Sponsored Jointly by the US Department of Education and the European Commission

European Partners
Free University Brussels, (VUB) Brussels, Belgium (European lead institution)
Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
University College London, London, UK
Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
ONDEO Services (formerly Lyonnaise des Eaux) Technology & Research Center, Paris, France
Technical University of Catalonia (UPC), Barcelona, Spain

USA Partners
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (US lead institution)
University of Illinois, Urbana, IL
University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI

Purpose
The United States and Europe have a significant need for engineers and scientists with international experience. This project addresses this need by focusing on the transatlantic relationship between the United States and the European Union.
The purpose of this program is to enhance the current practice for transatlantic cooperation in environmental / water resources engineering and science. Important scientific advances have been made in Europe, particularly in the fields of water treatment, environmental hydrology and hydraulics and in the United States, particularly in the fields of wastewater treatment, industrial waste disposal and remediation of groundwater pollution.
Taking advantage of the best scientific and technological developments on both sides of the Atlantic, this program seeks to prepare competent individuals who can operate in an international framework and are able to plan, design, operate, maintain and rehabilitate the needed environmental and water resources infrastructure in the foreseeable future.

Target Group of Students
Full time Bachelors, Masters, and Ph.D. candidates majoring in water resources / environmental engineering and sciences.
Undergraduates: primarily third and fourth year.
Graduate students: any year.

Academic Program
Students may participate on this program for either one semester or an academic year. The latter is preferred. Summer study abroad sessions are offered at University College London and at ONDEO Services (formerly Lyonnaise des Eaux).
Credits earned while taking courses overseas on this program will be applied directly to the student's home institution degree. Some traineeships are available at University College London and at ONDEO Services.

Eligibility
Applicants must be in good academic standing and have attained a minimum Grade Point Average of 2.75 / 4.0 or equivalent. (A minimum GPA of 3.0 / 4.0 or equivalent is required for graduate students). Students should demonstrate a strong professional and cultural interest in studying abroad and indicate the potential benefit that would be gained from participation in the program.

Multimedia distance learning
A number of Internet based courses will be offered. Some of these will originate in Europe and some in the USA. This mode may be supplemented by video taped sessions and by short visits of the instructors to the remote institutions.

Cultural and language preparation
The programs are conducted in English with the exceptions of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece and ONDEO Services (formerly Lyonnaise des Eaux) France, where a working knowledge of Greek or French, respectively, is needed. Previous training in the language, history, literature and culture of the host country is necessary. This can be achieved by taking appropriate non-technical elective courses during the one or two semesters before travelling and at the host institution.

Housing & Meals
Students will register for on-campus or off-campus housing through the respective institution before leaving for overseas. Universities have cafeterias that serve two or three meals a day.

Program costs
With the exception of airfare and miscellaneous travel expenses, the costs on this program are very similar to those costs associated with education at the student's home institution. (Some institutions may require a small application fee.)
Base fees on this program (e.g., tuition & fees) are paid by the students to their home institutions. Additional costs, such as housing, meals and transportation, vary by institution and will be paid on-site by the student.
Representative costs are listed below:
 

Travel costs 

Round-trip airfare	$ or Euro  850
Travel documents (passport, photos)	70

Living expenses per semester

Housing and meals	3,300
Miscellaneous personal expenses  (books and supplies, local transportation, personal items, etc.)	1,000

Mobility Grants
Through special grant funding, a number of mobility grants in the amount of $1,500 or 1600 EURO each will be awarded to U.S. students. A few grants will be available for the summer and fall of 2003. The grants will be awarded competitively, based on the academic performance, the expected benefits to accrue from the study abroad experience, and the language, historical and cultural preparation planned by the student.

Financial Aid
Many forms of financial aid may be applied to these programs. Students interested in receiving financial aid for participation in this program should consult the Financial Aid Office of the respective institution.

Application Process & Deadlines
Interested students need to request an application from the study abroad office of their respective institution or the designated program contact. For full consideration, the application should be submitted to the study abroad office by September 15, 2003, for spring semester applications. (Slightly different dates may apply in different institutions.)  Candidates should apply on time for the appropriate visa, if needed, at the consulate of the host country.