Summer 2009 closed

May 29 – June 22, 2009

Sponsored by the College of Education

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

Comparative study provides new insights into assumptions taken for granted in one’s own culture. This is especially true when considering educational systems.

Maastricht, the oldest city in the Netherlands and home to one of the country’s finest universities, Maastricht University, will be the home base for this program.  Participants will compare key educational issues in the Netherlands, Germany, and the United States such as:

• What kind of educational opportunities are provided students, especially underserved children at the K-12 level who are most in need of a quality education?
• How do “community schools” involve parents in the education of their children at local schools?
• How do children with different languages and cultures experience schooling? 
• In what ways are children separated into different “ability” levels or tracks, when and with what effects? 
• In what ways does school funding affect student opportunities to learn, especially for those from economically disadvantaged areas?

Where does it take place?

Maastricht University in the Netherlands is ideally suited to host this program. The University has extensive experience in supporting international study programs.  Schools in Aachen, Germany are easily accessible and will be the primary sites for comparison with schools in Maastricht and Amsterdam.

Historical sites and cultural points of interest in each setting will help contextualize findings. For example, because of its many preserved monuments, Maastricht is an ideal city to study the history and culture of Western Europe.

To promote further integration into the Dutch culture, Maastricht University students will be paired with groups of Michigan State students.  This interaction will provide a valuable resource for discussing, clarifying, and challenging the assumptions and findings of each group.

Weekend trips to Amsterdam, Paris and other European cities are easily arranged.

What can I study?

The program uses an experience-based learning model involving visits to schools, classrooms, community organizations and social service organizations. These visits will consist of observations and interviews/discussions with students, teachers, administrators, parents, and staff that run various organizations/agencies. Students will work in teams to collect information and present findings. Faculty from Maastricht University with expertise in the focus areas for this program will participate as guest lecturers and staff members from Maastricht will accompany MSU students and the MSU faculty director on each study visit.

Knowledge of Dutch or German is not required.

Students will be required to enroll in a minimum of three (3) credits in one of the following courses:

Credits for TE 490 are possible pending approval by the faculty director before leaving the United States.

For students on financial aid, it is possible to enroll for a total of six (6) credits.

Reminder: TE 250 is a required course for those planning to apply to the College of Education.

Course prerequisites may apply; see Course Descriptions (on the MSU Website) or program leader for details.

Students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.75 at the time of application.  Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.

Preference will be given to students who plan to major in Education or Early Childhood Education.  Other majors will be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

Students will live in the International Guesthouse at Maastricht University, where they will have a chance to meet many other students from Europe, Asia and the United States. Students can reserve a single room or share a larger room. Partial coverage for meals is provided and there are numerous eating establishments around the University with very reasonable prices for dinner. The campus is a secure area for students traveling by foot, bicycle or public transportation, both during the day and at night.

Classroom space will be provided at Maastricht University. All school visits and sightseeing tours will be in air-conditioned tour buses, with either English-speaking University faculty or professional guides.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Dr. Christopher Wheeler
Department of Teacher Education
331 Erickson Hall
Phone: (517) 349-0165

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States.  If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date.  If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of eight to ten weeks is usually required for processing.  During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required.  Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices.  They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit the web page.

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose.  The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early.   It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.  If you are not a U.S. citizen, consult the embassy or consulate of the countries you will visit to learn their document requirements.

For more information about visas visit the web page.

If you will be staying in Europe for longer than 90 days, you will need to contact the consulate(s) of your host country(ies) for advice on visas.

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

For further health information and recommendations visit the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook.

How much does it cost?

The program fee is $3,076 and includes the following:

• application fee ($100)
• deposit ($200)
• pre-departure orientation
• accommodations
• some meals
• accident and sickness insurance
• field trips

Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

• MSU tuition and fees*
• airfare
• additional meals
• books and supplies
• passport application fee
• visa application fees (if applicable)
• pre-departure doctor visits
• pre-departure immunizations (if applicable)
• personal spending money

Excluding tuition and fees*, these additional costs are estimated at $2,310.

Students may request a cost sheet which lists both the program fee and an estimate of additional expenses by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

*Check Student Accounts for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU; non-MSU students pay the Lifelong Education rate.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee.  Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses.  (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid.  

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing.  This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university.  If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

For further information about financial aid, visit the Web page.

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships.   Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need.  Requirements are listed in the scholarship application.  The deadline to apply for these scholarships is March 1st for summer programs.  

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit the web page.

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form.

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by March 1st for summer programs.  We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to this deadline.

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year.  Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required.  Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program.  Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter.