Erste Group Danubia Summer University 2010

Danubia is a summer university organized by the University of Economics in Vienna (WU). The whole program is connected to the main sponsor Erste Group not only via its name, but also by the countries involved in the program as well as where the whole marathon takes place – Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Serbia and Ukraine. Five of these countries are selected every year, and the chosen students visit their capital cities. This year, Danubia travelled through Bucharest, Belgrade, Zagreb, Bratislava and Vienna.

Program applicants have to pass a selection procedure at their home universities. Fifty-six students altogether (seven from each country) are chosen and divided into two teaching modules – Financial Services and Human Resources. The preferred module should go together with the previous studies or focus of the student. Most of the expense is defrayed by the main sponsor Erste Group; the rest is up to the students or partner universities.

Highlights of the summer university are the ATPs (Academic Teaching Programs), of which there are three in every country (with the exception of Zagreb, where there are four). The ATPs are variable – they may be classic lectures or solution of case studies, team work or preparing presentations. The next part of the academic program is based on visiting local Erste Group branches, where students hear presentations or join discussions with professionals and have an opportunity to see the practical functioning of the banking sector. Studies are concluded by a final test after which students obtain a certificate of completion.

The program also includes different free time activities arranged by the home town students for all 56 participants, e.g. sightseeing, visiting historically important monuments and buildings, a Danube cruise, orienteering games and tasting of local cuisine. The social and cultural programs are voluntary but represent an essential part of the whole event.

For this year’s VSE team, the Summer University Danubia has become not only an option to improve particular knowledge and communication skills in a foreign language, but also a chance to get to know different cultures and make valuable contacts across the entire CEE region. Each participant will definitely long remember the unforgettable Danubia experience, which was highlighted by the closing ceremony held at Erste Bank’s headquarter in Vienna. Therefore, Danubia Summer University is recommended as a great opportunity to actively spend one month of your summer holidays.