SUMMER TRAVEL COURSE

Travel Dates: May 15 – 29, 2027

Course Options

Students may enroll in the following courses as part of the travel program:

  • POS 406: Research in the European Union — 3 credits
  • FRE 300: French in Action in Belgium and The Hague — 3 credits
    Prerequisite: FRE 102 or equivalent

Regardless of which course they choose, all students will travel together and have the opportunity to explore Brussels and The Hague through a combination of academic visits, cultural experiences, and hands-on learning.

POS 406: Research in the European Union

Throughout the trip, students will explore a range of current European policy issues, including the EU integration process, EU enlargement, migration, trade relations with the United States, and debates surrounding European foreign and common policies.

The course features an engaging series of presentations and discussions with officials working for EU institutions, national governments, other organizations in Brussels, and the Permanent Representations of EU member states. These meetings provide students with firsthand perspectives on European policymaking and the opportunity to engage directly with professionals working in the field.

Many of these meetings will give students the opportunity to discuss important policy issues with high-level officials and ask questions about future developments. Presentations may also include informational materials and resources that students can use in developing their course research paper.

*Students wishing to enroll in an additional 3 POS credits can reach out to Professor Francesca Vassallo to inquire about adding POS 380, a topics course on EU Policies

FRE 300: French in Action in Belgium and The Hague

In FRE 300, students will expand and apply their French language skills while developing a deeper understanding of Belgian culture and society.

Students will explore topics such as the bande dessinée franco-belge (Franco-Belgian comics) and Belgium’s unique multilingual culture. As an officially trilingual country, Belgium provides a fascinating setting for examining language policy and asking questions such as: Who speaks which language? How are languages used in education and public life? How does language shape Belgian culture and identity?

The trip also provides students with opportunities to use French in authentic, real-world situations. Visits to European Union institutions in Brussels will allow students to practice French in more formal and professional settings, while exploring Brussels will provide opportunities to use practical, everyday French.

The goal is to discover and better understand a unique part of the world while expanding students’ French-language toolkit—and, most importantly, putting those skills into practice. Throughout the trip, students will maintain a language journal and gather materials and experiences that will contribute to a final course project.

Faculty

Dr. Francesca Vassallo is an Associate Professor of Political Science in the Political Science Department at the University of Southern Maine. Her research interests and publications have focused on conventional and unconventional political behavior, French and European politics, European public opinion, US-EU relations and protest action. 

Claire Holman, MSEd is a French and Spanish Lecturer at the University of Southern Maine as well as an Early College Faculty Facilitator.

Tuition and Fees

The program fee is expected to be between $3,000-3,200 and tuition is an additional expense. Tuition and fees will be charged at the in-state rate and are in addition to the program fee. All participants on USM travel programs receive the in-state tuition rate regardless of residency.

The program fee includes: airfare, accommodations, instruction abroad, some events and activities and some meals.

Not included in the program fee: cost of tuition, fees, books, academic supplies, some meals, and other personal expenses.

Application

The application deadline is January 27, 2027. Students should have a valid passport.

A complete application includes all of the following:

  1. Submit the program application form
    • We recommend looking over the application before completing it so you have all parts ready, as unfortunately you cannot save as you go.
  2. A letter of recommendation from a faculty member or academic advisor
  3. Copy of academic transcript
    • Information regarding requesting a transcript can be found here (It’s probably easiest to either follow the steps for “Electronic Delivery” or “Unofficial Transcript via Classic MaineStreet” and either way, send to Emily Zider, emily.zider@maine.edu

Once the application committee has reviewed applications, you will be notified of acceptance via email. At that time, all students accepted to the program will be asked to submit a $500 nonrefundable deposit and will be enrolled in the course in MaineStreet by a staff member in the Office of International Programs.

Scholarships

Students are encouraged to apply for scholarship funding to help support the cost of participating in this faculty-led summer short-term travel program. Financial support is available through the A. Carolla Haglund Scholarship Fund. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. More information and a link to the application can be found here.