At 3 a.m. on a Sunday morning, 29 students and three teachers headed for Vienna Airport to catch their flight to Brussels. What was initially planned as a joint trip with a school from Poland, who unfortunately had to withdraw due to financial reasons, became a solo mission thanks to generous support from Erasmus+ and funding from the Carinthian government.

English was the language used during visits to the European Parliament, the European Commission, the House of European History, and the Parlamentarium. Additionally, the guided tour of Belgium’s capital, as well as the one in Bruges, was conducted in English. The key difference, however, was that the former was led by a professional tour guide, while a group of students from a school in Leuven prepared and led the latter.

It was exactly this school that we visited on Thursday. After a warm welcome from some teachers (whom we had originally met at another Erasmus+ project in 2013), we listened to presentations about Belgium, Leuven, the school system, etc. Afterwards the Austrian students had the opportunity to demonstrate what they had learned in a fun Kahoot quiz. Then it was the Austrian students’ turn to give their presentations about similar topics, which were greatly appreciated. After a tour of the school and lunch, we returned to the center of Leuven for a treasure hunt. Divided into five groups and supported by local students, this activity was a fun way to explore the town.

Our stay in Brussels concluded with a visit to the Carinthian Liaison Office on Friday morning, where we wrapped up our knowledge of the EU institutions and lawmaking processes. After a snack and some drinks we headed back to the hostel where we got ready for departure.

All in all, our stay in Belgium was incredibly rewarding. Not only did the students acquire valuable knowledge, but they also had the chance to explore the area on their own. They became familiar with the culture of the country, its food, and the diversity of people speaking a variety of languages – an experience that’s truly special.

Speaking of special, this trip also included an encounter with Capital Bra at the airport in Vienna and a meeting with MEP Lena Schilling at the European Parliament.