Slides from the informational meetings about the Summer 2016 study abroad trip to Brussels, Belgium at Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC)

1. Study Abroad Summer 2016 in
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
PLS 295 Conflict and Cooperation in Europe

2. Why Brussels?

3. When andWhere?
• Summer 2016,
1st 6 week session (May 16-June 26)
• May 16-31: four class meetings at NVCC Manassas
(dates/timesTDB)
• June 5-19: in Brussels
• June 22-25: one class meeting at NVCC Manassas
(date/timeTBD)

4. Who Can Apply?
• Minimum academic requirements to apply:
• NOVA & otherVCCS students in good academic standing
• Minimum 2.5 GPA
• Completed at least one semester of college-level work
• No course prerequisites
• Previous courses in European history, international relations,
and/or comparative politics is helpful
• Class capped at 20 students

5. Program Application
• DUE: March 1st
• Components:
1. Application form
2. Statement of purpose
3. Acknowledgement of payment information form
4. One faculty member or advisor reference
5. Copy of NOVA transcript
All students who have signed up to receive more information will
receive an email with links to the application components.To receive
an application, send an email to: kheitz@nvcc.edu

6. CourseTopics
• European Union
• Post-WWII origins and historical
development
• Institutions: structure and functions
• Current political issues
• Managing conflict among
member states
• Security policy (internal and
external)
• European identity, immigration,
refugee crisis
• Transatlantic Relations
• NATO
• ColdWar origins and historical
development
• NATO after the ColdWar; NATO’s
future
• Historical issues
• Fall of Napoleon & balance of power
system in Europe
• Development of nationalism in
Europe
• Post-war settlements in Europe
• The ColdWar
• Theoretical Issues
• Theorizing inter-state conflict and
cooperation
• Theorizing international institutions

7. Excursions,Visits, & Speakers
Political & Historical:
• Waterloo Battlefield site visit
• EU Parliamentarium visit and
meeting with MEP
• Meeting with European Commission
staff members
• Tour of NATO Headquarters
• Visit with US Mission to the EU
• Talk from official at UNHCR Brussels
• Guest lectures from European
Studies professors
Cultural:
• Brussels city tour (Grand-Place,
Town Hall, Mannekin-Pis, City
Museum)
• Royal Museum of Fine Arts
• Atomum & Heysel Park
• Walking tour of the Matonge
Quarter
• Comic Strip Center
• Food & Drink (mussels, chips,
waffles, chocolate, beer)
• Al lots more …

8. Course Requirements & Assignments
• Attendance (10%)
• Readings questions (25%)
• Leading discussion (20%)
• Study Abroad journal (25%)
• Final paper or project (20%)

9. PER STUDENT COSTS
Pay to NVCC:
Program fee $1850-2,125*
10-14 students: $2125
15-19 students: $1950
20+ students: $1850
Tuition (VA resident) $475
Additional (estimated) costs:
Meals (14 L/D) $450
Incidentals $100
Airfare 1000
TOTAL ESTMATED COSTS $3875 - $4,150
Note: Airfare, meals, and incidental costs are all estimates
Program fee includes: accommodations, breakfast (included w/ hotel),
classroom space, computer access, cultural activity fees, academic visit/talk fees,
health insurance, faculty accommodations, welcome dinner, transportation,
and local orientation & support.

10. Application & Payment Schedule
• March 1: Program application due
• Decision by March 5
• March 15: $1000 program fee deposit due (non-refundable)
• April 15: Rest of fees due, $850-1125*
*Depends on number of program participants
• March 29: Summer 2016 registration begins
• April 25:Tuition payment due ($475 forVA residents)
You pay on your own: airfare, meals, incidentals

11. Paying for theTrip
• NOVA Financial Aid
• Your existing financial aid may be applicable towards:
• Course tuition (3 credit hours, ~$475 forVA residents)
• Program fee ($1850-2125)
• Reimbursement; students must pay first
• Must be signed up for at least 6 summer credits
• April 1: Summer financial aid application deadline
• All program fees must be paid in person at the business office at any of
the NVCC campuses
Every student’s financial aid situation is different. Talk to someone in
the financial aid office ASAP!!!

12. Paying for theTrip, cont.
• Study Abroad Scholarships
• Student loans
• Crowdfunding
Specific information and suggestions at:
https://goo.gl/50QhnF

13. Passports &Visas
• US Passports (Citizens & LPRs)
• Routine Service: 6 weeks, $140 (new or renewal)
• Expedited Service: 3 weeks, $140 + $60 fee
*Your passport must be valid for 6 months after date of entry into
Belgium.
• Non-US Citizens (& LPRs)
• Check with the Belgian embassy to see if you need aVisa
• If you are in the US on a student visa, talk to me!

14. Who Does Not Need aVisa?
Visas are not required by visitors to Belgium from the following
countries for visit up to 90 days in a 6 month period:
• Albania, Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina,Australia,
Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong
Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia,
Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Macedonia,
Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro,
Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama,
Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia,
Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain,
St Kitts and Nevis, Sweden, Switzerland,Taiwan, United
Kingdom, United States, Uruguay,Vatican City andVenezuela.

15. Next Steps…
• Fill out an application (email kheitz@nvcc.edu to receive one)
• Find a faculty member to give you a recommendation
• Get/renew your passport
• Figure out how you are going to pay for it
• Talk to financial aid
• Start dreaming about yummy Belgian waffles!