Students in the Luxembourg program attend classes at the Miami University John E. Dolibois European Center (MUDEC) and are housed with host families throughout the community. MUDEC is now housed in a beautiful castle (chateau) and is set in a spacious park, located in the center of Differdange, Luxembourg’s third largest city. With the chateau’s historic significance, students are able to study in and become part of a truly European environment. The chateau contains classrooms, a library, computer facilities, a lounge area, and laundry facilities. Luxembourg is in the heart of Europe, 30 miles from France, Germany, and Belgium; was a charter member of the Common Market; and is a major international financial center. Guest speakers may include executives involved in international trade, bankers and investment specialists, and governmental officials.
Housing is arranged through MUDEC and is with a local Luxembourg family. Consequently, living arrangements can vary widely. The student's "family" may be a widow, an older couple, or a young family with children. It will be a bed and breakfast situation and any additional relationship will depend on the "chemistry" between the student and the family. Usually this is accomplished by the student's spending some of his or her free time with the host family. All families will provide a room, which may or may not be shared with other students, and continental breakfast. You may preference a roommate or roommates, though roommate requests cannot always be accommodated. Partial board will be provided through a meal plan (4 meals per week). Meals are a substantial expense for students in the Luxembourg program; plan accordingly. French or German is not necessary, but either language would be helpful. The host family will speak some combination of Luxembourgish, French, German, and English. Not all speak English.
Daily commutes are necessary because MUDEC is located in Differdange. Some students will be within walking distance of the chateau, but many will normally take a bus or train to and from classes. Bus passes are provided. For travel outside the program, every student will be provided with an unlimited (two month) Eurail Pass by the program. Long distance phone calls may be made from the post office or the chateau. There are many local banks at which money may be changed.
The program has been specifically designed to allow students to leave Thursday afternoon in order to travel and to explore the local area. Plan to travel (Luxembourg is small, and you will be able to travel to other countries). With a Eurail pass, most of Europe is easily accessible for weekend excursions. There will be organized field trips during the program. Travel is greatly encouraged, and most students tend to travel in small groups of two to five students who have similar interests.
