From Arlington to Athens: One Student’s Odyssey into European Policy

MPP student Justin Kelly ’26 reflects on his Fall 2025 co-op in Greece

In Fall 2025, I had the opportunity to participate in my co-op at the European Public Law Organization (EPLO) in Athens, Greece, where I worked out of the organization’s offices in the village of Legrena. Shortly after arriving, I attended EPLO’s annual conference, which this year focused on International Law, European Union Law, and Constitutional Law. Judges from the International Court of Justice, along with academics and professors from across Europe, led discussions on the evolving political landscape of EU law. Sitting in these sessions gave me firsthand insight into the complexity of navigating European legal frameworks. One session in particular, International Human Rights as a Parameter of Constitutionality, led by Professor Anja Seibert-For of the European Court of Human Rights, stood out as especially memorable. I also had the brief opportunity to meet the Greek President, an experience that underscored the real-world proximity between policy, law, and governance.

During my time at EPLO, I worked within the Sustainability Department, where I supported research on sustainable real estate, sustainable development, food governance, and the EU’s Green Deal. The majority of my work focused on sustainable real estate, examining case studies from Singapore, Romania, and London to understand how different governments leverage policy, design, and resources to promote sustainable infrastructure and energy use. Through writing briefing notes, compiling sources, and contributing to internal discussions, I was able to meaningfully support the team and tangibly see how my work informed ongoing projects.

“Ultimately, this experience reinforced my decision to pursue the MPP program”

Beyond my professional responsibilities, I formed meaningful friendships with fellow students from across Europe and Africa, including peers from Spain, France, Poland, Italy, Romania, Ukraine, and Sierra Leone. The days spent working together and the afternoons and nights immersed in the local community profoundly expanded my worldview. Prior to this experience, I considered myself fairly knowledgeable and well rounded, oh, how I was humbled, especially during our nightly Uno games. This experience reminded me that there is always more to learn, and that opportunity often exists if you know how to look for it. Both the cultural immersion and the work itself gave me a much broader global perspective.

Ultimately, this experience reinforced my decision to pursue the MPP program. Policy affects us all, both directly and indirectly, and this co-op reaffirmed my belief in the importance of informed, people centered policymaking. It has had a lasting impact on how I view public service and governance, and it reminded me of my why, why I am drawn to public policy and why I want to contribute meaningfully to this field.