The school was founded under regulations issued by the Council of Ministers in 2005. It is one of the most important educational institutions in Oświecim (Auschwitz), along with the recently founded International Education Center at the Museum.
The purpose of such institutions of higher education is to create a low-cost studies for young people from localities without universities. The Jagiellonian University is the patron of the school and supplies some of its staff.
Students at the OSHVS can major in English, Russian, Political Science (spacializations in European integration and international political relations), or administration and marketing (specializations in cultural administration and education or public administration).
The students get to know how the whole institution is functioning. Each department organizes special meetings for them, where they learn about things like the art works made in the camp during the war, Museum publications, the archives, preservation workshop and exhibitions at the site. They can also tour the Memorial, conducted in a language of their choice by a Museum guide.
Freshmen at the Oswiecim State Higher Vocational School are doing three-week internships at the Museum.
OSHVS lecturer Jacek Urbinski said that all the students must do an internship, irrespective of what they are studying. `The Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum is very popular and most of the students ask to go there. An internship at the Museum is always a interesting and very valuable experience, and the cooperation between our institutions has gotten off to a good start.`
Most of the 20 interns are studying English and Russian; several others are studying political science with a specialization in European integration and international political relations or administration and marketing with a specialization in public administration or cultural administration and education. They are working at the Museum in the main office, the publishing department, collections department, library and visitor services section.
Barbara Madej, who is studying English, chose the spot for her internship. After graduation, she would like to take a Poland flight and work at the Museum as a guide. `I am very happy to be able to do my internship here`, she said. `I have seen things that you don`t see every day, such as art work by the prisoners. I am also developing in terms of language. I did not think I would be given such responsible tasks as translating official correspondence. Of course, Museum employees help me. The atmosphere at work is also good,` said Barbara, who comes from nearby Skidzin.
While they are at the Museum, the students have an opportunity not only to see how well they know foreign languages. They can also acquire knowledge of how important the site of the former Auschwitz German concentration camp is, how does the Auschwitz tour look like and how it continues to stir interest around the world.