Belgrade showed itself from its best side. After some weeks with quite unstable weather conditions, it suddenly got warm and sunny. The stage was definitely set for a nice experience in the capital of Serbia. “I have to admit that I was really surprised by Belgrade, especially when it comes to cool cafes and clubs“, says Emil Klashaugen, the Norwegian trainee in Ankara
The trainees are mostly students from political science, international relations or economics. They have either completed their bachelor’s degree or done their first year of a master’s degree. Through the Norwegian Foreign Ministry, they get the opportunity to have a six-month internship at a Norwegian embassy, to gain insight into the Norwegian foreign service.
The seminar, organized by the Embassy in Belgrade, included two important topics for Serbia at the moment, migration and EU integration. The Serbian government was very cooperative and helpful in provision of information and presenters. Both days, government representatives met the Norwegian trainees and talked to them about the current situation and the Serbian approach to both topics. Especially the meeting with dr. Tanja Miscevic, Serbia’s chief negotiator with the EU, was very interesting. This gave the trainees “expert knowledge” of the Serbian path to membership in the European Union.
NGOs and an international touch was also added, through presentations by Group 484 and OSCE, which broadened out the program. The topics were also comparable in a regional perspective. Since most of the trainees already had certain knowledge about South East Europe, this was a good opportunity to learn more about the region from the viewpoint of Serbia.
One of the evenings included a dinner at the Norwegian residence. In this old and beautiful building, the Norwegian ambassador, Arne Sannes Bjørnstad, invited trainees from several embassies in Belgrade and young diplomats from the foreign ministry in Serbia. “It was great to meet other trainees and learn about their experience, we have a lot in common”, says Sondre Hansen Eriksen, the Norwegian trainee in Belgrade.
After the official program ended, the trainees had the chance to explore Belgrade further during the weekend. They could then look at the diverse architecture and feel the “hipster atmosphere” of the city. Some of them even wanted to visit some museums like The Museum of Yugoslav History and Nikola Tesla’s Museum.
However, it was very important for many to get a feeling of the famous nightlife in Belgrade. As far as we know, the nightlife did not disappoint them.
