Do you like living
and studying in Belgium?
Kasper: I do. For me the school
was the main attraction to come to Belgium,
but it isn’t a bad place.
Eva: I lived in Paris last
year. I also came to Belgium because of the
college. If it had been in The Netherlands or
in Luxemburg, there hadn’t been any difference.
I like Belgium but we’re a bit isolated
in our little college world. We don’t
have a lot of contact with the Bruges population,
that’s too bad. It’s hard to take
the initiative, as we’re very busy.
Jens: It might sound strange
from a Dutch man but I like Belgium a lot. For
me the main reason to come to the College of
Europe was because it’s so well known,
but also because it’s closer to my home
country. I studied in London last year. My parents
were very happy that I moved a bit closer to
home.  How
did your family react when you said you were
going to Belgium? Do you miss them?
Jens: My parents hoped that
I would come home more often but I don’t
actually. That’s not because I don’t
love them, we’re just too busy. We also
have classes on Saturday so we can’t
leave for the weekends.
Kasper: I went home for the
holidays. My parents are planning to visit
me soon and then I can show them the city.
I think Bruges is a very nice place but not
a real city. It feels like walking in a museum.
Have
you already made trips to other Belgian cities?
Jens: We’ve been on
a trip to Flanders Fields back in autumn,
and that was very nice. We also went to the
beach and we visited Brussels. We’ve
seen a bit of Belgium, but it’s hard
to make contact with the Belgian people.
Eva: Indeed. The trips that
we make are always in connection with our
studies. It’s difficult to get to know
people from Belgium.
Does
that make it more difficult to adapt to the
Belgian culture?
Kasper: Yes, it does. We
have an international culture over here. The
Belgian students, about 10 out of 200, just
add some spice to the stew of people.
Would
you consider working and living in Belgium?
Kasper: Most people that
study here would like to work in Brussels
next year. Doing something EU-related, working
for the European Institutions or one of the
companies interests group that interacts with
the EU-system. Those are career options.
Jens: I wouldn’t mind
working in Brussels.
 And
you Eva? Because Norway isn’t part of
the EU.
Eva: It’s the same
for me. Eventually I want to go back to Norway
but I would like to work in Brussels for a
few years.
Do
you think ‘Europe’ works?
Kasper: The whole purpose
of the education is to prepare us for working
in an international environment, in the EU-institution
or in the international business.
Jens: I think languages in
secondary schools should be improved. A good
knowledge of languages encourages people to
go abroad. The other thing that should be
improved is government scholarships to go
abroad. When I went to London, the Dutch government
refused to give me money because I wasn’t
studying in Holland, the English government
refused because I didn’t have the British
nationality. The Erasmus project is a great
initiative. It offers big chances for students
to go abroad. |
