A European Spring Break
By Evan Goldberg
Study abroad often means taking a course in another country for
a semester. For eleven of my political science classmates and
I, it meant an opportunity to travel to Europe over spring break
as part of our seminar on political communication and the European
Union. A new approach to integrating study abroad into the curriculum,
the trip built upon what we were studying in the classroom and
gave us the opportunity to translate those concepts into the field
in Germany and Belgium during an intensive week of meetings. Sponsored
by Emory’s Claus M. Halle Institute for Global Learning,
the trip was funded by The Halle Foundation and Atlantik-Brücke,
and led by Professors Thomas and Marianne Lancaster.
Our first stop in Berlin was the beautiful Magnus-Haus, home to
the offices of Atlantik-Brücke. We were welcomed over lunch
with Dr. Walther Leisler Kiep, Honorary Chairman, and Dr. Beate
Lindemann, Executive Vice-Chairman of Atlantik-Brücke. A
private, non-partisan association dedicated to fostering transatlantic
understanding and cooperation, Atlantik-Brücke was founded
fifty-six years ago and has developed a range of programs designed
to strengthen German-American relations by arranging personal
meetings between Germans and Americans, in the economic, political
and cultural centers of both countries. They explained to us that
we were now part of the global network of Atlantik-Brücke
fellows, which made us a permanent part of Atlantik-Brücke
(the Atlantic Bridge in English).
A highlight of our time in Berlin included a special tour of the
Federal Parliament, the Bundestag, by parliamentary member Patrick
Döring. Filled with countless historical pieces, the Bundestag
was partially destroyed by fire in 1933. Under circumstances still
not entirely clear this event proved to be a valuable excuse for
the Nazis to suspend most rights provided for by the 1919 constitution
in the Reichstag Fire Decree in an effort to weed out the communists
and increase state security. Many historians say this event is
what allowed the Nazis to take control of Germany. It was later
determined that it was in fact the Nazis who were responsible
for the destruction of the Bundestag. Today the building combines
some of the old stone walls peppered with bullet holes and protest
graffiti from the era with brand new elements like the stunning
glass dome that offers beautiful views of Berlin. The new glass
construction is meant to reflect the idea that government should
be transparent so nothing like the Holocaust could ever happen
again.
Another point of interest was the city of Berlin’s Holocaust
Memorial which occupies a large area outdoors near the Brandenburg
Gate. U.S. Architect Peter Eisenman’s design was highly
controversial but chosen as a tribute to the Jews who died in
the Holocaust. It occupies about 205,000 square feet (19,000 square
meters) and consists of 2,711 unmarked gray stone slabs, each
unique in size and shape. Laid out in a wave-like pattern, walking
among them creates a sense of disorientation and confusion to
be reminiscent of the time. It is a remarkable memorial that evokes
deep emotions both about the atrocities and the progress that
has been made since then. Later we visited the Jewish Museum Berlin,
which reinforced our experience at the Holocaust memorial and
also explained the context and variety of Jewish life in Berlin
and Europe from past to present.
In Berlin, we experienced some of the city’s rich history,
learned about current political developments and visited important
government institutions. When the time came to leave for Brussels,
we flew out of Berlin’s historic Tempelhof Airport which
was unfortunately decommissioned six months after our visit.
Brussels is home to the European Union. There we met those who
work with the European Commission, the European Parliament and
Bruegel, a European think tank. During our time in Brussels, we
visited the European Parliament, the world’s largest parliamentary
debating chamber with 785 members elected by more than 342 million
voters in the EU’s 27 member states. The European Parliament
provides simultaneous translation in twenty-three official languages.
We listened in on a committee meeting in the plenary chamber.
Later that day we met the President of the European Parliament,
Hans-Gert Pöttering. After having studied the European Union
extensively throughout the semester, we were able to have a candid
discussion with one of its most important leaders. The location
was outstanding – a glass walled conference room on the
top floor of the Parliament building overlooking Brussels. The
views of the city were simply breathtaking.
Later in the week, we took a walking tour of the city on a beautiful
sunny day. My favorite part of the city is the Grand Place in
French or Grote Markt in Flemmish, which is one of Europe’s
oldest market squares with facades of buildings dating back to
the fourteenth century. Now home to many cafés, terraces
and shops, it is the city’s main tourist attraction. While
there, we happened to run into an Emory alumnus who now works
in Belgium.
The Halle Foundation and Atlantik-Brücke aim to bring together
people from Germany and the U.S. to enhance knowledge and understanding
and to help maintain good diplomatic relations. We accomplished
all of that and more on a trip that bridged the gap between learning
and experience.
Evan Goldberg (‘08C) is a program coordinator for the Office
of International Affairs and The Claus M. Halle Institute for Global
Learning.
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