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Is this program right for you?

This program is especially suited for students majoring in international affairs, communications, and economics who have a keen interest in the European Union.

Program Snapshot

  • English-taught courses in business, communications, international relations, and Belgian culture; opportunity to take classes with European and other international students; for-credit internship
  • Option to take French-taught courses at the Université Libre de Bruxelles and Dutch-taught courses at the Vrije Universiteit Brussels
  • Field trips to EU institutions, excursions within Belgium and to France, Netherlands, and Germany, and local cultural activities

Subject Areas

  • Belgian Studies
  • Business
  • Communications
  • Cultural Studies
  • Culture (host country)
  • Dutch Language
  • Economics
  • French Language
  • International Relations
  • Internship
  • Language (host country)
  • Language, Literature, Culture (host country)
  • Languages
  • Management

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

Vesalius College, the international English-language college in Brussels, is a small, independent, academic institution with a student body of approximately 300. Vesalius is located southeast of central Brussels, next to the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), a partner of Vesalius College. Students with the necessary French or Dutch skills may also take courses at VUB or Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), considered the premier French-speaking university in Belgium.

Thoughts From Abroad

Brussels has been my home for over 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 and Germanic cultures, and the southern Latin ones. Apart from its official status as the bilingual capital city of Belgium, it 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

Resident Director 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. There 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

semester: 15 semester/22.5 quarter hours
academic year: 30 semester/45 quarter hours

Eligibility Requirements

  • Overall GPA 2.75

Program Dates

Fall 20098/16/2009 - 12/13/2009
Academic Year 2009-108/16/2009 - 5/16/2010
Spring 20101/10/2010 - 5/16/2010

Application Deadlines

Fall 20094/1/2009
Academic Year 2009-104/1/2009
Spring 201010/15/2009

Click here to check for deadline extensions.

Duration

Fall 200917 weeks
mid-August - mid-December or late January
Academic Year 2009-1034 weeks
mid-August - mid-May or mid-June
Spring 201017 weeks
early January - mid-May or mid-June

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:

  • Fall 2009 $14,750
    The CIEE fee includes an optional on-site meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.*Students who elect to take ART 361, European Studies, at Vesalius College will be billed a supplemental tuition fee for required overnight field trips, approximately $1000, 4-6 weeks after the program starts.**Most students are housed in apartments; however, some homestays will be available.  Homestay students will be billed an additional fee for evening weekday meals, approximately $825, 4-6 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)*$11,576
    Housing**$3,100
    Medical Insurance$74
    Total$14,750

    The CIEE fee includes an optional on-site meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.*Students who elect to take ART 361, European Studies, at Vesalius College will be billed a supplemental tuition fee for required overnight field trips, approximately $1000, 4-6 weeks after the program starts.**Most students are housed in apartments; however, some homestays will be available.  Homestay students will be billed an additional fee for evening weekday meals, approximately $825, 4-6 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$2,450
    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$1,300
    Meals (apartments)***$2,250
    Books and Supplies$240
    Local Transportation$300
    Visa Fee$165
    Potential Travel to Consulate for Visa$400
    Total$7,105

    ***Additional meals for homestay students are estimated at $1,150


  • Academic Year 2009-10 $26,550
    The CIEE fee includes an optional on-site meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.*Students who elect to take ART 361, European Studies, at Vesalius College will be billed a supplemental tuition fee for required overnight field trips, approximately $1000, 4-6 weeks after the term starts.**Most students are housed in apartments; however, some homestays will be available.  Homestay students will be billed an additional fee each semester for evening weekday meals, approximately $825, 4-6 weeks after the start of each term.

    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.

    Medical Insurance$74
    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)*$20,276
    Housing**$6,200
    Total$26,550

    The CIEE fee includes an optional on-site meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.*Students who elect to take ART 361, European Studies, at Vesalius College will be billed a supplemental tuition fee for required overnight field trips, approximately $1000, 4-6 weeks after the term starts.**Most students are housed in apartments; however, some homestays will be available.  Homestay students will be billed an additional fee each semester for evening weekday meals, approximately $825, 4-6 weeks after the start of each term.



    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$4,900
    Meals (apartments)***$5,000
    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$1,300
    Books and Supplies$480
    Local Transportation$600
    Visa Fee$165
    Potential Travel to Consulate for Visa$400
    Total$12,845

    ***Additional meals for homestay students are estimated at $1,150 per semester


  • Spring 2010 $14,750
    The CIEE fee includes an optional on-site meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits. *Students who elect to take ART 361, European Studies, at Vesalius College will be billed a supplemental tuition fee for required overnight field trips, approximately $1000, 4-6 weeks after the program starts. **Most students are housed in apartments; however, some homestays will be available.  Homestay students will be billed an additional fee for evening weekday meals, approximately $825, 4-6 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)*$11,641
    Housing**$3,035
    Medical Insurance$74
    Total$14,750

    The CIEE fee includes an optional on-site meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits. *Students who elect to take ART 361, European Studies, at Vesalius College will be billed a supplemental tuition fee for required overnight field trips, approximately $1000, 4-6 weeks after the program starts. **Most students are housed in apartments; however, some homestays will be available.  Homestay students will be billed an additional fee for evening weekday meals, approximately $825, 4-6 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.

    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$1,100
    Personal Expenses$2,450
    Meals (apartments)***$2,250
    Books and Supplies$240
    Local Transportation$300
    Visa Fee$250
    Potential Travel to Consulate for Visa$400
    Total$6,990

    ***Additional meals for homestay students are estimated at $1,150


Scholarship Information

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