Stage Committee

The Stage Committee acts as the representative of all the blue book trainees in Luxembourg. The Stage Committee itself doesn’t organize social events but this is done by the Subcommittees that operate under the direction of the Stage Committee. The Stage Committee keeps in touch with the Spokespersons of each Subcommittee and if problems or doubts arise, the Spokespersons can contact the Stage Committee. The Stage Committee also collaborates with all the Subcommittees on financial matters, such as parties, trips and charity. The Communication and Events Subcommittee is also giving irreplaceable help to the Stage Committee in coordinating everything by compiling all the news and events in the newsletter and the blog.

The President: Edward Farrugia

My name is Edward Farrugia, 26, from Malta. I am a trainee at DGT and also the President of the Stage Committee for the March 15 Traineeship. I am a member of two Subcommittees, Party and Food & Wine SC. However, I also try to follow what goes on in other SCs.

My aim as President is to see that trainees enjoy their time here, knowing that this really is a unique life-changing experience. As president I feel obliged to help trainees make the most of it. In what way? Visits, training, networking. Every day we can learn something new, meet people who can help us achieve our milestones and improve our prospects.

Being here is all about having objectives and working hard to achieve them. Through our toil we can be a source of inspiration for each other.

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. So being a trainee also entails doing your utmost to have fun. I feel very lucky to have Subcommittees made up of determined trainees who are already organising wonderful events, with more to come in the pipeline.

The newsletter will bring you detailed information on many aspects of our traineeship. I hope you all make good use of it.

Good luck for this new adventure in Luxembourg. I wish you all an inspiring and delightful Stage and time in Luxembourg.

Edward

The Vice President: Marina Peluso

Ciao! My name is Marina and I come from Salerno, Italy. I am very happy to have been elected as Vice-President of the Blue Book trainees for the March 2015 session. My mission as Vice President is to help everybody to feel at home here in Luxembourg. I have lived in different cities and countries and I know that settling in can be difficult at times. Well, my mission is to make it as easy and  fun as possible. I will always be available to listen to your needs and requests, and, together with the other Stage Committees’ members, we will try to make everything run smoothly.  A traineeship at the European Commission is going to be an unforgettable experience, and we will do our best to create some wonderful memories.

We are going to organise so many activities that you won’t have the time to get bored or to feel alone. I am personally involved in Sports Subcommittee and in Communication and Events SC. You will find almost all the information about the SCs’ activities in this blog, but feel free to contact us if you want more information or if you would like to suggest something, share your experience or write about something you care about.

I hope that each and every one of you will enjoy this experience and make the most of it, for your personal and professional life. Luxembourg is a beautiful and cozy city, let’s enjoy our stay!

Ad maiora

Marina

The Treasurer: James

Moein! I’m British and French but have lived in Luxembourg for the vast majority of my life. This probably makes me as close to one of the mythical Luxembourgers as most of you will meet during your short time here – If you didn’t meet Pascal that is. Anyone who’s spent any time at all with me will know I have an unhealthy obsession with rugby, shots and the tube… especially the latter! Having grown up in the famous home of ‘Lux Leaks’, I’m sure you will all believe that when it comes to dodging tax, making money and then relocating said money for the presidential visit to Hawaii, I’m very qualified. That and I’m the only DG ECFIN trainee in Luxembourg! Hopefully I can put my experience of Luxembourg to good use and help make your stay here as enjoyable as possible. That means at least one compulsory visit to the Tube each!

James

 

The Vice Treasurer: Leena

Hei! My name is Leena and I’m a trainee at the Finnish language unit of DGT. Apart from being the Vice-Treasurer of the Stage Committee, I’m also one of the Porte Paroles of DGT trainees and a member of the Communication Subcommittee.

I have travelled quite a lot in Europe and lived abroad a few times (UKx2, Spain) but Luxembourg was never on my list. Frankly, I barely knew it existed. Well, maybe it’s no wonder, this place is pretty surreal after all. But it doesn’t matter if you had planned to come to Lux or not, our stay here definitely won’t be boring! There are so many things to do and places to see, and the best part is that you won’t be alone in it. The Stage Committee and Subcommittees will make sure that you won’t stay at home sulking!

Leena