HEARTC♡RE

Fifth Day, Back at the European Academy

Wednesday December 17th

We woke up this morning still in Brussels, but with the bus waiting to take us back to Germany. We had a quick breakfast, packed our bags, and we were on our way!

We got there around lunch, and settled into our new rooms. When we first arrived on Saturday we had roommates and the rooms were very nice. But this time around we each got our own room and let me tell you, it was great.

 

 After getting settled we had two seminars ahead. The first, around 3pm-6pm, was on Franco-German relations. We then had dinner around 6:30pm and had another seminar around 8pm. This seminar was on what it meant to be European, or the European Identity. The first seminar on Franco-German relations was very interesting. These neighbor countries with vastly different cultures and a rocky history are today the two core countries that really push the EU and European Integration. Our second seminar was VERY interesting. In terms of how it went and the communication between our lecturer and the students. A few of the students asked a couple questions and I guess the responses weren't very clear because it was a lot of back and forth and comparisons between the US and Europe. 

All in all, this day, although it ran a bit later than usually, was very relaxed.

Because this is a short post, I thought to add a little about what we ate at the academy.

 A glimpse into our coffee and tea breaks

Right outside where we had our coffee break on the ground floor

Each morning we had the same arrangements. Coffee, tea, milk, three kinds of juices, several types of cereal, yogurt, fruit, nut mix, natural jams and jelly, but most importantly, we had the BEST assortment of bread, cold cuts, and cheese.You'd think you'd get tired, but let me tell you, there are tears in my eye just remembering it's deliciousness.

For lunch and dinner, there were so many different types of food that they gave each day. It was so impressive and delicious. Sometimes we were served and other times we had a buffet. What I loved the most were all the different kinds of ingredients I'm not used to and the style of preparing. We always had more than one course and a beautifully arranged dessert. But let the pictures do the talking! (& I know it looks like a fancy one time event arrangement, but this was EVERY DAY)

Photo Credit: Ashley Nguyen

I miss you little tiny potato pears :(

Fourth day, Day Two In Brussels, Belgium

Tuesday December 16th

This morning we had a nice breakfast at the hotel we stayed and an early arrival to the European Commission, where we'd have two seminars. The first was on the E. Commission's role in the E.U. and the second was on TTIP, which is a trade agreement between the US and the E.U. Something that I love about all these seminars we have, are the 15 minute coffee and tea breaks we have. We also had them back at the academy the first couple days. I'm sure everyone got more than used to having coffee three time a day along with some delicious European biscuits. Both seminars were enjoyable and informative and I think everyone was much more alert this time around. (Although it was quite a long day) Also, maybe it's the academic culture in Europe but everywhere we had seminars they let us know they would be giving our leaders their presentations on drives. Maybe because I haven't attended many of these things, but I was surprised everywhere we went they let us know that (and they stuck to their word).

After our visit to the commission, we had lunch at the Canteen of Parlamentarium. To be honest I wasn't 100% sure what it was, but it's the visitors center of the Parliament. They give you a different and fun perspective of the government. But again, we only had lunch there. All I know is that it was quite a walk from the commission. :P

Third day, Day One in Brussels, Belgium

Monday December 15th

We left Germany around 8am and had about a three hour ride to Brussels, Belgium. When we arrived we were dropped off and we made our way to the Council of the European Union. Our first seminar was kind of the basics of the European Union. We had a couple lectures that day but we were exhausted, not only from the jet lag but the bus ride there. We had the evening to ourselves so we took the chance to visit the city and go out for dinner. It was absolutely beautiful. Especially in Christmas time.

Outside of the Council. Photo Credit: Dr. Noah McLaughlin

Photo Credit: Dr. Noah McLaughlin

Photo Credit: Dr. Noah McLaughlin