🇪🇺 What Happened: Student Visit to EU Delegation
On 4 December 2025, a group of students from the University of Westminster visited the Delegation of the European Union to the United Kingdom in London (Europe House, Westminster) to learn firsthand about EU–UK relations and current diplomatic work. (University of Westminster)
The visit was organised by Dr Magdalena Frennhoff Larsén, Reader in Politics and International Relations at Westminster, together with Amber Ella, President of the university’s European Affairs Institute. (University of Westminster)
Who Participated
- Students from a range of courses, including Politics, International Relations and Psychology programmes at the University of Westminster. (University of Westminster)
- The event took place at Europe House, the headquarters of the EU Delegation in London, which represents the European Commission and European Parliament in the UK. (Wikipedia)
What Students Learned
At the Delegation, students were hosted by EU diplomats — including Jan Tatum-Kraus and András Kos — who explained:
1. The Role of the EU Delegation
The diplomats outlined how the EU Delegation works in the UK, its functions in diplomacy, public engagement, policy dialogue, and how it helps maintain EU–UK cooperation after Brexit. (University of Westminster)
2. Post-Brexit EU–UK Relationship
Students heard about the evolution of the EU–UK relationship since the UK left the EU, including areas of ongoing negotiation and cooperation — from trade and political dialogue to security policy. (University of Westminster)
3. EU Response to Global Issues (e.g., Ukraine)
The discussion also covered how the EU has engaged with challenges such as the war in Ukraine, and the role of diplomatic engagement in supporting peace and cooperation. (University of Westminster)
Student & Academic Comments
Student Reaction:
- Amber Ella, who helped organise the visit, said it was a “pleasure to be at Europe House,” and that hearing directly from practitioners offered an invaluable learning opportunity and deepened students’ understanding of European affairs. (University of Westminster)
Academic Perspective:
- Dr Frennhoff Larsén highlighted how good it is for students to engage with professionals working on real EU-UK issues, allowing them to connect classroom lessons to actual diplomatic processes. (University of Westminster)
Comments from educational organisers emphasise that such visits help students to ask sharp, insightful questions about topics like Euroscepticism, EU enlargement, foreign policy challenges, and broader international relations — enriching their learning experience. (University of Westminster)
Educational and Broader Context
EU Delegation in London
- The EU Delegation to the United Kingdom represents European Union interests in the UK, working on diplomacy, policy coordination, and explaining EU policies and values to British audiences post-Brexit. (Wikipedia)
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Visits like this build on a wider trend of educational engagement with international institutions — similar to other student trips to Brussels or other diplomatic hubs where young people learn about international policy-making and cooperation. (cife.eu)
Supporting Skills and Careers
Students gain insight into practical diplomacy and international relations careers, helping bridge the gap between academic study and professional understanding of global affairs.
Summary
Event: Westminster students visit EU Delegation in London. (University of Westminster)
Purpose: Learn about EU–UK relations, the role of the EU Delegation, and contemporary diplomatic issues. (University of Westminster)
Hosts: EU diplomats including Jan Tatum-Kraus and András Kos. (University of Westminster)
Organisers: University of Westminster academic staff and student leaders. (University of Westminster)
Key Topics: EU diplomatic work, post-Brexit cooperation, Ukraine and global challenges, and international relations careers. (University of Westminster)
Here’s a case-study and commentary overview of the recent visit by Westminster University students to the EU Delegation in London to learn about EU–UK relations, including real examples from the visit and perspectives on its educational value:
Case Study 1 — Direct Engagement with Diplomacy
What happened:
On 4 December 2025, students from the University of Westminster studying Politics, International Relations, and Psychology visited the Delegation of the European Union to the United Kingdom at Europe House in London. The visit was organised by Dr Magdalena Frennhoff Larsén and Amber Ella, president of the Westminster European Affairs Institute. (University of Westminster)
Focus of the visit:
- EU–UK relationship: Students heard how the EU views the post-Brexit relationship, highlighting its transition from a turbulent phase to what the Delegation described as a more stable, constructive phase. (University of Westminster)
- Role of the EU Delegation: Diplomats Jan Tatum-Kraus and András Kos explained the Delegation’s work in London—helping to maintain dialogue with the UK government and public, and engaging on policy, public diplomacy, and cooperation. (University of Westminster)
- War in Ukraine: The group also discussed how the EU has responded to the Russian invasion of Ukraine as part of its broader international relations work. (University of Westminster)
Commentary from participants:
- Amber Ella: “It is always a pleasure to be at Europe House. Hearing from experts offers an invaluable learning opportunity for students and enriches our understanding of European affairs.” (University of Westminster)
- Dr Frennhoff Larsén: Praised students’ sharp questions, which ranged from Euroscepticism across the EU to EU enlargement prospects, showing deep engagement with complex topics. (University of Westminster)
Educational impact:
This visit gave students first-hand exposure to practitioners working on real EU–UK policy issues, connecting academic theory with current diplomatic practice and debate. (University of Westminster)
Case Study 2 — Skill Building and Career Insight
Real-world skill building:
Engagement with diplomats helped students refine:
- Analytical skills by hearing how the EU approaches political dialogue and negotiation.
- Communication skills through interactive Q&A.
- Career awareness in international affairs, diplomacy, and policy analysis.
This aligns with Westminster’s broader approach to linking classroom learning with professional insight and trajectories in international relations, as seen in its Politics and IR programmes’ emphasis on immersive experiences. (University of Westminster)
Example from past visits:
Earlier in 2025, Westminster students also visited EU institutions in Brussels (European Commission, European Parliament) and NATO headquarters, gaining experience with multiple international organisations and enhancing their comparative understanding of how global governance works in practice. (University of Westminster)
Case Study 3 — Contextualising Present-Day EU–UK Relations
Why this matters now:
The EU–UK relationship has been evolving significantly in late 2025:
- Leaders agreed on a higher-profile summit in May 2025, reaffirming a new strategic partnership following Brexit. (Consilium)
- Elsewhere, the UK and EU are negotiating frameworks such as rejoining the Erasmus+ student exchange scheme from 2027, which itself is a symbol of renewed cooperation in education and youth mobility. (AP News)
This educational visit thus fits into a wider environment of increasing engagement between UK institutions and the EU, especially where student mobility and policy collaboration are concerned.
Stakeholder and Expert Comments
Students’ perspective:
• Participants highlighted how direct engagement with diplomats deepened their understanding beyond textbooks, especially on nuanced issues like EU policy responses and post-Brexit governance.
Academic organisers:
• Dr Frennhoff Larsén emphasised the value of real-world exposure for critical thinking on international agendas, including contentious topics like expansion of the EU and internal politics like Euroscepticism. (University of Westminster)
Broader academic community:
• Educators generally see such delegations as key in preparing students for careers in international law, diplomacy, public policy, and global governance, offering insight into how institutions like the EU function outside formal negotiations and high politics.
Educational Outcomes and Broader Relevance
Key learner takeaways:
- Enhanced understanding of EU institutions and their role in UK relations post-Brexit.
- Insight into international response mechanisms, such as EU actions relating to major global events (e.g., geopolitical conflict in Ukraine). (University of Westminster)
- Exposure to practical diplomacy and policy formulation processes.
Connection to broader trends:
In late 2025, developments like the UK’s expected rejoining of Erasmus+ highlight that student and youth engagement remains central to the EU–UK relationship going forward. (AP News)
Summary
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Westminster students visit EU Delegation in London |
| Hosts | EU diplomats Jan Tatum-Kraus, András Kos |
| Topics discussed | EU–UK relations, role of EU Delegation, Ukraine issues |
| Educational value | Real-world diplomatic insights, interactive Q&A, career exposure |
| Context | Part of broader post-Brexit engagement, including Erasmus+ talks |