A melting pot of Flemish and Belgian-French business environments, historic yet hip, bureaucratic yet bizarre, Brussels is multicultural to its roots. In addition to its key role within its country, Brussels is also an internationally important city, hosting numerous global institutions. Sometimes referred to informally as the capital of the EU, Brussels is the administrative centre of the European Union. Home to the EU and NATO, with opportunities in NGO’s, consultancy, and communications companies, translation and recruitment organisations, many young professionals move to Brussels to pursue careers with these and countless more local, regional, and national institutions.
With 70% of the working population employed in the service industry, staging six Fashion Weeks per year that attract millions, and its fast-growing start-up and fintech sectors, Paris exerts considerable influence in world affairs. Paris is home to many top Fortune 500 companies and hosts the headquarters of many international organisations, including UNESCO, the OECD, the International Chamber of Commerce, the European Space Agency, and the International Federation for Human Rights, among others. Paris' well-known landmarks, museums, and architecture, as well as its contributions to the global economy and the fields of politics, education, entertainment, media, and the arts, are only a few of the many reasons why the city keeps attracting professionals from all over the globe.
Westminster Working Cultures (WWC) Brussels and Paris will offer students a unique opportunity to experience the professional environments, histories, and cultures of both Belgium and France. Join us on this journey to explore work insights and career opportunities in two of the most fascinating cities in Europe!
Check out what the WWC Brussels and Paris participant experience looks like through our Flickr photo album.
About the programme
WWC Brussels and Paris
Sunday 11 June - Saturday 17 June 2023
Programme summary
Westminster Working Cultures (WWC) Brussels and Paris offers undergraduate students a chance to learn about the professional landscape, career opportunities and working life in Europe and more specifically in Brussels and Paris. Speakers will share their professional journey and advice through the week, to help students from every background achieve their goals.
On the programme you'll be able to:
- Experience work insights and employment culture in Brussels and Paris
- Ask professionals all the questions you’ve ever wanted answering, about their international professional journey, their top tips on how they built their confidence, or what they did while they were at university
- Make friends with other students from across different courses and experience the history and culture of Brussels and Paris together
- Build your skills and experience by practising your communication, confidence, and networking skills in an international setting
This programme features a range of speakers from different professional sectors, so applications are encouraged from undergraduate students across all courses. A full itinerary and list of companies you’ll visit will be provided closer to the trip.
Applications close on Sunday 12 March 2023.
Apply for June 2023Go to the WWC Brussels and Paris application form
Key information
This trip has been generously funded by the Quintin Hogg Trust. This means most of your trip costs will be funded, including train travel and accommodation.
Trip costs that are covered (and students will not have to pay for) include:
- train travel
- accommodation
- internal transport
- meals that are part of the programme (ie most breakfasts and lunches)
Trip costs that are not covered (and students will have to pay for):
- a £100 contribution towards the trip
- a visa and associated costs if you require one
- your own transport costs to and from London rail station
- costs associated with free time (ie food and entrance fees)
- COVID-19 vaccination and test costs (if applicable)
The purpose of the trip is to enhance your employability and develop skills that will help you after graduation. You’ll visit a number of leading and diverse organisations in Brussels and Paris and have a chance to reflect on your experience. A full itinerary and list of organisations and museums you’ll visit will be provided closer to the trip. Please be prepared to research them in advance so you can make the most of your time.
Please note: students will have to do a lot of walking and use public transportation around Brussels and Paris. To ensure students make the most of their time during the trip, the itinerary will include multiple visits and talks a day and may be quite intense.
The itinerary is being organised and sessions may include:
- seminars, workshops and workplace tours with alumni and partners
- Q&A sessions with University of Westminster alumni
You will also have time to enhance your understanding and cultural knowledge of Brussels and Paris.
Please note: this list is subject to change.
Train travel will be to and from a London rail station, details will be shared with selected students.
Accommodation will be in university-standard halls of residence or similar. Details will be confirmed prior to departure.
Please note: you will be sharing a twin room with another student of the same sex.
This programme is designed by the Westminster Working Cultures team based in the University’s Alumni Relations Office. You will be joined throughout the programme by the WWC team and various members of University staff, including senior academics. The programme will be subject to normal University risk assessments and regulations, and all students will be covered by the University of Westminster travel insurance (free of charge to students).
You are required to attend all the programme activities as representatives of the University.
Participants complete the programme by attending all sessions, completing their WWC workbook on Engage and sharing feedback about their experience.
Upon successful completion of the programme, participants will receive:
- 40 points toward the Westminster Employability Award. WWC is an optional activity and will be awarded to current students who have not yet graduated. Students can only receive WEA points once for completing a WWC programme
- A digital badge that can be shared on social media
- Access to a closed WWC LinkedIn group to maintain relationships and grow networks
- An exclusive opportunity to join the WWC team in a voluntary position as WWC Ambassador, a tailored employability role to enhance your professional development and experience
You must be enrolled as a full-time or part-time undergraduate student at the time of this trip (June 2023).
Agree to the ‘Expectations of trip participants’:
- be on time and participate in all activities and meetings
- adhere to all COVID-19 guidelines as required by local government
- post on social media, submit photos, videos or write a blog post about your experience
- reflect on your experience through the Westminster Working Cultures workbook
- be aware that things may change during your time abroad, have an open mind and be flexible!
Students are required to maintain the highest standards of behaviour while abroad on a University of Westminster programme. Students overseas remain bound by the University of Westminster’s 'Student Code of Conduct'.
Write a strong application for your chosen international programme by using the top tips below. The WWC team has put together some important guidance to help you write the best application possible. Our amazing WWC participants have also contributed their own advice and tips to support you in this process!
- Take your time. Rushed applications that are not tailored to the programme will be immediately obvious to the shortlisting panel and can give the impression that you haven’t spent time on your application. Ask someone to proofread for grammar and spelling
- Do your research. Have you done your research on the destination? You can use your research within your answers to improve the strength of your application by answering the following questions:
- How would this programme impact on your studies and future career?
- What do you aim to achieve from being on the programme?
- Keep it relevant. You have 300 words to answer each question, so keep your answer specific and relevant to what we are asking. Although we need detail in your answers, make sure that what you are writing stays on point with the focus of the question
- Expand on your points. If you state something which you feel is relevant and suitable for your application, expand on it and tell us more. If you feel participating in this international opportunity will help with your career or studies – tell us how and why! If there is an activity that is of keen interest to you – give us your reasons as to why it is. Developing employability attributes is one of the impacts this programme will have on students, but we want to know which ones you want to develop and how this programme will impact those
- Write more than one or two sentences. If you write only one or two sentences, your application will probably not be successful. Make sure you provide context and showcase your interests, motivations and personality when writing your application
Your application will be judged on the quality of your response to each question in the form, so make sure you carefully consider your responses and clearly communicate your interest in, and your motivations for, taking part in the WWC International programme.
Student advice
Our WWC participants have shared their advice for your application to WWC.
“Before filling out the application, start with writing down your characteristics and skills so that you know what you have to offer. Think about what motivates or inspires you to be a part of the programme. Note down your achievements and pull together all your best work experience examples. And, the last step will be to know what are your future goals and how will you make the most of the event to further contribute to your goals.”
Taruna – Designing Cities: Planning and Architecture BA
“Be honest. It is okay to say that you struggle with anxiety when speaking to new people. WWC is not about making judgements but helping you to develop personally in ways that will support your future employability. Ask yourself, “What do I find difficult, and how might this impact future possibilities?” Then during the WWC programme, you can work on the things you have identified.”
Maya – Psychology and Counselling BSc
“Think carefully and highlight in your application how you believe this programme will support your professional development and employability. For instance, developing confidence, networking with professionals, gaining insights into careers.”
Tina – Psychology BSc
“Have an open mind and be inspired by this process. Be like a painter with a brush and start painting. You will never create a masterpiece until your brush touches the blank canvas: the application. Tackle this as you would tackle a job application or your exam. Take it seriously and take your time. Research the graduate attributes that the world of work is looking for and link your application to how the WWC programme would enable you to start developing those particular attributes.”
Aminul – Biomedical Sciences BSc
"It's important to keep in mind why you are applying to the WWC. Is it because you want to meet new people or learn insights about an industry? This is what you should focus on explaining: how the programme will benefit your future."
Ernesta – Fashion Marketing and Promotion BA
“Make sure that you have answered the questions fully and in depth, in order to demonstrate to the WWC panel why the programme will be beneficial or suitable for you. Personalise your answer about your experience of higher education so far, or after graduation plans and talk about how the WWC programme may help you in your progression. Good luck!”
Bibi – Biomedical Sciences BSc
Application process
In order to be selected you will need to:
- complete an online application form
- agree to the participant expectations
- be available for the entire duration of the programme
- be a current undergraduate student at the time of the programme (June 2023)
- agree to any relevant COVID-19 restrictions
A selection panel will shortlist the participants against criteria which includes:
- academic performance
- quality of your response to the motivation questions for taking part in the programme
- previous Outward Mobility experience with the University
Applicants will be notified either way of the outcome as soon as possible after the application period closes.
Please note: applications are encouraged from, and priority may be given to, students who meet one of the Widening Participation criteria listed below:
- you are the first generation in your family to go to university
- you are a first-generation English speaker in your family
- your family home is a housing association or council property
- you are a carer, care leaver or estranged student
- you are a black, Asian or minority ethnic student
- you are registered with Disability Learning Support
Applications close on Sunday 12 March 2023.
Apply for June 2023Go to the WWC Brussels and Paris application form
COVID-19 guidance
We'll continue to monitor the Covid-19 situation and update plans as necessary. Any travel will be subject to government guidelines at the time of the programme.
Be prepared for plans to change!
No travel is risk-free during COVID-19. Countries may further restrict travel or bring in new rules at short notice, for example, due to a new COVID-19 variant. The above information is subject to change as per Belgium travel advice on GOV.UK and France travel advice on GOV.UK.
Further details
Pre-departure briefing sessions
All students selected to participate in the programme will be required to attend a briefing session to learn more about the programme and meet fellow WWC participants. Dates of the briefing sessions are:
- Pre-departure briefing 1 (date, location and time TBC)
- Pre-departure briefing 2 –(date, location and time TBC)
If you have any questions about this, please contact the Westminster Working Cultures team. You can email [email protected] with any queries.
Commitment to embracing diversity and promoting equality
If you have a disability that may affect your application to Westminster Working Cultures International, you can choose to inform us of this by emailing [email protected].
By disclosing this information, we may be able to adapt the process for you and take this into account when considering your application. Any information you disclose will be confidential.
Contact us
You can email [email protected] with any queries.
For further advice on security and visiting the USA, please see the Belgium travel advice on GOV.UK and France travel advice on GOV.UK.