Traditionally this time every year Blinken OSA hosts a small group of students from Columbia University and West Point Military Academy, headed by their academic tutor and professor Victoria Phillips. This year the visit takes place vetween 28 May –1 June. Students then write their papers, and present their findings at the Cold War conference at Corvinus University.
During their research week at Blinken OSA, students have wrap-up sessions each day in the Meeting Room to discuss their progress, express their doubts and to address other issues. This year Blinken OSA's staff take a more active part in supporting the students' research work. Students make use of one of OSA’s largest collections: HU OSA 300 Records of the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Research Institute. Other collections are also consulted. Blinken OSA is happy to encourage research into its Cold War collections and hopes that the project will prove to be productive and successful for all participating students.
This cooperation began in 2016 when a group of seven students from Columbia University and two from West Point Military Academy, led by Professor Victoria Phillips, visited OSA for a whole week. They conducted research and devoted themselves to writing their papers and presentations for the 8th Annual International Student Conference of the Cold War History Research Center at Corvinus University, which was co-organized by CEU’s History Department and the European Institute at Columbia University.