My summer at Bruegel
About the author: Devan Bhumralkar’25 is an FSI The Europe Center Global Policy Intern with the Bruegel. Devan is currently an International Relations major at Stanford University.
My summer at Bruegel has been wonderful thus far. I have had the opportunity to work on such interesting projects and have been exposed to policy areas and topics I had never previously explored. Beyond that, just being in an environment with so many brilliant, knowledgeable people has enriched my understanding of the world.
The office
When I arrived at the office on my first day, I was immediately struck by how kind and welcoming everyone was. Many of my colleagues asked me about my interests and what types of projects I would like to work on over the summer, to which I replied I was happy to help out wherever needed.
Looking back, that was the best choice I could have made. From climate subsidies to migration to trade, I have had the privilege of working on a broad range of topics during my time at Bruegel. It is truly remarkable to be on the forefront of economic research in a city like Brussels. Whereas at Stanford I use journal articles and databases for projects, at Bruegel we create them.
A moment that aptly sums up the growth opportunities I have had this summer is when I was first introduced to a long term research project in my second week. One of the research assistants mentioned the project and asked if I would be interested, before the lead of the project interjected and asked about my data science skills. I responded that I had some baseline experience but by no means was I an expert. The lead said that they didn’t care if I had no experience at all as long as I was willing to learn.
That sort of attitude, as well as the collaboratively culture in the workplace, has made this summer truly special. If someone feels that they have too much on their plate, they may ask around who has time. Asking for support is encouraged and mutually beneficial: I take some of the load off of them and get to learn something new in the process.
Lunch
The best part of work, however, has not been the incredible projects I have worked on or fascinating events I have participated in. The best part of work is lunch — every day of the week. In the European Quarter, every other storefront is a lunch spot for the various members of the public-private Brussels ecosystem. Parliamentarians order Bahn Mi and Commission bureaucrats chose from a selection of wraps on every corner.
Although the food is good, what makes lunch my favorite part of everyday is the conversation. Around half past noon someone will finally utter aloud what most have been thinking for a while. “Lunch?” Someone asks, met with overwhelming support. We stagger out of the building before spending a few minutes on the sidewalk debating where to go. Eventually a consensus is reached, or else multiple coalitions go their separate ways. Either way, all reconvene in the kitchen of our office where two large tables quickly fill and small conversations, residual from the walk back, meld into one large group discussion.
I could just sit back and listen. Discussion ensues and dissent is welcomed. When a particular topic arises, the table yields to the expert in that particular field. And when you share your view, others look at you and truly listen, rather than just waiting for their turn to speak. They respect your opinion, even if they will not hesitate to disagree, and you always go back to your desk after lunch just a little smarter than when you left it.
After work
A welcome byproduct of the EU presence in Brussels is the city’s vibrant after work culture. From Mondays in Saint Gilles to Wednesdays at Chatelain to Thursdays at Place Lux — perhaps with a stop at Parc de Bruxelles or Mont des Art along the way — there is always something happening on weekdays.
Wednesdays at Marche du Chatelain are unmissable. In the afternoon, a bustling market takes over what, on any other day of the week, looks to be a small square in the southeast of the city. You can find anything you need there, from eggs so fresh you have to pick the feathers off to steaming Belgian waffles made to order. I always come equipped with a shopping bag — to take a baguette or fresh pasta or fresh fruits or cheese.
Interspersed among the market stalls are small market terraces — stalls vending a variety of wines and prepared foods. They set up a horde of small tables and it is a well-known fact that you can expect to share them — if you get table space at all. The paella is a crowd favorite, and they even have a small oyster shack. Surprisingly, even the street tacos are delicious.
Thursdays at Place du Luxembourg (shortened to Place Lux (shortened to PLux)) are something of Brussels legend. The parliament of the European Union sits on one end of the plaza, and after work on Thursdays droves of staffers (and maybe even a young MEP or two) pour out onto the terraces. Bureaucrats, consultants, and occasionally the odd researcher (like us) intermingle as the lines between the terraces and the street become increasingly difficult to define.
The after-work culture in Brussels would be impossible without the work culture in Brussels. The office generally starts to clear out around five o’clock and by six or seven there is usually nobody left. It is unusual to see people working late and nearly unheard of to see anyone working on the weekends. Even in the cases where I felt it best to stay an extra hour to finish something up, everyone who passed me on their way out urged me to go home or “go out and enjoy the weather”.
