Mobility specification

Country:Belgium

Institution:Stálé zastoupení ČR při EU

City:Brussels

Program:Erasmus+ traineeship

Activity type:Traineeship

Academic year:2025/2026

MU faculty/department:Faculty of Law / Department of International and European Law

Study level abroad:Master

✅Check the boxes

How would you categorize your internship?Humanities
Law
Economics and Administration

💼How-to: Interning abroad

How did you discover this internship opportunity?Other

Other - please specify:Instagram NW of the Czech Republic to the EU

Can you describe the role you held during your internship?Trainee in the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) department.

What specific responsibilities and tasks did you do during your internship?Regular participation in the meetings of the EU Council working groups COPEN (judicial cooperation in criminal matters), FRONTIERS (external borders), IMEX (migration policy) and COELA (EU enlargement).
Participation in EU Council Presidency seminars and preparation of minutes and summaries for the internal needs of the Permanent Representation.
Monitoring the activities of the European Parliament, in particular the meetings of the LIBE Committee and plenary sessions on the Migration Pact.
Monitoring preparations for the JHA Council through participation in COREPER II meetings.

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

Did the internship meet your expectations?yes

Did you apply any theory you learned at university during the internship?yes

How well did you manage to communicate in a foreign language?almost no difficulties

Did the institution have any special requirements?Specific language skills
Level of study

Do you have tips on how to make a great impression on the institution?It is important to have a strong interest in the home affairs and justice agenda, a good orientation in the current developments in the EU (e.g. the migration pact) and the ability to analytically process information from meetings.

How competitive was the selection process? Did you have to go through an application procedure?The competition was quite high, the selection process took place in the form of an interview with the heads of department.

Why would you recommend students do an internship?The internship offers a unique opportunity to be directly involved in the negotiation of key European legislation, work in an international environment and develop negotiation and analytical skills that are invaluable in legal practice.

💰And how to fund it?

What were your average monthly expenses during the internship?17000 CZK/month

Did the institution provide accommodation?no

If not, how did you find it?Through friends or real estate servers

Did you have any unexpected expenses during the internship?no

Do you have any tips on how to save money during the internship?Quite cheap shops (Colruyt), the possibility to eat in the Council of the EU canteen for relatively low prices (compared to the surrounding institutions).

🗺 Learn the ropes in a new city

How difficult was it for you to adjust to life abroad?no big deal

How well did you manage to communicate in English?almost without problems

How does public transport work in the city?mostly fine

And what about transport outside the city?mostly fine

Where to find connections? How to buy a ticket?I personally used Google Maps or CityMapper to find connections. For transport, the student ticket for Brussels public transport is good for 12 €/year, but you have to be careful whether the line is within Brussels or Walloon/Flemish public transport.

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?The European Quarter and the Parlamentarium: as a trainee monitoring the LIBE Committee and the plenary sessions, I certainly did not miss the interactive museum Parlamentarium or the House of European History. It's a great way to see EU history from a different angle.
Grand Place: a historic square that is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. The evening illumination of the guild houses is unforgettable.
The Museum of Culture on the Cinquantanaire - Brussels Louvre
MiniEuropa and the Atomium - an experience for tech lovers

What are the must-visit trip destinations?Bruges: the "Venice of the North". A medieval city with canals, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. An absolute must for every trainee in Belgium.
Ghent: A lively student city that combines history with modern culture. It's less touristy than Bruges, but all the more authentic.
Antwerp: The city of fashion, diamonds and amazing architecture (including one of the most beautiful train stations in the world).
Dinant: a picturesque town in the Meuse Valley in the Ardennes, dominated by a citadel and a church with an onion-shaped tower.
Louvain: University town with a beautiful library

Share your best experience:Wandering through the autumn nature around Dinant.

💅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?If you are not flying to Brussels Zaventem ("city airport"), but to the charter Brussels Charleroi (Ryanair's base in Belgium), then you have to take the shuttle to the city centre, which takes about an hour and a half.

Can you pay by card?in most places

What not to forget when packing?Umbrella - Brussels is known for its unpredictable weather.

🥳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?Brussels was top: from EU law textbooks straight to negotiating the migration pact in the Council. A great school of diplomacy and legislation!