Thursday, January 22, 2009

A Briefing on Brussels

It's time for another semester. I recently came back from Brussels, Belgium where I spent four days meeting with different European Union dignitaries to learn first hand about the EU and especially Agriculture Policy. The EU's equivalent to the Farm Bill in the US is the Common Agriculture Policy, which is an area of public debate, much like the US Farm Bill. I wish I could have stayed longer and met with more people associated with the EU but in all it was a great experience. 

I went with six students from the Truman School of Public Affairs at MU, as well as an undergrad and grad student, both majoring in Ag Econ. It was a great way for me to see some possible career paths that would allow me to be involved in international agriculture development. It is experiences like these that give me clear examples and open many other doors so that I can pursue a career in international agriculture. I am starting to understand the unlimited possibilities, which just three years ago I knew nothing about but was sure I could find something. 

I especially enjoyed that one grad student was from Kosovo and another was from Spain. It was always interesting hearing their perspectives and the questions they asked about the EU because they came from such different stances that most of us. We found out while in Brussels that most Europeans don't really understand the EU. While it is very complicated and even professors don't feel they thoroughly understand the EU, our group is now among a small percentage of people who have a good understanding of the EU, especially the Common Agriculture Policy! (Most of our lectures were on this topic so we were able to learn about it from different positions within the EU, now know more than I ever expected and sadly can say that I know Europe's agriculture policy better than the US's). 

In conjunction with the trip I am taking a class with Dr. Willi Meyers on EU Enlargement, which is a great way to help me make sense of everything I saw and heard as well as add to the experience. I love learning by doing and having buildings, faces and speakers abroad help me make the connection with what I am reading in a book and the people and places affected. 

One of the best parts of the trip was staying with MU grads Joe and Kelly Stange. Kelly graduated with a masters in Ag Econ and Joe has a degree from the School of Journalism. Both were great examples of working internationally. Joe has recently written a book on the 80 best beers in Brussels and Kelly is working at the U.S. Mission in Brussels. Our group visited the U.S. Mission where Kelly works and Joe led us on a tour of the only Lambic brewery left in Brussels. Some of my best memories in Brussels was coming in after a long day and getting to try a new and unique beer from Joe's cellar and then play Rock Band! It was a little bit of Brussels and a little bit of home but a great mix of the two. I always find it interesting how big of a role beer can play in a culture, especially when there is a large variety that is high quality. It also surprised me how many Irish Pubs were near the EU Commission, it was kind of funny watching people drink Guinness in Brussels. 

I am away from my notebook right now, but home to be able to share more about those that spoke with us and what things stood out. I am assigned to write a page for each place we visited, including what I found interesting, what I didn't understand or have questions about and my comments or thoughts. I will hopefully publish those here and in the mean time I can't wait to meet with the other grad students and talk about the trip- we had a great group of students and it will be good to see everyone again.