Welcome to Brussels

I have been meaning to write about arriving in Brussels and starting work at the Council of the EU since roughly the third week that I was here. I think I have delayed doing it for so long because I took so long to get used to Brussels and didn't want to give too negative an account. It is fair to say that this progressive change in attitude is due to the steady rise in average temperature and hours of sunlight.

There is so much I could say about my experience so far but I will keep to the best (and worst) bits for now…

First Impressions

1. It is cold and windy all the time. I should have brought a bigger coat.

2. Everything is so slow. The escalators, the automatic doors, the cash machines…

3. The people make up for points 1 and 2.

What I am learning?

1. Lots of acronyms and legal terminology.

2. Consistency is everything (that isn't accuracy). The EU has an impressive network of databases to help translators produce texts that use consistent terminology and phrasing. A basic version of IATE (the terminology database) is open to the public and EU legislation translated into all official EU languages is available on the EUR-LEX website.

3. How the EU really works and why procedures can sometimes seem to be more complex than they need to be (it's about fairness and transparency and it's not really that complicated once it has been explained to you a few times by a few different people).

The Good

1. The other trainees, from 19 EU countries, are a wonderful group of people and they have really rekindled my desire to get to know more of Europe.

2. Discounts for under 25/26 year olds for most attractions and all public transport.

3. Having to opportunity to listen to lots of presentations by EU officials from various institutions (EEAS, EDPS, CoR, EESC, EP, and obviously the Council and Commission).

The Bad

1. When I wrote most of this post it was sunny. It is not any more. This is bad.

2. Prices in the canteen don't remotely reflect the size of the portions or the quality of the food.

3. We (trainees) are not considered staff so we are not entitled to strike. This means we have to come in and work in virtually empty offices on strike days.

And the Beautiful

1. Park Tervuren- I have only been once, with the other trainees, but it made an impression. We will definitely be going back.

2. Cabraliego- An amazing Asturian social club filled with long tables and plastic chairs. The tapas are tasty, the drinks are cheap (€3 for a spirit and mixer) and the staff are always smiling.

3. Place Jourdan- Not far from the Council, the kiosk in the square does the best chips I have ever tasted. I recommend the Samurai sauce (a slightly spicy mayonnaise).

Fait à Bruxelles, le 14 mai 2013