Surviving the EU Bubble with Kasia Kowalewska United Citizens of Europe

In this inspiring episode of the United Citizens of Europe podcast, host Luca De Cristofaro sits down with Kasia Kowalewska to unpack the realities of life and work inside the so-called EU bubble . With nearly a decade of experience across EU institutions, Kasia brings a refreshingly honest perspective on what it really means to build a career in Brussels. Kasia’s journey is anything but linear. From growing up in Pomerania, Poland, to discovering a passion for the EU as her country prepared for accession, she followed opportunities that often appeared by chance — a path many newcomers to Brussels will find familiar. Her early traineeship at the European Parliament in Warsaw set her on an unexpected trajectory into the heart of the EU institutions. Throughout the conversation, Kasia paints Brussels as a vibrant ecosystem full of opportunities, diversity, and creative energy. From NGOs and think tanks to institutions and advocacy groups, the city thrives on its unique mix of people and ideas. But Kasia also acknowledges the challenges: fast-paced work, frequent burnout, and the pressure to constantly be visible. Her advice? Stay authentic. Set your own goals. Build genuine connections instead of transactional ones. Kasia also breaks down the myth of the EU bubble as a single, homogeneous space. In reality, it’s made up of countless micro-bubbles : communities, networks, and sectors that often never interact. For newcomers, exploring these different circles can open the door to unexpected opportunities — and a better understanding of what Brussels has to offer. Whether you’re dreaming of a career in the EU, recently arrived in Brussels, or simply curious about how Europe’s political capital works from the inside, this episode offers valuable lessons on ambition, curiosity, and resilience. Host of the episode : ⁠Luca P. De Cristofaro Guest : Katarzyna Kowalewska, Unbubble Follow United Citizens of Europe : IG : ⁠@⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠unitedcitizensofeurope⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook : ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠United Citizens of Europe⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠

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Surviving the EU Bubble with Kasia Kowalewska United Citizens of Europe is an episode from United Citizens of Europe Podcast by United Citizens of Europe.

This episode is 00:33:01 long.

This episode was published on Dec 20, 2025.

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