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 Nine
undergraduate students from East Stroudsburg University of
Pennsylvania recently had the opportunity to participate in
Eurosim, a four-day international simulation of the European
Union (EU), the world’s largest economic and political
union. The event drew 171 students from 19 European and
American universities representing a range of linguistic,
ethnic, and ideological perspectives. An annual event for
the past 18 years, Eurosim alternates between sites in the
United States and Europe. This year’s event was held in
Buffalo, N.Y. from April 12-15.
Dr. Johan Eliasson, assistant professor of political science
at ESU, organized and funded the trip to Eurosim 2007 with a
faculty development and research grant from the ESU Office
of Graduate Studies and Research. The following students,
majoring in political science, represented ESU: Kevin
Donatello, a senior political science major from Hillsdale,
N.J.; Abraham Cepeda, a junior political science major from
Allentown, Pa.; Michael Coates, a senior pre-law major from
Stroudsburg, Pa.; Judah Shleifer, a senior history major
from Bethlehem, Pa.; Jessica Eddy, a junior environmental
studies major from East Stroudsburg, Pa.; Elizabeth Bernard,
a sophomore secondary education major from Hatboro, Pa.;
Shelby Skeabeck, a senior political science major from
Pottstown, Pa.; Kayla Jennings, a junior political science
major from Scranton, Pa.; and Tyler Altemose, a junior
pre-law major from Bath, Pa.
Dr. Eliasson said, “The ESU students did a fantastic job,
and ESU can be proud. Representing Lithuania and Finland, as
well as two members of the European Parliament, they engaged
in negotiations over emissions standards and pollution
regulations, relations with Russia, and the need for new
energy supplies. They were well prepared, having devoted
time and energy to researching European energy policy and
environmental regulations. All of them rose several levels
at the simulation, displaying significant knowledge and
professionalism. They performed well, learned a lot, had a
fun and rewarding experience, and served as true ambassadors
for ESU.”
The four-day Eurosim program includes roughly 25 hours of
meetings in the various EU committees where, just as in the
real EU, intense discussions and debates take place on the
conference agenda, as well as other issues that may arise
during the negotiations. Eurosim allows students to utilize
their acquired knowledge of the European Union, negotiation
strategies, bargaining skills, and specific policy issues
under circumstances, and with rules resembling those facing
real life policy makers, in an applied setting. The
simulation follows the rules and procedures applied in the
governing institutions and committees of the EU.
Participants familiarize themselves with workings of the EU,
the simulation topic, and the assigned countries and alter
ego roles (which are provided to participants months in
advance), at home universities under faculty guidance.
The simulation enhances participants’ understanding of
Europe and international politics, while simultaneously
sowing seeds of transatlantic understanding and friendship
among participants. Engaging with students from ten
different countries in an intense academic setting, but
where there are also opportunities for social interactions,
proves extremely rewarding culturally, socially, and
academically.
Nine students from East Stroudsburg University joined 171
students from 19 European and American universities in a
4-day international simulation of the European Union, the
world’s largest economic and political union. The annual
event, alternating between sites in the United States and
Europe, was held in Buffalo, N.Y.
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© 2006 ESU European Studies Club. Logo based on images made available by the European Union.
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