A unique learning resource and heritage venue in Europe
Delivering tailored and inspirational education and training programmes
Our Recent Programmes
University College Dublin
Ireland in Europe Summer School
Programme, June 2019
University College Dublin Ireland in Europe Summer School
At the end of June 2019, the Irish College Leuven was host to an enthusiastic cohort of students from various American Universities that were taking part in University College Dublin’s History Summer School. With close to 70 students in total between the ages of 18 and 21, it’s easy to say the group was full of energy and ready to explore Europe for the first time.
On the first trip of their stay with us, they visited the European Quarter in Brussels where our American exchange students were introduced to the world of European politics. They engaged in discussions with Irish MEP Sean Kelly and a representative from the office of Martina Anderson MEP who gave them insight into the current condition of Brexit. They were also given an easy to understand overview of the inner workings of the European Commissions by the enthusiastic Mr. Lorant Havas.
Next, it was off to the battlefields of Ieper to get a sense of what happened on the front lines of World War I. The students weaved through trenches, stared into the depths of the mine-formed ‘Pool of Peace’, visited the cemetery of fallen soldiers and paid their respects at Menin Gate’s ‘Last Post’ ceremony. Not only did they learn all about the lives of the soldiers fighting this war, but also about what the Great War meant to the people of Ieper.
On their final day, the cohort was treated to an afternoon of another form of education: a beer tasting in Leuven’s popular Domus brewery. Here the step by step process of creating the beloved drink was explained to the attentive students as they (happily) got to taste the different kinds of beer that can be produced at different stages of the cycle.
Throughout the week, the students also learned about Ireland’s role in the European Union, both past and present. They were given a brief history of Ireland’s impact on the continent and a discussion on the implications of Brexit on the island, in lectures all hosted in our historical building by various informed speakers.
When asked what part was their favourite, they simply said it was “visiting Europe, enjoying the sun with their friends and learning about the differences between here and home”. As the cohort arrived in the middle of our summer’s heatwave, they were blessed with great weather for the entire week. We are sure the continent will be seeing many of them again very soon.
Belfast Youth Orchestra
European Tour
Programme, July 2019
Belfast Youth Orchestra European Tour
At the start of July 2019, Irish College Leuven was home to the City of Belfast Youth Orchestra in preparation for their performances in Brussels and Leuven which kicked off their European Summer Tour.
After a wander around the beautiful city of Leuven, the group dove right in with rehearsals starting as soon as they touched down in the Irish College. The 70 members of the orchestra packed into our auditorium to echo beautiful music through the halls of our historical building.
Day 2 was a busy one for the young orchestra. First it was into the Northern Ireland Executive Office for a short performance alongside a Hungarian musician who collaborated with a section of the orchestra to put an interesting twist on classical music. Next, a trip into the EU Quarter in Brussels taught the cohort about the inner workings of the parliament and how decisions that affect a whole continent are made. They also got to view the beautiful Parc Leopold and Grand Place after a filling lunch. Finally, they performed in front of a jam-packed Eglise Notre Dame au Sablon. The stunning church provided the perfect location for their music to be broadcast throughout Brussels.
Day 3 and the group were off to Walibi theme park in Wavre where they got to blow off some steam and take a break from rehearsals. The theme park contains many roller coasters and wet water rides to entertain any type of person - no matter their thirst for adrenaline. After arriving back in the Irish College, the group packed up and moved to Pieter de Somer Aula for their second performance in Leuven; this time in front of a more personal group of guests invited by the orchestra members and the Irish College.
On Day 4 of their trip, the orchestra visited Ieper to learn about Ireland’s influence in World War I. The day started with lunch at the historic Island of Ireland peace park; the first monument erected by both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in unity. Then it was off to Tyne Cot cemetery and Bayernwald trenches to learn first hand about the lives of the soldiers on both sides of the Great War. Lastly, a selection of brass players from the orchestra were given the honour of performing during the ‘Last Post Ceremony’ at Menin Gate to pay respects to the many people who fought and fell there.
A heavily occupied week all payed off for the cohort as they then set off for the Netherlands to complete their tour. Belgium and the halls of the Irish College are already missing their graceful melodies.
CAFRE
Agriculture Programme
Programme, October 2018
CAFRE
Students from the College of Agriculture, Food & Rural Enterprise in the second year of their BSc (Hons) in Agricultural Technology reap the benefits of an annual European study tour under the guidance of Lecturer Ian McMaw. During the trip, they get a European perspective on topics ranging from innovation support for rural development to the impact of Brexit. A day in Brussels includes visiting the European Parliament, sitting in on an Agricultural Committee meeting, and networking with MEPs and staff from the European Commission.
Students meet policy advisers from the British Agricultural Bureau and the Irish Co-Operative Organizational Society, who discuss their role in informing their respective members at home and lobbying on their behalf on policy matters. Meeting the real people who make agricultural policy in Europe turns theory into real-life—and underlines how important it is to be plugged in to this network.
But it is not all just talk about agriculture: they get hands-on experience on site visits to a diversified arable business that processes home-grown oilseed rape into rapeseed oil and salad dressings for sale throughout Belgium; an independent cheese maker, and the Belgian Blue Bull Breeding Station in Ciney, as well as an unforgettable tour of BelOrta, the largest cooperative auction in Europe. Follow-up workshops at the College encourage students to think about both culture-specific and transferable practices. So, if the focus of Herent Research Station is the unique vegetable Belgian endive, its research topics such as waste valorization and innovative crops offer ideas to try out back home.
There is time, too, to engage with other aspects of Belgian history and culture, notably an enlightening tour of the battlefields around Ypres. And trips to a chocolate producer in Brussels and the Stella Artois brewery in Leuven encourage students to think broadly about the food economy, as well as enjoy its products!
Being able to engage first-hand with how farmers, food producers and policy makers do things differently in another culture is a transformative experience. It helps students to think outside the box and develop the initiative and flexibility demanded by today’s fast-moving, globalized agri-industry sector.
Cork Institute of Technology
Masters in International Business
Programme, February 2019
Cork Institute of Technology Masters in International Business
This programme focused on trade and commerce within the European Union, the implications of Brexit for business in Europe, business management in Europe and innovation in digital technology, through a combination of company visits and visits to interest groups and the EU institutions in Brussels.
To look at trade and commerce within the EU the group visited the European Commission and the European Parliament. In the European Commission they met with representatives of DG GROW and DG TRADE, to discuss the strategy for competitiveness of SMEs and the EU’s trade policy, respectively.
Brexit has been a particularly hot topic for several our programmes over the past 18 months. We held a panel session with representatives from IBEC and the IFA, to discuss the impact of Brexit on Irish businesses within the EU. Brexit was discussed further at the offices of Business Europe.
Company visits are an essential part of international business programmes. The group visited Mercedes Benz’ highly innovative Customer Assistance Centre in Maastricht. This visit provided unique insight into the importance of 24/7 first class customer service, and why successful companies put so much effort into customer care. In addition to Mercedes the group also visited ABInBev, the world’s largest brewing company, whose European HQ is located in Leuven, and DHL Aviation Centre, located close to Brussels Zaventem Airport.
To look at innovation in digital technology the group visited Living Tomorrow and Microsoft Innovation Centre. Living Tomorrow, formerly known as ‘the house of the future’, showcases products and services that will be commonplace in homes and workplaces in the near future. Led by one of their future trends experts, this is a truly inspiring visit. The visit to Microsoft allowed the group to delve further into the latest technology and experience virtual reality and artificial intelligence first-hand.
Queen's University Belfast
European Parliament Youth Workshop
Programme, November 2018
Queen's University Belfast European Parliament Youth Workshop
Post-graduate students from the MA Violence, Terrorism and Security and the MA Politics at Queen’s University Belfast participated in an event at the European Parliament sponsored by the Visitors and Seminars Unit of the Directorate-General for Communications in November 2018. They debated the future of Europe with hundreds of other EU students and senior officials in the awe-inspiring Hemicycle chamber.
The two groups split up on the next day, with the VTS itinerary including a tour of the controversial area of Molenbeek in Brussels and a visit to the European Network Against Racism HQ, while the Politics students visited the Irish Permanent Representative and the Northern Ireland Executive Office, two think tanks and the Belgian Parliament.
The final day saw the two groups back together for a keynote lecture and dynamic Q&A led by Serge Stroobants, Director of Operations for Europe and the MENA region at the Institute for Economics and Peace. Then it was off to the European Commission for amazing talks on diplomacy and security policy delivered in the room where the EU Commissioners hold their own meetings.
The learning outcomes exceeded expectations. Students considered that the tour added real value to their degree studies. They felt it had reformed their opinions on the EU. They appreciated interactions with practitioners in the field of Security Studies and gained insights into the real-life elements of their course work. They enjoyed great lectures from senior staff in the “Brussels bubble” and the opportunity to network with people who could assist their studies now and enhance their employability in the future.
Female students loved that many of the speakers were young women, and found this very empowering. Others designated all events and speakers as excellent.
Students also appreciated the chance to get to know their classmates better in a setting they described as “wonderful”—the accommodation, the food, the staff, and the town itself were all rated as “fantastic.” Overall, the trip was summed up as an “amazing opportunity” to be cherished for years to come.
We look forward to welcoming the next cohort of students from these programs in May 2020!
Trinity College Dublin & University College Dublin
Sharkov Prize Ceremony Strasbourg
Programme, December 2018
Trinity College Dublin & University College Dublin
This was a unique programme as it was held away from our campus in Leuven. Human rights and international development students from Trinity College and UCD experienced the 2018 Sharkov Prize Ceremony in Strasbourg. The Sharkov Prize commemorates those who have made outstanding contributions to human rights and freedom of thought. The ceremony is held annually at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, with university students from across Europe invited to attend a seminar and the ceremony.
The students arrived at the European Parliament in Strasbourg early on December 12th following a night in Stuttgart. They sat with hundreds of their peers in one of the Parliament’s conference rooms, while the finalists were presented- NGOs protecting lives of migrants in the Mediterranean Sea, Moroccan political activist Nasser Zevzafi, and prize-winner Oleg Sentsov, a Ukrainian filmmaker imprisoned under the Putin regime for refusing to accept Russian citizenship following the annexation of Crimea in 2014. This was an engaging session, with students invited to ask questions to the finalists.
After Mr Sentsov’s representatives had been presented with his prize, the Dublin participants were invited to attend an MEP debate in the parliamentary chamber. MEPs on all sides of the chamber spoke with great passion, and regardless of one's political views, one could not help but be enthralled. This was a once in a lifetime live viewing, it was incredible to see.
After the MEP debate the group were met by Mairead McGuinness MEP, Vice-President of the European Parliament. Ms McGuinness answered all of the questions the students had and posed for pictures with them.
Following a relaxing evening in Strasbourg, the next day the gorup undertook an organised visit to the Council of Europe. The Council of Europe, with no affiliation to the European Union, protects human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe. The session was extremely informative, focusing on the role of the Council. This was followed by a presentation on Russia, the largest member state, which has not paid its annual subscription since 2014 due to its voting rights being temporarily suspended following the annexation of Crimea that same year.
This experience was a great way to end the year.
Cork Institute of Technology
Masters of Business Administration
Programme, September 2019
Cork Institute of Technology MBA
CIT’s MBA Strategy engaged in a programme focusing on strategy in the business world, strategic management, future trends in technology and the implications of Brexit for Ireland and the European Union.
Future Trends Expert and Head of Guides at Living Tomorrow, Dirk Gaudeus, delivered a highly innovative workshop on future trends in technology. The group were introduced to a number of major trends in the world of technology and given the chance to work with 3D pens. Following this session were visits to Living Tomorrow and Microsoft where students engaged with virtual reality and further technological demonstrations.
Prof Annabel Sels, KU Leuven Faculty of Business & Economics, delivered a fascinating lecture on strategic management in the military and how it has been translated into the business world. This led in perfectly to a visit to the World War I battlegrounds in Ypres, where the group visited the Island of Ireland Peace Park, Kemmel Church, Bayernwald Trenches and Tyne Cot Cemetery. Despite the adverse weather it was a fantastic day out.
Visits to DHL Aviation Hub and Audi allowed the group to gain first-hand insight to the logistics and strategies implemented by two of the most recognised companies in the world, in their respective fields. It was particularly interesting to learn about the policies both companies have implemented to ensure that they are on-track to reduce carbon emissions, which is a key target of companies in the present day.
A visit to the EU Quarter in Brussels gave the group the chance to meet with each of the Ireland South MEPs at the European Parliament and a fascinating discussion on the implications of Brexit for Ireland at IBEC’s Brussels office, with IBEC EU Director Shane Lyster and IFA EU Director Liam McHale.
Dublin City University
BA Applied Languages & Translation Studies
Programme, November 2019
DCU BA Applied Languages & Translation Studies
The focus of this programme is to introduce students to potential career paths, both in the EU and other industries.
The first day saw translation experts from Visit Brussels, Brussels’ tourism company, discuss multilingualism in Brussels and careers for Translation students. Jurgen Goens, Director of Leuven-based translation technology company LiLo, gave a fascinating lecture on start-ups and the technology currently being used in the world of translation. The final session was expertly organised by KU Leuven Professor of Translation, Dr Peter Flynn. DCU students were joined by KU Leuven Translation students for a quiz in which groups had to not only get the questions right but translate them from one language to another and another.
The following day saw the group start bright and early in the European Parliament, with a fascinating discussion on translation and interpretation in the European Parliament from Parliamentary Translator & Interpreter Roisin Abbott. The group were then visited by MEPs Clare Daly, Mick Wallace and Sean Kelly, who each gave their thoughts on the importance of multilingualism and what it was like to live in a multicultural, multilingual city like Brussels. The afternoon session saw the group visit SCIC, the Directorate General for Interpretation at the European Commission. Morag Neath, Deputy-Director for the English Unit, was extremely generous with her time and delivered a fantastic overview of SCIC’s work and the potential for careers within SCIC. She then brought the group to a meeting at the Council of the European Union, where students were given a tutorial of how interpretation booths work during a live Council meeting.
The final day was a mammoth session at the offices for the Directorate General for Translation in Schaerbeek. The staff at DGT devoted their entire working day to the students, introducing them to their work, the various departments within DGT, the technology currently used in DGT and career paths at DGT. The highlight was a working lunch with translators, in which students and translators discussed their work in a more relaxed and informal way.
Queens University Belfast SSESW
European Study Programme
Programme, November 2019
QUB Social Sciences, Education and Social Work
Almost 40 students and staff from the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work at Queen’s University Belfast benefitted from EU funding to participate in the “Future of Europe” event at the Parliament in Brussels on 19 November 2019. The group was comprised of undergraduate students following courses in Social Policy and Social Work, as well as students of Criminology and Sociology.
The full day of discussions at the Parliament involved students from across Europe and Idea Lab facilitators to brainstorm solutions to the issues of climate emergency, fake news and the future of education before presenting their ideas to MEP Theresa Griffin.
But if the Parliament was the highlight of the tour, it was also just the conclusion to several days of interactive talks and site visits, with a dual focus on humanitarian and mental health issues.
On the first topic, students engaged in lively debate with representatives of SB OverSeas, a non-profit organization based in Belgium dedicated to providing humanitarian aid to refugees and victims of conflict. They had an insightful presentation from the Directorate for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations at the EU Commission, and inspirational site visits to two FEDASIL Reception centres for applicants for international protection. Students were awed by the passion of the co-ordinators and gained insight into the day-to-day challenges of their responsibilities and the traumas suffered by unaccompanied refugee minors. They left with concrete plans to organize clothes donations at QUB to send to FEDASIL, and to explore the possibilities of internships at the centres as well as with their partner SB OverSeas.
On the second topic, a whole day was spent in Geel, a city whose patron saint is the Irish St. Dimpna, patroness of the mentally ill. A presentation at the psychiatric clinic detailed the city’s unique model of psychiatric care in the community dating back to the fourteenth century. At the EU Commission, a policy manager from Mental Health Europe discussed their work on mapping deinstitutionalization and the paradigm shift that validates mental health sufferers as “experts by experience.”
A day in Bruges allowed for some downtime to wander through the streets of this magical UNESCO world heritage site, take a trip on the canals, eat waffles and climb the Belfry.
Social science students learn how to tackle major policy problems. They do this by applying core concepts from the field to intractable social problems such children's rights, care of the elderly, mental health provision, and climate change. The main takeaway of the European student trip was to add valuable applied and comparative dimensions to their studies that will continue to inform their thinking in the years to come. In addition, they had the unique opportunity to network with professionals in their fields and to source internships that will enhance their employability
Monash Business School
European Study Tour
Programme, December 2019
Monash Business School
A mixed group of students from Monash Business School made the long trip from Melbourne to be with us here in Leuven this Christmas season. The focus of their trip was to learn more about the fundamental functionality of the European Union and it’s trade agreements with Australia, thus we gathered the experts to talk to our eager cohort throughout their week.
Day one consisted of a trip to the EU Quarter in which, much like many of our programmes, the group took advantage of the Irish College’s long standing relationship with the European Institutions. First stop was the European Parliament where they got to talk to Nils Weller, who works directly with the EU/Australian Free Trade Agreement, as well as to view the Hemicycle itself.
The next day the group were brought to Cronos Leuven, a innovative company focused on entrepreneurship and creativity, located 10 minutes away from the Irish College. They spoke to Stefan Croimans about the inner workings of start-ups, which allowed the students to reflect about the benefits and risks associated with the creative process and the unpredictability of markets.
Day three of their trip and the business students visited Jannssen Pharmaceuticals to speak to Paul Duré and learn about the development of small businesses into successful and internationally-recognised companies. They also made the short trip to our locally-based international brewery, Stella Artois, as they learned about the history of beer and the brewing industry.
Their final day with us consisted of a very stimulating tour of the grounds of NATO as the Monash group learned about how a military organisation responsible for multiple countries functions and the vital role of cooperation. Finally, they visited the Australian Embassy where they got to personally speak to Ambassadors about the future of trade with the European Union post-Brexit.
Overall, the group progressed throughout the week with a objective of developing group cohesion and insight into the different facets of running a business with the help of our encouraging programme.
Queens University Belfast visit European Parliament Strasbourg for Annual Sharkov Prize
European Study Programme
Programme, December 2019
Queens University Belfast visit European Parliament Strasbourg for Annual Sharkov Prize
Students and professors from the LLM Human Rights Class at Queens University Belfast undertook a study visit to the European Parliament in Strasbourg to attend the annual presentation of the Sharkov Prize for freedom of thought.
The group were welcomed at the European Parliament and joined students from the University of Tartus, Estonia; Masaryk University, Czech Republic; L’Académie Notre Europe, France; and Europe Direct Trapani, Italy in a series of workshops, discussions and information sessions on topical issues of human rights in Europe today.
The students first met with MEPs, Maria Arena, chair of the European Parliament’s sub-committee on human rights and David McAllister, chair of the European Parliament’s committee on foreign affairs. Both MEPs discussed with the students the role the European Union plays in defending and promoting human rights as part of its international engagement with other counties and organisations.
A panel discussion followed on the situation of religious and ethnic minorities which was joined by Ms Jewher Ilham, daughter of the recipient of the award for 2019, Mr Ilham Tohti the renowned Uyghur human rights defender and economist who is imprisoned in China for his defence of the Uyghur community.
The students then attended the official prize giving ceremony in the chamber of the European Parliament and had the opportunity to witness the workings of the Parliament in its day to day business.
The European Court of Human Rights was the second stop for the group, where they got an audio visual presentation on the history of the court, the role it plays in protecting human rights in Europe and meet with senior officials to understand the day to day workings of the court.
For more information on the trip please read about it here.
Cork Institute of Technology
International Business
Programme February 2020
Cork Institute of Technology
Manufacturing and delivering the future with next-generation goods and services was the experience for students from Cork's Institute of Technology on their recent visit to the Irish College Leuven.
The students started their trip at imec- a world-leading R&D and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies. Here, the students received presentations about the organisation’s approach to business and their activities, they finished their visit with a guided tour of the company’s R&D cleanroom which specialises in microchip technology.
At the beginning of a full day in Brussels the students visited Microsoft’s Innovations Centre where they were given a presentation from Mr. Mark Lange, Director of Microsoft EU about current and future projects, focusing on the development of artificial intelligence. Following the presentations, the students were given the chance to try out some of Microsoft’s wearable devices such as the Hololens- a mixed reality headset.
Afterwards, the group travelled to Audi Belgium’s manufacturing plant to understand the process of building the new Audi e-tron, Audi’s first fully electric series model, before moving on to DHL’s Aviation Hub, where students had an insight into the complex operations that take place at open of the world’s major logistic centre.
A short bus trip from Leuven and the students visited the award-winning Nike Logistic Campus. At the Campus the team form Nike spoke with the students and engaged in interactive workshops focusing on the logistical elements of running a company. The experience ended with students visiting the state-of-the-art, sustainable distribution centre ‘Wings’ where the history of the Nike brand was explained.
Learning from international organisations and how they operate in ever-evolving markets filled the students with new ideas and perspectives to take home.
Brunel University
Industrial Trip
Programme February 2020
Brunel University
Interdisciplinary, innovation, institutions and industry were all keywords that shaped the programme from four schools within Brunel University London.
The institutions of the European Union were the backdrop to the start of the visit as the group travelled from London to Brussels via the Eurostar and onto the EU Quarter to meet with officials from the European Parliament. Mr. Roberto Bendini- a member of the European Parliament’s Think Thank, gave an in-depth analysis of the future of the EU trade policy with the UK post Brexit., which was followed by a visit the European Parliament Hemicycle.
At the Irish College Leuven the students got to meet Mr Radu Surdeanu Senior Director, Digital Economy at Siemens, Mr Patrick Crehan, Founder and Director, Crehan, Kusano & Associates and Mr Glenn Vaughan CEO, British Chamber of Commerce for a panel discussion on the future of innovation in industry.
Thanks to @StartIT, KBC Bank's support hub and ecosystem for emerging businesses, students learned about business innovation and scalability for new enterprises.
To learn more about this trip, have a read of Brunel student Aisha Bushra's personal insight here
Upcoming Events
Sets in Leuven
May 2020
A set dancing and music weekend with céili the and workshops will take place at the historic Irish College in Leuven, Belgium in May 2020. There will be sets and steps workshops with Mairéad Casey (Longford, Ireland) and music workshops with Gerry Murray (Monaghan, Ireland). The Flight of the Earls Ceili Band will be playing their mighty tunes.
Although the Flight of the Earls may be seen as the end of the old Gaelic order in Ireland, the time they spent safe and welcome in Leuven in 1607 is something we continue to commemorate to this day. We look forward to welcoming you here to be part of that commemoration.
Leuven
- Janseniusstraat 1
- Leuven, 3000 Belgium