Program Description

Offered through the Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE), this program is co-sponsored by UW-Madison. Participants take courses at Vesalius College, a unique institution structured and administered like a U.S. undergraduate college. Vesalius is an international college affiliated with the Dutch-speaking Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). The college is located on the VUB campus and is situated in an area south of Brussels. Of the 350 or so students who attend Vesalius, approximately 30% are Belgian nationals, 10% are from the United States, and the remainder are from more than 60 other countries. This program is especially suited for students majoring in international studies, communications, and economics who have a keen interest in the European Union. Students also have the option of applying to participate in a for-credit internship while on the program.

In recent years, Brussels has emerged as the “Capital of Europe” in political and economic terms. Brussels is the headquarters of the European Union and thus is at the forefront of European integration and European Union policy. Brussels is also one of the most international cities in Europe; its diversity is reflected in its interesting neighborhoods, excellent restaurants, numerous cultural festivals, and various languages. French is the dominant language, however, Dutch is also widely spoken and English is commonly understood.

Academics

Vesalius College is unique among academic institutions in Brussels in that it is the only institution that offers a selection of courses taught in English at the undergraduate level. Through its association with the French speaking Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and the Dutch speaking VUB, students with adequate French or Dutch skills may take or audit courses at these institutions. All students take five courses including the CIEE core course, French or Dutch language, and three Vesalius, ULB or VUB courses. Participants select courses from various offerings including business, communications, political science, international studies, French, Dutch, and more. Placement in the appropriate language level (elementary, intermediate, and advanced) is based on language exams administered at the beginning of the program by Vesalius College. Vesalius College also offers for-credit and unpaid internship opportunities to juniors and seniors, who are awarded a letter grade upon completion. CIEE participants may apply for available slots.

Housing

All housing is included in the program fee, including temporary accommodation in a youth hostel during orientation. There are a limited number of homestays available with families from a variety of linguistic backgrounds. The non-homestay housing includes independent rooms with or without other students and shared common spaces with landlords. Housing is mainly located southeast of central Brussels. An excellent public transportation system makes it easy to commute. Final housing placements are made on-site at the beginning of the semester.

Excursions and Activities

Extracurricular activities and occasional group excursions are organized throughout the semester. In previous semesters, day trips have included Bruges, Luxembourg, Ypres, Bastogne, and Aachen as well as weekend excursions to France and Germany. Day trips to the UN International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague, European Parliament and Commission in Brussels, and the European Investment Bank or the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg have also taken place. Visits to the Brussels Museum of Fine Arts, an 'Art Nouveau' tour discovering the hidden treasures of 'Fin de Siècle' Brussels, and regular visits to French and European films complete the program’s activities. Participants also have access to sports facilities at VUB and may participate in student clubs and activities at Vesalius as well as at ULB and VUB.

Participants take part in a three-day orientation conducted in Brussels. The orientation introduces students to Belgium and Brussels, provides practical information about daily life and the academic program, and enables participants and staff to get to know one another while participating in activities and field trips.