Vesalius College - International Education in the Capital of Europe

Frequently Asked Questions (Inbound Study Abroad Students)

Where will I live while at Vesalius College?

Study Abroad students have two housing options available to them:

• Home stay with a host family
• Independent housing in a student apartment
  

How long can I study at Vesalius College?

Most students elect to study abroad for one semester or one year. Vesalius College also offers a seven-week Summer Programme every year.  Students who come to Vesalius College as part of the Foundation Programme (to strengthen English and/or academic skills) are strongly encouraged to spend a full year at Vesalius (one semester in the Foundation Programme, and the following semester in the Bachelor’s Programme).  Please keep in mind that you will remain enrolled in your home university during your semester or year’s stay at Vesalius.

Can I study a foreign language at Vesalius College?

Of course! Vesalius College offers instruction in French and Dutch.  Since course level assignments are different for language courses in different countries, Vesalius College requires that any student wishing to register for a French or Dutch course that is not at the elementary level (no prior knowledge of the language) must take a written and oral language placement test during orientation week (week preceding the first week of classes).  Students will be placed in an appropriate level language class based on results of their placement tests.

Do I have to speak a foreign language to study at Vesalius College?

No.  The language of instruction for all courses offered by Vesalius College (except for the French Literature course) is English.  Furthermore, although both French and Dutch are spoken in Brussels, English is spoken by the majority of its residents and is the de facto language used by most professional organizations.  Studying in Brussels is, however, a prime opportunity for students to study French or Dutch and to become immersed in the language and Belgian culture.  We feel that studying a foreign language while abroad is a major factor contributing to the overall quality of a student’s study abroad experience.

Am I academically eligible to study at Vesalius College?

As a general rule, Vesalius College requires incoming Study Abroad students to be in their Junior or Senior year if in a 4-year Programme, or in the second semester of their second year or in the first semester of their third year if in a 3-year Programme.  Students must be in good academic standing and have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 or better.  These requirements may vary with individual partnership agreements.  Please consult with the Study Abroad advisor at your home university for partner-specific requirements.

Will my Vesalius classes transfer back to my home university?

That depends on your school.  As a general rule, study abroad and exchange partners recognize the academic credentials of the others’ Programmes and should give you full credit.  However, credit may not be awarded for courses that are similar to courses you have already taken at your home university or whose level is perceived to be lower than the level of courses you are currently taking at home.  This is why it is extremely important for you to contact your Academic Advisor with plenty of time to spare before the pre-registration deadline to ensure that you will receive maximum home credit for your study abroad semester.  In addition, Vesalius College offers study abroad students the opportunity to apply for a Brussels internship.  This is considered a graded, for-credit course.  Some partner universities are not accustomed to granting academic credit for internships.  If this is the case with your school, please contact the Study Abroad department so that we may communicate with your advisor and fully explain our method and format for academic evaluation of and credit allocation to the internship course.

If you have enrolled into the Vesalius College Foundation Programme (for English, French, Dutch or Math), please keep in mind that Vesalius College does not offer credit or issue an official transcript for this programme.  If your home university has not already agreed to give you credit for courses in the Foundation Programme, please contact Virginie Goffaux of the Study Abroad Department (virginie.goffaux@vub.ac.be) so that she may contact your Study Abroad Coordinator or your Academic Advisor to give more details on the programme so that they may have enough information with which to decide whether to allow you credit at your home university.

What kinds of computer facilities and internet access are available at Vesalius College?

Vesalius College and its parent school, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel – VUB (across the street) both provide wireless internet access to Vesalius students across both campuses.  Vesalius College has a computer lab with brand new, state-of-the art equipment, as well as a laptop room.  Vesalius students also have access to various large computer labs on VUB campus, including one lab dedicated to Macintosh computers.  Please keep in mind that in most computer rooms on the main VUB campus, keyboards are designed for French-language users and are, thus, arranged slightly differently from English-language keyboards.  This can take a bit of getting used to, and it might take you a few weeks to learn to type as quickly as you do on your keyboard at home.  Apart from the computer room at Vesalius College, there are 4 computer rooms on the VUB campus open to Vesalius students with a US keyboard lay-out.
If you own a laptop, it is worth considering bringing it along for your stay in Brussels. Free wireless internet access is available throughout the Vesalius College lecture building and on the main VUB campus, including the student restaurant and the other eating and drinking facilities available on campus.

Are scholarships available for studying at Vesalius College?

Yes. Some are specific to certain majors, or countries, or Study Abroad Programmes; others are open to a wide range of Study Abroad participants. Some are posted on the websites of the individual Study Abroad Programmes; others are special scholarship agreements that were made between Vesalius College and the partner institution.  Please check with the Study Abroad department of your home institution for this kind of information.

I am interested in studying abroad during the summer.  Does Vesalius College offer a Summer Programme that is open to international students?

Yes!  Each year, Vesalius College offers a 7-week summer program that is open to Vesalius students, as well as to Study Abroad students.  We generally offer a selection of courses at the 100, 200 and 300-level in each of our three major disciplines (Business, Communications and International Affairs), as well as a statistics and art course.  Week-long intensive seminars may also be available depending on the year.  Please note that course offerings often change slightly from year to year.  Application rules and regulations also differ for the Summer Programme, versus for the Fall and Spring programmes.  As such, for information on the Summer Programme and application procedures, please click on the following links: Summer Programme Brochure, Summer Programme Regulations and Information, and Summer Programme Application and Registration Form.  Information for upcoming Summer Programmes is generally available by February of the new calendar year. The application deadline for the Summer Term is May 15.

Regarding Visas for the Summer Term, it is usually sufficient to obtain a tourist Visa for your summer stay in Brussels.  For further details, however, please contact the Belgian embassy or consulate in your home country.

Does Financial Aid Apply?

In some cases.  Some partner institutions allow financial aid students to apply their financial aid to study abroad semesters.  Please consult with your school’s financial aid department for details.  Vesalius College does not offer financial aid to visiting Study Abroad or Exchange students.

Is it expensive to study abroad?

That depends. Studying abroad can be as inexpensive or as expensive as you make it. If you are a SAWA student (your school has a partnership agreement with Vesalius), tuition and fees will depend on your home institution.  If you are a SANA student (your school does not have a partnership agreement with Vesalius), please refer to the following link for information on Tuition and Fees.  You may also contact Vanessa Goffard of the Admissions Office (vgoffard@vub.ac.be) for additional tuition and admission information for SANA students.  Aside from tuition and fees, probably the single biggest factor that will affect your costs is how much independent travel you do on weekends and breaks.

The following table gives estimated semester costs, excluding tuition charges.  Please keep in mind that estimated costs are subject to change yearly due to cost-of-living increases.

Potential Tuition-Related Fees
Late Registration Fee:   50€
Late Payment Fee:   100-350€
Lab Fee (course dependent where applicable):   50-150€
Course “ART 361” Field Trip Fee (only for students enrolled in ART 361):   750€

Other Estimated Fees
Educational Materials:   500-750€
Accommodation:   1,750-3,000€
Food (minimum):   1,000-1,500€
Public Transportation:   160€
Health Insurance:   100€

Which type of visa should I obtain for my semester in Belgium?”

Since you will undoubtedly want to travel during your stay with us, we strongly recommend that you ask for a “Multiple Entry”, or “D+C Visa”, which will allow you to travel hassle-free to any of the countries within the Schengen region and to make multiple entries into Belgium.  This type of visa is not issued by all embassies/consulates.  If you are able to obtain one, however, you should ask for one with the code “mult”, which will allow you multiple entries into Belgium.  Some visas have the code “02”, which only allows for 2 entries.  In most cases, you will have to first apply for a student visa, then ask to change to the “D+C” once you go to pick up your visa.  There are generally additional requirements for the “D+C” visa, which include proof of medical/travel insurance and an extra waiting period.  Please contact the Belgian embassy/consulate nearest you for details on their specific procedures and requirements. 

How do I go about obtaining a student Visa for my studies in Belgium?

Unless you are coming for our Summer Programme, you will need to obtain a student Visa prior to your departure. You should apply for a Visa between 1-3 months before leaving. The Visa processing usually takes about 2-4 weeks but could take more. If you are 21 years of age or more, you will be required to undergo a background check plus fingerprinting, a process that can take 6 weeks or longer. All instructions and forms can be found on the website for the Belgian Consulate: www.diplobel.be.

Requirements for Belgian Student Visa Application:

• A valid travel document (e.g. national passport) in which a Visa can be affixed. This travel document must be valid for three months longer than the Visa.
• Two original Visa application forms (please click here for link) correctly filled in and signed together with two recent passport photos bearing a true likeness to the applicant. Please DO NOT SIGN these applications. They must be signed in front of a notary public or other official qualified to legalize your signature.
• Proof of registration or a registration permit for a full course load in a higher education establishment in Belgium.  This document is issued by Vesalius College and will be sent to your Study Abroad coordinator or to you if your school is not one of our partners.  You will need the original document plus two copies.
• A pledge of financial support for the student. Document may be requested from the embassy or consulate responsible for his/her country of residence. The guarantor who signs this pledge of financial support must have adequate means of subsistence and stand surety for any costs incurred by the student in terms of health treatment, residence in Belgium and repatriation, for at least one academic year. The guarantor must have a regular income.
  
  • Please see the Belgian Consulate website, www.diplobel.be for details on the funds that must be guaranteed for each student (subject to change yearly).
    
  • Once this pledge of financial support has been authenticated by the relevant embassy or consulate, the original document must be submitted to the relevant Belgian embassy or consulate, together with a copy of the guarantor's last three pay slips.
  • Given that the number of current dependents is a factor in determining the solvency of the guarantor, it is also advisable to submit proof of the make-up of the guarantor's family together with evidence of any family benefits received.
  • This document may be signed by a parent or guardian. In some cases, your university may be able to issue this type of document.  Please consult with your Study Abroad advisor for more information.

• A medical certificate, obtained from the doctor designated by the Belgian embassy or consulate or from your own doctor. Please click here for a copy of the medical certificate form. If you have your own doctor complete this form, it must be filled out by your doctor and must be notarized (doctor’s signature must be legalized) and must be on the doctor’s original letterhead. You will need the original medical certificate plus two copies.
• A certificate of good conduct (or the local equivalent of this document) if you are over 21 (In the United States, this means an FBI background check and fingerprinting, a process that can take 6 weeks or longer).
• Proof of transport arrangements (return ticket). As soon as your Visa application has been approved, you must submit a return ticket (in your name and non-transferable) in order for the Visa to be issued. You only need to submit the return ticket and travel insurance policy once the Belgian embassy or consulate informs you that your Visa has been granted. This is to avoid unnecessary expense on your part. However, the embassy or consulate may ask you to submit proof that a return ticket has been reserved.
• The documents listed above are only the basic documents to be submitted in all cases. Additional documents may be requested by the embassy or consulate.
  

Visa Application Fee

• The handling fee for a short-stay Visa (stay not exceeding 90 days) is 60€
• For a long-stay Visa (stay exceeding 90 days) it is 90€
• The amount is to be paid in local currency at the Embassy or Consulate where the Visa application was made. Please contact the Embassy or Consulate of the country where you reside to find out the amount due, which varies depending on the exchange rate applied at the time of filing
• If you cancel your application or are prevented from travelling, or if the Visa application is rejected, the handling fee will not be refunded
• In certain cases, the handling fee for a short-stay Visa is less than 60€.  Your embassy or consulate will automatically charge the correct amount due.
  

Where should you apply for your Visa?

• You should apply for your Visa in person at the relevant Belgian embassy or consulate in your country of residence.
• If there is no Belgian embassy or consulate in your country of residence, you should apply to the Belgian embassy responsible for that country (usually located in a neighbouring country). This embassy will also tell you if you can submit your Visa application in your country of residence via the embassy of another Schengen country.
• Visa application web page: http://www.diplomatie.be/en/travel/Visa/visumFicheDetail.asp?TEXTID=43169
• Required travel documents web page (choose your country of origin): http://www.diplomatie.be/en/travel/traveldocs.asp
• FAQ regarding Visas: http://www.diplomatie.be/en/travel/Visa/faq.asp

When should I arrive in Brussels?

All Study Abroad students are required to attend orientation week.  Orientation week is comprised of the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of the week that precedes the first week of classes.  Therefore, at the very latest, you should arrive on the Tuesday of the week before classes begin. Since most Study Abroad students are coming from other time zones, however, we recommend that you arrive one to three days before the Tuesday of orientation week in order to allow yourself to recover somewhat from your jetlag before the start of orientation.  Orientation includes important lectures, placement tests and registration sessions for which you will be required to be mentally alert!

For semester-specific Programme dates, please refer to the current academic calendar for the Fall and Spring semesters and for the Summer term by clicking on the following link: Academic Calendar.

Once in Belgium, can I travel to other European countries?

Of course!  In fact, we strongly encourage you to take advantage of long weekends and breaks (unless you have a big paper due!) to see as much of Europe as possible!  However, upon your arrival in Brussels, you must immediately register with the Commune at which you are residing (or at least have started the registration procedure and have obtained documentation proving your registration request) prior to initiating your travels.  This will allow you to travel freely within the European Union Schengen space without encountering complications with official border controls.

Until you have your proof of Commune registration in hand, however, please remember that it is not recommended that you travel to countries that are not members of the Schengen Agreement as you could encounter strict border controls that could prevent your entry into or exit from the country.  The following countries are Schengen members that have implemented the terms of the agreement:  Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland.  In other words, you should not travel to the U.K. or other non-Schengen countries without the finalized document in hand.  In some cases, Communal administrative procedures are so slow that you may not even receive this document prior to the end of your Study Abroad semester.  If this is the case, you may still travel within the Schengen region as long as you have proof of initiation of your Communal registration request. Also bear in mind that if you travel to any of the newest members of th Schengen area (Estonia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia), the new Schengen regulations will only be implemented at the airports of these countries in March 2008, so until that time, the old strict travel regulations remain in place if you travel by plane.

When travelling by air between Schengen countries, identification (usually passport or national ID card) must be shown at check-in. This is not a Schengen rule, but an air security rule which equally applies for internal flights within Schengen countries. You may be able to travel to non-Schengen countries by applying for tourist Visas prior to your planned travel dates.  Please inquire about Visa procedures and processing times long in advance of your desired travel dates!

For more information on countries that have implemented the terms of the Schengen agreement, please click on the following link: Schengen Agreement.

What if I am a special needs student – Can Vesalius College accommodate my needs?

Vesalius College offers a minimal service for students with Special Needs such as Dyslexia and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, for which students are required to provide medical documents relating to their Disability. Vesalius College does not currently have the facility to operate its own internal disability testing service, nor does it currently have any disabled facilities available to help physically handicapped students, such as ramps or hand rails or disabled toilets.  If you are a student with Special Needs of any kind, please inform us of your needs prior to submitting your Study Abroad application form, so that we may ensure that all your needs will be adequately met in order to allow you to take full advantage of your Study Abroad experience. Our Voluntary Disability Notification Form can be downloaded by clicking here.

Are there any special safety concerns I should be aware of?

You should always use your best judgment when in a foreign country, just as you would at home.  The following basic safety guidelines should be observed:

• Be aware of local laws and act in a responsible manner.

• Do not leave your bags or belongings unattended at any time.

• When you travel, use a security pouch to carry your passport, credit cards and traveller’s checks.

• Be aware of your surroundings and know your way around.

• Do not handle or display large amounts of money openly.

• Be inconspicuous in dress and demeanour. Try to blend in.

• Try speaking the local language, even with other study abroad students.

• Avoid consuming large amounts of alcohol; that will impair your judgment.

• Never use, handle, or distribute controlled or illegal substances. The punishments in other countries can be very severe.

• Do not hitchhike. We also recommend students NOT to drive while abroad.

• Use the same precautions for HIV/AIDS/STDs and unwanted pregnancies overseas as you would at home. Be aware that the quality of some contraceptives in some counties is unreliable. Act responsibly!

• Always try to travel in small groups.

• Be careful how late you come home at night.

• Know where to find the nearest embassy/consulate of your country of origin.

• Be wary of people who seem overly friendly or interested in you.

• Observe local traffic laws - in some countries they drive on the left side of the road.

I am the PARENT of a student who is planning to study abroad.  Is there documentation available that could help me better prepare myself and my son/daughter for the study abroad experience? 

Yes!  The Association of International Educators (NAFSA) produces an excellent brochure entitled “What Parents Need to Know! Before, During, and After Education Abroad.”  This booklet is written for parents to help their son or daughter make the most of their education abroad experience—one of the best ways they can develop independence, maturity, and self-confidence and become a globally competent citizen. Among the topics it covers are: finding a program that fits, preparing for departure, communication planning, culture shock, returning home, and academic and career development.

The booklet can be ordered by phone or on-line and costs just $5.  You may order by calling 1.866.538.1927, or by referring to the following web site: http://www.nafsa.org/publication.sec/education_abroad_students/what_parents_need_to