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What I Learned at The Hague

  • EYPUK
  • May 6
  • 3 min read

The Hague International Session was only my third ever EYP session. I moved from

Regionals to Nationals, and all of a sudden I was being thrown into an International

setting. Not only was this session very early on in my EYP journey, but it was my first

solo travel. In a new environment, with new experiences and challenges, the session

became a very formative one for me, and I wanted to share a few things which I have

learnt in the nine days I spent in the Hague…



The Possibilities of Solo Travel:

The first lesson I learnt actually took place before I even arrived at the session. As

I’ve mentioned, this was my first solo travel. The thought of travelling has always

been something which excites me and is something which I’ve always wanted to be

able to do myself, and to be able to do confidently. The session gave me a perfect

bridge as I was able to take transport by myself, and establish a sense of confidence

which I hope to be transferable to future journeys, while still providing enough safety

and security through schedules and accommodation to stop the experience from

becoming overwhelming.


Confidence and Opportunities

Without sounding too cliché, the thing that comes to mind first when I look back on

The Hague was the impact that it had on me personally. In a completely new

environment with people I had only met a week ago, I felt able to do so much more

than I ever would have expected. In General Assembly, I did my first ever speech

which was in defence of my committee’s resolution. This was something that I could

never have imagined doing back home, let alone in front of a room of 300 people I

had only just met. Somehow, I felt much more confident and able to push myself

when in a new environment, especially one which was as supportive and

encouraging as EYP. The session really taught me a lot about myself and my

capabilities, learning that, again without sounding too cliché, the most important and

significant growth can only come when I push myself to leave my comfort zone.


Hamilton is Universal

It was so fun and relaxing was seeing how universal Gen Z humour and inside jokes

are across Europe. This especially became apparent when singing/rapping Hamilton

and realising that all my roommates (and their friends who joined us at the sound of

Hamilton) not only also loved it, but knew it word for word. Everyone at the event

was so easy to talk to and I learnt so much about varying countries and cultures from

everyone I interacted with. If anyone ever has the opportunity to experience an EYP

International Session, the best things you can learn are definitely from the people.



Almost a month on, I continue to reflect on the session, what I learnt about travel,

what I learnt about myself and most importantly, what I learnt from every wonderful

person who I had the pleasure to get to know.


Thank you all for such an amazing session, I cannot fully express how grateful I was

to experience it. See you all somewhere in Europe!


By Amber S, member of EYPUK



For more information about International Sessions, please see the EYP Network website.

For more information about The Hague International Session, please see their website.


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Information

European Youth Parliament UK

Liverpool Town Hall

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no. 1029243

Email: info@eypuk.co.uk

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EYP

The European Youth Parliament is one of the largest platforms for political debate, intercultural encounters, European civic education and the exchange of ideas for young people in Europe.

EYPUK

The European Youth Parliament United Kingdom (EYPUK) is a leading non-partisan organisation that provides non-formal education for young people on a wide range of political issues facing the UK and Europe. 

EYP National Committees

The EYP is a network of independent youth organisations active in 40 countries across Europe. Each independent youth organisation is known as a National Committee.

Video header: Anouck Guillot 

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