Mid-Programme gathering in Brussels

The Executive Master's inaugural year wrapped up in style with a packed and energising weekend workshop in the heart of Europe: Brussels.

The programme kicked off on Friday with a walk through the European quarter with political scientist Manuel Schmitz, blending institutional know-how with architectural storytelling. Executive alumnus and EPRS policy analyst Philipp Jauernik then welcomed the group inside the European Parliament for a behind-the-scenes look at everyday parliamentary life - rounded off by Albrecht John, who shared his own remarkable career journey from Parliament visitor service to Commission communications officer. The afternoon moved to the Fondation Universitaire, where students got a preview of Year 2 and dove into EU Project Management - choosing between Gyöngyvér Gyene's module on Strategic Planning and Evaluation of EU Development Programmes or Emre Gür's Project Cycle Management and Logical Framework Approach.

Day two plunged students into the deep end of European diplomacy: a European Council simulation with Klaus Schneider and Jesper Lüttgens from our long-term partner Planpolitik. The stakes were high - EU Enlargement, Defence Strategy, institutional reform - and the group rose to the challenge, reaching agreement across the board. The evening brought a well-deserved dinner with former CIFE alumni based in Brussels, full of stories from life in and around the institutions.

Sunday wrapped things up with presentations of the advanced courses in EU Law, Politics and Economics by Ralf Kanitz, Thomas Traguth and Veronika Czina. The weekend was punctuated by great food, lively breaks - and yes, some World Cup football. Our sympathies to Belgium. But rest assured: the Union remains well represented.

A heartfelt thank you to every expert, partner and student who made this happen. See you in Vienna in October!