This was an absolute whirlwind of a program. It was so incredibly fast-paced, with multiple engagements for us to go to as a group every single day, and so many knowledgeable and driven people at the top of their respective fields for us to take notes from and discuss with. It was a very draining…
Tag: Brussels
Reflecting on Brussels
My study abroad experience has come to a close in Brussels, Belgium, and I have learned a lot from this experience, inside and outside of the classroom. A great takeaway from inside the classroom that I learned while studying abroad is that it pays off to go outside of your comfort zone when it comes…
Socioculture in Brussels
During my time in Brussels, Belgium, I have noted some differences in communication styles between Europeans and Americans. First of all, the prominent language in Brussels is French, which is not a language that I was too familiar with before traveling to Brussels. I taught myself a few conversational words and phrases before going, but…
Outside the NATO Bubble: Ghent
Brussels sits at the center of something significant. Within a few hours in any direction you have Strasbourg, home to the European Parliament, Rotterdam, one of the largest ports in the world, The Hague, where international law is adjudicated, and Cologne, a major hub of European economic life. This is not a coincidence. The entire…
Memoirs from a European Bureaucrat
Europe operates differently than the US in ways that are not immediately obvious until you are actually here. The legislative process within the EU is layered in a way that would frustrate most Americans. Bills and directives do not just pass through a chamber and get signed. They get reviewed, scrutinized, sent back, amended, and…
Brussels: A Political Capital for Europe
I’m Andrew Romanchik, a Politics and Philosophy student with my sights set on law. So when Pitt’s Governance and Policy in Brussels program came across my radar, it was a straightforward decision. Getting inside exposure to how the EU and NATO actually operate is the kind of experience that translates directly into a legal career,…
Reflecting on Brussels
My time in Brussels has given me an experience abroad, both inside and outside of the classroom, that will be beneficial for me after I leave. As someone planning to obtain a Master’s in Urban Planning, living in a city like Brussels that emphasizes transit-oriented development, walkability, and green spaces, has give me a vision…
Arriving in Brussels
Hi! Bonjour! Hallo! My name is Bao. I am a Mathematics-Economics major, and a rising Junior. I have arrived in Brussels to study European Union governance and policymaking. I chose this experience because I want to pursue a career in economic policy, and thus, having a comparative education on one of the world’s most influential…
Heading to Brussels
Hi! My name is Melena, and I just finished my second year at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. My major is Applied Mathematics, and I have two minors in Actuarial Science and International Studies. I am part of the Governance and Policy in Brussels study abroad program this summer. I chose this experience because,…