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Belgium

Study Abroad in Belgium

You can earn a 12-15 credit hours while living and studying in Belgium with FHU. Your semester abroad will be full of exciting opportunities with travel across Europe:

  • Trips to sites and cities in and around Belgium where our campus is located, including the EU Parliament in Brussels and the canals of medieval Bruges.
  • An extended group trip to Paris spent climbing the iconic Eiffel Tower, visiting the gargoyles at the top of Notre-Dame, and discovering the treasures of the Louvre that you have only seen in textbooks.
  • Group travel to Austria and Germany, with visits to the lovely city of Salzburg, the Nazi concentration camp at Dachau, and the beautiful lake Königssee.
  • In the spring, a group trip to Italy spent marveling at the Colosseum and ancient ruins of Rome, visiting the birthplace of the Renaissance in Florence, and wandering along the winding canals of Venice.
  • In the fall, the group travels together to the United Kingdom where they see a play in the Globe Theatre, eat at the Elephant House where J. K. Rowling penned the Harry Potter novels, and visit the ancient ruins at Stonehenge.
  • During three weeks of independent free travel you and a small group of friends plan your own excursions. You might backpack through the majestic Alps, admire the architecture of Gaudi in Barcelona, or follow in the Apostle Paul’s footsteps in Athens.

All of this is possible – and more – when you study abroad. For more information about the FHU Abroad program contact the FHU Abroad Office at fhuabroad@fhu.edu.

Verviers Central

Belgium Campus

FHU students in Belgium live and study in a fully-equipped three-story facility in the town of Verviers in the French-speaking region of the country. The facility consists of male and female dorm rooms, faculty apartments, a kitchen and dining area, laundry services, wireless Internet access, and a classroom and lounge area. The building is very near stores, restaurants, banks, and other services. If you want fast food European style, you can find waffles, frites, pita wraps, and ice cream in just a few minutes. The train station is a 15-minute walk from the facility.

Belgium Facility

Financial Information

Cost and Payment

The Comprehensive Charge for the FHU Abroad program in Belgium is $16,500.

Deposits toward the cost of the program are scheduled throughout the semester prior to studying abroad. See below for specific amounts and deadlines for upcoming programs.

Spring 2020 Belgium program

  • $300 deposit: October 21, 2019
  • $1,000 deposit: November 11, 2019
  • $1,200 deposit: December 9, 2019

Fall 2020 Belgium program

  • $300 deposit: March 16, 2020
  • $1,000 deposit: April 13, 2020
  • $1,200 deposit: May 11, 2020

All deposits may be paid with cash, check, or credit card at the Office of Business Services on Hamlett Street. Make checks payable to FHU. To pay with a credit card via phone, contact the Office of Business Services at 731-989-6347 or 731-989-6689. The final balance (the comprehensive charge and the remainder of the program charge) will be billed to your student account and may be paid online.

Financial Aid

All students who plan to participate in any FHU Abroad study abroad program are required to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which must be submitted in order to receive federal financial aid.

Any grants and loans that you would normally be eligible for while on campus at FHU can still be used for your study abroad expenses. Academic scholarships and other discounts that you receive from FHU can also still apply up to $7,500. Contact the Office of Student Financial Services for more information.

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program offers awards to Federal Pell Grant recipients who plan to study abroad. The Gilman Scholarship Program awards 2,300 scholarships of up to $5,000 every year. The FHU Abroad Office is willing to assist students who would like to apply for the Gilman Scholarship at the beginning of the semester before they study abroad.

For more information about financing your FHU Abroad program, schedule an appointment with the Office of Student Financial Services to discuss your study abroad plans. In some instances you may qualify for additional financial aid funds because your study abroad expenses will exceed the amount you would normally incur as a student at FHU.

Frequently Asked Questions about Study Abroad in Belgium

Application Process

Why should I study abroad?

Students, parents, businesses, and even government policymakers increasingly recognize that an experience living and studying abroad is a valuable component to undergraduate education. Travel and study abroad are an important part of experiential education, and while abroad, students have first-hand encounters with other cultures, immerse themselves in another language, and develop new skills and perspectives like independence, cultural understanding, and global awareness. You can also expect to make friendships and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Who can participate in the study abroad program in Belgium?

Both to apply for and participate in any FHU Abroad program, students must have a minimum GPA of 2.5, and they must be on track to complete two semesters of college studies and achieve sophomore classification by the time they go abroad. Students whose GPA falls below 2.5 or who are on any kind of probation – academic, disciplinary, or otherwise – may not participate. If you are an intercollegiate athlete, seek permission from your coach before applying to study abroad during your off-season.

How do I apply?

To begin the application process, complete the online FHU Abroad application. Once your application has been received, the FHU Abroad Office will contact you to schedule an admission interview. During the interview, the admission process will be explained in more detail. Admission decisions will be communicated approximately 6-8 months prior to the start of the program.

When do I need to apply?

The application deadline for the spring 2020 Belgium program is October 21, 2019. The application deadline for the fall 2020 Belgium program is March 16, 2020.

All FHU Abroad programs can accommodate a limited number of participants, and date of application is one of the most significant factors that determines admission to the program, so students are encouraged to complete the application process well before the deadline. Once a program has filled, applicants are placed on a waiting list.

When is the Belgium program offered?

The Belgium program is offered during the fall and spring semesters, mid-August to mid-November and mid-February to mid-May.

How can I fit a semester abroad into my academic plan?

With the help of your academic advisor and the FHU Abroad Office, you can often plan ahead and work studying abroad into your academic plan. Some courses offered in Belgium each semester can meet liberal arts core requirements, and independent studies or individual instruction may allow you to continue to work toward your major even while studying abroad.

Cost

How much does the program cost?

The Comprehensive Charge for the Belgium program is $16,500. More information can be found above on this page in the Financial Information section.

The Comprehensive Charge covers 12-15 credit hours, room and board, airfare, a Global Eurail Pass, travel insurance, and group travel expenses.

Will there be any other expenses?

Students will be responsible for their own expenses during three weeks of independent travel; while the provided rail pass can cover transportation expenses, students will need to budget for their accommodations and meals, as well as any other modes of transportation that do not involve train travel. Students typically spend $2,000-2,500 on personal and independent travel expenses.

Can I still use my financial aid?

Any grants and loans that you are eligible for at FHU may be used to cover all or part of FHU study abroad expenses; most scholarships and discounts also still apply. See the Financial Info section above for more information.

When will I make payments for the program?

Deposits toward the program fee are scheduled throughout the semester before you study abroad.

Scheduled deposits for Spring 2020 Belgium program:

  • October 21, 2019 – $300
  • November 11, 2019 – $1,000
  • December 9, 2019 – $1,200
  • Spring 2020 bill — remaining balance

Scheduled deposits for Fall 2020 Belgium program:

  • March 16, 2020 – $300
  • April 13, 2020 – $1,000
  • May 11, 2020 – $1,200
  • Fall 2019 bill — remaining balance

How can I make the payments?

All payments may be paid by cash, check, or credit card at the Office of Business Services on Hamlett Street. Make checks payable to FHU. To pay with a credit card via phone, contact the Office of Business Services at 731-989-6347 or 731-989-6689.

The final payment (the remaining program charge balance and tuition charges) will be billed to your student account and may be paid online at my.fhu.edu.

Living and Studying in Belgium

What are the living arrangements in Belgium?

Students and faculty live and study in a three-story facility in Verviers, Belgium. The facility includes dormitories and faculty/staff apartments, a kitchen and dining area, a classroom and lounge area, laundry services, and wireless Internet access. The local Eglise du Christ meets in an auditorium on the lower level of the building, and students and faculty will worship with the congregation.

Why is the program in Belgium?

Belgium is an excellent hub for the program because of its central location. Being based in Belgium makes travel throughout Western Europe relatively simple. From our facility in Verviers, students can travel by train to cities like London, Paris, Amsterdam, Cologne, and Luxembourg in just a few hours.

What courses are offered in Belgium?

Each student who participates in the Belgium program takes the following three courses:

  • BIB 399X Life of Paul (3 hrs) – This course surveys the life of the New Testament figure Paul of Tarsus.
  • HUM 399A Our Western Heritage (3 hrs) – This course integrates art, architecture, music, history, philosophy, religion, and literature in a survey of Western civilization. (May substitute for HUM 310 Arts and Ideas, ART 110 Art Appreciation, or HIS 111 Survey of Civilization I.)
  • HUM 120 French Conversation (3 hrs) – This introductory French class introduces students to essential phrases while living in Wallonia, the French-speaking area of Belgium.

Additional courses may be offered based on the faculty who participate. Students may also pursue taking up to two additional courses through individualized instruction.

Where will I travel during my semester overseas?

While classes will be conducted in Belgium, learning will also take place off-site during group day trips to sites and cities in and around Belgium and extended group trips to other locations throughout Europe. The program includes extended trips to Paris, Germany and Austria, and either the United Kingdom (fall semester) or Italy (spring semester). Another three weeks are set aside for independent free travel. Most students visit a dozen or more European countries during their time studying abroad.

How will I access money in Europe?

Students are encouraged to obtain an ATM card or credit card and use it to withdraw the local currency while studying abroad. We do not recommend that students carry traveler’s checks or U.S. cash to exchange overseas.

How does the FHU Abroad Office address safety concerns?

The health and safety of students traveling overseas is always very important to Freed-Hardeman University. Every effort is made to keep our students abroad safe and secure. An entire pre-departure orientation session is spent educating students about safety concerns, appropriate conduct while traveling abroad, and what to do in the event of an emergency. In the event of an emergency, the FHU Abroad Office will be in close contact with the faculty and staff in Belgium as well as the students and family members involved.

Students are required to submit extensive itineraries before independent travel, and locations where there is a threat of instability are prohibited. Two pre-departure orientation sessions are dedicated to learning how to plan and prepare for independent travel.

The U.S. State Department works to alert U.S. citizens of any international travel risks, and all of our international program participants are enrolled in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP is a free program provided by the State Department that allows international travelers to receive the latest travel updates and information about their location.

What happens if I get sick or injured while in Europe?

All participants will be provided with comprehensive travel insurance for their time in Europe. This insurance will cover each participant in the event of an illness or injury that requires a visit to a hospital or doctor. The insurance policy also provides coverage for lost or stolen belongings, emergency evacuation, and trip and baggage delays.

Preparing to Study Abroad

What is pre-departure orientation?

Students who are accepted into FHU’s study abroad program will be required to participate in the mandatory pre-departure orientation program held throughout the semester before they leave. These orientation sessions cover topics like safety and student conduct, packing, travel planning, academic coursework, and general study abroad information. The orientation meetings are a great opportunity to ask questions about the study abroad program.

When do I need to apply for a passport?

Applicants who do not already have a passport should begin the passport application process immediately. Valid passports are required in advance for all participants in order to make travel arrangements. The passport priority deadline is December 2, 2019, for the spring 2020 program, and May 4, 2020, for the fall 2020 program

Even if you already have a passport, check the expiration date; all of the countries within the Schengen Area—representing most of Europe—require travelers to have a passport that is valid for three months after they plan to return from their travels. For information about how to apply for a passport, reference these instructions on the State Department website.

Will I need a student visa?

If you are a U.S. citizen, you will not need to apply for a visa to study in Belgium. Because the program lasts less than 90 days, you are not required to obtain a student visa and will technically be in the Schengen Area as a tourist. International students should consult the FHU Abroad Office to determine whether or not they will need to obtain a visa.

Do I need to get any immunizations or vaccinations before I study abroad?

Students are encouraged to maintain their regular immunizations and vaccinations, including tetanus, polio, and MMR. Speak with your doctor and check the CDC’s recommendations about any other recommended vaccines. The FHU Abroad Office does not require students to provide a copy of their shot records.