Loyola University Chicago

The European Union - The development of the European Union (EU) is key to an understanding of contemporary Europe. The EU is a unique, treaty-based, institutional framework designed to coordinate the political and economic policies of its member states. With the accession of Eastern European countries, the EU is now a community of close to 500 million citizens and one of the largest markets in the world. About the European Union Program- The single semester IES European Union program offers outstanding learning opportunities for students majoring in economics, political science, and international business. Students are able to study the development and activities of the EU and its plans for the future. Courses emphasize the historical and institutional development of the EU internal policies, and its relations with outside nations.

A major component of the EU program is field study, and because of its prime location in the center of Europe, Freiburg affords easy access to major EU offices of governance as well as to the capitals of numerous newly- accepted EU states. Examples of field study include a visit to the Commission and Council of the EU in Brussels and a trip to meet members of national governments in Latvia and Hungry involved in the transition process, to mention a few.

Another field study a component of the program is the Model EU simulation, that is held each semester. All fall and select spring students participate in a weekend simulation, representing the prime ministers, foreign ministers, and press corps of the EU member states. They deliberate on major issues currently before the Europeans council and issue a joint communiqué on their deliberations at the end of the simulation.

Program Location

Founded in 1981, the IES European Union Program is based in Freiburg, a city of 200,000 people in the Southwest corner of Germany, but the scope of the program also encompasses France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Switzerland, and Central and Eastern Europe. Situated on the edge of the beautiful Black Forest, Freiburg is a picturesque university and cathedral town with a rich educational heritage. It allows easy access to Strasbourg, Luxembourg, Frankfurt, Brussels, Paris, and Geneva-cities within which the affairs and interests of the European Union are influenced and developed.

All IES courses are held at the IES EU Program Center near the Albert-Ludwigs-Universit䴠in the center of Freiburg.

Eligibility

Course Information

EU program courses are taught in English by German faculty. All students enroll in one German language course, a mandatory integrative seminar, and three other IES courses for a total of 16 credits per semester.

Required Course - EU Integrative Seminar- This course provides the context in which course work and field study are integrated, so that all students develop an understanding of the current issues and major player in the EU today in all of its aspects regardless of their individual areas of concentration. (4 credits)

Students may concentrate their studies in a single discipline or select a combination of other IES courses. Courses are offered in the following areas:

German Language
Economics
International Business
Internships
Political Science

Complete IES course descriptions and syllabi are available by visiting the IES website at www.iesabroad.org.

Credits - All courses are 3 semester credit hours unless otherwise noted in IES materials. The required seminar is worth 4 credits. Students must carry 16 semester credit hours.

Types of Accommodation

IES Housing - IES locates comfortable housing that reflects typical student accommodations. IES EU students are expected to adapt to their accommodations and to try to understand and respect the cultural context in which they are living. Students are placed in a variety of co-ed German residence halls throughout the city and usually rely on public transportation or bikes to get to and from the IES Center. IES students are housed with German students in a suite arrangement with a shared kitchen and bathroom. As is customary in Germany, the suites themselves are co-ed and have single rooms. Students rely on their own resources for meals, usually preparing some in their residences and eating others in inexpensive students cafeterias.

Independent Housing - Independently arranged housing is seldom possible due to the severe housing shortage in Freiburg. Upon acceptance, students who elect to arrange their own housing must notify the IES Chicago office no later than the deadline listed on the Independent Housing Form for their program.

Program Costs and Financial Aid Transfer

IES tuition ($14,015 for Fall 2008), plus IES room and board costs ($2,490 for Fall 2008), and IES health insurance ($195 for Fall 2008).

The following forms of aid may transfer: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, Federal Stafford Loans, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal PLUS Loans, IL Monetary Award Program Grant (MAP), Alternative Loans, IES scholarships and need-based grants (for which students must apply).

For Summer Programs:

Students pay IES tuition ($4,990 for summer 2008),  room and board ($1,420 for summer 2008), health insurance ($80 for summer 2008), airfare and other miscellaneous expenses are not included in the tuition. Check with a study abroad advisor and a financial aid advisor for information about financial aid transfer.

Additional Loyola Study Abroad Fees:

$1000 for semester and full year programs, $500 for summer programs