WARUM INS AUSLAND? WEIL…

• du ganz nebenbei deine Fremdsprache verbesserst.
• du neue Seiten und Stärken bei dir entdecken wirst.
• du neue Kulturen und neue Städte kennenlernst.
• du an Herausforderungen wachsen wirst.
• du Spaß haben wirst.

Visiting the European Parliament

The Journey Begins

Early in the morning, the students of the Glasfachschule NRW set off on their trip to Brussels, the capital of Belgium and home to the European Parliament.

The Trip: Rheinbach to Brussels

The journey took place in a comfortable coach, offering a calm and relaxing ride. The bus wound its way through the gently rolling hills of the Rhineland, passing Cologne before crossing the border into Belgium.

Arrival in Brussels

We arrived in Brussels around 10 a.m. The city greeted us with its characteristic blend of historic buildings and modern office complexes. The bus stopped near the European Parliament complex, and we continued on foot toward the parliament building.

Visiting the European Parliament

The European Parliament is an impressive structure, both architecturally and symbolically. After a security check and ID verification at 10:30 a.m., our visit began with a brief introduction to the history of the European Union and how the Parliament functions. We learned how the Parliament, as an EU institution, brings together directly elected representatives from member states to pass laws that affect millions of citizens across Europe.

The plenary chamber stood out as particularly striking, defined by its modern architecture and advanced technological setup. The vast room felt almost like a theatre, with its blend of large domes and state-of-the-art media stations. This is where significant political debates take place and laws are enacted, with an impact that extends far beyond Belgium’s borders. The highlight of the visit was a discussion with vice-president Sabine Verheyen, who gave the students a deeper understanding of how politics shapes the entire EU. Between 11 a.m. and noon, the CDU politician spoke about her work in the Parliament and answered questions the students had prepared in advance. Ms. Verheyen humorously described herself as “a black figure with red stripes and green dots,” a metaphor for her position and perspective bridging different parties. She touched on topics like her efforts in digitalization, youth integration, and smaller issues, such as why she chose to join the CDU. Shortly after the Q&A, Ms. Verheyen joined us for a group photo, providing a memorable conclusion to the visit.

Free Time in Brussels

After the Parliament visit, we had the rest of the day to ourselves. The group split into smaller ones, allowing everyone to explore Brussels at their own pace. With so many options to choose from, some students opted to simply wander and soak in the atmosphere. Others visited museums, while a few made it their mission to sample Belgian specialties. Some strolled around, marvelling at the architectural diversity and the surrounding parks and gardens. Despite initial concerns that the day might feel too long, everyone found something to enjoy and left satisfied as we prepared to head home.

Return to Rheinbach

At around 4:20 p.m., we gathered near the bus and soon began our journey back to Rheinbach. Traffic in Brussels was heavier than on the way in, but the cheerful mood in the group made the time fly by. During the ride home, we swapped stories and shared our experiences from the day in the city. We arrived back in Rheinbach around 7:30 p.m., tired but brimming with fresh impressions of Europe’s capital and the political heart of the Union. The trip was an insightful exploration of European institutions and how they operate. Visiting the European Parliament deepened our understanding of European politics and highlighted the importance of collaboration between nations. Brussels proved to be a city rich in both political significance and cultural offerings—a place the students of the Glasfachschule NRW would surely love to revisit.

Foto: © Europäisches Parlament 2025

Text: Tim Karanatsios und Amrei Lingscheidt