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Participants' and Course Directors' Testimonials on 

"The uniqueness of the subject, the commitment of the teaching staff and the overall methodology and execution made it an outstanding success. I have never experienced a more comprehensive and professional display of what quality academic interaction can be. I am impressed and inspired with the way the four professors conducted the course and actually communicated the knowledge that will have a lasting impact–despite this very short time." (Course Participant, Managing Conflict, 2002)

"The combination of (relatively few) classroom lectures and exercises with presentations at the sites (libraries, archives, monumental sites) as well as small group seminars and presentation (and discussion) of research papers seemed to be a suitable form for such a "research-oriented" course." (Course Director, Issues and Resources in Central Europe for Research on the Middle Ages, 2000)

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"The course spawned several research initiatives and networks between participants and instructors, as well as plans for a textbook, an online learning tool and a follow-up course." (Course Director, Contemporary Chinese Nationalism and Transnationalism, 2001)

"There was a lot of new knowledge, but what was more important is that much of former knowledge acquired new meaning." (Course participant, Religious Identity, 2001)

The environmental history course "can certainly serve as a model for future initiatives." (Resource person, People and Nature in Historical Perspective, 2002)

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Typical answers of course participants:

"an opportunity to look beyond my specialised field, also meeting up with colleagues and making contact with lecturers working on interesting projects pertinent to my own work"

"Bringing together experts and a diversity of students which created a stimulating atmosphere for discussions"

"I liked the creativity and the interactive method of teaching in the classroom and the exchange of knowledge among various participants from different countries. "

"persistence in building the subtle equilibrium among people with different interests"

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Typical answers of course participants:

“I work with historical sources in a literature department: I have here seen how historians work with sources and methodological approaches from other disciplines.” (Conflict and the Law course participant, 2005)

“As an output of the learning derived from this programme I am taking two initiatives. One; to start a research on “Policy Issues in Micro-Finance Sector in India”. In the second phase (in the offing) I wish to start a website for a virtual journal cum sector developments in micro-finance at global level. (Civil Society participant, 2005)

“It helped to boost my confidence in work in progress by having it “validated” by others working on similar projects.” (History and Nationalism course participant, 2005)

“It gave me several new points for departure for future projects, and opened new angles of investigation (tribal history)” (History and Nationalism course participant, 2005)

"There are no sure answers that do not provoke other questions"

"how to appreciate diversity in opinions and attitudes"

"the value of opening society and its people across all sorts of borders to others to build insights, transfer of data and information"

"Being a student again was a marvelous learning experience. I think it will make me a better teacher."

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“Top experts in the field were invited, an exciting mix of course participants, result-oriented, ideal setting (CEU resources), informal interaction facilitated.” (Globalization, Governance and International Relations Theory course participant, 2005)

"Diverse and challenging peers. Excellent faculty. In-depth construction of curriculum." (Bookish Tradition course participant, 2005)

When evaluating the program, participants especially appreciated the interdisciplinarity of the courses, the diversity of participants and faculty, the impetus they have received for their research and professional development, and the networking opportunity SUN afforded them

"I would like to thank you for the very interesting course I had a chance to participate in in July, as well would like to thank each of you for your nice hospitality and good care. All was organized very well and the whole course was very useful for the work I do and hope I will find the way of using the information and knowledge I got from the course. " (Course participant, Education Policy, 2002)

"Today is my first working day after spending two wonderful weeks as a participant of one of your summer courses, and I still feel a bit sad for having to leave CEU, Budapest, my professors and colleagues. It was quite a unique experience, both professionally and privately, as I had a chance to acquire new knowledge, ideas, experience and, even more importantly, friends from all over Central and SEE. I would like to thank you for giving me this opportunity and congratulate you and your team for perfect organisation of the course. " (Course participant, Education Policy, 2002)