The module’s aim is to provide students with a working knowledge of the history of European integration, of the main institutions of the EU and the EU policy process. The field trip was a stakeholder visit that allowed young people to discuss some of the key current issues confronting the EU’s future direction: its democratic legitimacy; its enlargement, the Eurozone crisis and other current challenges.
We made our own travel arrangements to and from London St Pancras. Thankfully the way there was smooth and I didn’t run late. We arrived 50 minutes before the train’s departure for security checks.
Belgian Waffles for 1 euro!
We stayed at the Sleep Well Youth Hostel. We were lucky as we didn’t have to sleep in mixed rooms with ten or twelve people per room! I packed lightly as we had to carry our bags with us all day on the Wednesday. The towels and toiletries (shampoo etc) aren’t provided at the hostel but we were able to borrow towels (for 1 Euro) which I did to save space in my bag.
Day 1
We must have arrived in Brussels around midday. We had lunch at a small restaurant at the Grand-Palace. I managed to get myself steak & chips and a beer for 10 Euros! Everywhere was pretty close, so after a short walk we made our way to the European Commission office. The Commission’s role is to defend the interests of the union. Its role on paper is to effectively the driving force of European integration.
Group picture at the European Parliament visit
Day 2
Our schedule was pretty jam packed on the second day. We spoke to a representative from the Committee of the Regions which gives voice to the regions and cities in the European Union. We found that there are 350 members from the 28 EU countries. When one thinks about the effort that must go through communicating through translations, you really can appreciate the challenges that Union has to go through.
What I enjoyed the most about this day was meeting with Jean-Christophe Filori. At the time of the visit, he was head of a unit that deals with Turkish issue of membership within the European Commission. The honesty of his opinion, that it is not accession that the EU prioritises but the consideration of whether the state in question follows the Copenhagen criteria first and foremost, was refreshing. You don’t have to agree with what they’re saying, but hearing the opinions of Brussels politicos nevertheless makes European politics less distant.
Inside the European Parliament
The field trip took place in spring. I must say that this was the perfect time to hold it as the weather in Brussels was absolutely divine! I must’ve averaged at 23 degrees with not a cloud in the sky! It was also fantastic of the trip conveners to let us have time to wander around the area. I think this is when the group most bonded.
Basking in the sun outside the European Commission office
Belgian Beer 101
Day 3
The last day was spent visiting the Eurochild office and the UK Representation in Brussels (COREPER- Committee of Permanent Representatives).
Eurochild is a network that promotes the rights and well-being of children and young people. Talking about the interests of young people in Europe was incredibly mind opening. Europe is a wealthy continent and has abundant resources to provide for children who will grow to make up the foundations of its society. However, at the time, the Euro crisis with Greece begged the question of whether or not the European Commission had time to consider other things in its agenda. I had the chance to mention this issue during the visit. It is true – the question of finance was indeed priority at the time, but what the EU must always keep in mind is investing in children is both a moral obligation and an economic priority. The youth are, after all, Europe’s solution to its ageing demographic.
The UK Representation in Brussels (COREPER- Committee of Permanent Representatives)
I would absolutely consider working in Brussels when I’m older. The UK has representatives working there. The picture above shows when we were given a talk about what policy making involved when working with the EU. In short, there are a lot of priorities that is considered. It is effectively a relationship based on bargaining and consolidations. But this isn’t necessarily a bad thing – Politics is the study of humans with differing opinions that is made to work through negotiations.
Free time spent at the Grand-Palace Square
You hear a lot of negative news about the European Union in the media. Britain leaving the EU (or ‘Brexit’ as some media outlets aptly put it) is once again becoming a hot topic in politics; the Conservative party adamant to hold an in and out referendum by 2017. Allowing us to have a first-hand meeting with the policy-makers within the Union made its complicated institutions a little less ‘mythical’. The field trip is an excellent example of how Southampton maximises the learning experience of its students.
A video of the trip!
The Department of Politics and International Relations (PAIR) and School of Social Sciences paid for our accommodation and travel. All we had to bring was our travel documents, money for the metro and for food. I wanted to mention once again my thanks to the department and to the University for financially supporting the trip – it really was just fantastic.
If your department offers a field trip like this, don’t miss the chance and take it. It will really make your university experience!
Rylyn
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