Brussels, Belgium: More than Waffles, Frites, and Chocolates

by Sarah Bahn My first Belgian Waffle with whipped cream and Speculoos From June 17th 2013 through June 20th 2013, I was fortunate enough to be able to participate in the European Center of Excellence’s Brussels Study Program. This program was organized by the UNC EU Center and I was able to participate through a travel grant I applied to and received from the University of Illinois European Union Center. Before our journey into the European Union’s headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, all other...

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The Fate and Frites of Europe: A Saucy Study in Brussels

A plate of moules frites Chez Lyon. by Nicholas Wood In April, I applied to the University of Illinois European Union Center to participate in the Brussels Summer Program, organized by the UNC EU Center on behalf of the EU Center of Excellence Network. Soon after, I was selected out of many applicants for a travel grant in June to attend meetings and discussions proffered by representatives of the European Union on topics of international cooperation; issues facing the Euro, environment,...

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Visiting Store Norske

Today, we started the day with sharing our observations, analyses and interpretations of the built environment of Longyearbyen. Most project groups compared Pyramiden and Longyearbyen, stressing differences such as the fact that Pyramiden is a carefully planned city, while Longyearbyen is more a result of the shifting main locations of Store Norske's mining operations. Other differences are the choices of building materials. Students had also interviewed cruise ship tourists about their...

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Exploring Longyearbyen

After one of the most terrifying boat rides of our lives, hot showers, and a good night of rest, we finally awoke in the comfort of Spitsbergen’s guesthouse. As we reluctantly left our warm, rock-less beds, we gathered with our groups to explore the town. Now that we are back in Longyearbyen we started the day by looking at the built environment in some areas. We focused on buildings similar to the ones that we observed in Pyramiden last week. The weather was cloudy but not cold. The little town...

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Illinois Farm Bureau Members Tour EU Farms

Participants of the IFB EU Animal Care Study Tour pose on a UK crop/livestock farm. Members of the Illinois Farm Bureau recently toured farms and met with agriculture industry officials in the European Union during the EU Animal Care Study Tour. The tour was designed to give Illinois livestock producers more insight into how animals are raised in the EU. The EU this year implemented a ban on the use of gestation stalls in the swine industry. Producers there also face strict regulations...

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