has grown since 1252 to become the third largest city of Lithuania and the biggest Lithuanian transport hub, connecting sea, land and railway routes from East to West.

* 3rd week in Latvia
Riga - Latvia's capital and the largest city in the Baltic States is particularly notable for its vibrant business and cultural life and UNESCO-acknowledged Art Nouveau architecture. Riga is also the production home to the very famous spy photo camera - Minox.

Highlights: Four leading Baltic universities offer a business oriented program with strong practical emphasis on company visits in three Baltic countries - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The goal of the program is to familiarize the students with current challenges and opportunities facing the Baltic economies through company visits and discussion meetings with upper-level managers of local and international businesses. Cultural events of the program will include city tours, visits to renowned museums and landmarks as well as attendances of dance or musical performances.

Participating universities:

University of Tartu (est.1632) - Estonia's leading research and development institution and one of the most well-known and oldest universities in the Baltic area, provides world-class higher education in a wide variety of academic fields.

Vilnius University (est.1579) - one of the oldest higher education establishments in Eastern and Central Europe, today an active participant in international scientific and academic activities, famous for many prominent scientists, professors and graduates.

Klaipeda University (est.1991) - a young and dynamic university dominates the Lithuanian academic landscape with studies on marine sciences and engineering, jazz music and choreography.

University of Latvia (est.1919) - almost a third of all Latvia's students and more than half of the Latvian research capacity is concentrated in one of the largest universities in the Baltic States, renowned for its research on material science, information and communication technologies and socio-economic as well as environmental and health problems.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: 1,650 EUR

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian and European Participants.

Participants Travel Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

University of Tartu, International Relations Office's Mission Statement: The University of Tartu is a national university uniting different branches of science. The mission of the University of Tartu is to act as the guardian and advocate of a highly educated Estonia through internationally acclaimed research and the provision of research based higher education.

Year Founded: 1632