Hi all,

I wanted to briefly give you an overview of some of the independent travel that I have been doing during my program. One of the great things about studying abroad in Freiburg, or in Europe generally, is that there are many opportunities to go to a different country for the weekend or during a short break. Moreover, as a city, Freiburg is very centrally located in Europe, France and Switzerland are only 30 minutes away by bus or train. I can easily hop on a train in Freiburg and head to another city in Germany or maybe Austria, or I can get a flight out of Basel on easy jet for very cheap (IE:30-50 euro). However, with easy jet flights, you have to be careful, because often times you can only bring a back which can fit under the seat and there is, in all practical matters, a no-refund policy.

However, due to the closeness of Europe I have been able to do a lot of independent travel. At the beginning of my program, I went to Zürich for a day, going to a museum and to the top of a mountain that overlooks the city and has an amazing view of the Swiss alps. I recommend Zürich, it was a beautiful city. However, bear in mind that its quite expensive. Its best to only go there for a day. Last weekend, I went to Mallorca, a Spanish Island in the Mediterranean Sea. The trip was decently fun, however, it was quite hard to get around without a car ,many places were closed for the season, and was rainy the entire time. I only recommend going there after April and if you have the ability to rent a car. The weekend before the last, I went to Prague. This was by far the best independent trip that I went on since being in Europe. Prague is an absolutely beautiful city top to bottom, with delicious, often very cheap food and drinks. I had the chance to try both absinthe and goulash for the first time in the city. Moreover, I met many very friendly people and had a blast in the Prague nightlife. I highly recommend going there if you have the chance.

In the coming months, I will be going to Hamburg during my Easter Break, along with Athens in late April. Moreover, at the end of my program I will be traveling to Austria and the south of France with my parents. Stay tuned for more updates!

-Andrew

Hey Readers!

I’m back with an academic update on the EU program. As I have entered into the second half of my semester abroad, the last few weeks have been packed with lots of academic assignments and other activities. Over the last two weeks, I had a Midterm for my German course, along with midterms in an international relations course I am taking. Moreover, last week, I had to take a midterm for an economics course on EU international trade and am currently hard at work on a final paper for the class along with a paper for my EU integrative seminar class.  My EU integrative seminar paper topic is about democratic reforms in the EU. During my time in Germany, I have learned that the EU political constitutional structure is highly technocratic- meaning that much of the policy is handled by so-called “experts”. Moreover, as the EU has developed, the amount of say that European citizens have in EU law has become minimal, with many arguing that EU politics really do not exist since the connection between EU institutions and the people is very loose.

In the paper, I am arguing that the disconnect between European citizens and policymakers is a key cause of the departure of the UK, along with rising Brexit-like movements in countries like Italy. Therefore, it is crucial that the EU establishes a more democratic written constitution in order to quell these separatist movements. I also note that the current Ukraine Crisis is the perfect moment for a constitutional convention to be called, wherein the political will for a strengthened and more democratic Europe is strong.

Moreover, as I am working on papers for my EU classes, I am also beginning the Model-EU part of the program. During the month of April and the beginning of may, students will have the opportunity to act as heads of European States, European Foreign ministers, European Commissioners, and Journalists. During these months, we will decide what issues we would like to discuss in the legislative setting, before beginning negotiations and attempting to pass bills through the system, all while journalists watch. This morning, we had the opportunity to act as European Commissioners, proposing basic bills on EU refugee policy and energy policy which will be discussed and negotiated in more depth in the coming months. During the negotiations, I will be acting as the Italian Prime Minister, Mario Draghi, and am excited to argue and collaborate with my classmates.

Overall, the last few weeks have been probably the most busy academically and quite exhausting. Although we have a lot going on in our classes, we still have been taking academic trips. This week we went to Nuremburg, where the infamous Nazi Trials were held. Some advice for anyone interested in this program: I have found that the best time to work on anything for this program is while on a Bus, Train, or plane, as I am doing now 🙂

Hi everyone!

I’m writing to you from Brussels, the de-facto capital of Europe, where my group and I are on our first overnight academic trip. Yesterday afternoon, my cohort and I arrived in the city, and will be spending three days in Belgium before heading to Paris for the second part of the trip.

Today, our group had the opportunity to meet officials from the European Commission. The Commission is the executive branch of the EU, which also bears the power to propose legislation- it is an extremely important part of EU governance, and, arguably, the most powerful branch in the organization. Clad in suits and other business attire, our group travelled to the EU district of Brussels early this morning, to an EC conference building. From there, we went through an intense security check, and were guided to a conference room that is used by commissioners for debate and discussion.

I have never felt more like a public official in my life. The room itself was ampitheater style, with long tables. My seat, along with all the others, had a notepad, pen, microphone, and headphones (used for translation) Moreover, the room was surrounded by a series of monitors which displayed footage from cameras which were recording the conference room. Each time someone turned on their microphone and started talking, the camera would pan over to them and film them speaking- so everyone in the room could see them easily.

Moreover, it was very interesting to hear the two EC employees speak. One was a policy specialist who concentrated in EU asylum policy and law. The other employee was essentially a  diplomat, working in an EU partnership with Eastern European countries outside of the EU. These countries include Belarus, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, and, most notably Ukraine. After hearing presentations on EU-Eastern relations and the changes in Refugee policy following the 2015 Syrian diaspora, we had the opportunity to ask questions. Of course, most of us had questions regarding the EU and Ukraine, especially for the diplomat. In particular, I asked the diplomat a question about whether he believes a standing army will be established for the EU. This was an idea floated by French President Emmanuel Macron, and has gained much traction, especially following the invasion of Ukraine. The representative responded that he does believe the standing military is a very real possibility for the EU.  He said it would be a “very big deal”, likely reconfigure the purpose and conceptualization of the EU, making it far closer to a state than a supranational institution. In other words, the Ukraine crisis could be the final step to turning Europe into a country, rather than a union of sovereign nations.  It will take time to see whether the military idea comes to volition, and how monumental such an act would be. However, I feel very fortunate to be studying and immersing myself in the EU when radical change in the political order seems to be on the horizon.

My trip to the European Commission is something that I feel extremely privileged to have done, something I will never forget. Stay tuned for more Updates!

-Andrew

Hallo nochmal! I am writing to you from a Greyhound style bus, where I am currently driving back from an IES day trip. Today, we had the pleasure of being able to go to Strasbourg, which is in Northeastern France. Strasbourg is an important city for the European Union, the home of several  institutions. Most notably, the European Parliament, the only popularly elected legislative body of the EU, holds sessions in the city. Moreover, the European Court of Human Rights holds hearings In Strasbourg- where an extradition case for a U.S. national is currently on the docket.
While in Strasbourg, my cohort and I had a chance to see both the Parliament and the court. We learned that the European Parliament has been designed to look like it is permanently under construction, so as to signify that the EU is a constant work in progress. As for the court, it was very different than what I was expecting. Instead of Greek pillars of marble, I was greeted with a round, very modern, tiered building with vines covering it.
Following an introduction to the institutions, we were let loose to grab lunch. My friends and I decided to go full French and go to a Cafe. On the menus, everything was listed in French, German, and English, which I suppose just goes to show just how international the city truly is. Although I don’t speak French, I have found that in Northeastern France, most people speak German and English, and even sometimes some Spanish. Although I have loved living in Germany so far, I must admit that the steak frites I had at that Brasserie was the best meal I have had in weeks. Brats, beer, and Flammkuchen are alright, but they don’t hold a candle to French Bread, pastries and bistro dishes.
Following lunch, we received a historical tour of the city. Like many other European cities, particularly in France and Germany, the city hosts a massive gothic cathedral in the city center. We learned that the Church is over a thousand years old and was at one time the largest man made structure in the world. Moreover, it has a rather tumultuous history, almost being razed during the French Revolution, and surviving a bombing during the Second World War.
Moreover on the tour, we were reminded of the fact that Strasbourg has switched between France and Germany four times throughout history. The changes between France and Germany are reflected in the architecture of the city. You can tell which buildings are German-made since they are made of Grey sandstone. French buildings, on the other hand, are made of Pink sandstone.
The struggle over the Alsacen region between Germany and France was key reason why European Union institutions were located in Strasbourg. After centuries of War between France and Germany, the location of the EU in Strasbourg represents both nations’ commitment to peace- and the greater commitment to peace by Europe broadly.
Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more about the IES European Union Program!

Hi everyone! I’m back with an update on the Freiburg EU program. Last week was the end of the “Intensive phase” of the Freiburg program. During this period which lasts 1 and a half weeks, students only participate in two courses: The EU integrative seminar, and German. In the seminar, we received both a theoretical and historical background of the EU, before we were tested on some of the core concepts in a Midterm on Tuesday. Following the midterm, the intensive phase ended. For the rest of the week, we only had one day in the classroom, with two periods of German. The rest of the week was filled with activities related to the EU seminar.

Namely, on Wednesday, our program travelled to the city of Selestát in France on a “Franco-German History trip”. During this trip, we travelled to a fort which was used by the Germans during both World War 1 and World War 2. Here, we learned about the advanced technology that the Germans used during the first world war, such as motors to provide electricity to the underground fortress. I found it interesting, although, it was extremely cold in the bunkers, and I started to realize how hungry I was when we took a tour of the fortress kitchen and bakery. Moreover, during the Franco-German trip, we stopped by a castle in the French region which was formerly a part of Germany. Here, we learned that one of the Kaisers of the German Empire attempted to refurbish the castle and essentially turn it into a museum of Revisionist history, to express the glory and power of the German Empire. The trip demonstrated that the history of France and Germany has often been one of conflict and attempts to conquer one another. However, the EU has done much to change that relationship since its formation in the 50s.

Moreover, later in the week, we had a chance to learn about EU agricultural policy in-person by travelling to a farm in the black forest. Here, a local farmer explained to us in German (with a translation from one of our professors) the regulations he faces from the EU on his crops and animals. He also noted the incentives he can receive from the body if he engages in certain activities. We got to see his cows, rabbits, and pigs in person. While the farmer was speaking, the pigs in a pen behind got into some scuffles. While hearing some squealing and clanging into the bars, I had to keep from bursting out laughing a couple times.

That was last week abroad! Stay tuned for more updates!

Hallo! My name is Andrew Casterella and I am studying in Freiburg, Germany for the Spring semester with the European Union program. The first 13 days that I have spent in the country have been jam-packed with information and activities. For our first week in the program, we spent most of our time in an orientation similar to that which we had at Whitman. We went over our academics, travel, transportation, and housing. IES also spent a lot of time introducing us to the city of Freiburg and the Baden-Wurttemburg Region. Last week, for example, we had the privilege of attending a Historical City tour of Freiburg, learning the background of structures around the city.

During the tour, we visited two of the city’s historical gate entrances, clock towers inscribed with images of medieval saints, and characters from folk tales. When the City of Freiburg was first built in the Medieval era, it was surrounded by walls to protect the city from invaders. Although the wall itself no longer exists, the Freiburgers have preserved the historical entrances into the city, one example of many beautiful pieces of architecture in Freiburg.

In the center of the city, we also visited the Münsterplatz, a city square which is the location of the largest Cathedral in Freiburg- the Munster. The Church is an incredibly imposing sight, with an incredibly complex Gothic Tower that is the highest point in the city. The Church itself began construction in roughly 1200 and took over 500 years to build. It is the founding site of the City of Freiburg. It is constructed with beautiful red stone and is surrounded with gargoyles and statues of saints, as well as a massive clock on the tower.

In the Platz (surrounding square). There is a Bauernmarkt (farmers market) with stands every day apart from Sunday. Here, you can get the Freiburger Lange Rote at one of several stands, a local sausage like bratwurst which is served in a baguette with onions. I have to stop myself from walking there every day at lunch to get the Lange Rote. Moreover, you can buy Schwarzwaldschink– genuine black forest ham which is brought in from the famous woods. It is probably the best ham I ham I have ever had in my life, tasting like a mix between smoked salmon and prosciutto. Moreover, you can buy chesses and wine from Neighboring Switzerland and France.

Overall, Freiburg is a beautiful and historically rich city with many pieces of culture to offer. I am incredibly excited to be studying here and  More info will follow!

-Andrew

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