In his heartfelt reflection “The Brussels Experience,” Orfeas Chatzidakis from the 11th Geniko Lykeio Herakleion (Crete, Greece) captures far more than a simple travel memory. His words reveal the deeper meaning of what the EUDEMOS Summer School is designed to achieve: learning, awareness, cultural openness, and — above all — human connection.
Orfeas describes the academic dimension of the programme with clarity: tours, presentations, historical insights, and an inside look at how the European Union works, why it exists, and what it stands for. His essay shows how being physically present in Brussels, surrounded by the symbols and institutions of the EU, transforms abstract concepts into lived experience. Students do not simply “study the EU” — they encounter it.
Yet the true power of Orfeas’ testimony lies elsewhere.
As he explains, meeting students from across Europe opened a window onto the diversity — and surprising similarity — of everyday life in other countries. By listening to one another’s experiences, challenges, and perspectives, the group discovered what it means to be part of a shared European space: different histories, same aspirations.
But it is in the final part of his essay that Orfeas speaks to the emotional core of EUDEMOS.
He highlights the relationships, the constant interactions, and the unique privilege of living an intense week surrounded by peers from multiple nations. For many participants, this is where EUDEMOS becomes more than a project — it becomes a community.
Orfeas writes with sincerity about the friendships formed, the moments shared, and the memories that will “accompany us for the rest of our lives.” His reflection reminds us that European citizenship is not built only through institutions, treaties, or lectures, but through human bonds, through laughter, conversations, and the discovery of common dreams.
In concluding that Brussels was “the best experience of the summer,” Orfeas brings us back to the mission of the programme: offering young Europeans not only knowledge, but a lived sense of belonging. His gratitude shows how deep an impact even a single week can have on personal growth and intercultural understanding.
Orfeas’ essay is a vivid example of why EUDEMOS continues to invest in these experiences: because Europe becomes real when young people come together to live it, question it, and shape it together.
“The Brussels experience”
The summer of 2025 offered me an amazing experience: a trip to Brussels to attend the Eudemos summer school. So, inspired by this journey, I decided to write this article explaining everything that me and everyone involved gained from this experience.
In terms of knowledge, this trip offered us a lot. All of us got to learn everything about the European Union, how it works as well as its history and its significance. All that became possible through numerous presentations, videos and tours regarding that topic. But that’s not all. By interacting with other students from all around Europe, we got to find out about all the benefits but also problems about each one of their countries, which made us realize just how common we are with each other.
However, by far the highlight of the trip was the relationships we created with the other students. Due to the nature of the provided schedule, we got to share every bit of the trip with everyone there. This means we had along us all the time more than 30 other people with the same age and ambitions as us. We made countless friends and shared amazing memories that we will accompany us for the rest of our lives. And I think that was what the trip really was about.
To conclude, I believe our time in Brussels was the best experience of the summer. I am extremely grateful that I got the chance to experience the Eudemos summer school in Brussels, because I learned a lot of information while simultaneously making new friends from other countries.
Orfeas Chatzidakis
11th Geniko Lykeio Herakleion, Crete, Greece
