By Business & Politics Editor Lucas Spicer.
On February 18th, students from Dublin City University’s MSc in Human Resource (HR) Management programme visited the Europa Experience in Dublin as part of the MNA1071 International HRM Developments module, led by Dr Aurora Trif.
The visit formed part of a series of study trips designed to connect international people management theoretical perspectives with real-world practice.
The centrepiece of the day was an interactive role-play simulation in which students assumed the roles of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). Working in political groups, they debated proposals, negotiated amendments, and voted on legislation, replicating the EU’s decision-making process in real time.
For many students, the exercise shifted their understanding of how European governance operates beyond textbook descriptions.
“It was quite interesting,” said Pramod Bollam. “We felt like we were the members of the Parliament and we passed a bill. That was quite interesting. Every step we went through was incredible.”
Students from outside Europe found the experience particularly striking when comparing parliamentary cultures. Sampada Barde described the visit as “amazing,” noting how different the structure and atmosphere felt compared to home.
“I am from a different country and we have very different kinds of things in the parliament. It was amazing to learn EU guidelines, policies and how parliament works,” Barde added.
Another student reflected on the contrast in tone: “It’s completely different from the parliament we had back in India. It is so chaotic and loud. Over here it’s very quiet, calm, and everyone is listening to each other’s thoughts.”
Beyond observing institutional structure, students engaged directly with the negotiation process, balancing political interests, forming alliances, and working toward compromise.
The simulation highlighted the complexity behind EU regulations that often shape labour law, employment standards, and cross-border business operations, issues central to HR professionals operating in multinational contexts.
Dr Aurora Trif organised the visit as part of a wider learning experience that also includes upcoming trips to multinational corporations and EU institutions in Brussels.
Together, these engagements aim to help students distinguish between domestic and international business environments and better understand the regulatory frameworks influencing people management across Europe.
Throughout the session, students appeared notably engaged, particularly during the negotiation phase of the simulation, where discussions became more animated as groups defended amendments and formed alliances.
For participants, the day offered more than a guided tour. As Sampada Barde summarised, “Learning how decisions are made gave me a deeper understanding of how everything works together.”
In a module focused on international HR developments, the visit provided a practical glimpse into the governance systems that increasingly shape global workplaces.