Study Abroad in Finland and Belgium

During this two-week program, 25 students and UGA faculty will visit, interact, and explore Finnish, Estonian, and Belgian people, organizations, infrastructures, and programs to learn about their unique perspectives related to exercise, physical education, elite and developmental sports, and public health.

This program is open to students from any major, and targeted at intended and current kinesiology students and future public health professionals. Students will spend the first week of the program in Finland. While in Helsinki, they will visit the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Finland Elite Sports School, and Major League Hockey Franchise to learn about their programs, approaches, and businesses. Study away participants will then spend a few days at the University of Jyvaskyla, where they will learn about top sports, physical activity, and physical education in Finland. In addition, we are doing a day trip to Tallinn, Estonia and engage in cultural exchange.

During the second week in Belgium, students will stay and visit Brussels and Gent. Day trips offer opportunities to check out, experience, and hear from those involved with an elite Belgian soccer club, top sport development programs, and national training centers and coaches. The last few days are spent in the ‘student city’ of Leuven, where students will tour sport, activity, and research facilities at the university.

Throughout the program, students will explore various cities, famous landmarks, and local restaurants.

Apply to This Program

Deadline to apply: December 1, 2024

Contact the program directors to start an application.

Experience the Culture

In Finland, students will visit the city of Helsinki, see its Parliament House and the Museum of Contemporary Art (Kiasma), and spend several days in the city of Jyvaskyla.

Upon flying to Belgium, students will tour the city of Brussels, visit the Atomium (a famous 102-meter tall structure built for the 1958 World’s Fair), the 15th century City Town Hall and its best-known symbol, Manneken Pis. Additionally, students will stay in Leuven, home to the largest Belgian University, and visit Ghent, a medieval city with its intercity canals. Belgium is known for its architecture, lace production, chocolate, brewery, and waffles.