Annual Brussels Trip
Politics, History & International Relations Masters students at the European Parliament, Brussels, Jan 2006
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.
PHIR Masters students inside the European Parliament, January 2006, with the Liberal Democrat Member for the East Midlands, UK, Bill Newton Dunn.
Each visit lasts five days, and takes place between the first and second semesters of the academic year, after the first semester examinations. The trip combines some free time with access to a variety of organisations.
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.
Tim Price and Chris Yarsley, both Politics, History and International Relations graduates, relax at the group dinner, Brussels, February 2006.
Brussels: comments from students
‘The trip to Brussels … constitutes an excellent opportunity for Masters and PhD students enrolled in the Department to confront the theory on EU policy-making with the day-to-day practice.’ - Ana Juncos (PhD candidate, Politics, History and International Relations Department)
‘a great opportunity for us to feel the atmosphere of what was actually happening at the centre of EU policy makin.‘ – Mika Obara (Masters student, Dept. of Politics, History and International Relations)
‘The experience was awesome indeed, both in terms of information and enjoyment.’ – Foteini Papadopoulou (PhD candidate, SSES)
‘Overall the week was well organised, interesting, educational and very informative’ - Craig Bowley (part-time Masters student, Dept. of Politics, History and International Relations)
‘If I had the chance I would definitely go again!!’ – Elena Georgiadou (PhD candidate, Dept. of Politics, History and International Relations)
‘The lectures are definitely more interesting now that we know each other better and are comfortable to work as a group’ – Diana Ibrahim (Masters student, Dept. of Politics, History and International Relations)
For the research students it was an ideal opportunityto network – and realise just what is possible’ – Natalie Martin (PhD candidate, Dept. of Politics, History and International Relations)
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From the Brussels trip, 2007