Elizabethtown College Students enrolled in Professor of Political Science and Endowed Chair of International Studies and Director of the Honors Program, Dr. Oya Dursun-Özkanca’s European Union (EU) Simulation course applied classroom knowledge with real-world practice at the annual Mid-Atlantic European Union Simulation (MEUS) from Nov. 13 to 15 in Washington, D.C.
Communications and Political Science major Evan Kenny ’28 received the prestigious Best Minister Award for his engaging and accurate portrayal of Hungarian Minister of Energy, Csaba Lantos.
“This is a remarkable experiential learning experience for our students,” Dursun-Özkanca said. “It is a great opportunity to apply the concepts we have been studying since the start of the semester into real-life European Union policymaking processes.”
The group of 14 Blue Jays joined more than 115 students from across the region to take part in immersive political briefings and EU simulations. The Etown delegation represented the Republics of Poland and Hungary, with each student serving as either a cabinet member or a European parliamentarian.
Energy security and the reconstruction of Ukraine served as this year’s major topics of debate.
The group was provided the unique, hands-on opportunity to travel to both the Polish and Hungarian Embassies to attend briefing sessions and ask distinguished diplomats questions in preparation for the simulation.
“This experience was an incredible opportunity to put what I learned into practice and learn about the different viewpoints of others,” Kenny said. “I will continue to reflect on this positive experience no matter what career path I take.”
Throughout the semester, students in Dursun-Özkanca’s EU Simulation course have prepared for the event through relevant discussions on the history of the EU and by analyzing how their assigned EU Member States relate to and respond to global issues.
