CIEE Summer Business, Communications, and Culture Program in Brussels, Belgium

  Belgium

• Brussels: 
Brussels

Term: Summer 
Dates: 6 weeks: late May - early-July

Description: The Business, Language, and Culture summer program is designed to give students insight into Belgium and Brussels' unique political and cultural situation in Europe through courses in business, communications, international relations, and/or an internship, among others.

Academic Program
Established in 1994, the CIEE Study Center in Brussels moved into its current location at its host institution, Vesalius College, in 2002. Vesalius College is unique among academic institutions in Brussels in that it is the only institution that offers a selection of courses taught in English at the undergraduate level. Students participating in the summer program have the opportunity to live in the "Capital of Europe", while studying business, communications, and international relations, and potentially undertaking a for-credit internship.

Academic Culture
Like other European universities, Vesalius College has recently been restructured, to offer three-year undergraduate degrees. These fall into three main areas: business, communications, and international relations.

Normally, Belgian students follow a set curriculum in their area of specialization and have few elective choices. However, Vesalius College differs from most Belgian universities in that it offers students greater freedom to take elective courses. Classes are often small, averaging fewer than 20 students. Summer classes at Vesalius are intensive, meeting eight hours per week for six weeks. Classes meet either for two hours per day, four days per week, or for four hours per day, twice per week.

Vesalius aspires to offer a similar teaching approach to U.S. colleges. But in reality, its teaching style can be quite different because most of its professors and students are products of a European educational system. So while there may be more student-teacher interaction at Vesalius College than at a regular Belgian educational institution, there will likely be less than that which U.S. students are accustomed.

Highlights:

• Choice of courses in business, communications, and international relations, among others - taught in English; for-credit internship
  
• Many opportunities to become fully immersed in Belgian and European culture and society, including 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

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: Please check the CIEE website for current program pricing

Experience Required: yes