While other students hit the slopes or caught up on daytime television over winter break, six UB students traveled to Eastern Europe to negotiate the admittance of new countries into the European Union.
The students, sponsored by the Political Science Undergraduate Student Association, attended the EuroSim conference in the Czech Republic to grapple with issues currently facing the EU.
EuroSim is the Transatlantic Consortium for European Studies and Simulation, where students gather to debate contemporary European politics.
The topic of this year's debate was the European Union's talks to accept or reject the motions of Eastern European applicants to join the international organization. The conference was held at the University of Economics VSE in the Czech Republic and included both American and European students interested in European politics.
Since the Czech Republic is a current candidate for EU expansion, students were able to experience first-hand the efforts of Eastern European countries to become part of the union.
"[It] put them in the heart of the key development of European politics," said Munroe Eagles, associate dean for graduate studies in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Students were also able to learn about the benefits of being a member of the union including economic growth, inter-country relations and the recently introduced European currency, the Euro.
"This experience was a team building exercise for all who attended, allowing for growth in the knowledge area of European studies, global communication and gaining colleagues overseas," said Keith Smith, a sophomore majoring in political science and a member of the EuroSim team.
PSUSA and Eagles selected this year's UB EuroSim team. The program is open to all UB students who are interested in political debates overseas.
Eagles said the team originally consisted of nine members, but three were unable to attend at the last minute.
Having a six-person team did not hinder the team's ability to debate, said Eagles, and many of the European teams had even fewer members.
"There is no advantage to taking over 30 people. You could take only three and they would have just as good an experience," he said.
Students interested in joining EuroSim must be committed to devote several hours worth of intensive research in preparation for the conference.
"We met three to four times a week, had rather steady correspondence with students around the globe via e-mail, and much independent research followed by a weekly check-in to the PSUSA at its weekly meetings to see our progress," said Smith.
During the conference, opposing committees engaged in fierce debates over the pros and cons of joining the EU, while being guided by field experts. Both the American and European students worked to collaborate their personal views with others while composing legitimate arguments to challenge the opposition.
"There was a good deal of preparation required, if you didn't want to look like an idiot in your committee," said EuroSim member Paul Verzillo, an international studies sophomore. "It consisted mainly of knowing about the EU and knowing your country's policy on the topics at hand."
The debates, while hypothetical to the Americans, held real significance for the Europeans in attendance.
"The Americans offered relatively unbiased opinions, while the Europeans had to live with the results of real EU policy," said Smith. "It was truly a great feeling taking part in such a global experience."
According to Verzillo, the international barrier made communication difficult at times, but both sides kept an open-mind during debates.
"All the Europeans I worked with were great people and extremely intelligent. Quite honestly, they put a lot of Americans at the conference to shame," said Verzillo.
"They knew their stuff and weren't afraid to dive right in. On the other hand, it was a great sight to see American tenacity and pride come out to help overcome ideological deadlocks and arguments."
UB's team held their own against the Europeans and were happy with the results.
"The delegation performed wonderfully. They really were exemplary and it was a pleasure to be involved with them," said Eagles. "They learned a great deal."
The trip was not entirely consumed with intellectual exchange and heated debates. During their stay in the capital city of Prague, the team toured cultural sites and attended a lecture by Dr. Neil Nugent, the EU designated Jean Monet Scholar of European Studies.
"The city of Prague was beautiful. We took in as much as we could on a daily basis," said Christine Kennedy, a junior majoring in sociology. "We went out on our own to the opera, did some sightseeing and even shopping."
The team also traveled to see the top-tourist sights of London for three days before returning to Buffalo.
"Within these 12 days, I learned more about the EU, Europeans, London, Prague, international relations and the aforementioned sights and monuments than I ever could have in a three-credit course at UB," said Verzillo.
The students look forward to the next simulation, which will be held next spring.
"Although I was quite glad to stand on firm snowy Buffalo ground after the trip," said Jaan Soone, a political science junior, "I would not think twice if the opportunity to do something like that again presented itself, because it was not all work and no fun."
The conference, which alternates between European and U.S. campuses, will be next held at SUNY Fredonia. UB students can also take part in EuroSim through an open online course offered by SUNY Fredonia's European Union studies.
Photo: Breadchastick / Wikimedia Commons
