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Academic Program

The CIEE Study Center in Brussels, Belgium was established in 1994 and began its pilot program at the ULB in 2006. The CIEE Advanced Liberal Arts program opened its doors in spring 2009.

The Advanced Liberal Arts program is specifically designed for students with upper-level French language skills who want the challenge of direct matriculation within a European university. The program is particularly well-suited for those with an interest in language, literature, philosophy, history, political science, and business and economics.

What You'll Learn

The Advanced Liberal Arts program has three goals: to provide opportunities for students to fully immerse themselves in a European university while taking classes in French; to offer insight into Belgium and Brussels’ unique political, cultural, and linguistic situation in Europe; and to enable students to improve their French language skills.

Academic Culture

ULB, like other European universities, offers three-year undergraduate degrees, organized into different faculties. The CIEE Advanced Liberal Arts program is located at the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters.

The academic culture of ULB courses follows a traditional European model. Students attend lectures for a semester or year and usually take a single exam at the end of the course to determine their grade. Papers are usually not required for these courses, making the final oral exam that much more important. Some courses may also include presentations or written assignments.

Class size at ULB varies, but is generally much larger than typical U.S. courses. The teaching method at ULB is primarily lecture-style. Students are advised that due to possible changes in the courses offered each term they should be flexible in course selection. Fall semester ULB courses extend into January, and spring semester courses extend into June. Professors may be willing to administer the final exam earlier than the officially scheduled date, allowing fall students to depart mid-to late December and spring students to depart in late May to early June, but CIEE cannot be responsible for arranging or guaranteeing early exams.

Nature of Classes

Students take regular university courses with Belgian students and a limited number of other international students.

CIEE Language Commitment

Students take part in the CIEE Community Language Commitment by speaking French at all times (except in emergencies). This fosters a learning community that will contribute to both French language proficiency and understanding of Belgian society. Students are also encouraged to participate in bi-weekly conversation tables, organized by CIEE with ULB students at a local café.

Internship

CIEE offers a limited number of for-credit and unpaid internship opportunities to juniors and seniors. CIEE participants may apply for available slots. However, because internships are competitive, there is no guarantee that students will be assigned an internship. Interested students must submit a résumé and cover letter to CIEE. All internships require an interview with the sponsor of the internship once on site.

Students should be prepared for a workload of 150 hours over the course of the semester. There will be a mid-term meeting with, and report given to, the academic advisor, and/or Resident Director. Participants must receive approval from their home institution to enroll in an internship. Registration for internships takes place only after arrival in Brussels and after the student has been accepted by the institution, organization, or company offering the internship.

Grading System

Grades are based on a numerical system of 1–20, with a 10 considered a passing grade. Course grades are usually based on a single, final oral exam.

Program Requirements

All students take at least six courses, including the CIEE/ULB core course. At least three courses should be chosen from the courses offered within one Faculty of specialization (either the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters, the Faculty of Political and Social Sciences, or the Solvay Brussels School for Economics and Management). Two other courses can be chosen from the course offering of that same Faculty or from one of the other two Faculties. The number of ULB courses that each student takes may vary a bit, as ULB courses can range in credit from 3–10 ECTS each. However, a typical course load consists of 6 courses of 5 ECTS each. All participants are required to enroll in the equivalent of 15 U.S. credits (30 ECTS).

Credit Description

Total recommended credit for a semester is 15 semester/22.5 quarter hours. Total recommended credit for the academic year is 30 semester/45 quarter hours.

Course contact hours vary, but average 24 contact hours for ULB courses. The CIEE/ULB core course is 40 hours each semester. Recommended credit is 3 U.S. credits for the CIEE courses and 1 U.S. credit per 2 ECTS credits earned.

Courses

Required Core Course
Students must take the semester core course below. The core courses are regular ULB courses focusing on Belgian history supplemented by seminars and site visits led by the CIEE Resident Director.

Fall

HIST 3001 BULB
History of the Contemporary Period
This course is intended to provide a better understanding of the culture, economy, politics, and history of Belgium as well as the different identities of its inhabitants. It supplies a fuller appreciation of the relations Belgium has with the rest of the world and in particular with its neighboring countries. By the end of the course, students grasp the complex evolution of the different cultures that coexist on the Belgian territory and gain a better understanding of the process of European integration at large. In addition to regular course hours, supplemental lectures and additional written assignments are required.

Spring

HIST 3002 BULB
Political History of Contemporary Belgium
Students learn about the origin of the formation of the Belgian state and its evolution. The extreme importance of the three fracture lines that have traversed Belgian society from its origins: the philosophical, social, and linguistic cleavage are explored in depth. In addition to regular course hours, supplemental lectures and additional written assignments are required

CIEE Elective Course—Fall and Spring

INSH 3003 BULB
Internship
With permission from their home institution, qualified students may apply for an internship for credit while in Brussels. After acceptance to the program, interesting students must submit a résumé and cover letter to apply for a limited number of internship placements. Once on site, students will interview with sponsoring organizations or companies and if selected, students should be prepared for a workload of 150 hours over the course of the semester. There will be a mid-term meeting with the academic advisor and/or CIEE Resident Director and students will submit a final research paper, using their internship experience to make inferences about relevant issues in the field.

ULB French Language Courses
For students who wish to improve their language skills to better follow their regular university courses at the ULB, courses are offered in advanced grammar and composition. Please visit the website for information.

ULB Courses at the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters, the Faculty of Political and Social Sciences, and the Solvay Brussels School for Economics and Management
Following are examples of course areas offered at ULB. Additional courses in the social sciences may be added. The ULB course areas listed are representative of courses available each year, but CIEE cannot guarantee specific courses are offered each semester. Go to the webpages of the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters at www.ulb.ac.be/facs/philo, the Faculty of Political and Social Sciences at www.soco-ulb.be, and the Solvay Brussels School for Economics and Management at www.solvay.edu for additional course information.

Ancient Languages and Literature, Anthropology, Archaeology, Art History, Belgian Studies, Business, Communications, Economics, Film Studies, French Language and Literature, Germanic Language and Literature, History, Information Science, Labor Relations, Management, Modern Languages and Literature, Philosophy, Political Science, Religion Studies, Romance Languages, and Literature, Sociology

This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to changes as a result ofongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be cancelled due to insufficient enrollment. Syllabi for the CIEE courses listed above are available upon request.


CIEE Study Center Syllabi
To view the most recent syllabi for courses taught by CIEE at our Study Centers, visit our syllabi site.

Faculty

The core course is taught by a member of the ULB faculty in conjunction with the CIEE Resident Director. Regular university courses are taught by faculty from the Université Libre de Bruxelles.

Cultural Activities

Cultural Activities and Field Trips
Extracurricular activities and occasional group excursions are organized throughout the semester. Day trips may include 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, NATO, European Parliament and Commission in Brussels, and the European Investment Bank or the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg may occur. Visits to the Brussels Museum of Fine Arts, and regular visits to French and European films complete program activities. Participants also have access to sports facilities at the ULB and may participate in student clubs and activities.

Mentoring Program
CIEE and the ULB collaborate on a mentoring program for CIEE students. Mentors are available to help students integrate into the University environment and serve as contacts in their classes. The ULB has a very highly developed student network in the classroom as well as online. Mentors serve as a bridge to this network as well as to all aspects of student life.

Immersion

Immersion in the local culture is a priority at CIEE Study Centers around the world.CIEE participants make the most of their program through CIEE-guided excursions, field study and internship programs, volunteering, conversation exchanges, homestays, and special events. The opportunities will vary depending on location. read on to learn more about this program.