Thinking Europe: A Canadian academic immersion inside the European institutions-EU study tour and internship programme

Abstract

The Canadian EU Study Tour and Internship Programme, now in its tenth year, provides innovative opportunities for students to reinforce their academic knowledge about the European Union and related institutions with practical immersion and hands-on experience. This experience is available not only to students in European Studies but also in a variety of other disciplines: political science, international relations, economics, business and social sciences. Through its seminars and presentations, the Study Tour programme offers multidisciplinary approaches. Participants have “face to face” contact and dialogue with presenters and seminar leaders from the ranks of those actively involved in the day-to-day work of the European institutions. Following the Study Tour, a majority of the students are offered substantial internship opportunities in the EU and related institutions; the Study Tour is an intrinsic part of the preparation for assuming an internship. This chapter is directed to those interested in the practical aspects of the organization and operation of an academic study tour in an “institutional” milieu. As well, we describe the teaching and learning experience which characterizes the Study Tour and Internship Programme, describe the activities, explain the methodology and, in a discursive way, describe its success and problems as a learning activity directed to advance knowledge and understanding of the EU. Further, we review the selection, assessment and participation criteria applied to students in each of the components that make up the study tour and internship activities as well as comment on the effectiveness of evaluation and assessment of the tour and internship activities. Additionally, we explore problems of programme development, affordability and accessibility associated with participation, the role of academic recognition (credit) and internship conditions.