Mobility specification

Country:Belgium

Institution:Stále zastúpenie SR pri EÚ Brusel

City:Brussels

Program:Erasmus+ traineeship

Activity type:Traineeship

Academic year:2024/2025

MU faculty/department:Faculty of Social Studies / Department of International Relations and European Studies

Study level abroad:Master

✅Check the boxes

How would you categorize your internship?Humanities

💼How-to: Interning abroad

How did you discover this internship opportunity?External website
Recommendation from acquaintances

External website - which one?https://mzv.sk/web/szbrusel-en

Can you describe the role you held during your internship?Trainee in the EU's environment and energy policy department.

What specific responsibilities and tasks did you do during your internship?- Key policy assignments for a trainee within the selected area (Environment and Energy Policy of the European Union)
- Regular participation in the meetings of the Council working parties and subsequently reporting from them
- Additional assignments based on specific needs, including other relevant areas of EU policy-making
- Preparation of background & other dossiers for meetings (working party, ministerial level, informal or like-minded groups)
- EU policy analysis
- Assignments in public diplomacy and communication

Did your tasks align with the pre-defined conditions?yes

Did the internship meet your expectations?yes

How well did you manage to communicate in a foreign language?perfectly

Did the institution have any special requirements?Level of study

Why would you recommend students do an internship?It's a chance to meet new people and experience situations you'll remember for the rest of your life :)

💰And how to fund it?

What were your average monthly expenses during the internship?28000 CZK/month

Did the institution provide accommodation?no

If not, how did you find it?I was contacted by friends who were in Brussels before me.

Did you have any unexpected expenses during the internship?no

Do you have any tips on how to save money during the internship?Use of the canteen at the European Council (Justus Lipsius building).

🗺 Learn the ropes in a new city

How difficult was it for you to adjust to life abroad?no problem at all

How well did you manage to communicate in English?perfectly

How does public transport work in the city?runs like clockwork

And what about transport outside the city?mostly fine

Where to find connections? How to buy a ticket?https://www.stib-mivb.be/buy/all-your-journeys-with-mobib

Did you deal with any health issues during your stay?no

🤠Help create the perfect bucket list

What is a must-see in the city?Atomium, European House of History

What are the must-visit trip destinations?Luxembourg and Bruges

Share your best experience:The European Summit, where I saw the Prime Ministers of the entire EU27 and the Gulf Heads of State in 1 place.

💅A nugget of wisdom to make the life easier

Did you need to handle a visa?no

How did you get to the place?Plane

Is there anything to watch out for before the trip?It's a good idea to buy your ticket from the airport to the city in advance so you don't have to wait in an unnecessarily long queue. And also watch out for the kilos in your luggage :(

Can you pay by card?everywhere

What not to forget when packing?I would definitely pack Slovak and Czech sweets :)

🥳Summary

Whew, what a ride! 😮‍💨 Thanks so much for taking the time to complete our survey and for sharing your unique experience. Just one last thing. 🙏 How would you summarize your trip in one or two sentences?Job opportunities should be taken, even if you think you're not qualified enough for them :) Go for it!