AboutSam Expertise I can answer questions about the country`s history, culture, politics, economy, geography. I speak fluent Slovak. If you are planning a visit, I can recommend the places to see - especially the nature in Slovakia is worth it.
Experience I am a Slovak which makes me an expert in the language and culture. I am also a traveller so I know Slovakia quite well. I will do anything to find out the answer to your question.
i'm from India and i want to pursue my masters degree in computer science/information technology from Slovakia,preferably Comenius University,Bratislava.
i wanted to know about the tuition fees - there's a bit of confusion regarding this! is it really free even for foreigners if they want to study in Slovak language!?
And can you please give me an idea on the current living costs in Slovakia(Bratislava) after it adopted the Euro currency?
And what about the recognition/popularity of the Slovak degree in other European countries ?
Maj sa pekne - Dakujem!
ANSWER: Hello Zaki,
yes, I think higher education is free for foreigners if they study in Slovak.
You should nevertheless check directly with the Comenius University. I am sure
you know their website and how to contact them. If it's free there, it's free in
all the publich universities.
Living expenses: you will probably want to rent a room somewhere. That can cost
you around 150 EUR. If you want a flat for yourself, you will need around 300
EUR. (You may be granted a place in the uni's dorms for about 150 EUR. It's not
extremely cheap compared to renting your own room, but it's usually on campus.)
Traveling: for a city you would get a public transport pass that should cost you
around 30 EUR per month. For traveling around the country, both buses and trains
cost roughly 5 EUR per 100 km, so you can make a round trip around Slovakia for
maybe 50 EUR. Groceries: a lunch out for about 4 EUR, a week's shopping for
20-50 EUR, depending on what you want to eat.
Recognition of the degree: it's just a degree. It may matter for your first job,
but after that it's your work experience that counts much more. You can easily
get your first job in Slovakia/Czech Republic with this degree, and then move
more to the west with some experience. (Maybe you can head west immediately, but
I don't know anyone who has tried that, so I can't tell you.)
I hope that helps.
Sam
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Ahoj Sam , Dakujem velmi Pekne for your lightning fast reply with clear , positive , satisfying answers!
i have some more problems -
First the Comenius University has a peculiar habit of not replying to emails! And their website shows that for foreign students the fees at all levels of study is 10000 EUR !! (without mentioning the language issue!)
And i just checked the Slovak Technical University's website - there they have clearly mentioned that if a foreign student studies in Slovak language,No fees will be charged!! but if they want to study in English then 5000 EUR per year.
But since you said that Both these Universities are "Public" - so should'nt the rules be the same for Both ?
So what shall i count on - Fees OR No Fees !?
Regarding the employment issue - are the companies in Slovakia/Czech Republic generous enough to give employment to foreigners? OR is there some kind of government restriction for the companies to employ only EU nationals? what about the IT sector?
I had checked some rents for flats in Bratislava on websites,but the prices were way too high!!(for a student atleast!) Something in the range of 700 EUR & above!!! So i hope that you have quoted more "realistic/practical" prices for room/flat, as your prices & living costs brought a smile to me! i perfectly understand that it depends on the location of the flat.
And is it possible to book a flat/room in the price bracket that you mentioned from the internet itself ? OR will i have to wander door to door after reaching Bratislava to get a flat in the price range you mentioned!!?
And finally, could you give me an idea on what my chances are to secure an admission in one of the mentioned universities? is it too tough for a foreign student to get admission in those univeristies?(since they are counted among the best!)
And one more thing please! what about the acceptance of foreigners in the Slovak society in general!? i hope that i wont have too much problem because of me being an Asian?
Sorry! it seems i've put too many questions!
Thank you so much for your help!
Answer Hi Zaki,
I really think tuition is free if you study in Slovak. It will be the same at
Comenius, but I would wait and see if they reply just to make sure. Until then,
count on no fees.
As for employment, there are no governmental restrictions. Once you get a work
permit (well, that's one restriction), you can get a job in any Slovak company.
Other than the language barrier with foreigners (which you have the ambition to
overcome), the employers in Slovakia have no reason to prefer Slovak employees.
Even if you "only" spoke English, there would still be (multinational) companies
that would consider hiring you. So, if you have your work permit, and you speak
Slovak, you are very likely to get a job as a SW engineer. (It's not a matter of
"generosity" for these companies. There is still lack of SW engineers, so
they'll be after you.)
Sure you can rent at 700 EUR or more. But that would be a
three-room-plus-kitchen apartment, which I did not think you would want. The
farther out you go from the centre, the lower the prices are. So I really think
you can rent a two-room flat for 400 EUR. If you share it with one or two
people, you're down at the price I mentioned.
I don't know about booking ahead. I would think it's more likely to start off in
a hotel (hostel), and quickly look for something when you're already here. On
the other hand, the real-estate market is in a crisis now, so they had better
become more flexible if they want to rent you something... You will see.
Admission: it depends. From my experience, it's not too hard. If you speak
Slovak, it should be really easy. I think there are even programs for foreign
students (not organised by unis, but by some companies) where you come to
Slovakia some months before admission, learn the language, and only then apply.
But I don't know anything about this, you will have to search online.
Racism. I have written about this to your fellow Indian before. I will quote
myself:
I hate to admit it, but yes, you will find racists in Slovakia. People may
have prejudices - not against Indians in particular, not even because of
your skin colour, but because it will be easy to see that you are a
foreigner... But that's primitive, and you have to stay above that. If you
experience it, it's probably best to react calmly and not to get down to
these people's level. Show them you are the civilised one. Most racists and
nationalists are those who have never been outside their small town and have
never met a foreigner, let alone an Asian. Naturally, there is absolutely no
reason why Slovaks should have hard feelings about Indians...
I would like to encourage you, though. Give it a chance.
