45 total contact hours – Brussels and Belgium are renowned worldwide for their European institutions and exceptional culinary delights. Among the notable contributions originating from Belgium are:

• Belgian fries (often mistakenly called French fries) with a wide variety of accompanying sauces.
• Beer, particularly the Abbey beer crafted by Trappist monks.
• Pralines, delightful chocolate treats with a crunchy exterior and an explosion of flavors inside, perfected over time by master chocolatiers.

This course aims to delve into the origins and global dissemination of these Belgian delicacies. Behind their history lie significant cultural and historical aspects, such as Belgium’s colonial past in the Congo, which facilitated the importation of cocoa. Additionally, intriguing chemical aspects are explored, particularly in the production of the Lambic beer unique to Brussels.

The classes are designed to be interactive, encouraging students to read, discuss, and reflect, while most importantly, savoring these delights! Students will participate in excursions to breweries, beer factories, fries museums, and chocolatiers for guided visits and tastings. Moreover, they will have the opportunity to engage in cooking lessons to create their own pralines and beers. The readings for this course encompass historical and cultural perspectives, providing a comprehensive understanding of these culinary treasures.

This Brussels-based version of the course brings together two complementary dimensions: structured reflection on the major challenges shaping our world and a focused exploration of current debates within the European Union. Set in Brussels—the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union—the program benefits from a uniquely rich environment: a city where European decision-making, Belgian political life, and everyday intercultural exchange intersect. This context allows students to reflect not only on global dynamics, but also on how they unfold in a local and distinctly European setting.

Through guided analysis of key global and local issues—illustrated with real-life examples from the host society—students are encouraged to compare perspectives, question assumptions, and consider the evolving responsibilities they will face as future global citizens.

Within this framework, particular attention is given to central themes in today’s European debate, including migration, industrial competitiveness, and artificial intelligence. Each topic is introduced through a contextual overview and, where possible, enriched by meetings with political stakeholders in Brussels, offering students direct insight into European decision-making processes. Students engage with these issues from a professional and analytical standpoint, producing reflective pieces in the style of news articles. Drawing on lectures, expert interviews, social media discourse, and conversations within their host environment, they develop the knowledge, skills, and mindset necessary to navigate complexity, explore the boundaries of their own cultural perspectives, and recognize the deeper connections that underlie contemporary global and European challenges.