The seventh annual ASU Summer Program in Romania is a four-week session at the Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca designed to give participants a comprehensive view of the rich and unique cultural history of Pre/Post Communist Central Europe. The classroom work of this traditional study abroad program is complemented by an intensive program of guided visits to museums, historical sites, and other outstanding centers of Central European cultural heritage, and by a one-week cultural trip to the capitals of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire.

LOCATIONS:

TRANSYLVANIA: Cluj-Napoca, the capital of Transylvania, is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural city of about 400,000. Situated in the northwestern part of Romania, Cluj is built on the site of a Roman castrum, half way between Bucharest, the capital city of Romania, and Budapest, the capital city of Hungary. It holds Gothic and Byzantine style churches and cathedrals, nearby monasteries, and an old downtown area, with medieval, Baroque, and turn of the century buildings. The program includes visits to other cities of Transylvania, such as Sighisoara (the birthplace of Dracula) and Bran (the site of Dracula’s castle). Also included is a two-day stay in Bucharest to visit Ceausescu’s People Palace, the largest building in the world, and numerous museums and cultural sites.

CULTURAL TRAVEL: An essential part of the academic program, the cultural trip will include guided visits to the former capitals of the Austro-Hungarian empire: BUDAPEST, sightseeing tour of the Hungarian capital, the Buda and Pesta sides, along the Danube River; PRAGUE, visits to the Old Town Square, Mala Strana (The Little Quarter), Charles Bridge, and a tour of the city; VIENNA, sightseeing and visit to Schoenbrunn Castle, summer residence of the Hapsburgs royal family, as well as dining in the Grinzing, the traditional Viennese woods made famous by Johann Strauss’s music; BRATISLAVA, capital of the new Slovak Republic, one of the latest additions to the European Union.

ELIGIBILITY: This program is open to qualified undergraduate and graduate students interested in the Romanian language and the culture and politics of Central Eastern Europe who desire to study, travel, and experience different customs, foods, and ways of life. Students signing up for the program do not have to take Romanian language classes. Students from other universities in the U.S. are encouraged to apply. Applications with a $250.00 deposit are due by February 2, 2005. However, applications will continue to be accepted until the program is full.

ACADEMIC PROGRAM: Students can choose their coursework from amongst the following options:

ROM 101: Elementary Romanian (5)
ROM 201: Intermediate Romanian (5)
ROM 313/314: Romanian Comp/Conversation (3)
ROM 494/598: Advanced Romanian (3)
ENG 429/598: ST: Jewish Culture in Europe (3)
FLA or HUM 494/598: ST: Jewish Culture in Europe (3)
POS 494: ST: Jewish Culture in Europe (3)
ENG 429/598: ST: Pre/Post Totalitarian Studies in Eastern Europe (3)
FLA or HUM 494/598: ST: Pre/Post Totalitarian Studies in Eastern Europe (3)
HST 394 or POS 494 or WST 494: ST: Pre/Post Totalitarian Studies in Eastern Europe (3)

LIVING ACCOMMODATIONS: Housing is based on double occupancy in traditional dormitory rooms with private bathrooms. During travel time in Romania and abroad, students will be accommodated in student hotels.

COST OF THE PROGRAM: The cost of $2,500 (subject to possible change) includes: housing, two daily meals, and organized cultural travel. Not included: Arizona State University tuition and fees and airfare.

The Program may allow for time which can be spent in non-Program activities. Participants may wish to travel, sightsee, or participate in activities or events in which they have a personal interest. Please note that the participant is fully responsible for making arrangements and for all costs of transportation, lodging, food, and additional expenses that may be associated with any non-Program activities.

Please visit the program’s website at the web address provided below.

For more information about Romania and the academic aspects of the program, please contact:

Dr. Ileana Alexandra Orlich
Languages and Literatures
Arizona State University
PO Box 870202
Tempe, AZ 85287-0202

Tel: 480-965-4658
E-mail: Orlich@asu.edu

For more information about the application process or to obtain an application form (including an electronic version), please contact: