Antwerp Study Abroad Program Overview

Geographical Location: Northern Belgium, specifically in Flanders.
- Situated approximately midway between Brussels, Belgium, and Amsterdam, Netherlands.
- Travel time: approximately 40 minutes from both Brussels and Amsterdam.
Language: Predominantly Flemish (Dutch dialect), but English is commonly spoken.
- All classes conducted in English, with English proficiency prevalent in public settings like grocery stores and restaurants.

Classes: Held in-person at the University of Antwerp.
- Duration: All classes are nominally three hours long, with a break generally included.
Course Offerings:
- COB 300: Management, Finance, Operations, and Marketing.
- COB 301: European Integration, Culture, and History.
Concentration: Upon completion of the five courses, students earn a European Business Concentration, which appears on their transcripts.

Target Audience: Students pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA).
Prerequisites:
- Completion of specific coursework (COB 300) before departure.
- Minimum GPA of 2.7 overall before travel.

Application Deadline: November 1.
Conditional admissions are offered before the Thanksgiving holiday based on:
- Personal statement regarding motivation for studying abroad.
- Resume for insight into the applicant's background.
- Cumulative GPA and BBA GPA assessment.
- Average GPA for last semester participants: 3.3 cumulative, 3.2 BBA.
- Difficulty for those under 2.7 GPA.
- OSARP (Office of Student Accountability and Restorative Practices) records considered; however, initial minor infractions may be overlooked if addressed proactively by the applicant.
Faculty Reference: Name of a faculty or staff member required; no recommendation letters.

Travel Requirements: Students will enter on a 90-day Schengen Zone tourist visa.
- Important to prioritize available days before the semester begins, limiting pre-semester travel.

Tuition Structure:
- Fall/Spring: JMU tuition plus program fee of $6,500.
- Summer: JMU tuition plus program fee of $5,500 (shorter term leading to a lower fee).
Included in the Program Fee:
- Tuition, accommodation (bed, room), meals allowance.
- Ground transportation from Brussels Airport to Antwerp.
- Excursions associated with the program.
Additional Costs:
- Personal travel estimated at $3,000; airfare approximately $1,200 to $1,400 (summer: $1,800 to $1,900 due to peak season).
- Scholarships available post-acceptance.

Class Structure:
- Classes are approximately three hours long, held typically from 9 AM to 12 PM.
- Weekly excursions related to business and cultural integration.
Weekend Policies:
- No travel weekends planned before midterms and finals to ensure academic focus.
Assessment Structure:
- Limited homework; grades based primarily on midterm and final exams.

Fall/Spring Excursions:
- Visit to the United Kingdom (London, Oxford, Bath).
- Trips to several countries in the EU focusing on political and cultural learning.
Summer Excursion: A week-long trip potentially to the UK and Scotland, subject to availability and past student feedback.

The applicant must utilize the Center for Global Engagement’s platform.
Application fee: $50.
Each semester requires a separate application.
- Indicate preferences if applying for multiple semesters (e.g., summer and fall).
Maximum participants per semester: 32 students, as mandated legally.

Late applications may not receive consideration; all are processed after November 1.
Hundreds of applications typically received, emphasizing the need for strong qualifications.
Encourage proactive financial discussions with family regarding program costs.