ciee - council on international educational exchange
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featured programs

Study in China
beijing - chinese language + culture

Study in France
paris - critical studies

Study in Nicaragua
managua - liberal arts

Study in the Czech Republic
prague - film studies

Study in Italy
naples - liberal arts

Study in Italy
naples - classical studies

Study in Germany
berlin - language + culture

Study in Thailand
khon kaen - community public health

Study in Australia
perth - sustainability + the environment

Is this program right for you?

Program Snapshot

  • French-taught courses in the humanities; take classes with Belgian and other European students; join a university club
  • Student mentors help students integrate into the university environment
  • Field trips to EU institutions, excursions within Belgium and to France, the Netherlands, and Germany, and local cultural activities
  • Cultural and educational activities such as visits to the UN International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in the Hague, NATO, and the Museum of Fine Arts

Subject Areas

  • Arabic Language
  • Archaeology
  • Art History
  • Belgian Studies
  • Communications
  • Cultural Studies
  • Culture (host country)
  • Film Studies
  • French Language
  • French/Francophone Literatures
  • History
  • Information Science
  • Language (host country)
  • Language, Literature, Culture (host country)
  • Languages
  • Literature
  • Literature (host country)
  • Philosophy
  • Religious Studies

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.

Where You'll Study

Université Libre de Bruxelles

The French-language Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) was founded in 1834 as an alternative to the Catholic or state universities in Leuven, Gent, and Liège. It now has a student population of 18,000 and is the largest university in Brussels. ULB has several campuses in different areas of the city. The main campus where the Faculty of Philosphy and Letters, the library, and University administration are located is known as the Solbosch campus and is located in southeast Brussels.

Thoughts From Abroad

Bruxelles est une ville que j’adore. C’est l’endroit où l’Europe du nord rencontre l’Europe du sud, où les cultures latines se mélangent avec les traditions anglo-saxonnes et germaniques. Bruxelles s’affirme chaque jour davantage comme capitale de l’Europe. On y trouve différentes institutions européennes, mais aussi l’OTAN et beaucoup de ngo’s et entreprises internationales. Mais la ville accueille également des communautés du bassin méditerranéen, de l’Europe de l’Est, de l’Afrique, et de l’Amérique latine. Cette présence multiculturelle se reflète dans le foisonnement de langues, restaurants, festivals, et activités culturelles qui animent les différents quartiers de la ville. C’est une ville idéale pour connaître l’Europe!

— 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: 12 semester/18 quarter hours
academic year: 24 semester/36 quarter hours

Eligibility Requirements

  • Overall GPA 2.75
  • 6 semesters college-level French or equivalent

Program Dates

Fall 20099/9/2009 - 1/22/2010
Academic Year 2009-109/9/2009 - 6/20/2010
Spring 20101/27/2010 - 6/20/2010

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 200919 weeks
early September - late January
Academic Year 2009-1039 weeks
early September - late June
Spring 201020 weeks
late January - late May or late 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.*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.

    Medical Insurance$74
    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$11,576
    Housing*$3,100
    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.*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.

    Potential Travel to Consulate for Visa$400
    Personal Expenses$2,450
    Meals (apartments)**$2,250
    Visa Fee$165
    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$1,300
    Books and Supplies$240
    Local Transportation$300
    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.*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.

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

    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$1,300
    Personal Expenses$4,900
    Visa Fee$165
    Meals (apartments)**$5,000
    Local Transportation$600
    Books and Supplies$480
    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.

    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.



    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.

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


Scholarship Information

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