{"id":6911,"date":"2025-08-07T09:50:38","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T07:50:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/weblog.wur.eu\/international-students\/?p=6911"},"modified":"2025-08-07T09:57:20","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T07:57:20","slug":"wur-food-law-brussels-trip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/weblog.wur.eu\/international-students\/2025\/08\/07\/wur-food-law-brussels-trip\/","title":{"rendered":"A Student Experience at the European Commission"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thinking about studying in Europe? Curious what a real WUR food law Brussels trip looks like from a student\u2019s perspective? I recently got the chance to find out for myself!<\/p>\n

As a student at Wageningen University and Research (WUR), I joined a one day trip to Brussels with the Food Law Chair Group, where we visited the European Commission<\/strong><\/a>, the actual place where EU policies are made.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t just lectures and PowerPoints. We saw how everything we talk about in class plays out in real life how food law connects with climate, trade, innovation and more. Plus, we explored the city, shared good food, and had great conversations along the way. Definitely one of those \u201cthis is why I chose WUR\u201d moments<\/p>\n

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A Special Invitation for Food Law Students<\/h3>\n

Every year, the Food Law Chair Group invites a select group of students to take part in this exclusive, invitation-based trip to the European Commission in Brussels. What makes it even more special? The trip is fully funded by the university including travel, accommodation, and meals.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s one of the many ways WUR connects classroom theory with real world institutions and brings students closer to the legal and political processes that shape food systems on a European scale.<\/p>\n

Let me take you through the entire WUR food law Brussels trip.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Day Before: A Cultural and Culinary Welcome<\/h3>\n

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To make the most of the experience, many of us arrived in Brussels a day early, joined by other EU-focused students from our cohort. We kicked things off with a lively Indian dinner, generously covered by the university. It turned into a great moment of connection, laughs, shared stories, and lots of excitement for the next day\u2019s visit.<\/p>\n

After dinner, we explored Brussels by night, walking through the city center, admiring the illuminated Grand Place, visiting the quirky Manneken Pis, and gazing at the beautiful Royal Palace. Of course, we couldn\u2019t resist the Neuhaus chocolate shops and local souvenir stalls. This was Belgium, after all!<\/p>\n

Morning of the Visit: Museums and Mindset<\/h3>\n

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The next morning, before heading to the European Commission, we stopped by a museum that really set the tone for the day. It walked us through some of Europe\u2019s most defining and difficult moments from the destruction of Belgian towns during World War I, to Mussolini\u2019s rise in Italy, and the chilling racial \u201cAryan tests\u201d of the Nazi era.<\/p>\n

One part that stuck with me was the story of the 1958 Benelux Agreements, a quiet but powerful example of cooperation between Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg that eventually helped shape today\u2019s European Union.<\/p>\n

Walking through those rooms made it clear that the EU is not just about policies and treaties. It was built out of a need to prevent history from repeating itself. The visit gave a human perspective to the policy discussions we would be having later that day and reminded us why these institutions matter in the first place.<\/p>\n

Inside the Parlamentarium: Democracy Made Visible<\/h3>\n

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One of the things that really stood out was a vibrant exhibit at the Parlamentarium, the European Parliament\u2019s visitor center. At first glance, it looked like an art piece, hundreds of colorful figurines arranged in a circular hall. But each figure represented a real Member of the European Parliament (MEP), grouped not by nationality but by political party.<\/p>\n

All around us, videos of real speeches, debates, and votes played on huge screens. Suddenly, the idea of European democracy didn\u2019t feel so distant or abstract. It felt real and alive.<\/p>\n

For me, it was a powerful reminder that behind the laws and policies we study at WUR are real people making tough decisions, negotiating across borders, and representing millions of voices. It’s not just about legal texts. It\u2019s about people, politics, and the process of working together in a shared space.<\/p>\n

EU Stepping into the European Commission<\/h3>\n

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After lunch, we made our way to the Charlemagne building, home to several departments of the European Commission. After a quick security check and group photo, we were welcomed inside for an afternoon of high-level learning.<\/p>\n

We attended three presentations that offered us a rare glimpse into how EU governance actually works:<\/p>\n