Brussels Internship Program

Transcription

1 Brussels Internship Program US Program in European Studies Leuven, Belgium Fall Semester 2014 Program Dates: Arrival of students: Monday, 8 th September Orientation: Tuesday, 9 th September at am Midterm break: Saturday, 25 th October to Saturday, 1 st November 2014 Departure: Saturday, 6 th December Accommodation address: Leuven Institute for Ireland in Europe Janseniusstraat Leuven Belgium Program Information in Brief Program content and structure The US Program comprises two related components namely, a part-time internship in Brussels supported by academic courses in European Studies which are delivered at the Institute in cooperation with the University of Leuven. Orientation takes place during Week 1. Classes also get underway during this Week. Internships begin in Brussels in either Week 2 or Week 3 depending on the Office. Classes take place on Mondays and Thursdays while the internship takes place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Fridays may be used for study, research or travel purposes. From time to time, some students elect to go to their internships on Fridays. Program Objectives This Program has proven to be of particular interest (though is not exclusive) to students majoring in International Studies and World Politics as well as Economics and Finance majors. The Program is oriented towards those students who are interested in exploring, both professionally and academically, the European Union as a sui generis international system. Brussels Internship 1

2 US students participating in the US Program at the Leuven Institute have a unique opportunity to avail of accredited internships at the European Parliament or other EU-related organizations based in Brussels. Such practical, hands-on experience or experiential learning is invaluable in terms of enhancing a student s knowledge and understanding of international relations and world affairs. Internship Placement Acting as an intern or stagiaire involves contributing to the work of the Office through providing research and administrative support and/or event management. Research work may entail preparing original papers or speeches on EU topics, answering constituents inquiries and preparing committee briefings. Administrative support may encompass such tasks as organizing files or preparing press briefings. The internship is from 9 am to 5:30 p.m. each Tuesday and Wednesday for approximately ten weeks. Academic Program (Tuition or Instruction) You will take courses in European Studies with other US students. The courses help support the internship experience. There are five courses on offer delivered in cooperation with the University of Leuven: Brussels Internship History and Development of the European Union European Union Law Economics of European Integration Comparative European Politics European Culture Each course comprises eleven lectures, each of two and a half hours. The program is conducted over 13 weeks and comprises 11 weeks of lectures, an introductory first week, a midterm break of one week and a final examinations week. There is no need for students to buy books ahead of time. Readers will be provided and there is free use of the Library system of the University of Leuven also available. Details on how to apply for a University library card are provided during Orientation. Language of Instruction The courses are taught in English at the Leuven Institute for Ireland in Europe. Assessment is as follows: A midterm examination (20%) A midterm paper (20%) A final examination (60%) Brussels Internship 2

3 Grading scheme The grading scheme is as follows: A Excellent B+ Very good B Good C+ Acceptable C Unacceptable Assigning Grades & Credits At the end of the semester, the Academic Council, that is, the Program faculty and the Program Director, formally adopts grades in Leuven for each student in each course. The results are then communicated to the home Universities. Each University then disseminates grades directly to students. Study visits Study visits are factored into the Program as part of the academic coursework. Students visit SHAPE, the military headquarters of NATO while a spokesperson from Turkey s Permanent Representation to the EU normally gives a briefing to students at the Institute on Turkey s bid to join the EU. About the Leuven Institute for Ireland in Europe The residential base of the Program is a former Irish Franciscan College which was established in 1607 as a constituent college of the University. Indeed, the Institute continues to be known locally as the Irish College (Iers College). The Institute is centrally located in Leuven. It is within easy walking distance of inter alia the University s Sports Complex. Also closeby are the University s faculty libraries most relevant to our academic courses. Our students may avail of a University library card which is valid for the duration of the semester. The application procedure is covered during Orientation. Accommodation Your Program fee covers accommodation and meal costs for the semester. It does not cover the midterm break as students usually travel during this period. Students rooms are serviced regularly by the Institute s accommodation staff. Bed linen, which is provided, is changed once a week while Institute towels are also changed regularly. Students share accommodation. The rooms which are quite spacious comprise three levels. There is accomodation on the lower and upper floors. There are also shower and toilet facilities located on the mezzanine floor. Each student has his/her own private study area and storage space for clothes and so forth. Please let me know if you have a request for a roommate. Free Wifi is available in all bedrooms as well as the Reception area. For further information please see Brussels Internship 3

4 Meals Your meal plan comprises the following: Breakfast: Lunch: Evening meal: each day Mondays to Friday inclusive Mondays to Thursday inclusive. Please note that on internship days, lunch at the Institute is replaced with a packed lunch. All meals are prepared for you by the Institute s full-time chef and his staff. Breakfast and lunch each consists of a comprehensive buffet with a wide range of cooked food as well as fresh produce. Evening meals comprise three courses offering meat (red/white), fish and vegetarian options. The Chef sources his produce locally for the most part. Special events Extra meals are provided for special events during the course of the semester. For example, during the Fall Semester, there is a banquet for Thanksgiving with our Program lecturers as well as a Christmas Party with Institute staff. The medieval town of Leuven A University town since the early 15th century, Leuven is characterized by fine architectural styles and a tradition of academic excellence. With some 40,000 students, the University of Leuven is Belgium s largest and most prestigious university. English is widely spoken by the locals reflecting the large number of international students and professors attracted to the town and its University. Leuven is widely regarded as a very safe and friendly environment for international students. Given its location, Leuven is an ideal base for travel throughout Europe as it is situated on an important railway axis. All major European capitals are, therefore, readily accessible. Paris for example is one hour and 20 minutes from Brussels. There are frequent trains between Leuven and Brussels. There is also a direct train service between Leuven and Brussels International Airport. The journey is about 15 minutes. For further information please see Monday, 8th September - Arrival Students are expected to arrive at the Institute on Monday, 8th September On arrival the Receptionist will give you your room key (which doubles as your front door key) together with the Orientation Schedule for the Week. On Monday there will be a short introductory briefing at 2 pm in CR 3 for all students with the Institute s Director General and the US Program Director. Orientation gets underway on Tuesday, 9th September at am in CR 3. Brussels Internship 4

5 Directions from Brussels Airport to the Institute in Leuven At Brussels airport take the train to LEUVEN. The journey is 15 minutes approximately. This is a direct train service which departs every hour from the airport. A ticket costs about 8.50 euros. When traveling from the airport to Leuven, remember to avoid going to "Louvain-la-Neuve" (literally, New Louvain ). This is another city in the French-speaking part of Belgium. At Leuven train station, take a taxi to the Irish Institute (known locally as the Irish College ) at Janseniusstraat 1 which is close to Pater Damiaanplein. Contact details For further information or queries, me: [email protected] I look forward to welcoming you to the Institute in September. Best wishes Dr Margaret M. Malone US Program Director Brussels Internship 5