Student Life

There is a rich roster of credit-yielding extracurricular activities at BISLA. All students have to partake at least in one internship related to their studies, chosen minor, or bachelor thesis (check out www.bisla.sk/internships). In addition, students can volunteer, attend societies, gain experience as research assistants. The credits are recognized as Community Engagement and Volunteering. In addition, many students also offer their time and skills as either writing tutors (for pay) or as peer mentors (for nothing, just out of pure love).

Internships

During your studies at BISLA, you should take part at least in one internship–spending at least sixty hours with an organization of your choice. It can be a non-profit, a think-tank, government office, city government, cultural institution, etc., as long as it is related to your minor, bachelor thesis, or your future career plans and vision. We recommend spreading your hours over a semester (or more), so that you get to know the organization, how their work gets organized, how they plan, create a strateg, and so on. (Also, it looks better on your CV).

STEP 1: See Dagmar for initial consultation. She will also help you choose and approach an organization if you do not know what to do with yourself. (That goes for every problem, actually.)

STEP 2: See Slavka for administrative steps, like signing an internship/volunteering form, and later for progress report.

STEP 3: Intern. 

STEP 4: Fill out the report form. One should be filled out by you, and another should be filled out by your supervisor at the host organization.

STEP 5: Apply earned knowledge and skills to life and the world.

Peer mentoring

Peer mentoring is BISLA’s strong tradition. We were the first school to start such program in Slovakia, integrating all of the first year students into it. It was started by students for students in 2020 and is since continued in the same fashion. To become a peer mentor is purely voluntary, however, many second and third year students do take part annually. 

Those who do become mentors, receive 1 ECTS for one academic year of mentoring.

Community Engagement and Volunteering

As the program is new, the credit requirements differ for each year.

– students entering the first year in the academic year 2025/2026 need to acquire four credits during their studies at BISLA by the time they graduate.

– the second year students need to acquire two credits by the time they graduate (this includes the credits earned in the summer semester of 2024/2025)

– the program is voluntary for the third year students. Of course participation is still credited.

Credit system for CEV is following:

Societies: 1 ECTS per semester for at least 7 attended sessions per semester (1.5 h each)

Volunteering: 1 ECTS for twenty hours of volunteering. 

Students can propose any and all kinds of topics for societies. All are welcome and will be open if at least five students sign up (can be less when there is no external paid expert leader). BISLA will also come with offers at the beginning of each semester, so that there is plenty to choose from.

The current offer of extracurriculars can be found at the following link:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14970L_Oa4fRxxe8DVjKdVyFkrBbney9U69f70WGK62w/edit?usp=sharing 

Or at the digital platform Growni

https://growni.sk/komunity/bisla/join

SOCIETIES AND CLUBS

Il Ponte – Student Journal

Il Ponte is BISLA’s student-run journal, offering a platform for students to publish their ideas and explore interesting topics. The journal is published twice a year and distributed across Bratislava. Follow Il Ponte on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

IL PONTE

BISLA Student Council & Student Fund

The Student Council enhances student life by organizing events such as Orientation Week, Beánia (Initiation), Christmas Party, and the End-of-Semester Garden Party. It also manages the Student Fund, which supports students attending academic conferences. New members are welcomed each semester.

Student Council

ŠRVŠ – Slovak Student Council for Higher Education

Two BISLA representatives serve as delegates in ŠRVŠ, a key student body working with the Ministry of Education to improve student housing, loans, accreditation, and learning conditions. BISLA’s strong presence ensures an influential voice in shaping higher education policy in Slovakia.

BISLA Events

BISLA regularly hosts public discussions, workshops, and special events. Students are encouraged to attend, participate, or help organize these activities. Stay updated by checking your emails regularly.

BISLA NEWS

Explore student life at BISLA and make the most of your university experience!