Year 13 Economics and Politics Trip to Brussels

Between 31st January and 2nd February, 26 Year 13 A-Level Economics and Politics students enjoyed a trip to the heart of the EU political and economic system, the Belgian capital of Brussels. The trip started out with a visit to 'Concept Chocolate' where students learned about the structure of the business and production from cocoa bean to praline, which we were also lucky to be able to try! The trip continued with talks at various EU institutions such the European External Access Service and the European Committee of the Regions where students learned about the political structure of the EU and its current economic policies and priorities. Although a visit to the EU Parliament and Parlamentarium was curtailed due to protests from European farming unions, students did get to see this direct political protest up close and heard from local people concerning their opinions of hundreds of tractors blocking the roads of Brussels' European Quarter. The evenings of the trip were spent in enjoyment of the city, from bowling to touristing to consuming high quality hot chocolate!