Experiencing the EU: theory and practice
They say it’s better to see something once than to hear about it a hundred times. So here I am, standing in front of Schuman's memorial next to the Berlaymont building in Brussels, thinking about Europe, the history of its integration and the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize, awarded to the European Union for contributing to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights for over six decades - something that the founding fathers of the EU could only have dreamt of.
As a student of International Relations and Diplomacy, the opportunity to visit the EU institutions was unprecedented. By seeing how they conduct their daily activities, we were able to get first-hand information on the EU, its procedures and the visions of official staff on my country’s relations with the EU. The study trip was organised with EU assistance in the framework of the Diplomatic School of Armenia. Founded in 2010 with the generous support of the EU, the Diplomatic School of Armenia is a real success story of cooperation and collaboration between the EU and Armenia. The EU-funded project “Support to Capacity and Institution Building of the Diplomatic School of Armenia” aims at the reinforcement of Armenian diplomatic personnel, providing young Armenian diplomats with an understanding of European values in international relations and foreign policy dialogue.
The moment I decided to apply to this fantastic institution, I could not even imagine the journey that awaited me. Not only did I have the chance to enjoy lectures from the world’s leading professors, but I also had the chance to apply my theoretical knowledge on the EU and its institutions in practice. Moreover, many graduates have the opportunity to pursue internships in international organisations based in Brussels, Strasbourg, Vienna and Geneva. By assisting the Diplomatic School of Armenia in developing its academic program, the EU provided students with the opportunity to attend lectures, delivered not only by academics, but also diplomats.
It is my opinion that theory and practice should go hand in hand, if it is to have a positive effect on the quality of one's education. From this perspective, the practical experience of my professors, accompanied by theoretical study, helped me develop a strong educational background in the field of International Relations as well as practical skills in intercultural communication and negotiations. After my study trip to the EU institutions, I finally realised that Europe, having transformed itself from an arena of war into a cradle of peace and stability, has a lot to offer its neighbours to build strong democracies. I am one of the beneficiaries of European Neighbourhood Policy and I am grateful for the high-quality education I have obtained as a result of EU assistance.
Ani Khachatryan
25 years old, Armenia