Brussels Internship Program
US Program in European Studies
Leuven, Belgium
Spring 2014 Program Dates:
Arrival at Institute: Monday, January 6th
Classes Begin: Tuesday, January 7th
Midterm break: February 22 – March 1
Departure from Institute: Saturday, April 5
Accommodation address: Leuven Institute for Ireland in Europe
Janseniusstraat 1
3000 Leuven
Belgium
Program Information in Brief
Type of Program / This is a semester-long program in which you take courses with other US students and participate in a part-time, unpaid internship in the European Parliament or an EU-related organization in Brussels. Weekend travel throughout Europe is encouraged. The number of places is limited.Location / Leuven, Belgium (26 km east of Brussels)
Population / 92,732 approximately
GPA requirement / 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
Special requirements / A current resume is required in addition to your application. Letters of recommendation are optional.
Fee includes / Tuition, academic advice, shared en-suite duplex accommodation, bed linen, towels, week day meals, host country orientation and support, library facilities, email facilities and internet access
Fee does not include / Airfare, weekend lunch and dinner, personal property and travel insurance, personal expenses, commuting expenses between Leuven and Brussels
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.
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 Brussels-based organizations. 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.
US universities that participate on the program are:
The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC
Northeastern University, Boston, MA
DePaul University, Chicago, IL
St Joseph's University, PA
Program content and structure
The Program comprises two components: an internship in Brussels together with academic courses in European Studies delivered in cooperation with the University of Leuven.
Internship Placement:
You will act as an unpaid, part-time assistant to a Member of the European Parliament (MEP), or in an EU-related organization in Brussels. Acting as an intern or stagiaire involves contributing to the work of the Office through providing research and administrative support. 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.
Getting to Work:
You can expect a 30-minute train journey to Brussels. Regarding commuting costs between Leuven and Brussels, students are entitled to a considerable discount so that commuting costs for the semester amount to 30 Euro approximately. It is not a major expense. Details will be provided during on-site Orientation in Week 1.
Academic Program (Tuition or Instruction)
In addition to fieldwork, you will take courses in European Studies with other US students. The courses are designed primarily to support the internship experience. There are five courses on offer delivered in cooperation with the University of Leuven:
Courses and Credits In addition to the internship, CUA students may take up to four additional courses of 3 credits each, for a total of 15 credits. :
Ø European Parliamentary Internship (Equivalent to POL 549) – For all CUA students
Select up to 4 from the following list:
Ø History and Development of the European Union (Equivalent to HIST 568)
Ø European Union Law (Equivalent to POL 531)
Ø Economics of European Integration (Equivalent to ECON 552)
Ø Comparative European Politics (Equivalent to POL 505)
Ø European Culture (Equivalent to HUM)
Each course comprises eleven lectures, each of two and a half hours. The program is conducted over 13 weeks comprising 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 libraries available also.
Language of Instruction: The courses are taught in English at the Leuven Institute for Ireland in Europe.
Course assessment involves:
Ø A midterm examination (20%)
Ø A midterm paper (20%)
Ø A final examination (60%)
Grading scheme
The following is the grading scheme which we are asked to use by the home Universities:
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. Students visit NATO while a spokesman 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.
Library and computer facilities
The students have access to the library and computer facilities of the University of Leuven. Students may use the Computing Centre of the University of Leuven which is open 24 hours a day on weekdays and during the day on the weekends.
Internet access and WiFi is available in students’ rooms and throughout the Institute.
About the Leuven Institute for Ireland in Europe
Het Leuvens Instituut voor Ierland in Europa
The residential base for the Program is the former Irish Franciscan College in Leuven established in 1607, now known as the “Leuven Institute for Ireland in Europe.” The US Program in European Studies has been run at the Institute since 1990 while the internship component was added in Spring 1994.
Accommodation at the Institute
You will live at the Institute with other US program students. All rooms are shared with 3 to 4 students per room. The rooms are duplexes and triplexes. Single room accommodation is not available.
The accommodation staff of the Institute will service your rooms on a weekly basis. In particular, bed linen, which is provided, is changed once a week while towels are changed regularly.
Laundry Facilities are available at the institute and the machines are operated with tokens available from Reception.
Meals
All meals are prepared for the students by the chef of the Institute’s Restaurant. The Institute Chef has a great deal of experience in preparing vegetarian meals. Students have a choice between red/white meat, vegetarian, and fish dishes. Lots of vegetables and salads are available daily.
The meal plan for the Program is as follows:
Breakfast: Each day
Lunch: Monday to Friday
Dinner: Monday to Thursday
There is no lunch during Internship days. Instead there is Sunday Brunch at Stapleton’s Pub & Restaurant (which is a five minute walk from the Institute) each Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm.
Sports
The Sports Complex of the University of Leuven is available to students. A Sports Card is necessary to use the facilities and to join classes and clubs. This costs €30 Euro. There is also a modern gym which includes up-to-date equipment and tailor-made fitness programs designed by fitness instructors. Membership of this gym costs an additional 35 Euro. Use of the track is cost-free.
Money Matters
Regarding commuting costs between Leuven and Brussels, students are entitled to a considerable discount so that commuting costs for the semester amount to 30 Euro approximately. It is not a major expense. Details of the student discount are covered during Orientation.
You should remember that Travelers’ Cheques are considered outdated nowadays in Europe. Students arriving with them may find it difficult to find banks willing to cash them, certainly in Leuven, even in Brussels. Normally students withdraw money directly from their home bank accounts during the semester - it is the simplest way.
The town of Leuven
A university town since the early 15th century, Leuven is a characterized by fine architectural styles and a tradition of academic excellence. The University of Leuven is the oldest existing Catholic University in the world and, with 32,000 students, is Belgium’s largest university.
English is widely spoken by locals in Leuven 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. Most major European capitals are, therefore, readily accessible.
There are frequent trains between Leuven and Brussels as well as a direct train service between Leuven and Brussels airport.
The Role of the US Program Director
The residential Program Director is generally the students’ first contact or “go-to” person. She is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Program as a whole. She has responsibility for general counseling regarding the welfare and progress of each student. She acts as both academic advisor and counselor for all internships. She is available each week for the duration of the Program to help students with whatever problems or questions they might have.
Contact details
For further information or queries, e-mail the Program Director at:
Or write to:
Dr Margaret M. Malone, US Program Director/Lecturer
Leuven Institute for Ireland in Europe
Janseniusstraat 1, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Cell: 0496 78 65 22
Tel: 32 16 310 430
Fax: 32 16 310 431
ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS
Directions from Brussels Airport to the Irish Institute, Leuven
At Brussels airport take the train to LEUVEN. The journey is 20 minutes approximately. There is a direct train service to Leuven which departs every hour from the airport.
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.
When traveling from the airport to Leuven, avoid going to "Louvain-la-Neuve" which is in the French-speaking part of Belgium. This is an occasional mistake that English-speakers make.
At Reception you will be advised of your room assignment and will receive your card key together with a copy of the Orientation Schedule for Week 1.
Students should arrive in the morning on Monday, January 5th. It would be appreciated if students gave advanced notice of their estimated time of arrival (ETA).
If you have any questions or need any help, please contact:
Dr Margaret M. Malone
US Program Director
Leuven Institute for Ireland in Europe
Janseniusstraat 1
3000 Leuven
Belgium
Cell: (+32) 0496 78.65.22
Should Margaret is not be available for some reason, students may contact Reception in person or at (+322) 016 310 430 and can speak either to the Receptionist or the Manager on duty.
Contact a Past Participant
Students may contact:
Liz Best of CUA, Washington DC who participated in Fall 2010. Liz’s email address is .
Sydney Pomykata of CUA, Washington DC who participated in Fall 2009. Sydney’s email address is :
Useful links
European Parliament: www.europarl.europa.eu
The city of Leuven: www.leuven.be (you can download a map and a tourism brochure)
To read information in English, click on “EN”
The Leuven Institute: www.leuveninstitute.com – located southwest of the center of town
Student Testimonials
“I have to say that it was one of the coolest things I’ve ever done. I really think that with this internship, you have to take initiative and make the best of anything that comes your way … This was a kind of hands-on learning experience that I could never have had without this program. I know that this is going to be really helpful for my future career aspirations!”
“Overall, it really was a huge learning experience for me, and a positive one at that. I am definitely grateful that I had this opportunity to intern … at the EP. “
“I think that the experience I had at the European Parliament is one that cannot be reproduced. I not only learned more than I anticipated about how things actually work in the European Parliament, but also about how to deal with many different situations in the political arena. I realized that my experience would only yield positive results if I put enough time and effort into it. My results were positive in the end which made me feel good about myself knowing that I had a positive experience and thinking that my office would say that same about my performance. I am extremely grateful for having this unique opportunity and look forward to sharing my experience with those who will in the future!”
“Overall, I really loved Europe and this internship with the European Parliament. The Member and his entire staff were very pleasing and great to work with. I had a great time and learned so much that I might never have been able to had I not participated in this Program. I would recommend this opportunity to anyone interested in the world around them, the events of European politics and has a passion for immersion into a foreign culture.”
“This experience has been invaluable as I have been fully immersed in European politics for three months and have contributed to an office of an MEP in a valuable way. It is wonderful to have experienced all aspects of work which are part of running a political office. The tasks go from strenuous research, to analysis, to mundane hotel reservations. Nonetheless, all are part of what in the end is an individual’s support system – someone who represents the voice of the people.”
Nina A. Pinto, English major, CUA, Washington DC – Spring Semester 2002 interned with an Irish MEP
“I liked having the hands-on effect of being able to work in an area of the EU that we were learning about in our classes. This provided us with a wonderful opportunity to meet people from other countries and to experience the European Parliament.”
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Brussels Internship