Brussels Study Mission

Day 1 – Arrival & European Quarter Orientation

Participants arrive in Brussels and check in at the hotel in the European Quarter, the beating heart of EU governance. The first afternoon begins with an introductory session on the architecture of the European Union: how it works, who does what, and why Brussels matters for anyone interested in policy, law, or public affairs. The evening closes with a welcome dinner, where participants get to know each other and their guides for the week.

Day 2 – European Parliament & European Commission

The morning opens with a visit to the European Parliament: a guided tour of the hemicycle followed by a meeting with a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) or a senior parliamentary assistant, who will walk participants through the legislative process and the realities of working in the Parliament. In the afternoon, the group moves to the Berlaymont building for a briefing on the European Commission, its structure, its role in the EU’s legislative cycle, and, crucially, how to access it: from the EU Traineeship Programme (Blue Book Traineeship) to EPSO competitions and contract agent positions.

Day 3 – Council of the EU & Lobbying Workshop

The morning is dedicated to the Council of the European Union and COREPER, the often-overlooked but pivotal body where member states negotiate and shape EU law. A workshop on the EU decision-making process follows, tracing how a legislative proposal moves from the Commission through the Parliament and the Council and what happens at each stage. The afternoon shifts to a deep dive into lobbying and public affairs: how Brussels-based interest groups, trade associations, think tanks, and NGOs shape EU policy, what careers in this sector look like, and how to break in with a law or political science background.

Day 4 – Campus Visit & “How to Work for the EU” Session

The fourth day is split between academia and career planning. In the morning, participants visit either KU Leuven or the Universite Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), two of Belgium’s most prestigious universities. Meetings with the international admissions office, current students, and faculty provide a realistic picture of admission requirements, programme options, and student life. In the afternoon, participants attend a structured session titled “How to Work for the EU”: covering EU career pathways, how to prepare for the EPSO open competitions, and how to navigate the informal networks that matter in Brussels. The day ends with a visit to the House of European History Museum.

Day 5 – NATO Headquarters & Closing Session

The final morning is spent at NATO headquarters, where participants receive a briefing on NATO’s structure, its civilian staff, and the career opportunities it offers, from communications and policy analysis to legal affairs and intelligence. The week closes with a round-table session in which participants reflect on what they have learned, map their next steps, and receive guidance on how to stay connected with the institutions and professionals they have met. Departures take place in the afternoon.