Dr. Mert Kartal and Ceyda Onaran Kartal Lead Summer Course in Belgium, France, and Luxembourg
Each summer, St. Lawrence University offers a dynamic array of courses taught around the world.
In the summer of 2022, SLU students spent two weeks in Belgium, France, and Luxembourg with Dr. Mert Kartal and Ceyda Onaran Kartal, exploring the past, present, and future of Europe and the European Union (EU). When learning about the cultural, historical, and political factors that have shaped Europe, students visited various sites of key importance. These visits included the Haut Königsbourg in Alsace/France, the Struthof former concentration camp, the Historical Museum in Strasbourg/France, and Ouvrage Hackenberg in Veckring/France.
In addition, students attended sessions in several institutions designed to promote cooperation among European nations, including the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, the European Parliament in Belgium, European Court of Justice in Luxembourg.
The course also featured lively discussions on current issues before the EU (such as the Russia-Ukraine war, the rise of right-wing populism, and refugee flows) and the role of culture, diversity, and human rights in Europe facilitated by prominent scholars as well as current and former policymakers. In their free time, students explored several European cities, interacted with European citizens, and attended cooking classes led by Ceyda Onaran Kartal.
