Steven J. Green
School of International
& Public Affairs

Teachers' testimonials on the summer 2011 Euro Challenge Trip to Brussels

Felix Varela Senior High School

Daniel Vinat

Felix Varela Senior High School
Teacher, Social Studies Department

The Euro Challenge Teacher's trip t Brussels was an amazing experience. Throughout the trip we had the opportunity to hear from experts on issues ranging for the structure and function of the EU, to current legislation on the table, the current economic situation to US/EU relations. Had had the pleasure of visiting the EU External Action Service, the Council of the European Union, the European Commission, The US Mission to the EU and the EU Parliament. Through the many informative meetings throughout the trip, I gained valuable resources to share with my Euro Challenge Team. I have gain a new and better perspective on the EU, its workings and its future. It was great o hear from those working in the EU on the current economic crisis, the recovery and recent activity in Greece, Italy, Spain, Ireland and Portugal. It was a very timely trip as the EU was making hard decision on the Greek economic situation. I was able to bring back posters, magazines, pamphlets and other print materials to use in the classroom and with my team, with current information and in depth analysis on issues. It was also nice to meet 18 teachers from around the country. When teachers come together there is always talk about best practices and issues related to education. We also had an opportunity to share our Europe Challenge experiences, having novice and veteran team sponsors. It was also nice to be able to take in some of the sites of Brussels, a very international city.

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Hialeah Garden High School

Nancy Abay

Hialeah Garden High School
Teacher, Social Studies Department

The Euro Challenge Teacher’s Study Trip was fascinating and informative. One of the most important aspects of the trip was talking to experts within the EU. We had various lectures from the multiple government agencies of the EU and they were very welcoming in allowing our questions. They were supportive in our quest for understanding the EU and imparting that information for when we return to our classrooms in the fall. The information I gained I not only can share with my Euro Challenge participants, but also with the other classes I teach like Economics and Government.

The current economic crisis and the challenges the EU faces dealing with 27 member countries and 17 countries that use the euro is better understood when you get to hear from experts that work daily within the EU. You realize the significance of the relationship, not only the peace set forth and economic cooperation among member states but also EU –US relations. The visit to the US Mission to the EU expressed the importance of the trade and investment relationship between the two countries and the political and economic challenges each face in the perceptions that they have with one another. It was invaluable getting to hear the European point of view and be able to see how they view themselves and their interdependence on the success of the euro and within the global economic community. The External Action Service provided talks on transatlantic relations, human rights, humanitarian law, internal market, energy, climate change and other various topics. We visited the European Commission Directorate for Education and Culture that provided insight on education policies of the EU. We visited the European Commission Directorate General for Economic and Financial Affairs that explained economic policies and challenges the ECB and banking institutions of Europe face going forward. In fact we were In Brussels the same week that the bank stress tests results were to be released and we were able to discuss with economists the possible results and actions that would take place.

I thank the agencies of the EU especially the EU delegation in Washington that arranged this teacher’s study group to Brussels. Thanks also to our representative from the EU Delegation, Stacy Hope, who acted as our liaison and guide with the different EU agencies in Brussels. I met wonderful and knowledgeable teachers from around the US on this trip. We were able to obtain free resources produced by the EU to use in the classroom as we teach our students about the European Union and take on the challenge of competing in the Euro Challenge. It was a wonderful experience all around.

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International Studies Charter High School

Raphaelle Caneele

International Studies Charter High School
Teacher of Economics and Social Sciences

The main purpose of this study tour was to discover "the headquarters of the European Union" and to share this experience with other American teachers participating in the Euro Challenge.

More than half of the professors that were present in Brussels were American and participated various ideological exchanges. Our cultures and our approaches are as different. It was very interesting to talk to a Professor of political science from New York or an Economics professor from another American city on the complexities of the competition when living in Brussels.

During the three days of this mission, we met with many experts including many economists who explained to us the stimulus plan and the design of the financial stability fund established last year.

We had the opportunity to be in the heart of the decision centers: the offices of the European Council, the European Parliament and the headquarters of the European Commission. We were also welcomed at the Embassy of the United States to the European Union. This has a very important dimension in that it is the center of cooperation between the EU and the United States.

In addition, we witnessed on July 12 the launch plan to rescue Greece. The biggest "discovery" or "rediscovery" of this trip was to go beyond economic indicators and figures recalling the ideology that unites European countries. In three days in Brussels, an international city where all people meet, I felt European and the whole group became Europhile!

What was the most significant moment of this journey in Brussels was the testimony of one of the economists encountered was the most touching passage of this stay. This lady noted her story, stressing that without European integration, it would have been very different. Of Portuguese nationality, she had fled the dictatorship of Salazar. Today she officiates in Brussels, one of his daughters studied in Paris and the other works in London. It is this human dimension that I wish to convey to my students. And I keep these three days of intense images of a beautiful and enchanting vibrating European time, it was a wonderful gift.