On a business trip to London and Brussels

Exploring London: history, innovation and unforgettable experiences

Today I would like to take you on a journey through one of the most exciting cities in the world: London. A city known not only for its fascinating history, but also as a centre of innovation and culture. Join me on my journey of discovery through the streets of London, full of wonders and surprises!

The first time I set foot on London soil, I immediately felt the electrifying atmosphere that permeates this city. From the bustling streets of the city centre to the tranquil parks on the banks of the Thames, London promised adventure at every turn.

The Shard Hotel: A view from above

Our first stop was the iconic The Shard Hotel, where we visited the most expensive suite (€10,000/night), which included not only a luxurious bedroom, but also a spacious living room and office. From there, we had the privilege of enjoying a breathtaking view over the London skyline. The panoramic views stretched across endless streets, historic buildings and the winding River Thames.

Bloomberg: a leap into the future

Another highlight of my trip was a visit to Bloomberg, a hotspot for innovation and entrepreneurship. The building itself was architecturally impressive, like a modern ark sailing into the future. As we entered the studio, we immediately felt the vibrant energy and creative atmosphere that permeated the place.

Young people from all over the world were working side by side on their projects and ideas, and I could literally feel the excitement and enthusiasm in the air. But it wasn't just the atmosphere that was inspiring, the range of healthy snacks and drinks on offer was also impressive. A rich and healthy buffet was available to visitors, showing that Bloomberg not only focuses on innovation, but also on the well-being of its employees.

From the latest technologies to ground-breaking business ideas, it was clear at Bloomberg that London is a focal point for innovation and progress. This experience not only gave me an insight into the future of entrepreneurship, but also showed me that progress and wellbeing can go hand in hand.

Entrepreneurial insights: first-hand inspiration

Whilst exploring London's corporate world, I came across a variety of fascinating ideas and concepts. I was particularly impressed by an Austrian company that presented an innovative online business concept. Their passion and determination was infectious and reminded me that the limits of what is possible are only defined by our imagination.

Farewell and memories

Away from the excursion, I discovered some charming pubs that perfectly epitomise traditional London flair. From cosy corner pubs to lively inns with live music, I found the perfect place to relax after a long day and enjoy the local beer. I was particularly impressed by the Soho neighbourhood, which had a vibrant atmosphere and a variety of cool cocktail bars. The narrow streets were lined with trendy bars and restaurants, and the shopping streets reminded me of the hustle and bustle of New York City.

One thing that immediately struck me about London was the elegance of the city. From the magnificent historic buildings to the chic boutiques and restaurants, London exudes an unrivalled glamour, but it comes with a price tag. But despite the high cost, London is also an extremely diverse city where people from all over the world come together to celebrate the diversity of cultures and lifestyles.

38 part-time and 30 full-time students travelled to Brussels at the beginning of April. The excursion took place as a follow-up to the European Law course in the first semester.

The students learnt more about the work and functioning of the European Commission and gained an insight into the Council of the European Union, the European Council, the Committee of the Regions and the Austrian Permanent Representation. This was a unique opportunity to talk to people from the institutions and our students were able to learn a lot about life and work in Brussels. The Permanent Representation in particular left a lasting and very positive impression on our students. The ‘delegation from Eisenstadt’ also had the opportunity to speak with members of various political groups in the European Parliament. ‘The students demonstrated their skills and knowledge in critical yet respectful discourse,’ university lecturer Josefine Kuhlmann tells us.

Why has it been so important to programme director Tonka Semmler-Matošić for many years that her students come to Brussels? She believes that after the excursion, the EU is no longer an abstract structure for the students, but a living organism in which they were able to experience the exchange of opinions and the weighing up of arguments live.

However, the students not only got to know Brussels better, but also each other and returned to campus full of new impressions.

Decisions are made in Brussels that influence our actions on a daily basis, and in the upcoming elections we will once again have a say in the course the EU should take. Travelling broadens our horizons and we want to show our students in particular how important intercultural skills are. We need these skills not only at work, but also in our private lives, because we are all united by diversity.

In the 6th semester of the International Business Relations degree programme, we went on a study trip to London. The programme planned by FH Burgenland sounded particularly interesting even before the actual visit and included many company visits, most of which had a direct connection to Austria.

Often the CEO or other employees were directly from Austria or at least had a connection to Austria in their ‘daily business’. Shangri La is a luxury hotel in the heart of London, located directly in the London Shard. In addition to a warm welcome from the hotel staff, we were able to enjoy a thoroughly exciting tour of the hotel. The highlight was the luxury suite, which offered a breathtaking view over London. The suite had been thought through down to the smallest detail and each individual room had its own special features. We even had the pleasure of meeting the hotel's general manager and asking him a few questions. Kurt Macher has been General Manager of the hotel for many years and comes from Austria, which prompted many questions about his home country and his career.

My personal highlight also happened on the first day. After some refreshments in the centre of London, we went on a company visit to Bloomberg. Without knowing Bloomberg's exact business beforehand, we made our way to the imposing company building. The tour we were given showed us many of the building's architectural features, which were particularly interesting for me as an engineer who had worked in the field of building technology for many years.

Everyday working life and the structures at Bloomberg are extremely different compared to Austria. From open-plan workplaces to a huge meeting point and cafeteria, Bloomberg had everything to offer. Lea Dusic, who introduced us to the concept and working methods at Bloomberg, is also Austrian and decided to move to London during the course of her career. The same story is shared by Rafael Hakl, who studied International Business Relations at the FH Burgenlang and also found his way to Bloomberg. The story behind their careers as well as the first steps and difficulties that you face when you start working in a foreign country were particularly revealing.

There was also a very interesting programme on the following days at companies such as the Austrian National Tourist Office, Kiperl, CBRE Frequenties and Advantage Austria London. We went on a tour of London's financial district, where we learnt background information about the buildings.

Apart from the many visits to the companies, we also had plenty of fun in our free time. In the evenings, we were able to explore London on our own with fellow students, who had become friends over the course of the semester, and let the evening fade away. In addition to sightseeing, going to the pub and having dinner together, the focus was on having fun and the trip to London was therefore also a kind of final trip, which rounded off the entire degree programme perfectly. For future semesters, I can recommend this final trip with a clear conscience and the memories of it will stay with me for many years to come.

Brussels excursion: A deep insight into European politics

The excursion to Brussels as part of my part-time International Economic Relations degree programme provided an excellent opportunity to combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience. As a local councillor and employee in a political office that is also responsible for the Committee of the Regions, I found the whole trip particularly relevant and informative.

My highlight: the European Parliament

The visit to the European Parliament was undoubtedly the highlight of the trip. We met the MEPs Roman Haider (FPÖ), Lukas Mandl (ÖVP) and Thomas Waitz (The Greens) and were able to ask them questions directly after a brief introduction. As a politically active person and as a deputy electoral officer in my home municipality for the upcoming EU elections, I found the discussions about the Green Deal and the Supply Chain Act particularly informative.

Equally impressive was the visit to the Committee of the Regions, where we were given an insight into the structures and working methods. This was particularly important and interesting for me, as my working environment is directly linked to the Committee.

Another highlight of the excursion for me was the visit to the Austrian liaison office. I found the insight into the daily processes and the specific activities of the liaison office particularly exciting. It was interesting to learn how the office represents Austria's interests at European level and how it deals with various challenges. Cultural experiences and social moments

Cultural experiences and social moments

In addition to the official programme items, the trip also offered numerous opportunities to explore the city of Brussels and experience Belgian culture. Some of us visited the ‘Place du Luxembourg’, a square in the European Quarter. The square is also known to many as Place Lux. It is a square where music is played every Thursday and around the square there are pubs, mainly bars, where politicians, employees and visitors meet.

On the last evening, we headed to the city centre, where we visited the ‘Delirium Café’. This is a bar that is listed in the Guinness Book of Records for the number of beers on offer. On the last day, we treated ourselves to a traditional Belgian waffle - a sweet conclusion to our culinary adventures. 

Conclusion: added value for professional and private life

This excursion has broadened my skills and understanding of European politics and will help me to be even more effective in my role as a local councillor and political office worker. It has motivated me to continue to actively participate in politics and to deepen my involvement in both my professional and academic life.  In addition to the political and cultural impressions, it was above all the people who made the trip so special. The shared experience brought us closer together as a group.

To summarise, I can say that the excursion to Brussels was an extremely enriching experience that not only gave me new insights into the mechanisms of European politics, but also broadened my professional and academic perspectives. By interacting directly with MEPs and immersing myself in the environment of the European institutions, I was able to gain a deeper understanding of the complexity and importance of European political processes. I appreciate every opportunity to gain new insights and I am confident that I will be able to take some of these back to my studies and my work.