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.

Program Snapshot

• 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 
• Cultural and educationalactivities such as visits to the UN International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in the Hague, European Parliament and Commission in Brussels, Brussels
• Museum of Fine Arts, the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, and French and European films 
• University clubs

Subjects
Arabic Language
Archaeology
Art History
Belgian Studies
Communications
Film Studies
French Language
History
Information Science
Philosophy
Religious Studies

Eligibility

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

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.

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.

Program Requirements
All students are required to take the CIEE/ULB core course in addition to their ULB courses. The number of ULB courses that each student takes will vary, as ULB courses range in credit from 2-7 ECTS each. All participants are required to enroll in the equivalent of 12 U.S. credits (24 ECTS) .

Credit
Total recommended credit for a semester is 12 semester/18 quarter hours. Total recommended credit for the academic year is 24 semester/36 quarter hours.

Course contact hours vary, but average 24 contact hours for ULB courses. The CIEE 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.

Application Deadlines
Spring 2009: 10/15/2008
Fall 2009: 4/1/2009
Academic Year 2008-09: 4/1/2008

Duration-Please check the CIEE website for current program dates.
Spring 2009: 20 weeks: late January - late June
Fall 2009: 19 weeks: early September - late January
Academic Year 2008-09: 34 weeks: mid-August - mid-May

CIEE Fees-Please check the CIEE website for current program fees.
The CIEE fees for 2008-09 include an optional on-site meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, orientation, cultural activities (such as group dinners, movie outings, museum visits, and city tours), local excursions, field trips outside of Brussels, 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.

Orientation
Prior to the start of each semester, there is a mandatory three-day orientation organized and conducted by CIEE at a hostel in downtown Brussels. The orientation introduces students to Belgium and Brussels; provides practical information about the host country, daily life, the academic program, housing, cultural and educational differences; and enables participants and staff to get to know one another while participating in structured and informal activities that could include visits to museums, a bus tour, walking tours, and group meals. Orientation is maintained on a group and individual basis throughout the program.

Housing and Meals
Housing is included in the program fee. CIEE housing is a combination of individual rooms with or without other students and sharing common spaces with landlords. Housing is mainly located in the southeast of central Brussels. An excellent public transportation system makes it easy to commute. All housing placements are made on-site at the beginning of the semester. Meals are not included in the program fee and are the responsibility of the student. Students have access to cooking facilities in order to prepare their own meals and may take meals in University cafeterias and restaurants in the area.

Internet
Students have access to an on-campus computer laboratory as well as computers in the ULB library. Students are required to open an e-mail account at the ULB which gives them access to computers on campus as well as access to a number of online forums. Wireless connections in the home are as common in Brussels as in many parts of the U.S., though an Internet connection is not guaranteed. Students are encouraged to bring wireless-enabled laptops or use the computer labs or one of the numerous cyber cafés in Brussels.

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, 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, an "Art Nouveau" tour discovering the hidden treasures of "Fin de Siècle" Brussels, 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.