ESU Students Eager to Attend Eurosim in Belgium

Nine East Stroudsburg University students will spend part of their winter break moonlighting as government leaders, industry representatives, environmentalists and other key figures during the 38^th annual International European Union Simulation from January 2-5 at the University of Antwerp in Belgium.

The International European Union Simulation, also known as Eurosim, tasks students with tackling real-life policy issues affecting the European Union (EU) and its 27 member states.

Assuming roles that mimic the EU’s makeup, students simulate the decision-making process in the same way the EU would, allowing them to gain first-hand knowledge of international law, diplomacy, and negotiations while gaining experience in public speaking and cross-cultural understanding. The simulation is held over four days, with the venue alternating each year between the U.S. and Europe.

This year, participants will debate an actual proposal being considered by the EU that would regulate the use of microplastics. After days of intensive meetings, presentations and discussions that run from early morning to late evening, the group will take a final vote on whether to pass or deny the proposal.

A diverse mix of majors and class years, the students attending Eurosim are sophomores Michelle Phoenix, marketing; Delaney Ridgell, political science; and Grace Scott, history; juniors Kevin Fisher, mathematics; Taiba Sultana, political science; and Jason Zavala, political science; and seniors Grace Farley, political science; Zaniya Grissom, political science; and Swornim Shrestha, political science and psychology.

For many of them, the benefits of Eurosim and excitement of visiting a country rich in history like Belgium made for an opportunity that was too good to pass up.

“It’s such a cool and immersive experience that we don’t get to do every day in the classroom,” said Shrestha.

Farley, who attended Eurosim in Newport, Wales, in 2023, is eager to once again travel abroad as she pursues a concentration in international relations.

“This has given me the push to be confident in exploring other countries,” she said.

Fischer said he wants to pursue a career in law and saw Eurosim as an opportunity to broaden his skillset for future employers.

“Having a better understanding of one of the largest economies in the world is an asset in our ever-globalized legal career field,” Fisher said.

Zavala, who will act as prime minister of Hungary during the simulation, will be participate in Eurosim for the second time after attending in April 2024 at State University of New York Brockport. He said he appreciates the realism associated with the event.

“It’s a very accurate simulation of how the EU functions and a really good collaborative effort for every student involved,” he said.

Johan Eliasson, Ph.D., professor of political science, organizes ESU’s participation in Eurosim and has been preparing students for Belgium since the start of the fall semester by having them familiarize themselves with legislative issues, write proposals and study strategy. That includes reading up on their “alter ego” – the political figure they are representing, he added.

“They must know their background, their party, and their political ideology so they can know their motivations and represent their interests,” he said.

Dr. Eliasson has led student trips to Eurosim for nearly 25 of the 38 years of its existence. East Stroudsburg University has participated since 2006 and hosted the simulation in 2013, welcoming 200 students and faculty to campus.

As such, a strong structure is in place to ensure students get the most out of the experience, Dr. Eliasson said.

“The more serious they take it, the more they get from it,” he said.

Eliasson noted the benefits of attending Eurosim is not just limited to political science majors.

“You will learn to write, to negotiate, to speak publicly, and those skills are transferable to almost any major,” he said.

Visit ESU’s International European Union Simulation webpage to learn more about the program.

Search

Recent Posts