10 December: Diplomatic Event: Israel/Palestine
On the 10th of December 2018, the joint efforts of dr. Lorena De Vita and Wouter Kuijl (CS Ubuntu) brought two speakers to Utrecht University for a diplomatic event that sought to discuss the Israeli-Palestine conflict in an international perspective.

Former diplomat and United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Representative to the Palestine Liberation Organisation from 2007 to 2015, Robert H. Serry and Historian and Researcher at the Netherlands Institute of Human Rights at Utrecht University and Peter Malcontent engaged in a most interesting discussion that broke through the commonly referred to regional point of view.

It is sure to say that the students were not only delighted by the discussion, but they also had ample opportunity to ask questions to these experts themselves. All in all the event was a success, with knowledge exchanged, perspectives broadened and long-held questions answered.   

14-15 December: Small Study Trip to Brussels
Early on Thursday morning (or was is still considered night time?) we met up at Utrecht Central Station to embark on our little journey to Brussels. After a little nap on the train, we arrived in Brussels for our first meeting at the European Parliament. We were booked into a room where we got some more information about the complex structures of the Parliament. Next up was a sneak peek into the room where it all happens!



From the European Parliament we rolled into the Martens Institute, this is a think tank for the People's Party in the European Parliament. After that, we made our way  to the hostel to drop off our bags, and have a well deserved lunch.

The last event on the program that day was a visit to the International Crisis Group, in an impressive office on the 14th floor looking out over Brussels. After we admired the view, we got an interesting presentation on the workings of the organisation, after which we all had many questions about possible internships. Networking networking networking! We even got the opportunity to look through the publications of the International Crisis Group, which we could even take home with us!

The evening had us drinking special beers in bars and having a lovely dinner with everyone. Our dance moves came out, sparkly as ever despite that we were awake for 22hrs already.

On Saturday we had a little lie in, but the strong people were present at breakfast in the hostel kitchen. After refueling our bodies, we had free time to do what we wanted. We spend the day strolling from one lunch place to the other, visiting the Christmas market and a super cool second-hand shop. Happy, content and tired we took the bus back to Utrecht.

19 December: Board Games Santa Edition
This month's board games edition took place in Mick O'Connells, where we sat down for (many) beers and played some fun games. It was a beautiful evening with smiles on all our faces.