CIEE Advanced Liberal Arts Program in Brussels, Belgium

  Belgium

• Brussels: 
Brussels

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring 
Dates: Fall 19 weeks: early-Sept.-late-Jan.; Spring 20 weeks: late-Jan-late-June; Academic Year 39 weeks: early-Sept.-late-June

Description: The Advanced Liberal Arts program has three goals: to provide opportunities to study European identity, culture, and policy-making from a non-U.S. perspective with other international students; to offer insights into Belgium and Brussels unique political, cultural, and linguistic situation in Europe; and to enable students to improve their French or Dutch language skills.

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 opens 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, and history.

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. Please note that fall semester ULB courses extend into January, and spring semester courses extend into June.

Highlights:

• French-taught courses in the humanities
  
• Opportunity to take classes with Belgian and other European students
  
• Field trips to EU institutions, excursions within Belgium and to France and Germany, and local cultural activities
  
• Student mentors help students integrate into the university environment

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

Experience Required: yes