Program Description

Co-sponsored by the University of Washington-Seattle and UW-Madison, the EU Studies Summer Program in Brussels program is hosted at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) in Belgium. This program offers participants the opportunity to study the emergence of a united Europe in its dynamic heart. During this four-week program, students take two courses plus an EU simulation for a total of six UW-Madison credits. The program features lectures and seminars by leading experts on the EU from both sides of the Atlantic, as well as site visits to major EU institutions and organizations involved in European integration. This program is designed for undergraduate students interested in the politics of the European Union. In past years, classroom experiences have been supplemented by visits to the European Parliament, the EU Council, the European Commission and the European Court of Justice.

The Kingdom of Belgium, a highly developed democratic nation, has rapidly grown into a political and economic hub for Europe. Brussels, its capital, hosts the headquarters to both NATO and the European Union. Known as one of Europe's most international cities, its diversity is reflected in its excellent restaurants, numerous cultural festivals, and various languages. It is legally bilingual, with French as the dominant language, and Dutch widely spoken. English is also commonly understood.

Academics

The program includes two core courses: “Current EU Policy Debates” and “EU Institutions: Views from inside the Brussels Complex”. The Current EU Policy debates course is generally taught by a UW-Madison or University of Washington faculty member. The EU Institutions course incorporates a series of guest speakers which makes for lively discussions and debates. In addition, students will participate in a European Union simulation with other program participants. Courses will be taught to program participants at the Institut d’études Européennes on the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) campus. Students will have access to the ULB library and other campus facilities for the duration of the program. Participants will be awarded six UW-Madison credits upon successful completion of the program.

Housing

Students will be housed in either single rooms in one of the ULB dorms or in private apartments in Brussels. In the ULB dorms, each room has a bed, desk, chair and wardrobe. There is WiFi available in the building. The dorms feature shared kitchen areas and are conveniently close to public transportation and the academic classrooms. Local grocery stores and restaurants are also nearby for students to access.

Excursions and Activities

The program is supplemented by visits to various EU institutions including the EU Commission, the Council, and the Parliament. An overnight field trip to Luxembourg is also included. Brussels’ central location allows students to easily explore the area’s rich history and culture at their own pace. The city is famous for its excellent dining, and the program will start and end with a group dinner. Field trip costs and both welcome and farewell dinners are included in the program fee.