Among the many reasons to join the European Leadership Programme, one stands out repeatedly in Fellows’ introductions: easing the transition to life in Brussels. For many, the programme provides a structured way to settle into the city after arriving for a traineeship or job. Yet, while it is an excellent springboard for newcomers, it also offers immense value to those who have already spent time in Brussels — myself included.
Some of us join later, seeking something beyond the routines we’ve grown accustomed to. In my case, it was a desire to step outside the EU bubble I had been immersed in since completing my Blue Book traineeship in 2022. Despite having a stable job, I felt a certain restlessness, a sense that something was missing — one that another trip abroad couldn’t quite fill. Concepts like volunteering and community were appealing yet abstract when I first joined. Now, they stand as the cornerstones of my five-month experience and the most compelling reasons to take part in the programme.
Volunteering was always an option in Brussels, yet without the programme, I lacked the final push to take action. The language barrier added another layer of hesitation, making it harder to take that first step. But being surrounded by like-minded peers who were eager to engage with local communities made all the difference. The programme’s structure, where Fellows often volunteer in pairs or groups, provided the support needed to move beyond good intentions. Without the ELP, I might never have found the courage to walk the streets of Brussels offering support to the homeless or even to cross the road from my office to volunteer with asylum seekers at the Red Cross. The programme provided the structure that I needed to make the first step, and I now feel confident to continue this path even after it ends.
Before the fellowship, “community” felt like a vague buzzword — something difficult to define. Now, as I near the end of this residential experience, I not only understand its meaning but truly feel it. Community is about sharing and compassion, even in the face of misunderstandings and individual differences. It is a sense of connection built on common values and a shared vision of the common good — one that begins within the microcosm of our house and extends outward to the world as a whole. Sharing the past five months with a community of seventeen other young people has been an incredible life lesson and the part of the fellowship I will miss the most. But as the saying goes, it’s not a goodbye, it’s a farewell until we meet again.
Looking back on this experience as a whole and considering whether the programme met my expectations, I must say — not at all, because it far exceeded them. I had anticipated engaging with inspiring speakers and meeting some of the most experienced EU officials. But I never expected to find joy in discussing the Gospels with my spiritual coach, having heartfelt conversations with the homeless, or spontaneously dancing salsa and the waltz. Yet, it was precisely these unexpected moments that made the experience not just worthwhile but truly once-in-a-lifetime. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to all eligible candidates, whether they are already in Brussels or not.
Zvonimir Obradović
European Leadership Programme (ELP) alumnus
