Scholarships for the European Forum Alpbach 2012

Every year since 1945, the European Forum Alpbach has been held in the Tyrolian mountain village of Alpbach. For almost three weeks Alpbach becomes the village of thinkers or, as Otto Molden, the founder of the Forum, called it, the “other magic mountain”. Speakers and participants from all parts of the world, from science, economics and politics, experienced experts and students, come together in Alpbach to discuss the current issues and to formulate interdisciplinary solutions. The open character of the events promotes a climate of tolerance for different opinions and contributes to the overcoming of national, ideological and disciplinary boundaries in a harmonius way. Participation is open to all those who are interested, and the events are carried out in the German or the English language.

The programme of the European Forum Alpbach is divided into three main parts:

Seminar Week

Up to fourteen seminars are dedicated to various scientific disciplines. One aspect of the theme is discussed with renowned scientists in each seminar over six half-days.

Alpbach Symposiums

These two- to three-day conferences deal with the themes of architecture, reform, technology, politics, health and the economy. To supplement these, special workshops are also held on banking, film and EU-networking, as well as a ‘Tyrol day’ and an ‘University day’ which features the scientific achievements of the Tyrolians.

Alpbach Summer School

The Summer School courses, which are dedicated to theme “European Law and European Integration” are focused on students in the higher levels of their university study and on young graduates.

"Expectations - The Future of the Young" is the general topic of the European Forum Alpbach 2012 which will take place from August 16 to September 01, 2012 in the village of Alpbach in the Tyrolean mountains.

The three-week event offers an opportunity to enter into discussion with renowned personalities. In a unique atmosphere, speakers from a wide variety of disciplines will discuss burning issues of our times with the participants. An extensive social programme offers opportunities to continue debates outside the conference and seminar rooms.

To enable young people to share in this experience, the European Forum Alpbach Non-Profit Foundation under Private Law, supported by many sponsors, makes scholarships available for students and recent graduates. Scholarships are available for students and recent graduates up to 30 years of age. Last year, more than 600 students and recent graduates from 46 countries were able to take part in the Forum thanks to scholarships.

Usually the scholarship covers tuition fees only. For applicants from Central, East and Southeast Europe, as well as from other less affluent countries, a contribution to the accommodation expenses and, as an exception, per-diems may also be included. Travel costs have to be covered by the participants.

Please take into account that there are different scholarship programmes to participate in the European Forum Alpbach 2012 and the Summer School on European Health and Social Systems in Transition, and that you can apply only either for the European Forum Alpbach or for one of the Summer Schools.

Deadline for scholarship application: May 8, 2012 (postmark).

Please click here to view and download documents required for application for the Forum and Summer School. 

For further information about the scholarship programme please contact:
Franz MAILER, European Forum Alpbach Non-Profit Foundation under Private Law, Tel.: +43 (1) 718 17 11-13, Fax +43 (1) 718 17 01, stipendium@alpbach.org

 

How to Get Away From Scholarship Fraud Online

In the new virtual world we live in today, fraud is a new fear instilled into anyone who has shopped or done other types of business online. Almost every business and governmental agency has a website, and it is often preferred that you visit that site as opposed to calling in and speaking with a live person. For this reason, many potential college students are seeking scholarships online rather than calling the institution or going in to speak with financial aid specialist. While there is nothing wrong with speeding up the process, this does open up the chance to become a victim of fraud, and the ways scam artists lure you in are creative ranging from offering a free led tv to sometimes even outright lies.

Just as with many get rich quick schemes and work at home opportunities; it is also true for someone looking online for a scholarship that, if you have to pay money to obtain it, it is most likely a scam. There are multiple scams out there that will charge some type of a fee to sign up, usually minimal and seemingly insignificant. This is how they keep going; by offering such a low fee, such as five dollars, they can lure in more applicants, making them able to afford a couple of actual payouts, however, your chance of actually seeing any of that money is slim to none. Also keep in mind that legitimate fees for scholarships are usually taken out the check you receive from them, not paid up front. It is advisable to get the speak with a financial advisor before ever signing up for a scholarship that works this way.

Scam artists are good at what they do, and they can word something just right to make what they are saying legitimate, yet highly deceitful. As with the abovementioned example, they could say that they do award up to a certain dollar amount, but they may fail to mention the frequency. Always check for asterisks next to phenomenal statements, and follow up by reading the information that can normally be found corresponding to it near the bottom of the page, usually in a tiny font.

Beware of free meetings for scholarship advice and information. These types of seminars, while usually informative to a certain extent, almost always end with the speaker asking you to open up your wallet. Nothing in life is free, and, as nice as the speaker may seem, not many people are going to take time out of their day out of the goodness of their heart to help you further your education. Most likely, they are going to give you just enough information to hook you, and then charge you for further consult.

There are many clever forms of deception out there. Most are worded just right to stay within legal limits, and others are outright scams. Either way, nobody wants to get caught up in their tangled web. Good things come to those who wait, so, even though the process may take a little more time and not seem as convenient as those smelling of scam, you will avoid much heartache seeking out a legitimate scholarship opportunity.

About the author. Kathleen Hubert is a blogger who writes on a variety of different sites. Check out more of her work at ledtv.org.

5 Ways to Improve Your Language Skills While Studying Abroad

Studying abroad is always a memorable experience, especially if you choose to live in a country where you don’t speak the language. In fact, most students choose to study abroad in the first place for the opportunity to gain proficiency in a foreign language. Despite the difficulties, it’s important to really focus on improving your language skills while you have the chance to live in a country with native speakers. Here are some of the top ways to get the hang of a foreign language while studying abroad, no matter your skill level.

1. Stay with a Host Family

This is the best way to become fully immersed in the local language and culture. Many study abroad students stay in residencies with other abroad students, but it can be very tempting to revert to speaking English in a residency. Even staying with other foreign students can turn into an English fest, because most young people speak English as a second language.

2. Make Local Friends

If you really want to get a front-row seat to the action in your study abroad city, try making friends with local students. Your language skills may not be good enough to speak with them comfortably in the native language, but you will still pick up quite a bit of phrases and vocabulary words from being around young locals that you would not have access to otherwise.

3. Take a Direct Immersion Class

If your language skills allow, enroll in a course taught at a local university with other native students. You will be forced to plunge directly into the language at an academic level. Doing research and writing and listening to class discussions will help you pick up the language ten times as quickly. If you can’t enroll in a college course with local students, try an extracurricular course, like dance or painting.

4. Go Out Alone

If you constantly hang out with other English-speakers during your stay, you will always revert to speaking English. You will also miss out on the chance to make friends with strangers, speak to the grocer or waiter, eavesdrop on the bus, and do all the other things that help you improve your basic communication skills. Students in a group generally allow the best speaker to do the talking for the entire group. Go out alone and do your own communicating and listening.

5. Read Magazine Interviews

The local papers and magazines sold on every corner will offer a wide array of inexpensive reading material in the language you’re learning. Also, reading interviews, specifically, helps improve communication skills. When studying a language, students are not always given examples of real conversations that involve unique questions and answers. Magazine and newspaper interviews capture nuanced words and phrases that aren’t in the typical textbook.

Byline:

This is a guest post by Eliza Morgan who is a full time blogger. She specializes in writing about business credit cards. You can reach her at: elizamorgan856 at gmail dot com.

Benefits of Study Abroad for ESL EFL Teachers

A guest post by Sarah Fudin, who currently works in community relations for the University of Southern California's Master of Arts in Teaching program, which provides aspiring teachers the opportunity to earn a Masters Degree in Teaching credential online. Outside of work Sarah enjoys running, reading and Pinkberry frozen yogurt.

As an ESL teacher, you will work every day with students struggling to learn a new language, many of whom may also be struggling to adapt to the customs of a new country. As their instructor, you will have an intimate knowledge of the challenges and rewards of that learning process as it unfolds in your classroom, but students also lead full, vibrant lives outside the classroom. As they absorb the English language, they will also acclimate to the cultural life of their new home country. These are struggles and joys that teachers can certainly relate to, but not all teachers have experienced themselves.

Share Your Students’ Challenges
Studying abroad will allow you to experience firsthand what living in a foreign country and immersing yourself in a foreign language feels like. This experience will equip you with a deeper understanding of the difficulties, surprises, joy and potential alienation your students may go through. And the more deeply you can relate to your students, the more aptly you will be able to teach them.

Get to Know Your Students’ Culture
Studying abroad also gives you a chance to get to know the culture of your students. For instance, if you teach ESL in the United States, you will probably have students from Latin America. Studying abroad in Latin America will give you a deeper understanding of those students’ cultures. You can then use this common ground to help build rapport with your students in the classroom. For instance, you might teach them the English names for items you know to have particular importance in their culture. By teaching them words that they are more likely to use and retain, you can make your lessons more relevant to their lives.

Understanding your students’ cultures can also help you in the classroom in other ways. For instance, it is useful to know when a student’s apparent rudeness is actually rooted in a different understanding of etiquette from your own. By addressing such differences respectfully and directly, you can save both yourself and your students from misunderstandings. Such knowledge can be difficult to come by in your own country, but you will quickly discover many such fascinating and useful facts while studying abroad.
 

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While there are many practical and pedagogical reasons for an ESL / EFL teacher to study abroad, perhaps the best reason is the pure joy of discovery. Getting to know another culture and another language can be a thrilling and even life-changing experience. Become one of the few Americans to visit Cuba, soak up the surreal architecture in Barcelona or experience Carnival in Brazil. After all, the best teachers are driven not only by a passion for learning, but a passion for life.