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For Roma, a Steppingstone to Graduate School For Roma, a Steppingstone to Graduate School
(25 days later)
BUDAPEST — In an imposing prewar building, political science students discussed serious issues like terrorist attacks and the difference between state and nonstate actors, as well as more practical ones, like how to hook up a digital projector.BUDAPEST — In an imposing prewar building, political science students discussed serious issues like terrorist attacks and the difference between state and nonstate actors, as well as more practical ones, like how to hook up a digital projector.
The students at the Roma Graduate Preparation Program at the Central European University in Hungary were also practicing their English, the language that will be essential to their future study and work, even though they were brought up speaking Serbian, Hungarian, Macedonian, Romanian, Albanian, Slovakian and various Romany tongues.The students at the Roma Graduate Preparation Program at the Central European University in Hungary were also practicing their English, the language that will be essential to their future study and work, even though they were brought up speaking Serbian, Hungarian, Macedonian, Romanian, Albanian, Slovakian and various Romany tongues.
“If they want to get into any position or jobs in which they have an impact, they have to speak English,” said Matyas Szabo, director of the program.“If they want to get into any position or jobs in which they have an impact, they have to speak English,” said Matyas Szabo, director of the program.
Europe’s estimated 12 million Roma — previously called Gypsies, which is considered a derogatory term — occupy an uneasy place on the Continent. Many Roma were persecuted during the Holocaust, and today many suffer from low education levels, poverty and social problems.Europe’s estimated 12 million Roma — previously called Gypsies, which is considered a derogatory term — occupy an uneasy place on the Continent. Many Roma were persecuted during the Holocaust, and today many suffer from low education levels, poverty and social problems.
In the past few months in France, a number of Roma encampments have been dismantled by the police, while another Roma shelter, a disused factory, was set on fire.In the past few months in France, a number of Roma encampments have been dismantled by the police, while another Roma shelter, a disused factory, was set on fire.
In some Central European nations, there are reports of schools segregating Roma students, keeping them out of the playgrounds and school cafeterias used by the non-Roma majority.In some Central European nations, there are reports of schools segregating Roma students, keeping them out of the playgrounds and school cafeterias used by the non-Roma majority.
And in some parts of Eastern Europe, Roma students are disproportionately placed in special-needs or remedial schools, with few having access to higher education.And in some parts of Eastern Europe, Roma students are disproportionately placed in special-needs or remedial schools, with few having access to higher education.
The C.E.U.’s Roma Graduate Preparation Program is trying to address some of those issues by encouraging the brightest to pursue higher degrees.The C.E.U.’s Roma Graduate Preparation Program is trying to address some of those issues by encouraging the brightest to pursue higher degrees.
Up to 17 students are accepted into the full-time, 10-month program, which is designed to help Roma students with bachelor degrees enter English-language graduate programs at C.E.U. and other universities. It covers tuition, housing and some living costs, and also holds events to encourage socializing and networking.Up to 17 students are accepted into the full-time, 10-month program, which is designed to help Roma students with bachelor degrees enter English-language graduate programs at C.E.U. and other universities. It covers tuition, housing and some living costs, and also holds events to encourage socializing and networking.
“Here you have to go to lectures and you have to be active — this is the biggest difference,” said Roland Ferkovcs, one of the students in the political science seminar. At the University of Szeged in Hungary, where Mr. Ferkovcs earned his undergraduate degree in political science, students were not encouraged to ask questions or participate in class, he said. “Here you have to go to lectures and you have to be active — this is the biggest difference,” said Roland Ferkovics, one of the students in the political science seminar. At the University of Szeged in Hungary, where Mr. Ferkovics earned his undergraduate degree in political science, students were not encouraged to ask questions or participate in class, he said.
But at C.E.U., students learn to read critically, analyze academic texts and engage with their professors, all skills required for postgraduate studies at Western universities.But at C.E.U., students learn to read critically, analyze academic texts and engage with their professors, all skills required for postgraduate studies at Western universities.
While many of the Roma students have degrees from technical or regional colleges, they would probably not be accepted into the more competitive graduate programs without extra preparation, said Prem Kumar Rajaram, academic director of the Roma Graduate Preparation Program.While many of the Roma students have degrees from technical or regional colleges, they would probably not be accepted into the more competitive graduate programs without extra preparation, said Prem Kumar Rajaram, academic director of the Roma Graduate Preparation Program.
“They wouldn’t get in even if they had perfect English,” said David Ridout, who runs the Academic Writing Center at the university. “They wouldn’t get in even if they had perfect English,” said David Ridout, who teaches at the Academic Writing Center at the university.
Those who do well in preparatory classes will have support and reference letters from C.E.U. staff and faculty members. But the final admission decisions for master’s programs at the university are still independent.Those who do well in preparatory classes will have support and reference letters from C.E.U. staff and faculty members. But the final admission decisions for master’s programs at the university are still independent.
The funding — about €500,000, or $650,000, a year — comes mostly from private donors and businesses, and determines the number of spots available.The funding — about €500,000, or $650,000, a year — comes mostly from private donors and businesses, and determines the number of spots available.
“The alumni are the ones that are helping the most,” said Georgeta Munteanu, one of the program’s administrators.“The alumni are the ones that are helping the most,” said Georgeta Munteanu, one of the program’s administrators.
The program has become a de facto hub for an elite group of young Roma intellectuals. Over nine years, the program has enrolled nearly 100 students from 14 countries.The program has become a de facto hub for an elite group of young Roma intellectuals. Over nine years, the program has enrolled nearly 100 students from 14 countries.
Many have gone on to graduate work at C.E.U., while others have headed to Switzerland, Britain and the United States.Many have gone on to graduate work at C.E.U., while others have headed to Switzerland, Britain and the United States.
Each year, one alumnus is sent to work at the U.S. Congress as a Lantos legislative fellow.Each year, one alumnus is sent to work at the U.S. Congress as a Lantos legislative fellow.
In 2011, the university added an additional English program for otherwise qualified Roma students struggling with the language, to enable them to enter the graduate preparation course. Many participants go from speaking poor English to doing graduate-level work within two years.In 2011, the university added an additional English program for otherwise qualified Roma students struggling with the language, to enable them to enter the graduate preparation course. Many participants go from speaking poor English to doing graduate-level work within two years.
Idaver Memedov, who graduated in 2006 from the Roma Graduate Preparation Program always felt strongly about being a Roma, though he said his identity was defined by being a Roma in Macedonia. Living and learning with Roma from other countries led him to discover the broader community.Idaver Memedov, who graduated in 2006 from the Roma Graduate Preparation Program always felt strongly about being a Roma, though he said his identity was defined by being a Roma in Macedonia. Living and learning with Roma from other countries led him to discover the broader community.
Before attending the program, “I didn’t have access to Roma people from abroad,” he said. “There are more things that are common for us than there are differences.”Before attending the program, “I didn’t have access to Roma people from abroad,” he said. “There are more things that are common for us than there are differences.”
After the program, Mr. Memedov earned a master’s in public policy at C.E.U. A job at the European Center for Minority Issues in Budapest led him to his current position as an officer on Roma and Sinti issues at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Warsaw. After the program, Mr. Memedov earned a master’s in public policy at C.E.U. A job at the European Roma Rights Center in Budapest led him to his current position as an officer on Roma and Sinti issues at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Warsaw.
Paradoxically, it is the English language that helps build a transnational Roma community.Paradoxically, it is the English language that helps build a transnational Roma community.
Speaking in English, Rita Izsak told students at C.E.U., most of them from Eastern Europe, about her own upbringing as a Roma in Hungary and her job as an independent expert on minority issues for the U.N. Human Rights Council.Speaking in English, Rita Izsak told students at C.E.U., most of them from Eastern Europe, about her own upbringing as a Roma in Hungary and her job as an independent expert on minority issues for the U.N. Human Rights Council.
She compared the Roma’s struggles for recognition in Europe to the U.S. civil rights movement in the 1950s and ’60s and described seeing a photograph of Martin Luther King Jr. in a classroom in the United States.She compared the Roma’s struggles for recognition in Europe to the U.S. civil rights movement in the 1950s and ’60s and described seeing a photograph of Martin Luther King Jr. in a classroom in the United States.
“I wonder whose picture we would hang on the wall,” she said.“I wonder whose picture we would hang on the wall,” she said.

This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:

Correction: July 31, 2013

An earlier version of this article contained several errors. It misspelled the name of a student. It is Roland Ferkovics, not Ferkovcs. David Ridout was misidentified as the head of the Academic Writing Center. He is an instructor there and also the English Language and Academic Writing Director of the  Roma Graduate Preparation Program. Idaver Memedov, a graduate from that program, formerly worked at the European Roma Rights Center, not the European Center for Minority Issues.