Brussels School of Governance at Vesalius College (Belgium)
The Program
In Brussels, you’ll have access to some of Europe’s premier institutions as a Brussels School of Governance student.
Take a break from the large lecture halls of New Jersey and take a seat in small seminar classrooms. The Brussels School of Governance is located in the heart of Brussels and has more than 300 international students representing forty-plus countries. The Brussels School of Governance has a broad curriculum, but is particularly strong in European Studies, Political Science, Business, Communication, and International Relations. You will have the opportunity to intern and earn credit with high-profile government organizations like NATO, the European Parliament, BBC Europe, MasterCard, or one of several other distinguished organizations.
Program Location
Brussels
Brussels is the headquarters of NATO and the European Union, and home to the world’s largest press corps. The city’s arts scene is one of the liveliest in Europe. To see the works of the great Flemish painters, including Brueghel and van Dyck, head for the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium. A more contemporary painter, the surrealist René Magritte, has his own museum too. And Belgium’s contribution to the world of comic books can be seen on walls and in Metro stations all over the city, as well as at the Belgian Comics Museum. Live music, especially jazz (the saxophone was invented in Belgium), is another highlight of the city. And, for all its diplomatic hustle and bustle, Brussels is a relaxed place to live, with an abundance of parks and outdoor cafés.
Academics
In order to have an idea of what courses are available, you should visit the the Brussels School of Governance website. Course offerings can be found here.
Classes at The Brussels School of Governance are small (5-6 or as high as 25-35 students per class) and are held in English, although students are encouraged to take a Dutch or French language course. If you are interested in taking an advanced level French or Dutch class, you must complete a placement exam (oral and written) one week prior to the first week of classes. Students will complete a pre-registration form that allows you to list your top eight choices for classes, in order of preference as not all classes can be guaranteed. All students wishing to register for a 300-level political science course on the EU will be required to take the EU Aptitude test during orientation.
*Please note that, due to differences between European and American educational systems, the level (course number) at which you are placed in the Brussels School of Governance Language Program may not correspond exactly with the course level achieved at Rutgers or your home university; it may be lower. You should inform your academic advisor of this potential discrepancy and you should request that your language department grant you language credit, even if the language “course number” you take at the Brussels School of Governance is lower than what you would take at Rutgers.
Internship Opportunities
The Brussels School of Governance Internship Program (IP) gives students an opportunity to work first hand with one of 50 organizations residing in Brussels. This is a graded internship that is offered during the fall and spring semesters. The internship is worth 6 - 12 ECTS credits (3 - 6 RU credits). Students are expected to work 150-180 hours over the course of the semester. The program is very competitive and acceptance is not guaranteed. Therefore, you should not assume your acceptance and still plan to take four-five other classes at the Brussels School of Governance. For more information on the program and a complete list of internship program partners visit the Brussels School of Governance website.
You will need to be sure that you are registered as a full time student according to the Brussels School of Governance and Rutgers University. The Brussels School of Governance will allow you to take a maximum of five classes. That means you will need to take at least 24-30 ECTS credits (12-15 RU credits) each semester. Thus, most students take four to five classes a term at the Brussels School of Governance. It is not possible to take classes as not-for-credit or pass/fail.
For information about Study Abroad credit transfer, registration, and transcripts please visit the Academics section of our website.
Housing and Meals
You are responsible for the cost of housing and food on this program. You have two options for housing in either independent housing or a homestay.
Independent Housing can either be arranged upon arrival or in advance. If you choose to find housing upon arrival, it is suggested that you arrive at least one week prior to orientation. Students can usually find either small rooms or shared flats for 350-600 Euros per month (rates are dependent upon the size and amenities). Utility charges are not always fully included and may result in additional monthly fees.
Students can be placed in a homestay with a Belgian family. Most families speak French, some families speak Dutch, however all families possess a command of the English language. The cost for this type of housing is 200 Euros per week and includes room and most board (7 breakfasts per week plus 4 dinners per week) and use of the kitchen when no meals are provided.
For housing forms and additional information on homestay and independent housing options, please visit the Brussels School of Governance website.
Financial Information
Program Costs
| NJ Resident | non-NJ Resident | |
|---|---|---|
| ATW Program Cost* | $10,000 | $13,900 |
Program Cost includes:
• Tuition
• Administrative Fees
• Emergency Medical Access Abroad
• *Access the World (ATW)
Out-of-Pocket Costs
| Airfare | $1,000 |
| Housing | $2,800 |
| Meals | $2,900 |
| Visa | $250 |
| Books and Classroom Materials | $250 |
| Deposits/Fees | $200 |
| Local Transportation | $400 |
| Personal Expenses | $1,500 |
| Total | $9,300.00 |
Out-of-Pocket Cost includes:
The above costs are estimations and represent the known out-of-pocket costs students encounter during their time abroad.
Some of these expenses will be paid for prior to going abroad, such as an airline ticket, while some of these expenses, such as meals and personal expenses, will be paid in-country as part of your daily expenses. As you plan, you will need to budget these costs and spend wisely throughout your time abroad.
Program Costs
| NJ Resident | non-NJ Resident | |
|---|---|---|
| ATW Program Cost* | $10,000 | $13,900 |
Program Cost includes:
• Tuition
• Administrative Fees
• Emergency Medical Access Abroad
• *Access the World (ATW)
Out-of-Pocket Costs
| Airfare | $1,000 |
| Housing | $2,800 |
| Meals | $2,900 |
| Visa | $250 |
| Books and Classroom Materials | $250 |
| Deposits/Fees | $200 |
| Local Transportation | $400 |
| Personal Expenses | $1,500 |
| Total | $9,300.00 |
Out-of-Pocket Cost includes:
The above costs are estimations and represent the known out-of-pocket costs students encounter during their time abroad.
Some of these expenses will be paid for prior to going abroad, such as an airline ticket and visa costs, while some of these expenses, such as meals and local transportation, will be paid in-country as part of your daily expenses. As you plan, you will need to budget these costs and spend wisely throughout your time abroad.