The fieldtrip began with a visit to sites of interest in Flanders, especially the war memorials in Ypres and Messines. This visit took in the solemn Irish Peace Park at Messines, jointly opened by President MacAleese and Queen Elizabeth II in 1998. The group then visited the Irish Permanent Representation in Brussels and were welcomed by deputy-permanent representative Joe Hackett.
This visit was followed by a trip to the Northern Ireland executive to learn about the work they do in Brussels. In the afternoon the group visited the European Commission and the office of Commissioner Phil Hogan. Wednesday saw the group visit the European Parliament to meet Irish MEPs Mairead McGuinness, Brian Hayes, Marian Harkin and Matt Carthy. A talk by UK Labour MEP Richard Corbett focused on Brexit and the options before the United Kingdom for exiting the EU. Students also participated in a careers session with Martin Westlake, a long-time Brussels insider.
Other visits included the United Nations Liaison office in Brussels and the European External Action Service as well as the recently re-opened Africa Museum in Tervuren.
