Discover Bruges Second Semester Study Trips Destinations 2025-2026

The Bruges second semester study trips of the academic year 2025-26 have been announced.

ECO / FRANKFURT & LUXEMBOURG 26-28 January 2026 The ECO study trip to Frankfurt and Luxembourg offers students a focused immersion into the institutions at the core of European economic, monetary and financial governance. Over three days, participants engage directly with EU institutions, supervisory authorities and financial market actors, gaining practical insight into the functioning of Economic and Monetary Union. The programme includes visits to the European Central Bank, with lectures on the economic outlook, ECB monetary policy, the digital euro, the international role of the euro and sanctions policy, as well as career opportunities. Students also visit the Frankfurt Stock Exchange for a session on exchange-traded funds and a self-guided tour of the trading floor and interactive museum, and the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority, where discussions focus on insurance supervision, the European pension gap and EU-level policy responses. In Luxembourg, students meet with European Commission DG ECFIN to discuss the Recovery and Resilience Facility, macro-financial assistance and EU economic governance, followed by visits to the European Stability Mechanism and the European Court of Auditors. Through expert lectures, interactive discussions and exchanges with practitioners and alumni, the study trip provides applied insight into European economic policymaking, financial stability and professional pathways in EU institutions.

IRD / GENEVA 9-12 March 2026 The IRD study trip to Geneva offers students a unique immersion into the heart of multilateral diplomacy. Over five days, participants engage directly with key international organisations, EU institutions and global policy actors based in International Geneva. The programme includes visits to the EU Mission to the WTO and the EU Delegation to the UN, the United Nations Office at Geneva, the World Trade Organization, DiploFoundation and the World Meteorological Organization. Students also explore the work of the OHCHR, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Geneva Centre for Security Policy and the World Health Organization. Through high-level lectures, expert briefings and discussions with practitioners and alumni of the College of Europe, the study trip provides in-depth insight into global governance, trade, human rights, security, health and digital policy-making in practice.

LAW / BRUSSELS & LUXEMBOURG 2-4 February 2026 The LAW study trip offered students an immersive experience in the heart of European law and governance. Participants engaged directly with a wide range of EU institutions, including the European Commission—specifically the Directorate-Generals covering environment, digital policy, health, trade, justice, and competition—and key legal services within the Council of the EU, European Parliament, and the EEAS. In Luxembourg, students explored the workings of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), the EFTA Court, and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), attending hearings, guided tours, and meetings with judges and advocates-general to understand judicial processes and multilingual legal practice. They also visited the European Stability Mechanism and the European Court of Auditors, gaining insight into financial oversight and institutional accountability. Through presentations, discussions, and the networking event with College alumni, the study trip provided students with practical insight into European legal, financial, and institutional frameworks, combining academic learning with professional exposure.

MATA / BRUSSELS 26-27 March 2026 Each year, MATA students based in Europe (Bruges and Natolin) visit transatlantic stakeholders in an annual study trip to Brussels. For the third year in a row, the MATA study trip took place back-to-back with a visit at the NATO Headquarters, where students also followed the course of prof. Benedetta BERTI on-site. The programme includes visits to the Canadian Mission to the EU, the Microsoft Innovation Hub in Brussels, the Council of the European Union (COTRA), DG TRADE, the European External Action Service (US & Canada Division) and the US Mission to the EU. Through discussions with practitioners and alumni of the College of Europe, the study trip provides in-depth insight into the diplomatic, trade and security aspect of the transatlantic partnership.

POL / LUXEMBOURG & STRASBOURG 9-12 February 2026 The Department of Political and Governance Studies annual study trip brings students face-to-face with key European institutions and political actors in Luxembourg and Strasbourg. Across four days, participants gain firsthand insight into EU lawmaking, judicial review, economic governance and transnational decision-making embedded in European politics. The programme begins with visits to the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Investment Bank in Luxembourg before continuing in Strasbourg, where students engage with Members of the European Parliament in the European Parliament hemicycle, participate in roundtable discussions, and attend expert sessions at the Collectivité Européenne d’Alsace. Optional institutional visits to the European Court of Human Rights, the Council of Europe and the European Ombudsman deepen students’ understanding of European political structures and rights frameworks. Cultural activities such as a city boat tour, wine cellar visit or a reflection with local authorities complement the academic agenda. The trip concludes with a departmental dinner and a return journey to Bruges. Structured to combine lectures, interactive discussions and site visits, the study trip offers practical exposure to policymaking, judicial processes and regional governance, enriching students’ academic knowledge with lived institutional experience and professional networking opportunities.