Travel report: Brussels
In mid-December 2024, the International Students Team (IST) at the University of Wuppertal took a group of students to Brussels-the capital of Belgium and the heart of Europe. For many of our international and German students, it was their first opportunity to experience European politics firsthand and discover the city's cultural diversity.
Historical and cultural discoveries
We started with a guided tour of Brussels' old town. We not only got to know the famous Grand Place with its magnificent gabled houses, but also smaller alleys, squares, and stories that make up the special charm of the Belgian capital. The group tour ended with a cozy dinner, where the group bonded even more over Belgian specialities.
A cultural highlight was the visit to the Banksy Museum, which impressively presents the works of the famous street artist. Many students took the opportunity to discuss the political and socially critical dimension of modern art.
Culture of remembrance and encounter
The visit to the Jewish Museum in Brussels was particularly impressive, where we were not only moved by the exhibition itself, but also by a conversation with a Holocaust survivor. The personal narrative and powerful words brought history to life in a very direct and emotional way. For many participants, this was one of the most moving moments of the entire trip.
Experiencing Europe
Another highlight was the House of European History, which deals with the origins, development, and challenges of Europe. The multimedia exhibition took us from the origins of the European idea to current issues of integration and shaping the future. For our international group in particular, the visit offered many exciting points of reference for discussions about similarities and differences in Europe.
Of course, the political centre could not be left out: during a tour of the European Quarter, we gained exciting insights into the institutions that shape the future of Europe on a daily basis. It was particularly interesting for the international students to experience the diversity of Europe so tangibly here.
A visit to the European Council was also planned. Unfortunately, due to a significant delay of our ICE train, the schedule had to be changed and this part of the programme had to be canceled. Although this was regrettable, we used the extra time to deepen our impressions of the previous days in discussions within the group.
Conclusion
The trip to Brussels offered a varied mix of culture, history, and European politics. The emotional exchange with the Holocaust survivor in particular remains unforgettable and had a lasting impact on many participants. At the same time, the shared experiences - from dinner to a walk through the European Quarter - strengthened the bonds within the international group.
Brussels thus became a place of reflection, encounter, and exchange for us - and an important building block of our journey through Europe.
