Members of the Queen's Economics Society visited Belgium and Luxembourg last week as part of a week-long study trip to Europe.

The 24 students, who all study economics and related disciplines at Queen’s Management School, were hosted by the Leuven Institute for Ireland in Europe, located just outside Brussels.

The trip, which was part of the Queen's Development Weeks programme, was an opportunity for students to learn about the economics of the European Union first hand.

Students visited various European institutions, such as the European Parliament in Brussels and the European Stability Mechanism in Luxembourg. These visits were complemented by guest lectures from the economics faculty based at the Catholic University of Leuven.

Students also visited the port of Antwerp to learn about the logistics behind international trade, and the AB InBev factory in Leuven to understand the business of international brewing.

Dr Chris Colvin, an economics lecturer at Queen’s who accompanied the students on the trip, said: “The Leuven Institute put on a great programme for us which really complemented the students’ academic studies back in Belfast.”

Kara Hull, an MSc Economics student at Queen’s and a member of the Queen's Economics Society organising committee, said: “It was a really fantastic trip and everyone enjoyed it.”