Travelling in the EU. . .

One of the main advantages of living in a country that is a European Union member nation is the ability to travel easily across borders.  Considering how close European countries are to one another, crossing borders without having to stop to have your passport checked is a pretty big deal!

This policy of "invisible borders" is called Schengen, and it is something that Danes living in Copenhagen can experience all the time.  You see, Copenhagen---Denmark's capital---sits just across a narrow body of water called the Oresund from southern Sweden, and in 2000, the two countries completed the Oresund Bridge connecting Copenhagen with the Swedish city of Malmo. 

The bridge has literally changed life for both Danes and Swedes---and has strengthened the economy of both countries.  Because the journey over the Oresund Bridge only takes 35 minutes by train, people can live in one country and commute to work in the other.  Students can also take college classes at universities in both Malmo and Copenhagen. 

Heck, goofy American tourists can even travel from Denmark to Sweden for dinner!  Don't believe me?  Then check out this video:

Click To Play

Pretty interesting stuff, huh?  By building a bridge, Denmark and Sweden have made travel for their people easy. 

Can you think of other advantages that the EU's invisible borders might provide for countries?  For EU residents?  What about disadvantages?  Are there potential problems in letting people travel freely between countries?

Signed,

Bam Bam Bigelow

Comments

[Kristen]

I think the bridge lets people have more options. It lets people have a variety of jobs and schools. Danes and Swedes are able to learn more about the other culture when they can travel back and forth from the two countries. For example, you can learn about the cultures from the types of food, how the buildings are structured, and the type of vehicles that the people drive (whether they care about the environment or not.)

While the bridge has many advantages, it also has some disadvantages. I think if they don’t patrol the borders some, than illegal immigrants will try to sneak in. I think they should at least have to show their passport when they travel between the EU countries to show they aren’t sneaking in.