Annual Brussels Trip
Brussels Trip 2011
Every year, as part of the the Dept. of Politics, History and International Relations Masters programmes, the Department organises and subsidises a trip to Brussels, where we visit the institutions of the European Union and other international organisations such as NATO. These visits give students a feel for the atmosphere of the ‘Brussels village’ that they can compare with their formal learning about the institutions and processes of European integration.
Inside the Council of Ministers. 2008
Each visit lasts five days, and takes place between the first and second semesters of the academic year, after the first semester examinations. Students hear talks, and have the opportunity to question: policy-makers, diplomats and opinion-formers from the key EU institutions and a range of international organisations, lobby groups and media organisations based in Brussels. Click here to see the 2011 Brussels programme.
The Brussels trip offers many benefits to the Masters students. It helps them to prepare for their second semester option choices, and to finalise their ideas for the Masters dissertation. From a career perspective, the trip has many additional advantages. Masters students get the opportunity to see how some Loughborough alumni are now working in Brussels for the EU or in connection with the EU in a variety of careers. They also get a chance to enquire about career prospects in institutions such as the European Commission.
The trip is also an opportunity for the Masters students to get to know each other better before the second semester starts, when they will be working in small groups and teams. The visit traditionally ends with a group meal in one of Brussels’ Italian restaurants, courtesy of the the Dept. of Politics, History and International Relations. We invite some of the speakers from the week’s programme, and in 2006 also invited several of the Department’s PhD students who are currently working and studying in Brussels as well. Other colleagues sometimes attend, including the Head of Department, and so the meal is a great opportunity to unwind after a busy week, and foster new friendships.
Students outside the Commission. 2008
Brussels: comments from students