Final say- Looking back on EUP

One might think they know what it is all about when talking about Europe or more specifically the European Union. But what is behind the Euro and the easiness to travel without boarder control?
Most people's knowledge about this supranational body stops right there. If individuals are not directly affected by the EU’s doing, it seems that they are not being interested further. Most people do not realize that the milk farmer are protesting against EU legislation which needs to prevent over supply and so further secure economies of third world countries. In addition, some people do not understand the value of an Union which consists by now of 27 culturally different countries, which all exist under EU regulations which is already a challenge for itself .

The minor of European Policies Studies will give you an insight of all the background and further will explain the main issues regarding policies as well as historically and presently.
It will give you the understanding on what the EU is based on and how it has been developed. You will learn that there are so much legislation that it might make you wonder how the EU is actually handling everything. Further, you will visualize your own opinion about certain aspects. The European Union is being praised for a lot of things as well as criticized for even more. Most students which take the minor seriously, will argue with you even outside the classroom. Fortunately, you are able to write down some of your arguments about one certain topic in an individual paper.

The most interesting experience you will have in the semester is a trip to a lot of EU institutions which are located not only in Brussels, but rather in Strasbourg and also in Luxembourg. This year the students were able to see the European Council, the Parliament and the European Court of Human rights , next to the European Investment Bank and several other institutions. We were listed to people given us an insight of their work or of the institution they work at as well as we were able to follow some of the ongoing sessions the students were so impressed that you could listen to their wish to work in Brussels on one point in their life.

I personally have gained much more knowledge about the Union we live in and personally feel a little embarrassed not to have know a little more about it before this minor. It opened my mind for thinking across the borders, as well as how the EU is seen outside its territory.
The only discord I am facing in this minor is the ignorance of some of the students. Just imagine that the EU has about 50,000 people working on the same goal: unity and growth.
But when you ask a class from about 35 students to do exactly that, you might be getting disappointed.