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EU Studies Summer Program in Brussels
July 6 - August 14, 2009

 

Information for Current Students

Guide to Brussels

What to Bring

  1. Some passport sized photos. (optional; for people purchasing transit passes)
  2. Sheets will be provided. Some people might want to bring their own pillow.
  3. Personal products, including things you might need in the summer, such as sunscreen and insect bite ointment.
  4. Any prescription medicine, along with a copy of the prescription. Also bring any vitamins that you take.
  5. Clothing - be prepared for a variety of temperatures. It could be cold and rainy some days, and hot on others.
  6. Laptop
  7. Laptop ethernet cable. The dorm you will be staying in does not have wireless internet access.
  8. Laptop lock (optional)
  9. A couple of your favorite dorm recipes (optional)
  10. Passport
  11. Textbooks (see below)
  12. US-Europe plug adapter for people bringing portable electronics (available from Radio Shack for around $10) like digital cameras and laptops.
  13. A 'business casual' outfit for EU site visits.

University Library Access and Bookstores

You may use the ULB library called the "Bibliotheque des Sciences Humaines." There is map and coordinates on this page :
http://www.bib.ulb.ac.be/fr/acces/plans-dacces/index.html#c463

The library is located on the same street as the institute at 50 avenue Roosevelt. Summer hours are 9-5, Monday - Friday. If you go out of the institute, cross the street and turn left, it’s near a large concrete building that you should see. Note there is a European Documents section in building NB, level 4 (batiment is building, niveau is level for reference on the website).

As students affiliated with a university, you should be able to get a reading card (carte lecteur) at the library that will allow you to use the library. You can put money on the card to make photocopies, and maybe check out books (don’t count on this, but it has happened on occasion). Go to the service counter with your passport and student ID card to show you are a university student. Maybe try it sooner rather than later so that if there are problems there is some time to resolve them! More info about the carte lecteur here:
http://www.bib.ulb.ac.be/fr/inscription/index.html.

English Language Bookstores (not for textbooks but for leisure reading)
Sterling (http://www.sterlingbooks.be)
Metro: De Brouckère
Tram: 3, 52, 55, 56, 81, 82, 90
Bus: 47, 48, 60, 65, 66, 71, 95, 96

Waterstone’s (http://users.skynet.be/waterstones/)
Nearest Train: Rogier: metro 2premetro/tram 3, 52, 55, 56, 81 & 90

Course Information

The following are required readings for the seminar taught by Arista Cirtautas:

  1. Neill Nugent, ed., European Union Enlargement, Palgrave, 2004. $31.95
  2. Simon Hix, The Political System of the European Union, Second Edition, Palgrave, 2005. $40.95
  3. Neil Fligstein, Euroclash: The European Union, European Identity and the Future of Europe, Oxford University Press, 2008. $49.50
  4. There will be some additional readings provided either online or in a course reader you’ll get in Brussels.

Tentative Curriculum & Program Schedule


The tentative curriculum and program schedule is now available (PDF)

View the curriculum and program schedule online

Please keep in mind that the first two weeks of the program will be very busy, but that the last four weeks of the program is mostly classroom-based with many afternoons free. Your weekends will also be free, although the graduate assistant in Brussels will be planning some optional activities, as well.

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Guide to Brussels
 

Brussels flag

About Brussels

Brussels is a Flemish-French bilingual enclave in the Flemish-speaking area of Belgium, set slightly north of the middle of the country and constitutes a big cultural and political centre of Europe. Brussels is also the capital of the two great regions that make up
Belgium - Flanders and Wallonia. Brussels itself forms the third administrative region of Belgium - The Brussels-Capital Region. The main language spoken in the city is French.

Brussels has been given its character by the coexistence of French and Flemish culture, and it is nowadays home to nationalities around the world, adding a cosmopolitan flavor to its atmosphere. About 25 per cent of its inhabitants are said to be foreigners, mostly being part of the staff of the many organizations that have their headquarters in Brussels.

History of Brussels
Brussels was established in the 7th-10th centuries and has always constituted a significant cultural and political centre in the Lowlands region. The city, whose name originally meant "marshland" in Old Flemish, has survived Roman domination, rule by the Franks, Brabant dukes of French lineage, Burgundian and Hapsburg dynasties, and the Austrian Empire before becoming the capital of an independent Kingdom of Belgium in 1830. Different districts of the city bear signs of many of these periods.

The city has been an intellectual powerhouse for people like Baudelaire and Victor Hugo, and a showcase of characteristic architectural styles such as Brabants Gothic, Art Nouveau and postmodernism, visible throughout the city today. After being occupied by the Germans in the two World Wars, Brussels managed to rise to the forefront of Europe by becoming the headquarters of the European Union and NATO, as well as the major business centre of the region.

Languages: Officially french and Flemish, but German, English, and Arabic are also among the languages most spoken.

(Courtesy of www.brussels.org)

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Useful Contact Information

UW staff on-site contacts:
Program coordinator cell phone number: 0498 21 5320

The Institute for European Studies (IEE) at the ULB:
Av. F.D. Roosevelt , 39 – 1050 Bruxelles
Tel: 02/650 40 52
Fax: 02/650 30 68

Youth Hostel "Jacques Brel"
Rue de la Sablonnière, 30
1000 Brussels
Tel. +32 (0)2 218 01 87
Fax +32 (0)2 217 20 05

ULB Solbosch campus:
Université Libre de Bruxelles
Campus du Solbosch
Avenue Franklin D. Roosevelt 50
B-1050 Bruxelles
Tel : 02 650 21 11
Campus map: http://www.ulb.ac.be/docs/campus/solplan.html

US Embassy in Brussels:
27, Boulevard du Regent
1000 Brussels
Tel: 02/5082196

Brussels International Airport :
Located 8 miles (13 Km) northeast of the city center.
+32 2 753 77 53
Brussels Airport
BE-1930 Zaventem
http://www.brusselsairport.be/en/

Other useful telephone numbers:
Fire brigade and emergency medical care T 100
Federal Police T 101
European Emergency call T 112
Anti poison Center T 070 245245
Red Cross T 105
Information: national T 1307 and 1234 (automatic); international T 1304

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Using the Post / Mail

Postal information:
T (0)2 226 21 11
www.laposte.be

Business hours:
Usually from 9 am - 5 pm. Some post offices stay open on Saturday mornings (De Brouckère, City 2, Central Station, Flagey, Porte de Namur, Louise…). However, certain operations may be carried out only at specific times.

Postal rates:
Letters, letter-cards, postcards (max. 50 g): Belgium: prior: 0,52 €; within EU: prior: 0,70 €; other countries: prior: 0,80 €; registered letters: + 4,00 €

Note that it’s not necessary to visit a Post Office to mail postcards or letters. Postage stamps can be purchased at stationary stores that have the Belgian post symbol on their window and letters can be mailed from mailboxes found all over the city.

Receiving Mail

Please have mail that is sent to you addressed as follows:

Your Name
c/o UW Summer Program
Institut d'Etudes Européennes
Avenue Franklin Roosevelt #39
1050 Bruxelles/Brussels CP 172
Belgique/Belgium

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Passport & Visa Requirements

US and Canadian citizens need a valid passport. A visa is not required for stays of less than 90 days. Other nationalities should check with the Belgian Embassy or nearest Consulate Office for visa requirements.

Schengen visa requirements and application forms are available at www.diplobel.us. Application can be mailed to the Consulate Office of your jurisdiction, provided that the signature on the application form is notarized and that a prepaid self-addressed envelope is enclosed. Processing generally takes 3 to 5 days.

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How to get from the Airport to the Jacques Brel Youth Hostel

First get to one of the main train stations in Brussels:
The train station is located on the lower level of Brussels International Airport (1st floor). There is a train shuttle service from the airport to the North, South and Central stations of Brussels. The shuttle runs at least every 20 minutes and takes approximately 20 minutes. It operates between 5:30 am - 12:20 am from the airport and 4:45 am - 11:10 pm from the city. The cost is Euro 2,80 . Buy your ticket before getting on the train to avoid a surcharge fee.

Please note that the airport train stops at La Gare du Nord first and thus this might be the quickest option for getting to the hostel. You will need to buy separate tickets for either the metro or the bus.

From La Gare Centrale to Jacques Brel:
Take bus numbers 65 or 66, alight at Madou.

From La Gare du Midi to Jacques Brel:
Take underground line 2 towards Simonis, alight at Madou and follow the signs.

From La Gare du Nord to Jacques Brel:
Take tram numbers 23, 52, or 55 to underground station Rogier, then the underground line 2 towards Clémenceau, alight at Madou and follow the signs.

The contact information for the hostel is:

Youth Hostel "Jacques Brel"
Rue de la Sablonnière, 30
1000 Brussels
Tel. +32 (0)2 218 01 87
Fax +32 (0)2 217 20 05

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Facilities & Housing
Courses will be held at the Institute for European Studies on the ULB campus. Students will have access to the ULB library and other campus facilities.  For 2009, during the welcome week of the program students will be housed in the J. Brel Hostel (Hostel expenses are being covered by the program fee).

For the last four weeks of the program, students will be accommodated in single-room student dorms on  the ULB Solbosch campus, in either the "residence Elio Conte" or "residence Lucia de Brouckere".

Both dorms are located close to the Institute for European Studies (IEE), where the program seminars will be held. The residences provide internet access, private bathrooms, private showers, plus a shared kitchen. Both dorms are conveniently located near mass transit and are just a short walking distance from numerous restaurants and shops.

ULB dorms pictures (residence Lucia de Brouckere): http://www.ulb.ac.be/services/etudiants/photos/index_3.html

Map: http://www.ulb.ac.be/docs/campus/sol_d31.html

Starting this year, each student's dorm accommodation cost are being covered by funds from the European Commission through the Seattle EU Center of Excellence's grant.

Laundry Facilities

Laundry facilities are available in the Housing office. You must inquire at the loge for the key to access the machines. Note that European machines tend to be much smaller than American machines and operate differently. You should plan your laundry time to avoid periods of high use or multiple loads that may occupy the machines for too long. The Residences usually provide a change of sheets so you needn’t launder the bedding.

Internet

There is wireless access through the ULB's campus cloud, but it is erratic depending on system usage and location in the building.

Access with an ethernet cord is the best option, so be sure to bring one with you. While you will be able to access the ULB wireless network at the Institute, the reception will not be very good in your dorm rooms.

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General Transportation

Mass Transit

Brussels Train Stations:
Main Stations:

To get to :

General train info and reservations:
www.sncb.be
Tel: 02/258 2828

Brussels mass transit (Bus, Metro, Tram):
http://www.stib.be/index.htm?guest_user=guest_en
All tickets cost 1.5 euros if you buy them in the metro station. 2 euros if you buy them on the tram/bus. Most public transport in the Brussels-Capital Region is organized by the STIB (Société des Transports intercommunaux bruxellois). The network includes metro
lines, which connect the eastern and western districts of the city. Pre-metro lines (trams in the tunnels) complete the metro service. A great many metro lines also have above ground bus and tram connections. Timetables: 6 am - midnight - consult the timetables shown at the stops.

Fares:

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Driving

A US driver's license is accepted if staying less then 90 days in the country. Please note that unless you have experience in driving in a major European city, we discourage students from driving while studying in Europe. Public transport is affordable and convenient to get around the city and surrounding areas.

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Cycling

Cycling in central Brussels is not for the faint-hearted: intolerant drivers, slippery cobblestones and tram tracks are all potential hazards. That said, there are some bike lanes (usually painted red and marked with white lines) and paths (separated from the traffic), but these tend to be on the outskirts of town where there's a bit more room. (www.lonelyplanet.com).

Bike rentals:
Pro Velo
T (0)2 502 73 55
http://www.provelo.org/
Price: 3,00 €/h, 12,00 €/day

Cyclocity
Rent a bike at 23 points downtown
www.cyclocity.be

Taking a Taxi

The main one is called Green Taxi (02 349 4949).

You can get a taxi at a taxi stand or by calling, not by hailing like we do in the US.

Fares:

Other taxi companies:

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General Tourism Information

www.brusselsdiscovery.com
www.brusselsinternational.com

Brussels 2009 Events calendar:
http://www.visitbelgium.com/calendar.html

Brussels Museums

Les Musee Royaux des Beau-Arts (Ruede la Regence, 3)
www.fine-arts-museum.be

Le Musee des Instruments de Musique (rue Montagne de la Cour, 2)
www.mim.fgov.be

Le Centre Belge de la Bande Dessine’ (rue des Sables, 20)
www.fumetti.org/cbc

Les Musees Royaux d’Art et d’Histoire (Parc du Cinquantenaire, 10)
www.kmkg-mrah.be

A full list of Brussels museums can be found at:
www.brusselsinternational.be/wabxlint/en/visitor/discover/museums-attractionsmonuments/10183/museum.act?affback=1

Brussels Monuments and Other Sites of Interest

Atomium:
BD du Centenaire 1020
www.atomium.be

Royal Palace:
Place des Palais 1000
www.monarchie.be

The Royal Greenhouse (Laeken):
Avenue du Park Royal (Domaine Royal) 1020
www.monarchie.be

Live music venues:
BOZAR (Palais des Beaux-Arts)
rue Ravenstein 23 — 1000 Bxl
Tél.: +32 (0)2 507 82 00
www.bozar.be

Botanique
rue Royale 236 – 1210 Bxl
Infos et Tickets Tél.: +32 (0)2 218 37 32
www.botanique.be

Flagey
place Sainte-Croix — 1050 Bxl
Tél.: +32 (0)2 641 10 20
www.flagey.be

Halles de Schaerbeek
rue de la Constitution 20 – 1030 Bxl
Tél.: +32 (0)2 227 59 57
www.halles.be

EU Institutions

European Parliament:
rue Wiertz 43 • 1047
Tel : (0)2 284 34 57 / (0)2 284 35 82
Fax : (0)2 284 90 11
e-mail: sheinen@europarl.eu.int
www.europarl.eu.int

European Commission:
Berlaymont
rue de la Loi, 200
1040 - Bruxelles
ec.europa.eu/index_en.htm

Council of the EU:
Rue de la Loi, 175 B-1048 Bruxelles
Telephone (32-2) 281 61 11
Fax (32-2) 281 69 34
www.consilium.europa.eu/infopublic

European Investment Bank:
100, boulevard Konrad Adenauer
L-2950 Luxembourg
Tel: (+352) 43 79 1
Fax: (+352) 43 77 04
info@eib.org
www.eib.org

European Court of Justice:
T. More Building – 0209
L-2925 Luxembourg
Tel.: +352.43.03.37.02
Fax: +352.43.03.20.26
e-mail: serv.visites@curia.europa.eu

A Few Words on Safety

Brussels is, generally speaking, a safe city compared to many other European cities. But please be aware that pickpockets are present (just like in any other big city) so you should pay attention while walking around. Be especially careful when asked for the time or for
directions since most pickpockets use this technique to distract people. Also you might want to avoid metro and train stations at night. A good rule is to have other students with you when venturing out in a foreign city (especially at night).

Basic Health

Pharmacies/Apotheek sell over the counter medications and can also refill prescriptions if you have the prescription bottle on hand. You will most likely pay out of pocket and will receive a receipt to submit to your US insurance. Check with your insurance beforehand regarding their policies on covering expenses incurred while traveling. The pharmacies are also a place to go for quality over the counter or homeopathic remedies. But again, if you have a preferred brand or product, bring it from home.

Recycling

You might not find a recycling bin in your room, but Europeans do recycle. It is in fact mandatory for some organizations and institutions to recycle. In Brussels, people deposit their recycling in containers located in street medians and on sidewalks. Glass is the most commonly recycled material, but you will occasionally find bins for plastic and paper. The University in particular expects residents to clear their rooms of recyclable material. The bins are fairly clearly marked, but here is a guide:

Verre=glass
Plastique=plastic
Bouteille=bottle
Papier=paper
Gekleurd/Coloré=colored
Wit/Blanc=white

As for plastic bags, it is recommended that you bring a lightweight reusable shopping bag, because grocery stores charge for plastic bags.

Brussels City Recycling

Brussels City Recycling Bins

ULB Recycling

ULB Recycling Bins

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Maps

Below is a map of Brussels with placemarks indicating program-related sites.


View Brussels program 2009 in a larger map

Jacques Brel Youth Hostel Map


View Larger Map

Jacques Brel Youth HostelThe Jacques Brel Youth Hostel

 

 

 

 

 

 

Campus Maps

ULB “Solbosch” Campus

Solbosch campus

The Institute for European Studies (IEE) is just across Avenue Franklin Roosevelt. If you follow “Avenue de L’Universite” (at the top of the map) it will lead you straight to La Plaine campus.

ULB campuses “Solbosch” and “La Plaine”

Solbosch and La Plaine campuses

Metro Map

A map of the Brussels metro system is available here.

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Postgraduate Catalyst Survey
Congratulations recent JSIS graduates. We want to hear from you!
European Union Center of Excellence
University of Washington
120 Thomson Hall
Box 353650
Seattle WA 98195-3650
(206) 616-2415 office
(206) 616-2462 fax
►euc@u.washington.edu