From 17 to 21 March, six UWC Adriatic students joined peers from four other international schools – including UWC Maastricht and UWC Robert Bosch College – for the final gathering of the Jean Monnet ERASMUS+ project. Accompanied by Education Projects Manager Maria Chiara Billi, Global Politics teacher Alice Rustico and History teacher Joni Makivirta, the group embarked on a rich learning experience focused on European politics and policymaking.
The programme began at UWC Maastricht where participants took part in a series of workshops exploring the EU’s external action in times of crisis. These interactive sessions addressed key issues such as migration and populism, democratic elections, labour rights, sustainable trade, and the challenges of human rights protection. The workshops encouraged critical thinking and collaboration, offering students the chance to engage directly with complex policy debates and role-play scenarios modelled on real-world crises, such as the European energy crisis.
Students also engaged in a Model United Nations debate on climate change-induced migration before they visited several significant institutions in Brussels, including the European Parliament and the House of European History. A standout moment was the guided visit to NATO headquarters, where students had the chance to exchange ideas with representatives and better understand the organisation’s evolving role in global security.
Reflecting on the experience, Tara (The Netherlands) shared:
“This incredible opportunity enabled us to turn our ambitions into action and gain a deeper understanding of the core of international politics.”
Maria Chiara Billi added:
“These initiatives are a powerful example of experiential learning in action. Through dialogue, simulation, and first-hand engagement, our students not only deepen their understanding of European institutions, but also cultivate the intercultural sensitivity and critical thinking that define a UWC education.”
The students who took part were Arsenii (Russia), Tara (The Netherlands), Marita (Lebanon), Gaia (Italy), Martin (Germany), and Lina (Germany).
