Auburn study abroad students got to be in ‘the room where it happens’
Auburn Political Science students had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity this summer to dive headfirst into international politics at the German Marshall Fund’s (GMF) Brussels Forum.
Students on the College of Liberal Arts Political Science study abroad trip in Brussels, Belgium, were given the chance to participate in the 20th annual German Marshall Fund’s Brussels Forum. The forum serves as a platform for open and candid discussion surrounding the current transatlantic agenda between global leaders, policy makers, experts and students.
“The German Marshall Fund Brussels Forum opened my eyes to the collaboration happening transatlantically, as well as how big of a priority that continues to be,” said Political Science junior Sami Wolgemuth. “With the opportunity to attend panels composed of foreign ministers, CEOs and experts in so many fields, I quickly realized how interconnected Europe and the United States truly are, and that their strength comes from continuing to work together.”
There was a plethora of panels presented at the conference, including the "Future of American Democracy," "A New Global Order," "Trade Wars and a New American Economic Order," "The End of Dollar Dominance," "Delivering Democracy at the Local Level," "Make China Great Again" and "Where Did the Political Center Go?"
“I was having a conversation with a man from Ukraine one night, but it wasn’t until he walked on the stage the next day that I realized he was the former prime minister of Ukraine,” said Joseph Weston, a senior in Political Science.
The big conversation of the 2025 Brussels Forum was the 5% spending target for NATO. There was still a lot of ambiguity about the U.S. commitment to NATO, as they hadn't even reached the beginning stages of their trade deal, so it was unclear as to if transatlantic relations were even going to hold up.
“It was really interesting for us to be there while those conversations were happening with all that ambiguity. A lot of the things we heard being discussed were all the things that ended up becoming reality,” Clary said. “We really got the chance to be in ‘the room where it happens,’ to quote ‘Hamilton.’”
The German Marshall Fund was perfect for what the program entails, as it specifically focuses on U.S.-European relations after World War II. GMF as an entity straddles the transatlantic – it has one foot in Washington, D.C., and it has one foot in Brussels.
At GMF, there were fewer than 200 attendees in total, 13 of whom were from Auburn. Among those present were several incredibly important speakers, including the U.S. ambassador to NATO, the deputy EU commissioner and the exiled president of Belarus.
During one of the intro sessions, forum participants talked about how they were really seeking out the next generation of voices to be part of the conversation.
“It was great for students from Auburn to be there,” Clary said. “People were impressed by us, and we made a good impression and now we're on people's radar. I don't know that Auburn was a known quantity among European audiences, and now we definitely are.”
One of the most interesting sessions of the conference was called “Where did the political center go?” Individuals discussed the idea that as people polarize into the extremes, there's less room for people in the center, where most policy and legislation get made. With that came conversation about political societies' attitude about compromise and its effects on the political spectrum.
“It was the two best days of the program. They were long days, but they were really fruitful days. We sounded important and we felt important and valued. It was a really well put together event, and it was a privilege to be part of it,” Clary said. “It was such a nice jewel in the crown of the program and was academically probably one of the most valuable things I've done on any program.”
Learn more about the political science study abroad program to Brussels, Belgium.
Tags: Political Science Students International Initiatives
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