International Students´ Guide to Slovak Republic As communication and commerce has become multinational, higher education has also become increasingly international. Each year more than 1.2 million students worldwide pursue higher education outside of their home countries. Slovak institutions of higher education are responsible for advancement of education, and constant development of scientific and technological standards. One of the means to do so is to open doors to foreign students who will increase the diversity in student body. This booklet is designed for foreign students, who are interested in possibilities to study in the Slovak Republic. It informs briefly not only about the higher education but also about the history, culture, natural beauties and other aspects of life in the country. It is intended to be a small guide for foreign students including helpful hints and instructions. You will find here information you may need before you decide to consider the possible study in the Slovak Republic, as well as some practical advice for your travel and stay in the Slovak Republic. I. About the Slovak Republic .................................................................................................. 3 Geography .............................................................................................................................. 3 Brief History........................................................................................................................... 3 Political System...................................................................................................................... 5 Economy................................................................................................................................. 6 Population............................................................................................................................... 7 Religion .................................................................................................................................. 7 Famous Slovaks...................................................................................................................... 7 II. Higher Education in the Slovak Republic....................................................................... 10 Institutions of Higher Education .......................................................................................... 11 Organisation and Structure of Studies.................................................................................. 12 Overview of the Grants Available for Foreign Students...................................................... 14 Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in the Slovak Republic .............................................................................................................................................. 17 Slovak Language Courses for International Students .......................................................... 18 III. Coming to the Slovak Republic ...................................................................................... 22 Passport and Visa ................................................................................................................. 22 Arrival .................................................................................................................................. 23 IV. Living in the Slovak Republic......................................................................................... 24 Climate ................................................................................................................................. 24 Time ..................................................................................................................................... 24 Language .............................................................................................................................. 24 Currency and Financial Matters ........................................................................................... 25 Electrical Appliances and Computers .................................................................................. 26 Clothing................................................................................................................................ 26 Public Holidays .................................................................................................................... 26 Medical Care ........................................................................................................................ 27 Accommodation ................................................................................................................... 27 Food and Eating ................................................................................................................... 28 Transportation ...................................................................................................................... 28 Communications................................................................................................................... 31 Shopping............................................................................................................................... 32 Services ................................................................................................................................ 32 Culture and Entertainment ................................................................................................... 33 Sport ..................................................................................................................................... 36 Hiking................................................................................................................................... 37 Contacts: ................................................................................................................................. 41 Authorities............................................................................................................................ 41 Grants, Scholarships and Exchange Programmes ................................................................ 42 Student Organizations .......................................................................................................... 42 University Index................................................................................................................... 45 Slovak Cultural Institutes Abroad........................................................................................ 51 Foreign Cultural Institutes in the Slovak Republic .............................................................. 53 Emergency Numbers............................................................................................................ 55 Appendix ................................................................................................................................. 55 FULBRIGHT COMMISSION............................................................................................. 56 SAAIC - SLOVAK ACADEMIC ASSOCIATION FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION.................................................................................................................. 57 SAIA, N. O., SLOVAK ACADEMIC INFORMATION AGENCY – SERVICE CENTER FOR THE THIRD SECTOR ............................................................................... 59 SRC - SLOVAK RECTORS’ CONFERENCE ................................................................... 60 2 I. About the Slovak Republic Geography The Slovak Republic is situated in Central Europe, sharing frontiers with Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine and Hungary. Mountains, lowlands, canyons, lakes, cave formations, forests and meadows provide many examples of Slovakia’s year-round natural beauty. It is a small country but its terrain varies impressively from lowlands to mountain ranges. Almost a half of the country is taken up by the Carpathian Arc, a range of mountains stretching across the north. The smaller ranges include the Lesser Carpathians, White Carpathians, Malá (Lesser) Fatra, Vel’ká (Greater) Fatra, High and Low Tatras and the Slovenské rudohorie Mountains (Slovak Ore Mountains). The territory is divided into administrative territorial units - 8 regions and 79 districts. The Capital is Bratislava (www.bratislava.sk). Other important university towns: Banská Bystrica www.bbb.sk Košice www.kosice.sk Liptovský Mikuláš www.liptovskymikulas.sk Nitra www.nitra.sk Prešov www.presov.sk Ružomberok www.ruzomberok.sk Trnava www.trnava.sk Trenčín www.trencin.sk Zvolen www.zvolen.sk Žilina www.zilina.sk Brief history1 The earliest traces of life in what is now the Slovak Republic date back to the early Stone Age2. The first historically recognised nation to settle in Slovakia was that of the Celts (from around 450 B.C. to the birth of Christ), whose culture represented the peak of barbarian civilisation. The remains of Celtic oppidums (elevated, fortified settlements) can be found, for example, in Bratislava3, Devín, and on Havránok Hill near Liptovská Mara. The Celts were forced out by the Germanic tribes of Marcomanni, which also fought with the Roman Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Commodus (166-180)4. Remains of the Limes Romanus – the fortifications on the empire’s northern border – have been preserved in Slovakia (for example at Rusovce, Trenčín, and Iža). 1 Pozdĺžne: časová os a kľúčové slová, v texte vyznačené tučným písmom. 2 A depiction