International Education

O'Dowd Hall, Room 328
586 Pioneer Drive
Rochester, MI 48309-4482
(location map)
(248) 370-2889
ie@oakland.edu

Office hours
Mon - Fri: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Virtual advising hours
Mon - Fri: 9 a.m. - noon and 1 - 4 p.m.

Alex Zimmerman, Director
(248) 370-2843
azimmerman@oakland.edu

image of Brussels, Belgium, with the text "Global Perspectives Seminar: Does Multilateralism Matter in our World?"
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For more information, contact:

Alex Zimmerman, Program Director
Director of International Education
azimmerman@oakland.edu
(248) 370-2843

Global Perspectives Seminar in Belgium and Switzerland

You seek adventure. You learn best by doing. You want your college experience to push you beyond the limits of campus life. Incoming freshmen and transfer students are invited to participate in an experiential learning opportunity in Belgium and Switzerland. During the summer prior to your first semester at OU, earn college credit while learning in a progressive manner to gain a global perspective and real-world experience, applicable to your entire academic career. A few openings will be available for existing OU students.

The Summer 2021 program dates TBD.

Where You
Will Be

The program begins in Brussels, Belgium. The group may take the Belgian Rail from Brussels to Bruges, home of the College of Europe. Significant cultural and scientific institutions for possible visits include the Atomium, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, and the Théâtre Royal de Toone. In addition to the planned activities, students will have one free day in Brussels to explore the city on their own.

The group will travel from Brussels to Geneva by air or train. In Geneva, students may take Swiss Railways from Geneva to Gland, location of the headquarters of the World Wildlife Foundation and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Significant cultural and scientific institutions considered for a visit include CERN, the Institut et Musée Voltaire, and the ICRC Museum. In addition to the planned activities, students will have one free day in Geneva to explore the city on their own.

What You Will
Do and Learn

Studying in Brussels, Belgium and Geneva, Switzerland, students will learn firsthand from practitioners in the fields of international relations and diplomacy. In Brussels, the group will tour the European Union (EU) facilities and speak with EU and North Atlantic Treaty Organization experts and administrators, members of the European Parliament, and representatives of European think tanks. In Geneva, they will tour United Nations (UN) facilities and speak with employees of UN agencies such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the World Trade Organization and the International Organization for Migration.

Participants get a head start on their college careers.

  • Complete a general education requirement (Global Perspective: PS1600 Issues in World Politics)
  • Political science majors (and related degrees): earn credits toward your major
  • Honors College students: earn honors credit
What To
Bring

A detailed clothing list and “how to pack guide” will be provided. Personal electronics, such as a laptop and smartphone, are recommended.

Requirements

Students must be OU incoming freshmen or transfer students to participate in this program.

A valid passport is required that expires no earlier than six months after the program ends.

Cost

The program cost of $5,000 includes airfare, accommodations, meals, course materials and activities in Belgium and Switzerland. Full and partial scholarships are available. Financial aid can be applied to this cost.

Tuition (four credits) will be billed as part of the fall semester and is not included in the program cost.

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