OPEN LEARNING INITIATIVE (OLIve) WEEKEND PROGRAM
OLIve – adult education in a university setting
The OLIve weekend program is dedicated to creating a safe and inclusive learning space within a university setting for people who have experienced displacement, including asylum seekers and those with refugee status. It is run by Open Education, a non-profit organization affiliated with Central European University (CEU). It is part of the Erasmus+ Refugee Education Initiatives project.
Interviewing candidates: Saturday September 19th (or during the week if requested)
Semester dates: October 3rd to January 30th (every Saturday with a break for Christmas)
TRACKS
All tracks will offer level-appropriate mandatory English teaching taught by experienced language teachers. Students have the choice to take one of three tracks within the OLIve Weekend Program
Academic Track gives students the opportunity to let their inquisitive mind explore new topics and themes, develop their critical thinking skills, and learn new analytical and theoretical approaches. Designed for those who are planning to apply for a higher education program, either in Hungary or abroad, the track helps students develop the skills needed to apply for a BA or MA.
Student profile: at least upper-intermediate English and plan to apply to a bachelor’s or master’s program within the next two years.
Access Track is for students who do not want to pursue an academic degree, but would like to develop communication skills and practical knowledge. The goal of this track is to allow for learning to take place in a friendly and welcoming environment, one that empowers students and gives them confidence to find their own path. This is not a job placement program, but a skills building track.
Student profile: at least intermediate English and be interested in developing communication skills and practical knowledge.
Activist Track offers students the possibility to learn how to be active citizens and advocate for their rights, including through civil society organizations, informal affinity groups, workplace organizing, community associations. Students learn how to represent, manage and organize. Ideally, students will have the opportunity to start an internship, a job shadowing or volunteering program at a local organization.
Student profile: at least upper-intermediate English and an interest in societal issues that can be addressed during the program through an applied advocacy project.
Courses on offer track by track:
Academic Track
| 9:30 – 10:45 | English · Academic English Intermediate English · Upper Intermediate English |
| 11:15 – 12:30 | Discipline Specific Courses · European Politics · History · Society and Culture · Introduction Business Management · Intermediate business and finance (not a beginners’ course) |
| 12:30 – 1:30 | Lunch / Consultations |
| 1:30 – 2:15 | Open Discussion A series of topic-based discussions with invited guests. |
| 3:15 – 4:30 | Elective courses including: · Critical Open Minds (thinking skills needed for study and life) · The Truth About Media: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly / a Media Literacy course Limited places in each course. Please choose first and second preferences |
| Evening optional weekday sessions | Evening optional weekday sessions including: · Applying to universities in Europe · CV workshop / job applications in Hungary · How to build a synth · Beginners’ Hungarian language course |
Activist Track
| 9:30 – 10:45 | English · Academic English Intermediate English · Upper Intermediate English |
| 11:15 – 12:30 | Activism in Action Learn how to be an active and involved citizen. Develop as a group a real world intervention to make society a better place. |
| 12:30 – 1:30 | Lunch / Consultations |
| 1:30 – 2:15 | Open Discussion A series of topic-based discussions with invited guests. |
| 3:15 – 4:30 | Elective courses including: · Critical Open Minds (thinking skills needed for study and life) · The Truth About Media: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly / a Media Literacy course Limited places in each course. Please choose first and second preferences. |
| Evening optional weekday sessions | Evening optional weekday sessions including: · Applying to universities in Europe · CV workshop / job applications in Hungary · How to build a synth |
Access Track
| 9:30 – 10:45 | English · Academic English Intermediate English · Upper Intermediate English |
| 11:15 – 12:30 | English Communication OR Bevezetés a társadalomtudományokba (Introduction to social sciences – Hungarian language course) |
| 12:30 – 1:30 | Lunch / Consultations |
| 1:30 – 2:15 | Digital literacy beginner Digital literacy intermediate |
| 3:15 – 4:30 | Elective courses including: · Critical Open Minds (thinking skills needed for study and life) · The Truth About Media: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly / a Media Literacy course Limited places in each course. Please choose first and second preferences. |
Aside from the courses offered within the different tracks, we offer:
· A stipend each month (dependent on attendance and engagement)
· Childcare during the classes (for students with family or caring commitments)
· Mentoring (university choices and applications, career advice)
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
All refugees and asylum seekers registered in Hungary can apply. Priority will be given to women applicants, and those who identify outside binary gender identities (as they are typically under-represented in programs like ours). For candidates who have been in OLIve-WP before, acceptance depends on their past performance. Unfortunately, we cannot accept applicants younger than 14 years.
Additionally, please take note of the track-specific eligibility requirements.
HOW TO APPLY
Make sure you read carefully the description of the program, tracks and courses, and all the requirements for applying including track-specific requirements. Complete and submit the online application form by September 5th.
Please note, the online application requires a CV and a motivation letter. Your motivation letter must address why you wish to take a particular track.
Academic track: describes your future plans (including university programs or subject-areas you might apply to in the future, if known) and the topics you would like to study.
Activist track: includes a description of your interests, experience of activist work and, if possible, your ideas for a future project. Include here organisations or people you see as sources of inspiration, social issues you are interested in, general questions you think you would like to address with your action.
Access Track: describes why you want to learn better communication skills and be involved in OLIve.
IMPORTANT DATES
***Applications for autumn 2020 are now closed***
Interviewing candidates: Saturday September 19th (or during the week if requested)
Semester dates: October 3rd to January 30th (every Saturday with a break for Christmas)
CONTACT
Open Education Ltd./ Nyílt Oktatás Kft. Email: open@openeducation.group
Telephone: + 36.1.327.2763
Postal address: 1051 Budapest, Nador utca 9, Hungary
Office address: 1051 Budapest, Nador utca 11, 4th floor, room 415
Website: https://openeducation.group/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OLIveWeekendProgramBudapest/
