Students' Association

BEST Courses

What is the BEST Course?

BEST is not only BEST locally, but also internationally. Some of the largest projects being implemented internationally are BEST Courses organized by each BEST local group! 

BEST Courses are held in four different seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter. They are organized by students for students. The length of each Course varies from one to two weeks, combining both the academic and the integration and cultural parts. Thanks to the Courses, students, including students from the University of Science and Technology, can develop their interests, improve their English skills and experience the diversity of cultures they encounter during the Course.

What does it look like to participate in the Course?

You will make contacts with people from all over Europe

During the Course you will meet participants from all corners of Europe - from Portugal to Lithuania, from Sweden to Greece. This is not only an opportunity to learn, but also to make international acquaintances, which often turn into long-term friendships. Shared activities, workshops and informal conversations will make cultural diversity an added value - inspiring and broadening horizons. This kind of international environment fosters the exchange of experiences and allows us to look at many topics from a completely new perspective.

You will gain knowledge in its various fields 

During the BEST Course, you will not only establish relationships, but also spend more than 25 hours developing yourself in areas such as soft-skills and hard-skills. Classes are conducted by representatives from academia and companies, who confirm the knowledge transferred with a certificate. Each Course has its own theme, which you can check in the list of Courses.

You will learn about the culture and beauty of the country you are visiting

In addition to the valuable educational part, the event also offers a rich social and recreational program. You will have the opportunity to discover the charms of the city during joint excursions, take part in evening events, and in the process get to know the atmosphere and spirit of our organization better.

4 seasons

The courses are organized 4 times a year,
for the spring, summer season,
autumn and winter

Maximum €88

This is how much you will pay for the Course. Cost per board
whether accommodations are included in the course price

7-14 days

That's how long BEST Course lasts

FAQ

Before enrolling in the Course

Who can apply for BEST Courses?
Any student of a technical university at which the Local BEST Group operates can apply. In the case of Krakow, this condition is met by any student of the AGH University of Science and Technology with a valid student ID card during the course. In addition, at least communicative knowledge of English is required.
Where can I find a list of Courses that I can apply for?

A complete list of the Courses of the season is available at this website.

When can I apply for the Course?
Recruitment for courses takes place four times a year (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter courses). The exact dates of recruitment are given on this stronie.
What is the procedure for selecting participants?

Participants in the Courses are selected by the members of a particular BEST local group (and thus, like us, students) from among all those who applied. The method and criteria for selecting participants vary from one local group to another. The main criteria are the selection of participants from different areas of Europe, your cover letter (they really get a lot of them, so be creative!), and in the case of BEST Learning Events, prior knowledge of the subject matter of the Course is often also required (in this case, this information is given in the Course description). The organizers also try to select an equal number of participants of both sexes. If you don't know how to write your cover letter, you can find tips and tricks on this topic here..

How many Courses can I apply for in one season?

You can apply for up to 3 BEST Courses in one season and be accepted for up to 1.

What are the costs of attending the Course?

The fee for each Course is listed on this website.. Students from Poland do not pay the entire fee, but only part of it (currently it is 60% of the amount, the current distribution of countries can be checked here.). The maximum fee for Polish students is 50 euros. Fee covers the cost of accommodation and food. Transportation to the place of the Course is arranged by each participant on his/her own.

Why are the Courses so cheap?

The BEST local group organizing the Course seeks to raise funds by working with the local university and companies to become more recognizable among European students. The Course includes a presentation by the companies, lectures by their representatives and visits to the company's headquarters.

Do I need to be proficient in the Course topics?

If knowledge of the topic is required, it is written in the Course description under “Participation requirements”. However, it is always a good idea to have a basic knowledge of the topic and write about it in your cover letter so that the organizers know that you are interested in the Course topic.

What are the chances of being accepted for a particular Course?

Depending on the topic and location of the Course, the number of applications varies. You can check the current application statistics for the season here.The courses that are most in demand will be the hardest to get into. However, it all depends on your cover letter. Be creative and convince the organizers that you are the one they need for their course!

How many times can you be a participant in the Course?

During your studies, you can become a participant in BEST Course a maximum of 3 times.

How many students are participating in the Course?

Each Course is attended by more than 20 participants from all over Europe.

I don't speak English, can I apply for the Course?

Since the participants come from different countries and the lectures and workshops are conducted in English, knowledge of English is required.

During the application

I have already sent my application. Can I edit it?

You can edit your application until the submission period ends. With the expiration of the application time, you can no longer make any changes, but you still have access to the application.

When will I learn about being accepted to the Course?

You will definitely receive an email with information from our current Course Coordinator. You can also follow your account on best.eu.org.

I am on the Waiting List. What does that mean?

This means that you still have a chance to go to the Course. When one of the qualified participants of the Course resigns, you take his place.

Can you get feedback of your cover letter?

Yes. You can contact the people responsible for promoting the courses (contact at the bottom).

During the reception to the Course

Why do we charge a deposit and when is it returned?

Deposit is a security for the organizers in case of your cancellation of the Course, or possible damages due to your fault. If neither of these things has happened, the deposit is returned to you after you complete the online evaluation after the Course.

What is the difference between a deposit and a fee?

The deposit is a security for the organizers in case of your cancellation of the Course, or possible damages due to your fault. If none of the aforementioned things happened, the deposit is returned to you after completing the online evaluation after the Course.

What happens in case of cancellation of the Course?

In case of cancellation, you must inform our Course Coordinator and the Course organizer as soon as possible. Your deposit will not be returned to you and the Course will be counted as one of the three you can go to during your studies.

What if a visa is required?

In this case, you should contact the organizer of the Course you have qualified for and inform him of the need for a visa.

How to activate your account?

To activate your account, contact your current Course Coordinator, whose contact can be found at the bottom of this page.

What paperwork should be done before the trip?

Pay a deposit, find yourself transportation (remember to check in online and print your ticket if you are using a low-cost airline), collect the necessary documents. Depending on the country: passport, visa, ID card, international student card ISIC (mainly for discounts).

What to take with you on the Course?

Each Course has its own web page with all the useful information for participants. Often the organizers also send an email with a list of required items.

We advise you to bring the following in addition: printed tickets, passport and/or ID card, insurance (if required), student ID card (often ISIC card can be useful, more information here., sleeping bag (if required), towel, warm sweatshirt and/or raincoat (depending on the country), camera, sunglasses, sunscreen, food and drinks traditional to our country (for International Evening).

Or maybe you have a question that is not included in the FAQ? Get in touch with us!

Zuzanna Dobiega

Course Promotion Coordinator
Click to get in touch!

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