The Vesalius College Study Abroad Programme
Welcome to the Vesalius College Study Abroad webpage. As the centre of the European Community, Brussels is the ideal place for students of varying interests and major areas of study to enrich their undergraduate experience. Located in the heart of Brussels, Vesalius College provides an ideal venue for students to get the most out of a European Study Abroad opportunity.
Over 300 international students from over 45 nationalities attend Vesalius College every semester, providing a truly cosmopolitan and culturally enriching environment. With class instruction in English, associated with a Dutch-language university and located in a French/Dutch bilingual city, Vesalius College offers something for everyone.
Classes are small and interactive, with no more than 25-35 students per class (sometimes as low as five or six) and personalized attention from professors. If one of your greatest attractions to the heart of Europe is to complement your academics with an internship in your field of study, Vesalius College provides you with that opportunity. The Vesalius College Internship Programme offers semester-long, unpaid, graded internships with such distinguished sponsors as NATO, the European Parliament, BBC Europe, MasterCard, and many, many more!
As any permanent student of Vesalius College, you will also have access to all the facilities at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, including libraries, computer labs, cafeterias and sports facilities.
Read a general FAQ on Studying in Belgium.
Course Information
- Textbook List Spring 2012 (subject to update)
- Course Schedule Spring 2012 (subject to change)
- New course descriptions Spring 2012
- Orientation Schedule Spring 2012 CIEE / ISA students (subject to change)
- Orientation Schedule Spring 2012 Study Abroad Students (other partners -- subject to change)
- Course syllabi
- Academic Calendar 2011-2012
- Important deadlines
Orientation
Orientation, an integral part of the first semester, helps integrate new students into the Vesalius College
community. It offers interesting opportunities to meet other newcomers as well as to meet some current students and faculty members. Attendance is expected at all events. Click here for the orientation schedule.
Internship Programme
- Learn more about the advantages of the Vesalius Internship Programme (VIP)
Study Abroad Partners
Since you may be coming to us from a partner university, a partner consortium, or from a non-partner university, take a look at a list of our study abroad and exchange partners. If you are coming with one of our partners, you should receive full academic credit for the courses you take here at Vesalius College. There are, however, some exceptions to this rule. As such, you should have your entire course selection pre-approved by your home academic advisor prior to submitting your pre-registration form to Vesalius. This step is also important for verifying that you meet the pre-requisites for the Vesalius courses you choose. If you are coming from a non-partner institution, you may or may not receive credit for the courses taken at Vesalius. Again, it is very important that all your choices be reviewed and pre-approved by your home academic advisor.
Application Procedures (Very Important!!)
There are two types of study abroad students coming to Vesalius College and there are different application procedures for each. Make sure you choose the correct one.
- Study Abroad with Agreement (SAWA) - If you are coming from a university or other institution with which Vesalius College has a partnership agreement for study abroad or student exchanges, your category is Study Abroad With Agreement (SAWA).
- Study Abroad No Agreement (SANA) - If you are coming from a university or other institution with which Vesalius College does NOT have a partnership agreement, your category is Study Abroad No Agreement (SANA). Please visit the link for the Vesalius College Admissions Department for applying as well as viewing the SANA section of the website for more information.
Housing
Once You Have Been Accepted into the Study Abroad Programme
- Registration FAQ - Download a PDF version
- Helpful travel links
If you have further questions about the College's Study Abroad Programme, please contact the Study Abroad coordinator, Caroline Van Ongevalle.
Study Abroad Student Testimonials
 | Studying at VeCo has given me the chance to experience a learning environment which not only challenges my individual ability to critically analyze, but gives me the chance to learn and discuss in a small group setting. The advantages of being on a first name basis with your professors are also great, as they each truly are experts within their respective fields of teaching. Madison Zachrich-Lehew |
 | Without doubt, my time in Brussels at Vesalius College has been life changing. I have been able to visit countries and cities I never dreamed I would see at the age of 20. But above all of the other passport stamped destinations, Brussels has stolen my heart. The inspiring music, art, food and charming Belgian lifestyle will forever be preserved in the fondest memory. Natalie Holzwart |
 | My time in Brussels and at Vesalius College has been a collection of amazing memories that I will always cherish and look forward to sharing. The experience here was remarkable. Not only were the students entirely welcoming and supportive, but the faculty and staff were equally challenging and motivating. Living in Brussels, the capital of Europe, and studying at Vesalius was a combination of the big city with the laidback feel that only a city like Brussels could possess. Stephanie Danis |
 | My time here at Vesalius College can be summed up in one word: amazing! You are taught by professors who provide an international education and you are able to work one-on-one with them in the classroom. Also I was able to do an internship here in Brussels through the Vesalius Internship Program and it was the best decision that I made during my study abroad experience. Casey Economides |
 | When I was trying to decide on studying abroad I looked for a program that offered more than just courses, and with Vesalius College, that was what I got! The internship opportunities, courses with traveling, and host family options were all benefits that I could not have passed up! Traci Johnson |
 | In addition to all the city has to offer, VeCo has provided me with an incredible internship that gives me access to the European Union institutions and presents me with real-life learning opportunities and experience. I’ve had more hands-on opportunities through this internship than in most of my other internships and Vesalius did all the work finding it for me. I’ve had the chance to be present during an interview of the Chinese Ambassador and in a month I moved on to conduct my own interviews with significant people in the fields I’m interested in. Daniella Lopez |
 | Through the many international studies courses offered, I’ve greatly expanded my knowledge of international and European affairs, getting an up-close examination of the European Union available nowhere else in the world. I have also found that Vesalius professors have a real passion for their subjects and provide students with inclusive classroom situations, utilizing the cultural differences present in the student body to further discussions. Abigail Novak |
 | Vesalius College is a perfect complement to the Belgian experience. Like Brussels, Vesalius is truly an international center, with students from over 80 nations. So the more I interact with students, the more diverse my experience becomes! I truly believe that the students of Vesalius are its greatest resource. Vesalius staff and professors are also great resources, who are very helpful and incredibly generous. Dallin VanLeuven |
 | VeCo is affiliated with my university back in the States and I can tell you that I am really happy to have come to this school! VeCo is warm, welcoming and academically stimulating. I love my classes and the people have all been friendly since day one. The courses are difficult but at the same time manageable thanks to a really a good support network, study sessions with friends and easily accessible professors. I love the smaller classes because it means that you actually become a person in the eyes of your professors rather than just another number, another seat or another test. Ariel Rogers |
 | The international setting of the classes at Vesalius has been extremely eye-opening as I have learned to observe and analyze subjects from beyond the American perspective. With so many cultures and histories present in one classroom, the exchange of ideas is constant. I have been fortunate enough to make a number of new friends from all over the globe through Vesalius and connected with them inside as well as outside of the classroom. By attending VSG sponsored events, I have had the opportunity to explore the Brussels nightlife with new friends, and to learn about local hot spots and secrets that I never would have discovered on my own. Gill Budd |
