The country of Luxembourg is situated at the crossroads of major European cultures and is bordered by France, Belgium, and Germany. A political center of the European Union as well, Luxembourg is thus uniquely positioned to give students and faculty a varied and stimulating experience of Europe. Nearby major universities and government capitals offer additional educational resources, while Luxembourg itself is rich in beauty, culture, and tradition.
On the passenger ship Princess Marie-Astrid, which was anchored in Schengen, government representatives of Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, the Federal Republic of Germany, and France signed an agreement on the 14th of June 1985. The agreement’s 33 articles delineated the steps necessary to dismantle border controls at common boundaries. The idea behind the agreement was to encourage citizens of the European Union (EU) to feel that they belong together in a united community. To that end, a system was introduced that in the beginning simplified border controls for both people and goods before, eventually, dismantling them completely, thereby allowing trade to flourish more freely.
On the 19th of June 1990, representatives of the five governments again met on the MS Marie-Astrid, this time for an addendum that spelled out how best to achieve the goals formulated in 1985. Thus, while the process of eliminating individual passport checks was underway, the five representatives agreed to establish border controls for both individuals and goods only for outer borders and to work together further on issues of inner security.
Subsequently, other countries agreed to modify inner borders as well, an act that required the ratification of their parliaments. Currently, there are 15 Schengen countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden. All these countries except Norway and Iceland are European Union members.
The May Term is conducted at the Klouschter in Mondorf-les-Bains, also known as Munnerëf in Letzeburgish, the native language of Luxembourg. The city has a long history; the Romans established a settlement there in 65 BCE, and in 1847, it became a spa town, which continues to draw international tourists even today. With a 124-acre park, the spa's thermal waters, and the only casino in Luxembourg, Mondorf-les-Bains is one of Luxembourg's "places to go." Owned by the sisters of the Congregation of St. Elizabeth (CSSE), the Klouschter was totally renovated in 2007, and functions in part as a hotel with new rooms.
The May Term defines weekends (Friday afternoons to Sunday evenings; not past Sunday midnight!) as the students’ free time, which they can spend as they wish. Students may stay in our residence during weekends, although meals are not provided by the program. Most often, students opt to travel privately, since they also have access to public transportation.
Please note: While we certainly expect students to be cautious at all times, they should know that free time (time outside class as well as weekends) and private travel are NOT official parts of the program. Whatever students do during their free time or whatever private trips they decide to take, they do so at their own responsibility and at their own costs. The Program will not guarantee any information acquired nor reimburse students for costs incurred for these purposes.
Please be aware that in the wake of September 11, 2001 and the Iraqi war, the geo-political and military situation is still evolving. Students should be aware that there is danger due to increased anti-American sentiment overseas, which will, obviously, vary from location to location and according to the kind of people one encounters. Statistically, though, it’s not terrorism but traffic-related incidents that cause the greatest threat while being abroad. Cars drive faster, rules are different, and streets can be very narrow.
At the end of each May Term, we plan to hold our traditional Henry J. Leir Luncheon at The Restaurant Lea Linster in Frisange. Lea Linster is the only female chef ever to have won the prestigious Bocuse d’Or. She is one of Luxembourg’s best known chefs—winning a number of awards for food and wine including one star in the Michelin Guide as well as a Golden Key from Gault et Milau. Her most recently published cookbook was voted the Best Woman Chef Cookbook in the World.
After returning to The United States, Margot Gibis of The Leir Foundation, has always invited the entire group for a reunion to Mr. Leir's estate in Richfield, CT. In general, this event takes place in the month of April. We'll provide transportation for all students to take us to the event.