Politics and Policies in the EU:
Internship Program in Brussels

Brussels, Belgium

Get inside the EU and discover how Europe works. On this program, you will work with international leaders and top organizations as you explore the foundations and future of Europe.

Academic Director

Aaron Boesenecker

Program Director

Jerome Sheridan, AU Brussels Center

Academic Details

This 3-credit internship program includes an academic portion including a weekend workshop on policy analysis, and an optional 3-credit independent study. A list of potential internship organizations can be found in the Forms section of this page.

Site Visits

Students will enjoy site visits to historical and cultural sites in and around Brussels, which may include the city center, Bruges, the World War I battlefields of Ieper, and Ghent.

2013 Program Schedule

Pre-departure workshop: April/May (date TBA)

Arrival in Brussels: May 11

Orientation: May 11 - 12

Internship interviews: May 13 - 17

Field trips: May 18 - 19

Internships: May 20 - June 27

Weekend workshop: May 31 - June 2

Departure from Brussels: June 29/30

N.B.: Students who also participate in the School of Public Affairs' European Public Policy and Advocacy Institute in Brussels from June 16 - 21, 2013 will take time off from their internship during that week, and will remain in Brussels through the following week of July 1 - 5 to complete their internship.

Program Costs

AU tuition plus program fee (details in the program guide).

Who Should Attend

Graduate students with interests in the European Union, comparative political systems, transatlantic relations, history, economics, international security, international business, international communication, and international politics are invited to apply.

Undergraduate students should consult AU Abroad for more information on the Brussels Summer Internships Program offered through that office: http://auabroad.american.edu

Logistics

Students are required to make their own travel arrangements to and from Brussels. Students will be matched with semi-homestays for the duration of the program dates only.

Application and Deadlines

Students are required to read the entire program guide before applying. The program guide can be found in the Forms section of this page. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis but must be received by February 25, 2013 for priority consideration

As part of the review process, the Academic Director may invite students to meet with him to discuss the submitted application. Enrollment may be limited to approximately 10 students. Once admitted to the program by SIS, students receive notification via e-mail. At that time, students will be required to submit a non-refundable deposit of $250 to SIS, through a check or money order made payable to American University, to secure their place in the program.