Beautiful Brussels has become the crossroads of politics, culture, and society. Following World War II, Brussels evolved from its humble origins as a market town into the de facto political capital of Europe, while managing to retain its historic charm and character. BYU is offering students an opportunity to experience Brussels’ rich culture while participating in work at EU or EU-affiliated think tanks, lobbying groups, and charitable organizations. Students will be able to develop the professional skills most valued by future employers, such as researching and writing on current affairs, organizing events for stakeholders, and learning how governmental policy is shaped in the EU. Brussels interns will also emerge with a heightened appreciation for European culture, current affairs, credits toward their major or minor, and tangible field experience to present to future employers and/or graduate schools. All internships are English speaking.
Brussels: European Government and Society
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DATES
Due to immigration restrictions, those traveling on a U.S. or other non-EU passport may only stay for 90 days. Fall semester internships usually run from early September through late November, and winter semester from January to mid-April. Spring-summer internships generally start in early May and go through late July.
HOUSING
Housing is solely the responsibility of each intern. For housing leads, students should consult previous BYU interns in Brussels, the BYU Brussels handbook, and online resources for short-term rentals in the area.
COURSES
Participants may take between 6 and 12 credit hours. Students must take at least 3 credit hours of IAS 399R or the equivalent 399R internship class from the student’s major, as well as EUROP 336R, which can be taken as a directed readings course with Professor Belnap, or through KU Leuven (fall) or the American University of Brussels (spring-summer). European Studies and College of Humanities majors must take HCOLL 399R Academic Internship, along with HCOLL 396R Internship Prep, which ideally is completed during the second block of the semester prior to departure.
COST
Regardless of how many credit hours a student takes, the program cost is the equivalent of full-time Latter-day Saint undergraduate tuition ($2,810 for fall or winter; $1,405 for spring-summer). These funds cover international health insurance and academic supervision.
Total costs for the semester-long experience are roughly $7,300 (more for graduate and non-Latter-day Saint students), which is broken down as follows: program cost ($2,730), airfare to/from Brussels ($1,300), plus food, housing, and other living expenses (approximately $1,300/month).
Accompanying spouses who are not full program participants should consult with ISP about securing international health insurance, taking BYU courses for credit, and participating in security briefings and internship prep courses.
PREPARATION
BYU welcomes students from any university to apply for participation on our study abroad programs. However, internships and direct enrollment programs are limited to BYU Provo students only. Additionally, priority is given to current BYU European Studies majors/minors or those with a major housed in the College of Humanities. Ideal applicants will be juniors and seniors with solid academic track records, strong research and writing skills, and demonstrable interest in contemporary European politics and society.
INTERNSHIP PROVIDERS
Potential applicants may either find an internship on their own or work with the program coordinators to apply to one of the following offices having an existing relationship with BYU:
Bruegel is one of the top economic policy think tanks in the world. Applicants must have strong training and interest in economics,which usually means extensive course work in international relations or economics.
The European Social Observatory (OSE) is a research center that publishes and advises governmental agencies on social and economic policy Europe. Applicants must know European society well and excel in research and writing.
The LDS Government Relations: EU Office represents the Church’s interests in the EU and advocates for such issues as religious tolerance and freedom of worship. Interns must have strong interpersonal and writing skills. EU citizens are particularly desired.
New Direction: The Foundation for European Reform and ACRE: Alliance of Conservatives and Reformists in Europe, are two similarly oriented think tanks who seek interns with strong skills and interest in political research and communications.
FUNDING SOURCES
Although most Brussels internships are unpaid, various funding options can make the experience highly affordable. University, department, and private scholarships, as well as federal financial aid such as Pell Grants and Stafford Loans may be applied towards the program’s cost.
Those majoring in European studies or a College of Humanities program may qualify for internship funding up to $3,500.
Students who submit the financial aid section of the ISP application and who have a current FAFSA form on file at the Financial Aid Office (A-41 ASB) will be considered for an internship scholarship and may be considered for other scholarships. They must also indicate on their original online application that they want to be considered for financial aid.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested students should first meet with Professor Heather Belnap, European Studies coordinator (heather_belnap@byu.edu), who vets potential interns and recommends qualified students to providers. Internships are only official once the sponsoring office issues a formal offer, and so students should not plan travel or housing before that time.
Once an offer has been extended students must complete the online ISP application, pay a $35 processing fee at kennedy.byu.edu/apply, and begin working with program facilitator Rachel Hendrickson (quinlan_assistant@byu.edu) for course enrollment and other program arrangements.
Students are advised to begin the application process at least three months in advance of the internship term or semester in order to make any and all necessary arrangements for their stay abroad.
PROGRAM ADJUSTMENTS
ISP reserves the right to cancel this program, revise its offerings, or make any adjustments to the preliminary cost estimates due to conditions beyond its control.