• When and where does the 8th Postgraduate International Summer School ‘Cultures, Migrations, Borders’ take place?
  The Seventh Postgraduate International Summer School ‘Cultures, Migrations, Borders’ takes place from 2^nd to 11^th July 2019 in Plomari, on the island of Lesvos. Plomari is a picturesque seaside town of approximately 3.500, situated on the southern coast of Lesvos. It is about 45 km from Mytilene, the capital city of the island.
   
• Where is the airport? How can I get to the city?
  The airport of Mytilene is about 8 km from the city. You can either take a taxi that costs around 10 euros or a public bus. More information about the bus schedules will be given to you in proper time.​
   
• How can I transport to Plomari?
  On the arrival day (Monday, 1^st July) there will be a bus available that will transfer the participants from Mytilene to Plomari, free of charge, around 20.00 pm. There are also some public buses for those who want to transport earlier to Plomari. In that case, though, it would be better to contact us in order to give you more information.
   
• What about accommodation?
  There are two hotels in Agios Isidoros, 2 km from Plomari, that we suggest for staying in and which offer special prices for the Summer School. Please have in mind that in case you select to stay in one of these proposed hotels we will do all the booking arrangements. It would be useful to inform us early on your exact arrival and departure dates as well as whether you would like a single, double or triple room. If you wish to share a double or a triple room, we will do our best to find you suitable roommates.
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• Where will the seminars take place?
  The Summer School is hosted at 'Polykentro', a heritage building at the heart of the historic town of Plomari. 'Polykentro', a former soap-factory, functions today as the cultural center of the town. It consists of a small museum exhibiting traditional techniques of soap-making (downstairs) and a theater/lecture room (upstairs) accompanied by a sitting area with a bar. A Wi-Fi connection is available at the building and participants often find it useful to bring their own laptops. As 'Polykentro' is situated at the center of the town, there is easy access to a photocopying center, shops, supermarket, bank, etc.
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• Will I need a visa?
  In the following links you can find more information about visa applications and a list of the countries for which a visa is/is not required when travelling to Greece:
  http://www.mfa.gr/usa/en/services/services-for-non-greeks/visa-section.html
  http://www.mfa.gr/en/visas/visas-for-foreigners-traveling-to-greece/countries-requiring-or-not-requiring-visa.html
  In order to apply for a visa we can give you a Summer School acceptance letter once you have registered to the course.
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• Could you give us some more information about the fieldtrip?
  Along with the seminars, the program includes one fieldtrip to Mytilene, the capital city of Lesvos. Participants will be given the opportunity to visit refugee hosting structures, interact in common activities with asylum seekers and get in contact with volunteers and workers in the humanitarian field. The transportation cost of the fieldtrip is included in the fees.
   
• What are the objectives of the Summer School?
  The Summer School aims at bringing together students and researchers in humanities and social sciences with an interest in borders and migration. The program is designed to combine theoretical instruction by renowned instructors from six universities with various on-site activities. While acquainting themselves with the reality of migration on an Aegean island, participants will develop research skills and learn how to place their findings within wider local and global processes. Doctoral students and researchers will also have the opportunity to present their work at the PhD/Research Seminar.​
   
• In which language is the Summer School conducted?
  The Summer School is conducted in English, which allows us to welcome applications from a larger group of eligible participants. An upper-intermediate English Proficiency level is necessary in order to participate in the Summer School due to the complexity of the topics covered during the course.
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• What does the program of the Summer School include?
  The program of the Summer School is structured around five thematic axes: 
  a) theoretical and methodological issues in the study of migration and borders
  b) institutional and political aspects of the migratory condition
  c) people on the move: immigrant groups, refugees and host communities
  d) cross-cultural encounters across borders and interactions of host/immigrant on the border
  e) the politics of humanitarian aid and the 'refugee crisis'.
  The Summer School includes also the public screening of films on migration and border-crossing.
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• Am I eligible to apply for the Summer School?
  Postgraduate students with a background in the social sciences, PhD candidates and researchers, undergraduates at their final year of studies and professionals working at NGOs or other institutions are all eligible to apply. We encourage you to apply if you are interested in the theme of migration. The selection will depend on the evaluation of the applicant's academic profile and motivation.
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• When is the deadline to apply for the Summer School?
  The deadline for applications is 5^th May 2019 and applications close at 23:59 (EET).​
   
• What are the fees of the Summer School and what do they include?
  The Summer School fees are €500. Accommodation, food and transportation costs are not included but can be obtained at relatively low prices. The travel cost for the fieldtrip to Mytilene plus a welcome reception dinner and everyday coffee-breaks are included in the fees.
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• Will there be scholarships offered and if yes how can I apply for one?
  There will be several scholarships available for the participants of the Summer School. Applicants who get the scholarship grant have to pay a reduced fee of €200. In reference to what is included in the fees you may see the previous question which concerns all participants.
  In order to apply for a scholarship you have to:
  1. First, fill in and submit the registration form for the Summer School. (In the last field ‘Any additional info’ please mention that you intend to appply for a scholarship).       
  2. Secondly, fill in an online scolarship application form which will soon be available. In there, you have to submit your motivation letter where you will explain the reasons why you are interested to apply for a ascholarship.
  3. A reference letter is also required, but this should be sent separately by email to migbord2019@aegean.gr directly by your supervisor/professor. The reference letter should be sent till 15 April 2019, at the latest.
  The selection will be based on the applicant's academic performance and motivation but priority will be given to:          

  a) applicants coming from Eastern European, Asian and African countries &
  b) those with a non-professional status.

  The deadline for scholarship applications is 15 April, 2019.
   

• What should I state in 'education qualifications', 'relative experience' and 'professional status' fields of the application form?
  In the field of 'education qualifications' you can state briefly the main diplomas and the university departments you have attended so far. In the field of 'relative experience' you can mention any sort of experience you have in relation to the theme of the Summer School (e.g. migration) at an academic level (papers, dissertations, masters, courses, etc.), as a researcher or/and at an empirical level as a member of an NGO or another institution. In the field of 'professional status' you can refer to a position in which you are currently employed or to your state as a student, researcher, volunteer in an NGO, etc.
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• What is meant by 'paper submission' in the application form?
  Submitting a paper is optional but you should bear in mind that if you are interested to apply for a scholarshipit it would enhance the profile of your application. You can submit any article, essay, paper etc, related to the main research and the theoretical topic of the Summer School (meaning migrations, cultures, borders). 
   
• What is the content of the PhD/Research seminars?
  PhD/Research seminars are organized for PhD students and researchers attending the Summer School, offering them the opportunity to present either a general or a specific area of their work. Each speaker makes approximately a 15 min presentation and afterwards there is discussion of the topic with the rest of the group. The seminars are coordinated by professors of the Summer School.
  Previous experience shows that most students find this a highly interesting and helpful activity since they get useful feedback for their presentation, theoretical interests and future stages for their PhD.
  More information and guidance on PhD seminars will be offered to applicants accepted to participate in the Summer School, when the application procedure is completed.

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