EU Fieldwork course: Sophomores of KUPES carried out fieldwork in Europe

Six second-year students of KUPES have carried out fieldwork in Europe for about two weeks from the end of February to the beginning of March. This fieldwork was part of Global Challenge Programme (GCP), which commenced three years ago.

The students worked in groups on their own research themes of EU-Japan comparison, that include: ①respect for diversity (protection of cultural assets and support for sexual minority); ②safe society (poverty reduction and medical insurance across border); or ③the identity and the external role of Belgium, a small country of the EU. According to the themes, they conducted their fieldwork and interviewed experts in their fields in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and so on.

The students visited the OECD and the European Parliament in France and Belgium. They had positive discussions through presentations and joint seminars at the Paris Diderot (Paris 7) University and the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL). Also, the participants paid a visit to the Horta Museum, which preserves Art Nouveau architecture and to partner universities that they are going to study as an exchange student in the next academic year. In Britain, they participated in the London alumni association of Kobe University and had a chance to talk with some alumni working as professionals in Europe.

It was a valuable experience for them to interact and exchange views concerning their research interests with various people. A briefing session for the EU fieldwork will be held in the GCP Fair at the end of April.