Items of interest

SLOVAK LANGUAGE AND CULTURE PROGRAM "STUDIA ACADEMICA SLOVACA" (SAS)

The 46th Summer School of Slovak Language and Culture "Studia Academica Slovaca" (SAS) will be conducted under the auspices of the Faculty of Arts, Comenius University, Bratislava, with courses held in Bratislava, August 1st to August 21st, 2010.

STUDIA ACADEMICA SLOVACA

The prestigious "Studia Academica Slovaca" (SAS) program has been run by Comenius University in Bratislava for 46 years. The course, lasting from August 1 to August 21 this year, is designed for those studying the Slovak language and Slovak culture, and for Slavicists in general. This intensive program is offered especially to university or college professors, experienced teachers, postgraduates and advanced undergraduates of Slovak and Slavic studies, writers, translators, and all others interested in the Slovak language and culture. However, the course offers opportunities to study the Slovak language at any level of proficiency, including a beginner level. The aim of the course is to enable students to improve and expand their knowledge of the Slovak language, as well as to increase their level of expertise in Slovak literature and culture. More information about the course is available at www.fphil.uniba.sk/sas.

Applications for the course must be submitted online at http://www.e-slovak.sk/apply/, by May 15.

To encourage applicants from the U.S., the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic is offering three scholarships for participants from the U.S. to SAS. (The scholarship does not cover travel and insurance.)

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Applications for SAS scholarships must be submitted to the Embassy of the Slovak Republic, 3524 International Court, NW, Washington, DC., 20008. The deadline for scholarship applications is April 15, 2010. Applications may take the form of a letter, fax (202-237-6438), or email (terezia.sajgalikova@mzv.sk -- please put "Studia Academica Slovaca" as the subject) expressing an interest in a scholarship for Studia Academica Slovaca and including the applicant's:

Date of birth
Permanent address
Temporary address (if applicable)
Nationality
Citizenship
Current employment
Telephone number
Fax (if available)
E-mail address
Indication whether the candidate has received a SAS scholarship in the past
Applicant's current Slovak language ability (proficiency: intermediate, beginner, etc.)
Character of the applicant's use of the Slovak language (to which of the Priority Groups (explained below) the applicant belongs).

Receipt of a properly submitted application will be confirmed by the Embassy. If your application is not confirmed within three days of submission, please contact the Embassy immediately.

Applicants for SAS scholarships will be selected according to these Priority Groups:
1. University or college professors, experienced teachers, and postgraduates and advanced undergraduates of Slovak and Slavic studies in the U.S.;
2. Writers, translators, journalists, and artists using the Slovak language in the U.S.;
3. U.S. businessmen and employees of U.S.-based companies active in the Slovak Republic;
4. Members of Slovak-American organizations and families;
5. All others interested in the Slovak language and culture.

Within the above-listed groups, priority will be given to those:
1. whose work is perceived as most beneficial for promoting the Slovak language and culture in the U.S., or for promoting strong Slovak-U.S. relations;
2. whose economic circumstances would prevent them from participating (students, postgraduates, etc.);
3. did not receive a SAS scholarship in the past.
Previous scholarship applications have no positive or negative bearing on the decision-making process

All applicants will be informed of a decision on their application by April 25, 2010, at the latest. Successful candidates will then apply on-line individually, using a special scholarship code provided by the Embassy. Unsuccessful candidates will still have an opportunity to apply as full-tuition applicants. (Please do not apply on-line prior to receiving a scholarship decision! Applicants who apply on-line without using the special scholarship code will be considered full-tuition applicants!)