By Lautaro Grinspan Global Co-op Author at the American Embassy in Paris There are few things more frustrating than seeing someone more than three times your age pull away from you in a foot race. I speak from experience. After beating me, the conquering Alain, a spry 60-year-old with age-defying bazookas for calves, punctuated his…
Category: Europe
Florence & Food
Story by Alyssa Bilotta “If your mother cooks Italian food, why should you go to a restaurant?” – Martin Scorsese Food was a major part of my experience when I studied abroad in Florence. Eating any type of meal in Italy is an event, and food holds a special place in every Italian’s day. Ever…
Importance of a Global Perspective: Greece
Story and photo by Zoe Muprhy I was born in Rome, but left just before my second birthday. My first words were a mix of English, Greek (my mom’s native language), Italian and a smattering of Polish from my Warsaw-born babysitter. I was well on my way to becoming a global citizen- little did I…
Apprehension and Excitement in Greece
Story by Max Read As I arrived in Greece for my first co-op at the European Public Law Organization (EPLO), I tried to avoid having too many expectations. I knew little about the country and even less about the organization I’d be working for. The few things I knew about Greece came mostly from news…
The End of Asylum
Refugee Program Sentiment Shifts in Sweden and the Netherlands Research by Kayla O’Neill What factors have led to a change in refugee program policies in the historically welcoming countries of Sweden and the Netherlands? This question is important due to the number of asylum seekers in these countries whose lives are directly impacted. The European…
Summer in London
Story by Max Read A couple weeks into my first co-op at an intergovernmental organization in Greece, I decided to apply to the London School of Economics and Political Science’s summer program. When I was accepted, the “Brexit” vote was still half a year away, and campaigning hadn’t started in earnest yet. By the first day…
Enveloped by Art
Story by Illeana Cortessi I inherited my father’s love of art. As a young child, I remember being dragged with my brother and sister to museum after museum, to art galleries and to architectural masterpieces. After my first dialogue in Italy where I studied family business, I decided to do something completely different next. As…
Family Business in Italy
Story by Illeana Cortessi “Buon giorno tutti!” said the bus driver as he was taking us into the city of Verona. We had finally arrived and, though tired, we were excited for the first day of our journey. We entered the hostel, up to our rooms, and started getting ready for our first traditional Italian…
Making Human Connections in Sevilla and Barcelona
Story by Alessandra Grillo Throughout my early education and into freshmen year of college, I studied Spanish language and culture. Each textbook assignment and pedantic lecture that passed only crystallized my desire to immerse myself in the vivacious Spanish culture. Ultimately, in order to understand the intricacies of this European cultural hub, I knew I…
Lessons From the United Nations Dialogue of Civilizations
Story by Chelsea Lauder It is amazing what one can learn from simply listening and questioning. Experiencing an international conference on today’s top security issues, listening to your Professor speak at a Conference on Disarmament forum, and having in depth conversations with the men and women who are actively writing treaties to change the world…
