Three

Spring is approaching soon which means it is now the high time to apply for numerous summer schools and workshops in Russia and Europe. On the threshold of the new season, our second-year, Veronika Boldinova, recalls her participation in the European School in Narva: ‘Have you ever attended a European School? If you’re interested in the EU-Russian relations and the last tendencies of its development, if you’d like to get to know interesting people as well as acquire some new knowledge, the European School is exactly what you need.

European School is conducted four times a year in different parts of Russia. The school which I’ve participated in was held for the first time on the territory of the European Union – in Narva, Estonia. This school is organized by the Delegation of the European Union to Russia in cooperation with the German-Russian Exchange (Berlin – St. Petersburg). Participation in the European School has not only added to my stock of knowledge – thanks to the lectures of prominent European and Russian experts in the EU-Russian relations, EU’s integration process and Russian development perspectives in economics, international relations and education, – but also gave me possibility to meet creative, ambitious and reflective people.

The main topic of this school was the cross-border cooperation between Russia and the EU. All lectures were very useful. The most interesting lectures for me were those of Soren Liborius – the head of the Department of Press and Information of the EU Delegation to Russia – and Tatyana Romanova – expert in EU-Russia energy relations.

During five days, my team and I tried to formulate the main challenges faced by the two border towns: Ivangorod (Russia) and Narva (Estonia). We had to discover the history of these border cities, their current situation and problems, as well as to communicate with local citizens on pros and contras of living in such towns. Eventually, our working group made a report and presented it as piece of news.

I can’t but mention that for the first time in my life I crossed the border on foot, several times in one day. In just five days, I had my passport ‘decorated’ with several stamps which I consider as a special souvenir from Estonia.

My advice for you is not to miss the chance to take part in such a useful event! To find out more about the school and application deadlines follow the news at the Euroschool website: http://www.eu-studyweeks.ru or the group in VKontakte: http://vk.com/eu.study.weeks

Attention, guys, the deadline to apply for the next European School in Vilnius is January 26 2015!