School

With its 99% literacy rate, Belgium is no pushover when it comes to schooling. Belgium is ranked 16th by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) when it comes to education, proving that it has top quality teachers and schools. The Belgian school system offers a strong foreign language program and almost everyone in Flanders (Dutch-speaking Belgium), and Wallonia (French-speaking Belgium) speaks at least three languages: English, French and Dutch! The educational system is divided between a state system and a private, mostly Catholic system, both of which are free. While native Belgians can choose from Technical, Vocational, or Art Secondary Schools, most YFU students will be enrolled in General Secondary Education.

Orientations

All students applying for the year program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation*, which is typically held in mid-July. This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas.

*Due to COVID-19, the 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation described above may take place on-line dependent upon recommended guidelines at the time of the event. YFU will continue to assess the situation as it develops.

Fall year students will participate in a one-day local pre-departure orientation along with their families in May or June. Year students also have an arrival orientation, mid-year orientation, and re-entry orientation in Belgium. All orientation costs are included in program tuition.

Special Interest Programs

Visual Arts: Study art in the country where famous painters including Rene Magritte, Peter Paul Rubens, and Luc Tuymans began their careers! Students enrolled in this program are typically enrolled in a school with a strong visual arts program. These are regular high schools, but in addition to offering basic subjects (math, languages, history, sciences), they also offer subjects related to practical and theoretical visual arts. Please note that this program is only available for the full academic year; students will not be accepted to this program for a shorter term.

Requirements: Students must submit a portfolio with their application. Students must also pass an entrance exam before being accepted.

Dance: Students traveling to Belgium on the dance program are usually enrolled in a school that has a strong dance program. They will take all of the courses of a traditional high school, but will also be offered the opportunity to study dance in a rigorous environment, with people from all over the world that have similar interests. Please note that this program is only available for the full academic year; students will not be accepted to this program for a shorter term.

Requirements: Students must submit a video of themselves performing both ballet and a contemporary dance. All candidates will be interviewed via Skype after their portfolio has been reviewed.

Fashion: Ever thought about creating your own clothing line, or owning your own boutique? 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 typically take 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.

Requirements: Students applying for this program must have a keen interest in fashion!

Sports: This program is designed for the athletic student who wants to combine a general education in math and sciences with sports coursework. Depending on the school, students can 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.

Requirements: Students with no prior sports experience should not apply. Previous practice of the student's chosen sport is required.

Music: Students applying to the music program can choose to specialize in either classical or jazz. They will take all of the courses of a traditional high school, but also study subjects related to practical and theoretical music. Please note that this program is only available for the full academic year; students will not be accepted to this program for a shorter term.

Requirements: Students must submit a portfolio with their applications. All candidates will be interviewed via Skype after their portfolio has been reviewed.

School

With its 99% literacy rate, Belgium is no pushover when it comes to schooling. Belgium is ranked 16th by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) when it comes to education, proving that it has top quality teachers and schools. The Belgian school system offers a strong foreign language program and almost everyone in Flanders (Dutch-speaking Belgium), and Wallonia (French-speaking Belgium) speaks at least three languages: English, French and Dutch! The educational system is divided between a state system and a private, mostly Catholic system, both of which are free. While native Belgians can choose from Technical, Vocational, or Art Secondary Schools, most YFU students will be enrolled in General Secondary Education.

Orientations

All students applying for the semester program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation*, which is typically held in mid-July (early-mid December for spring programs). This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas. Fall semester students will participate in a one-day local pre-departure orientation along with their families in May or June.

*Due to COVID-19, the 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation described above may take place on-line dependent upon recommended guidelines at the time of the event. YFU will continue to assess the situation as it develops.

In Dutch-speaking Belgium, semester students will participate in the post-arrival and re-entry orientations. All orientation costs are included in program tuition.

Optional Excursions

Semester program students will also usually have the option of participating in a number of educational trips and excursions during their stay, at an additional cost.

Capital City Tour: In the past, students on the Semester program have had the opportunity to travel to a near-by capital city such Paris or Amsterdam for a four-day cultural excursion. The cost of the trip to is usually included in the cost of tuition, but students should be prepared to be responsible for the cost of their own meals while touring.

Students may also have the opportunity to participate in field trips organized by their local high school. More information will be provided in country by their school.

School

With its 99% literacy rate, Belgium is no pushover when it comes to schooling. Belgium is ranked 16th by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) when it comes to education, proving that it has top quality teachers and schools. The Belgian school system offers a strong foreign language program and almost everyone in Flanders (Dutch-speaking Belgium), and Wallonia (French-speaking Belgium) speaks at least three languages: English, French and Dutch! The educational system is divided between a state system and a private, mostly Catholic system, both of which are free. While native Belgians can choose from Technical, Vocational, or Art Secondary Schools, most YFU students will be enrolled in General Secondary Education.

Orientations

All students applying for the Three-Month or Four-Month program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation*, which is typically held in mid-July. This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas. Fall semester students will participate in a one-day local pre-departure orientation along with their families in May or June.

*Due to COVID-19, the 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation described above may take place on-line dependent upon recommended guidelines at the time of the event. YFU will continue to assess the situation as it develops.

In Dutch-speaking Belgium, trimester students will participate in the post-arrival and re-entry orientations. All orientation costs are included in program tuition.

Optional Excursions

Trimester program students may also have the option of participating in a number of educational trips and excursions during their stay, at an additional cost.

Capital City Tour: In the past, students on the Spring Trimester program have had the opportunity to travel to a near-by capital city such Paris or Amsterdam for a four-day cultural excursion. The cost of the trip to is not included in the cost of tuition and students should be prepared to be responsible for the cost of this excursion if participating.

Students may also have the opportunity to participate in field trips organized by their local high school. More information will be provided in country by their school.