Hosting some of the principal institutions of the European Union, Brussels is a must-go. The GLOBE (Batch 7) study trip to Brussels took place from 11 to 15 September 2012, during which important decisions regarding the European debt crisis were made, as the Constitutional Court in Germany gave the green light to the Euro bailout plan, albeit on tough conditions.
This study trip to Brussels fit seamlessly to the GLOBE study program, as our students analyzed corporate responses to the European integration. The group visited the Council of Ministers, the Commission, and the European Parliament – arguably the three pillars that made up the EU – and learned about the meticulous decision-making process of the EU. Hearing from the Danish Shipowners’ Association, our students realized that Brussels is Washington’s rival in terms of lobbying. The session at the European Banking Federation reinforced that the EU aims to represent the bigger good and that compromises are inevitable, while the Danish Representation demonstrated that an effective communication between the national government and its representatives in Brussels is crucial for the running of the EU. The EU is an intricate organization governing the interests of Europe, and Brussels epitomizes the power struggles central to this supra-national institution.
Brussels is a small city laid with cobblestones, and famous for its waffles and chocolates. Our students were able to burn off some calories by getting around the city on foot, visiting the Atomium, the Magritte Museum, the Grand Palace, and the Peeing Boy.
