Summer in Brussels - Study & Intern (in English) - ISEP Direct
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• Spend your summer gaining real-world experience in Brussels, a major political hub shaped by global policy and thriving business. As the Capital of Europe and home to NATO headquarters, the city offers unparalleled exposure to international affairs.
• Earn 12 ECTS (six U.S. credits) through English-taught courses in business, political science, international relations, law, and more. Choose between enrolling in two courses, or pair one course with a part-time internship to gain hands-on professional experience and expand your international network.
• Strengthen your résumé with optional, credit-bearing internships in international affairs, security and diplomacy, NGOs, publishing, and more.
LIFE ABROAD
Brussels feels like a small city tucked inside a global capital — walkable, bilingual, and deeply international. Summer afternoons stretch into terrace cafés and green parks, while evenings bring canal-side gatherings like Bruxelles les Bains, open-air concerts, and citywide celebrations such as Couleur Café and Fête de la Musique.
Experience & Cultural Engagement
Familiarize yourself with Brussels shortly after arrival through a coordinated city tour during orientation. Go beyond the classroom with field trips to Belgian breweries to explore beer culture in a global context, or attend seminars and site visits at EU and NATO institutions alongside professionals working in international policy and business. The optional internship component pairs one course with approximately 30 hours of supervised professional experience over the seven-week program, translating classroom discussions into real-world workplace context. Outside of class, weekends might include browsing weekly markets, attending a Red Devils match, joining a Friday bike parade, or gathering with other international students in one of the city’s picturesque neighborhoods.
Live & Dine
Fully immerse yourself in Belgian culture by living with an English-, French-, or Dutch-speaking host family, or stay in a private room within a shared student residence alongside local students and young professionals near campus. Homestays include daily breakfast and four dinners each week, offering authentic Belgian cuisine and conversation, while the student residence provides shared kitchen facilities for you to cook your own meals and the independence of apartment-style living. All housing options are located in historic yet modern residential neighborhoods with convenient public transportation access. From there, you can easily reach campus, grocery stores, markets, and cafés where Belgian favorites like fries, waffles, and chocolate are part of everyday life.
Explore Brussels
Brussels combines global relevance with everyday livability — a place where international ambition meets approachable neighborhoods and welcoming locals. The result is a summer that feels both expansive and grounded, with opportunities close at hand and across borders.
What We Love About This Program
Brussels combines global relevance with everyday livability — a place where international ambition meets approachable neighborhoods and welcoming locals. The result is a summer that feels both expansive and grounded, with opportunities close at hand and across borders.
See budget and estimated expenses
Course Description
Over the 7 weeks of the program students may register for a maximum of 2 courses, earning a total of 12 ECTS (6 U.S. credits). Any combination is possible! You can also choose a for-credit internship as one of your two selected courses, gaining valuable work experience with one of BSOG's prestigious internship partners.
Summer 2025 Courses:
Summer 2025 course descriptions and prerequisites
|
Course ID |
Course Title |
|
BUS102 |
The Belgian Brewery Industry in Global Context: Business, Economics, Culture and Innovation |
|
BUS315 |
Women and Leadership - A Global Context |
|
POL229 |
EU Security Governance and International Security Challenges |
|
INT381 |
Internship |
|
LAW214 |
Fundamentals of the Energy Transition |
|
LAW215 |
Blockchain Multilevel Governance |
|
POL215 |
Cybersecurity and International Relations |
INTERNSHIP
Students participating in an internship can expect to spend 30 hours (4+ hours per week) interning and are required to keep a daily log and to write a 2,500-word paper at the end of the term. The internship is evaluated with a letter grade and grants 6 ECTS (equivalent to 3 U.S. academic credits).
Applying for an internship is a separate process at BSoG. To fast-track this process, students interested in applying for an internship should upload to the "additional documents" section of their ISEP application a copy of their resume or CV and a general cover letter that outlines internship objectives, preferred job responsibilities and qualifications. Find more information about the internship program, application procedures and deadlines on the BSoG website.
Academics
Other Academic Conditions
COURSEWORK
Prerequisites may be waived for students who demonstrate enrollment in equivalent coursework at their home institution.
INTERNSHIP
Students must have junior-level standing at their home university in order to apply for an internship.
Students can apply for the internship program only if they have obtained prior approval from their home university for transferring the internship grade and credits back to their home university transcripts.
Once students have accepted an internship, they may not withdraw from it except under extraordinary circumstances, and then only with permission of BSoG’s Internships and Study Abroad Coordinators.
DATES SUMMER 2025:
25 May - Arrival
26 May - First day of Classes
10 July - End of classes including exams
11 July - Public Holiday in Belgium
12 July - Departure
PASSPORT: All students must have a valid passport to participate in this program. If you do not have a valid passport, we suggest you start the application process as soon as possible.
Semester & Prices (based on your filters)
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