MEU Athens: Matthew Pierro
Matthew Pierro studies Global Studies and Peace, War, and Defense at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Matthew participated in Model EU Athens, representing Croatia.
Participating in MEU Athens, an otherwise entirely European space, made me feel acutely American. My presence seemed to surprise other participants, who then questioned what interests or purpose an American might serve in a European forum. And in these conversations, “well…we’re American,” became the joking explanation for everything from why we chose to participate in Model European Union, to what our cohort knew or did not, and ultimately our vaccine cards. And just as everything ‘foreign’ piqued my interest, my ‘Americanness’ likewise seemed a beacon to others. This fascination lent to quite a social week and a (mostly) productive European Council simulation. The Council admittedly struggled through some hostilities — spurred by a fellow American holding 40% of the voting bloc — but we concluded on a spirit of collaboration by passing both pieces of legislation. In this effort I befriended colleagues from Moldova, Germany, Bulgaria, and elsewhere, and it was refreshing to hear Europeans themselves offer perspectives on EU-specific issues.
I also discovered a curious language dynamic: as native English speakers, there were moments where our cohort popularized phrases and gestures. In return, I appreciated crash courses in Romanian and Dutch, both of which I saved to my iPhone keyboard for later use. But as a novel traveler, it was interactions outside the debates — as mundane as morning metro rides — that enriched my experience as an American at MEU Athens. Our commute to Council provided opportunities to decipher metro signs and speak with other participants. I enjoyed accounts of Soviet-style architecture, tourism in Istanbul, and bike rides through Rotterdam. A 15 minute ride traversed dozens of borders and hundreds of miles. And each evening, I joined groups for plates of authentic gyros and hikes around Athens’ maze-like grids. In these moments of authentic cultural exchange I learned about European education, politics, and food, from Bratislava to Milan. For all that I absorbed, I also imparted lessons of life in America. I presented Chapel Hill as the prototypical American college town, and may yet have convinced the Europeans to concede hosting to Americans, too.
This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of UNC, Pitt, and FIU, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
