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In 1987, Vesalius College (Veco) opened its doors as an exciting new English-speaking undergraduate institution, run by a Dutch-speaking university – the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) – with Boston University (BU) as a founding partner. Veco's academic and cultural DNA was firmly established with its key dominant traits: Belgian, American, cosmopolitan, liberal arts, free-thinking. These roots have continued to form the foundation of the College's mission, academic and institutional culture, and student life. In order to do justice to this happy anniversary, the College planned an array of events and activities during the 2012-2013 academic year for the College community in its broadest sense, bringing together current students, alumni, future students, faculty in the various departments, the university, and friends of the College. These events kicked off with the Dies Natalis on 15 September 2012, followed by a student and alumni gala, several conferences, a film festival, a potluck dinner, and a 25-hour charity run. The Vesalius College mission is to educate students in an open and tolerant environment, within a multi-disciplinary curriculum designed without artificial barriers between disciplines to prepare them for academic, professional, and personal success. The College's faculty is dedicated to instilling a spirit of critical inquiry and ethical responsibility and using teaching methods that emphasize academic independence, integrity, and an analytical approach to problem-solving. Vesalius College is registered with the Flemish government of Belgium as an institution of higher education. Its bachelor's degrees are equivalent to a fully-recognized bachelor's degree issued by a Flemish University. Vesalius College participates in the Bologna Process, the reform effort designed to standardize higher education throughout Europe. Under the Bologna declaration, Vesalius College offers 3-year European bachelor programs and calculates coursework in ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits. The 4 Bachelor's degree programs of VesaNVAOlius College have been granted accredited status by the Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organisation (NVAO, Nederlands-Vlaamse Accreditatie Organisatie). This official organization was established by an international treaty between the Flemish and the Dutch governments to ensure higher education quality in both the Netherlands and Flanders. More information on Vesalius College's undergraduate degrees' accreditation can be accessed through the official government website regarding higher education in Flanders. Graduating from Vesalius College opens the door to new opportunities. Whether you decide to further your education or start your professional career, Vesalius College provides you with the right knowledge and skills to meet professional and academic requirements. By maintaining close contacts with our alumni, Vesalius College can strengthen its position within society, facilitate opportunities for contact between students, employees, and alumni, and receive support from active alumni, not only financially but also in the form of advice and other services. Ever since its creation in 1987, more than 1,400 students have graduated from Vesalius College. Vero alumni are a diverse and international community of thriving professionals spread around the world. No matter what part of the world Vesalius graduates are in, they will find a fellow graduate to make contact. Vesalius College has always prided itself on its students' great diversity, and it is precisely this diversity that makes it so exciting and fun to keep in touch over the years. Vesalius College's Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs equips students with broad-ranging tools and skills to understand, analyze, and assess the most pressing issues in national and global politics. The interdisciplinary curriculum is built on the disciplines of politics, economics, law, and history. It enables students to understand the complex dynamics, core debates, processes, institutions, and significant European and International Affairs challenges. Students acquire the knowledge needed for a career in International Affairs and develop strong analytical and critical thinking skills as well as the ability to apply theories and concepts learned to real-life problems. In addition to being taught by dedicated professors, students benefit from the first-hand experience of senior European and international policymakers, diplomats, and practitioners. By drawing on world-class academics and highly-experienced policymakers, students gain fundamental insight into both the theoretical and practical, hands-on dimensions of politics, economics, and law. Prestigious internships at the offices of major Brussels-based institutions, NGOs, and global think tanks complement and deepen their studies' practical aspects. Our International Affairs graduates are prepared to succeed in various settings and organizations, including international organizations (such as the United Nations, EU, and NATO), ministries of foreign affairs, lobby organizations, NGOs, and think tanks. Our recent graduates include diplomacy, politics, research, European administration, political advising, and journalism. Vesalius graduates can continue their postgraduate studies in a wide range of fields, including international relations, European studies, public policy, environmental law, international studies, migration studies, business administration, communications, leadership, and management. Our graduates who majored in International Affairs have completed graduate studies in several prestigious universities, including Oxford University, Columbia University, Brown University, the London School of Economics, the London School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), Georgetown University, the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, the University of Edinburgh, Boston University, and many more. View full university