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featured programs

Study Abroad with CIEE in Australia Study in Australia
wollongong—arts + sciences

Study Abroad with CIEE in the Caribbean Study in Bonaire
bonaire—tropical marine ecology

Study Abroad with CIEE in China Study in China
shanghai—advanced chinese studies

Study Abroad with CIEE in China Study in China
shanghai—business, language, + culture

Study Abroad with CIEE in Germany Study in Germany
berlin—language + culture

Study Abroad with CIEE in Italy Study in Italy
naples—liberal arts

Study Abroad with CIEE in Italy Study in Italy
naples—classical studies

Study Abroad with CIEE in Peru Study in Peru
lima—business + society

Study Abroad with CIEE in Peru Study in Peru
lima—language + culture

Study Abroad with CIEE in Sweden Study in Sweden
uppsala—arts + sciences

Study Abroad with CIEE in Taiwan Study in Taiwan
taipei—chinese language + culture

Study Abroad with CIEE in Vietnam Study in Vietnam
ho chi minh—language + culture

Is this program right for you?

The six-week summer program at the CIEE Study Center in Brussels is designed for students from a wide range of disciplines, with an interest in learning about the unique political and cultural position of the Capital of Europe. Participants take courses in business, communications, or international relations and undertake a for-credit internship if they choose.

Program Snapshot

  • Choose from courses in business, communications, and international relations, taught in English; undertake a for-credit internship
  • Fully immerse yourself in Belgian and European culture and society through day excursions to such places as Bruges and the caves of Han; educational activities, such as attending French films and visiting local museums; and an excursion to another country, such as France, the Netherlands, or Germany

Subject Areas

  • Business
  • Communications
  • Cultural Studies
  • European Studies
  • French Language
  • International Relations
  • Internship
  • Marketing
  • Political Science
  • Statistics

About Brussels

Brussels has emerged as the “Capital of Europe” in political and economic terms. As the headquarters of the European Union, it is at the forefront of European integration and EU policy. Brussels is also very international; its diversity is reflected in its neighborhoods, restaurants, and languages. While French is the dominant language, Dutch (Flemish) and English are widely spoken. Because of this, Brussels does not necessarily provide the language immersion one might get in another less multilingual location. For the same reason, students feel quickly at home.

Where You'll Study

Vesalius College - summer

Vesalius College, the international English-language college in Brussels, is a small independent, academic institution and a partner of the Dutch-speaking Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). Vesalius College has a student body of approximately 350, the majority of which are international. It is located next to VUB in an area southeast of central Brussels.

Thoughts From Abroad

Brussels has been my home for the last 20 years. I consider myself a European citizen to the core. For me, Brussels is the perfect place to experience Europe. It is at the crossroads of the northern Anglo-Saxon, Germanic, and southern Latin cultures. Apart from its official status as the bilingual capital city of Belgium, Brussels is in many respects the capital of the European Union, hosting many European and international institutions. Brussels also houses a wide variety of communities from the Mediterranean area, Central and Eastern Europe, and Africa. It is a very multicultural city with many languages and traditions living in harmony. One of the secrets of the city is its reputation for the quality of its gastronomy and cultural institutions. I’m looking forward to sharing the experience of discovering Brussels and Europe with you.

— Michelangelo van Meerten, Resident Director

Staff Bios

Dr. Michelangelo van Meerten holds a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. He joined CIEE in 2001 as a professor of European Integration for the CIEE Study Center and became the Resident Director in the fall of 2002. Dr. van Meerten has researched and lectured in the field of economics and economic history in Groningen, the Netherlands; Leuven and Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium; Brussels, Belgium; Krakow, Poland; and Barcelona and Madrid, Spain. Michelangelo speaks six Western European languages fluently and has traveled extensively in Europe. His interests and research areas include the history and development of the European continent, transport and communications, European integration, politics, film, and culture.

Emily Miller, Resident Coordinator, earned her B.A. in Political Science and Journalism from Beloit College in Wisconsin in 2007. She studied French and spent a semester in Brussels on the CIEE program. Most recently, she worked as an English teacher in China and as an Americorps VISTA volunteer in Chicago. Emily assists the Resident Director with academic, administrative, and day-to-day matters.

Recommended Credit

summer: 6 semester/9 quarter hours

Eligibility Requirements

  •  Overall GPA 2.75

Application Deadlines

Summer 20104/1/2010

Click here to check for deadline extensions.

Duration

Summer 20106 weeks
late May - mid-July

CIEE Costs

CIEE program fees, inclusions, and estimated additional costs, are outlined below. Please note that CIEE reserves the right to adjust its fees in the event of significant change in exchange rates or other factors beyond its control. The actual cost of the programs may vary slightly for students from different institutions.

For comprehensive fee breakdowns and estimated additional costs, click the costs below:

  • Summer 2010 $6,200
    The CIEE fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, a field trip outside of Brussels, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.*Most students are housed in apartments; however some homestays will be available. Homestay students will be billed an additional fee for daily breakfast and evening weekday meals, approximately $360, a few weeks after the program starts.

    Program Fees

    This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

    Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$4,776
    Housing*$1,350
    Medical Insurance$74
    Total$6,200

    The CIEE fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, a field trip outside of Brussels, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.*Most students are housed in apartments; however some homestays will be available. Homestay students will be billed an additional fee for daily breakfast and evening weekday meals, approximately $360, a few weeks after the program starts.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Personal Expenses$1,000
    Meals**$750
    Books and Supplies$80
    Local Transportation$140
    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$1,250
    Total$3,220

    **Additional meals for homestay students are estimated at $475.


Scholarship Information

For a complete list of scholarships available, please vist our Scholarships section.