Day 1 - November 12, 2025 - Outbound flight and Old Town
On November 12, 2025, our long-awaited trip to Brussels began. We met early in the morning at Vienna Airport , where 18 excited students and 2 accompanying teachers gathered. The atmosphere was relaxed and full of anticipation; for some, it was even their first flight abroad.
After checking in together and passing through security, we had some time to grab some snacks or send a few last messages home. Although our flight was slightly delayed, it eventually took off without any problems. After landing in Brussels and leaving the airport around 4 p.m., we took the train in the city center .
Upon arrival, we settled into our rooms and had a brief opportunity to unpack and rest. In the evening, we set off on our first walk together. Our destination was the famous Grand Place , one of the most impressive squares in Europe. The magnificently decorated facades of the historic buildings and the warm lighting immediately captivated us. Many took the opportunity to take photos and capture the atmosphere. After our leisurely stroll through the old town , we ended the day with a relaxed dinner at a nearby restaurant. Over delicious food, we shared our first impressions, laughed a lot, and made plans for the coming days.
Day 2 - 13.11.2025 - EU Parliament and Styria Office
Our Thursday morning began around 9 a.m. in front of the European Parliament , where we were warmly welcomed by Mr. Wolfsjäger. Before the guided tour of the Parliament started, however, we had the opportunity to view the Parliament building from the outside.
After a security check, we were led to the plenary hall, where we were able to participate live as observers in a vote. Afterwards, Mr. Wolfsjäger and MEP Alexander Bernhuber, who took the time to answer our questions in detail, welcomed us.
After a joint lunch at the Beer Factory, we took the subway to the Styria office , where, after an introduction to the diverse work of the Styrian representation, we also conducted an interview.
After many interesting conversations, we returned to the hotel and, after a short break, ended the evening with a pleasant get-together with some employees of the EU Parliament at Place du Luxembourg.
Day 3 - 13 November 2025 - European Council, Permanent Representation of Austria
At 6 a.m., the ear-splitting sound of our mobile phone alarm jolted us awake from our sweet dreams. We then headed for breakfast. After fortifying ourselves, we set off for the Council of the European Union and the European Council . Once we had all passed through security, we were informed that Ms. Eder could not join us in the Council chamber, as Ms. Schlömmer had actually registered. So, the 19 of us made our way through this enormous building, filled with dignitaries and a few window cleaners on the roof, past the lantern, the famous red carpet, and into the surprisingly colorful meeting room. There, we were allowed to sit in the seats representing the different countries and even speak into the microphone. After about 15 minutes, we were escorted out of this vibrant hall, as the finance ministers had called a meeting.
As we left the building, we encountered several finance ministers. Afterwards, we visited the Permanent Representation of Austria in Brussels , where we received a detailed explanation of the functions of the Parliament and the Councils. Surprisingly, we also met an employee there who introduced himself as a former resident of Raumberg. He then gave us a short tour of the city. Our lunch consisted of authentic Belgian fries, and some of us also had a burger.
Afterwards, we continued into the city center to the Palace of Justice . A demonstration was taking place there. A short ride on the Ferris wheel was a must, of course, and then we went on to the Manneken Pis . There, we tried to trick some unsuspecting tourists; our decoys were Mr. Breitenbaumer and Raphael Gaich. Some of us had to stifle a laugh or two when two clueless visitors actually fell for our trick. The same trick didn't work at the Grand Place, however, as the people we approached usually had almost no English skills. We found a pleasant end to the day at the Beer Factory, a bar with specialty beers, which we naturally couldn't miss. When it got too cold, we went back to the hotel, grabbed some pizza, and then fell asleep exhausted but content in our beds.
Day 4 - November 14, 2025 - House of European History and return journey
On Saturday, our last day in Brussels, we set off after breakfast for the House of European History , a modern and very attractively designed museum in the European Quarter . There, we were given tablets that guided us through the exhibition and allowed us to explore the various topics at our own pace. We particularly liked that the museum wasn't just about numbers and facts. Through interactive areas and short film sequences, we experienced history in a completely different and modern way.
Afterwards, we used the remaining time to visit the Grand Place one last time. Then we headed towards the airport and then back home.
Thus ended a very educational few days that were surprisingly relaxed and full of fun moments. We also had many opportunities to talk to each other, laugh, and create memories across grade levels.
Impressions from the Brussels trip 2025
