This year Central European University (Budapest, Hungary) is hosting more
than 5o Roma students both MA students and Roma Access Programs students. CEU is
well known in Central Eastern Europe for its higher education programs for Roma
students. Currently there are two ongoing programs:
Roma Graduate Preparation Program
and Roma English Language Program.
The former is an intensive 9-month program that prepares promising Roma youth to
compete for places of study in English-language Master’s degree programs at CEU
and other recognized universities. As far as the latter is concerned it aims to
enhance participants’ English language skills in order for them to successfully
apply for career and internship opportunities at various local and international
organizations, as well as for educational programs, such as the Roma Graduate
Preparation Program (RGPP) at CEU. Furthermore, RELP works to build strong Roma
youth leadership in terms of skills, knowledge, pride and commitment for the
betterment of Roma communities.
Besides the excellent academic preparation, student life in these programs is
great. Studying in such an international environment, diverse, multicultural
contributes in students’ personal development. Being together with Roma
youngsters all across Europe (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Czech Republic, Hungary, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Moldova,
Slovakia, Spain and Turkey) and living in the same building is one of the things
not so many have the opportunity for it.
Conferences, public lectures, different events and seminars, career fairs,
sports days, balls, exhibitions (Calling
Cards ,
Romani in Watercolors or Model)
festivals, charity events (clothes
drive) and even protests (e.g.
Supporting Leonarda) are only few of the activities Roma students have the
opportunity to join. Few days ago Roma students took part in the International
Cultural Festival and proudly presented the “Romaland”.
The
International Cultural Festival is hosted by Central European University (Hungary)
in January every year. The festivities commence with a speech by the Rector and
a quiz on all sorts of facts related to the countries of the world. This opening
event is followed by a week of international movie screenings, dance classes,
and other international happenings, ending with the International Bazaar and
International Party on Saturday in the CEU Residence Center. During the bazaar,
all types of traditional products are presented, ranging from typical foods and
drinks to traditional clothing and flags, and from figures from national
television shows for children to tourist brochures.
Roma students get together with their other Roma fellow and planed a booth at
the bazaar where their CEU colleagues could learn about interesting aspects of
Roma culture.
Sarma, tavce gravce, home made bread (bokoli) or meatballs were some of the
“local foods” visitors enjoyed. The stand had also small Roma flags,
presentation of famous Roma
, pictures and other Roma related materials and of course the fully colored
traditional Roma costumes fit perfectly to our intellectual Roma girls. On the
stage Roma students did their best in singing and dancing (See
video), making people enjoy and give them a round of applause!
Besides building a young Roma elite, the long-term goal of RAP is to prepare
young, outstanding Roma students to conduct local and international academic and
advocacy work and to serve as role models and leaders for the Roma community
overall. RAPs alumni proved that these goals are achievable, most of them are
working for the Roma cause, some are working in international organizations,
others are traineeships in European institution, other continued their studies
at prestigious universities and some others became to work for the CEU Roma
programs as manger or coordinator.
We hope that such as insight at the above article will strongly encourage
Roma university graduates to apply for these programs and make the most of them!
VIDEO
