EU Study Abroad Program 2009
Submitted by allison on Fri, 09/04/2009 - 12:07.
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Dr. Vicki Birchfield and Mr. Vince Pedicino
22 May - 4 July 2009
From May 22nd – July 4th the EUCE, under the leadership of Director, Dr. Vicki Birchfield and Program Coordinator, Vince Pedicino, engaged 22 students in a six week long intensive and highly interactive study abroad program on the European Union and Transatlantic Relations. Basing lectures from the European Studies Institute at the Université Libre de Bruxelles and taking advantage of Brussels as the “Capital of Europe,” the first three weeks of the program provided a comprehensive overview and introduction to the history, institutions and decision making processes of the EU. Students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in dialogue with officials from the European Commission, the Council of Ministers, and a panel of speakers at the European Parliament, including a Member of the European Parliament. Direct interaction with officials from each of the core institutions helps students turn textbook knowledge into a more practical, real world understanding of the EU. Students also took two additional courses on European Security and EU-US Relations, which maximized proximity to NATO headquarters for briefings from the international staff as well as various national representations to the organization. At the U.S. Mission to the EU, students were briefed by the Political Secretary and enjoyed a handshake and photo-op with the acting Ambassador. Full cultural immersion is another distinguishing feature of this GT study abroad program as students are fortunate to reside with European families throughout the city. Students with language skills were able to practice their French, German, and Spanish as well as gain local perspectives on the politics and culture of Belgium.
The group was fortunate to be in Brussels during the European parliamentary elections. This exciting occasion gave students a springboard for discussing European integration and the future of the EU with their new European friends and host families. Two Polish students from the EUCE’s new partner, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland, participated in our program and cast their first votes in EU elections at the Polish Embassy in Brussels. Their enthusiasm added political and cultural enrichment to the group as they contributed perspectives reflecting both the EU’s younger generation and one of its newest Member States.
The second phase of the program took the students to Paris, Berlin, Krakow and Prague. Students had site visits at national parliaments and foreign ministries giving them exposure to distinctive national views on issues ranging from implications of the Lisbon Treaty to the impact of the economic crisis and relations with the U.S. A special highlight in Paris this year was the opportunity to go onto the floor of the French Assemblée Nationale (see photo) and meet MP Louis Giscard d’Estaing, head of the French-American Relations Committee. The week in Paris also gave students a chance to take a day trip to Normandy to visit Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery, the site of President Obama’s visit two weeks prior.