Belgium

Home to the headquarters of the European Union and NATO, among many other multilateral organizations, Belgium offers you a chance to immerse yourself in the history, culture, and epicenter of today’s global community. 

Living in Belgium, you will experience the richness and diversity of European life, from finding that most people speak several languages to discovering the artistic, architectural, and cultural richness of the country. Through your YFU experience, you will surely gain a new insight of how nations and cultures are coming together.

Belgians have developed a generous hospitality and a great appreciation for culture. With a population of 10 million, Belgium is the second most dense country in Europe. Almost every Belgian family owns their own home. Many Belgians consider their homes a very private retreat, so an invitation to visit represents a great honor.

As much as they are justly proud of their cultural achievements, Belgians appreciate their cuisine, which they have borrowed and adapted from both visiting and neighboring cultures. This appreciation for fine food will probably make meals in your host family a time for conversation, relaxation, and sharing. Belgians love bike riding. During your year in Belgium, you should plan on riding a bike just about everywhere—and possibly on the back of one!

Academic Programs

The Dutch Belgian school system offers a strong foreign language program. Almost everyone in Dutch-speaking Belgium, otherwise known as Flanders, speaks at least two foreign languages: English and French. Educational systems in both Flanders and Wallonia, French-speaking Belgium, are divided between a state system and a private, mostly Catholic system, both of which are free.

Most YFU students will be enrolled in General Secondary Education. You will probably spend weekday evenings doing homework. Belgian schools do not offer extracurricular activities, but you may participate in sports and other activities through private or community clubs.

All YFU year students in Belgium will participate in a YFU cultural activity included in the program tuition.  In addition to tuition, students are responsible for the costs of other school or YFU trips that are optional, change of travel fees, visa fees, medical insurance, textbook costs, transportation to school (around 50-100 Euro), language tutoring if needed, additional immunizations that may be needed to attend school, a staying permit upon arrival, and personal spending money (150 Euro per month is recommended). 

Dutch-Belgium Special Year Programs
Dutch-speaking Belgium offers four specialized year programs in Art, Fashion, Sports, and Tourism. For each of these programs, students will attend a traditional high school and take courses in their chosen specialization.  Students are advised to apply early if interested in these special programs, as spaces are very limited.  These programs also require an additional application, which will be sent to students after they send in the standard YFU application.

Art Intensive arts instruction in a variety of subjects is combined with a broad general education. Depending on the school, students have around 20 hours per week of arts instruction in subjects such as architectural art, interior design, artistic education, visual arts, spacial design, industrial art, audio-visual education, applied visual arts, free visual arts, perception techniques, art history, and art initiation. General subjects may include Dutch, French, English, and social studies. Requires a minimum of one year of art education and a portfolio. Estimated additional costs of a minimum 250 Euro will be paid directly to the Belgian school.

Fashion If you love to sew and design clothes or have aspirations of working in the fashion industry, this program offers the opportunity to learn about the creative and commercial aspects of the fashion business. Depending on the school, students have 16-22 hours per week of practical courses such as design and drawing, retail, fashion presentation, trend studies, fashion development, fashion and tailor-made, clothes for men, patterns design, internships and projects, management, ready-made clothing, retouch (touch up), material research, social and communication skills, costume and art history, and marketing and distribution. General subjects may include Dutch, French, English, and social studies. Requires a minimum of two years of fashion education (inside or outside of school) and a portfolio. Estimated additional costs of a minimum 125-350 Euro will be paid directly to the Belgian school.

Sports Designed for the athletic student who wants to combine a general education in math and sciences with sports coursework. Depending on the school, students have around 10 hours per week in courses such as physiology, movement research, anatomy, sports theory, athletics, gymnastics, rhythm and dance, swimming, basketball, soccer, handball, volleyball, badminton, ping pong, tennis, and fitness. General subjects may include Dutch, French, English, and sciences. Requires a minimum of two years of intensive sports practice. Estimated additional costs of a minimum 150-450 Euro will be paid directly to the Belgian school.

Tourism This program is designed for students who like to study languages and geography and who are interested in learning about the travel industry. Depending on the school, students have around 10 hours per week in courses such as public relations, reception, history, geography, animation/entertainment, movement recreation, art and culture, applied economics, tourist destinations, internships and projects, and languages. General subjects may include Dutch, French, English, and social studies. Requires a good knowledge of English, a strong motivation to learn different languages in school, and it is preferred that students have a basic knowledge of French and/or German. Estimated additional costs of a minimum 100-500 Euro will be paid directly to the Belgian school.

13th Year Abroad
The traditional Academic programs are also available as 13th Year Abroad options on a case-by-case basis. Learn more about other 13th Year Abroad Programs.

Programs, Departures, and Costs

Online Resources

To learn more about Belgium, we recommend:

• E-mail YFU Alumni from the Alumni Referral List with your questions
• Visit your local library to find reference books, travel guides and essays, Dutch and French language dictionaries, and many more country resources 
• Use an internet search engine to find informative web sites 
• Embassy of Belgium in Washington, DC web site
• Flanders Authority web site

"I had so much fun with my host parents and siblings. I felt well prepared for my trip, which made it easier." - Leslie Johnson

All YFU Programs are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice.
Last Updated: Tuesday, September 25, 2007