Academic Year 2012/13

call is subject to final decision by the relevant committees

Based on the success of the programme since 2008 Steiermärkische Sparkasse Bank in cooperation with the University of Graz again announces the program “Best of South-East”, aiming at the advancement and further education program for talented and dedicated graduates und students in and from Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (F.Y.R.O.M.).

The program's aim is to provide the target groups mentioned above with international work experience as well as training and further education opportunities. Furthermore, a trainee program or internship makes it easier for students to enter professional life.

Graduates or students in economics or law at universities in Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” (F.Y.R.O.M.) or students at Austrian universities who come from one of these countries will be given the opportunity to complete a  trainee program or an internship program at the Steiermärkische Sparkasse Bank or in another Styrian business. Selected courses at the University of Graz will round off the academic training and education of the students.

Both program options last a year (September to August)

• Applicants for the  "Best of South-East” trainee program have finished their bachelor degree. Students of a 4-5 year diploma program are in the last third of their studies at the time when applying. In addition to the one-year training in the Steiermärkische Sparkasse Bank or in another Styrian business and attendance of selected courses at Karl-Franzens University Graz applicants will also be given the possibility of improving their language skills. The last month of the trainee program will be completed at one of the bank's locations in South-Eastern Europe
• Applicants for the  "Best of South-East” internship program are in the second part of their bachelor studies and will be given the opportunity of a one-year study period at Karl-Franzens University Graz including a two months internship at the end of their stay over the summer. The two-month internship gets the participants strongly involved in the daily business of the Steiermärkische Sparkasse Bank at one of its locations in Styria or at one of its locations in South-Eastern Europe. After cpmpleting their Best of South-East year students will complete their studies at their home university

Applicants will be selected on the basis of their personal statement, their academic performance and their references. The selection procedure includes both representatives of the Steiermärkische Sparkasse Bank and the University of Graz. In the personal statement, special attention is paid to the applicants‘ focuses of interest as well as their personal motivation for applying to the trainee program or internship.

Steiermärkische Sparkasse Bank and Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz reserve the right to dismiss candidates prior to the end of the program if they do not adhere to the agreed program guidelines.

Discussion and information events as well as special events make sure that the participants are integrated into the economic, cultural and academic life of Styria. In addition, participants can take language courses offered by the University of Graz in order to broaden or improve their language skills.

Dedicated participants, both in the trainee program and the internship, experience with their engagement a close attachment to the Steiermärkische Sparkasse Bank which is further promoted by the in-company mentoring system. “Best of South-East” is complemented by an additional academic training and further education and is thus a stepping stone to an interesting and challenging international career.

Interested parties have to meet the following minimum requirements:

• Very good command of English and good command of German
• Native tongue: Slovenian, Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian, Montenegrin or Macedonian
• Degree in economics or law with very good marks
• Dedication, strong communications skills, flexibility, analytical and practical economic thinking

Please get in touch with the contact person at Karl Franzens University Graz (see below) to receive your code for the online application ((Step 1)! After finishing the online application the following documents have to be sent surface mail:

• Completed and signed Application form as well as Study Confirmation
  (print-offs of the online application)
• Confirmation of academic success (diploma, diploma supplement(s) or transcript(s) of records and proof of enrollment)
• CV in tabular form
• Personal statement in essay form (no longer than 2 pages) with a special focus on the description of the applicant’s particular interests and motivation
• 2 letters of recommendation. At least one of them has to be issued by an academic person who is or has been significantly involved in the student’s current or past studies, and one letter by an executive, if available
• Proof of German language proficiency [Trainees at least B2, Internship at least B1] Only official certificates of ÖSD, Goetheinstitut and Treffpunkt Sprachen at Universität Graz will be accepted. Language certificates must not be older than one year.
• Copy of identity page of your passport

The total amount of financial aid per year and participant is a maximum of EUR 10,000 and specifically consists of the following services:

• Provision of accommodation in one of the dormitories in Graz (single rooms)
• EUR 300 spending money per month
• A 50 percent subsidy for the obligatory student self-insurance with the “Gebietskrankenkasse” health insurance (equivalent to NHS).
• Intensive language course or semester language course at the “Treffpunkt Sprachen” language center of the University of Graz
• Registration at the University of Graz
• Tuition waiver for the University of Graz

Mag. Christa Grassauer, M.A.
christa.grassauer@uni-graz.at
Tel.:+43 (0)316 380-1254
Fax:+43 (0)316 380-9156

Johann Mehrl
johann.mehrl@steiermaerkische.at
Tel.: +43 (0)5 0100-35532
Fax:+43 (0)5 0100 9-35532