I first studied abroad in Belgium in 2019 with the Rotary Club. I lived with a host family and completed my junior year of high school in a small village called Herve. Safe to say this is when I fell in love with the country. When I saw Belgium as an option to study abroad through UTC, I jumped at the chance to return. Instead of living in the countryside this time, I got to try my hand at big city life in their capital, Brussels. Brussels is so uniquely different than the small village I lived in 5 years ago that I gained an entirely new perspective on Belgium.
Through this experience, I was able to see a new side of Belgium. Brussels is nicknamed the capital of Europe because it hosts NATO and the EU. If you’re interested in international relations or political science Brussels is the place to be! The capital is a hub for all things political so pay attention around the European Parliament as you’ll likely witness a protest or two.
Another thing I love about Brussels is that you can’t go anywhere in the city without hearing another language. Recently a survey was conducted and found that Brussels alone speaks 107 languages. Belgium is a trilingual country, so administration and communes speak French, Dutch, and German but don’t panic, most everyone speaks English as Belgians use English as a bridge language.
If you’re a chocolate lover Belgium is famous for its chocolate, and you’ll find no shortage of chocolate stores and museums. My favorite chocolate museum to visit is the Choco-Story near the Grand-Place. The museum is very informative, and you can even do a workshop to make your own chocolate.
If you have a sweet tooth or prefer a saltier snack, Belgium has something for every palette. Don’t forget to get fries while there as they were invented in Belgium! You will also need to know which type of Belgian waffle you like more as people are very opinionated about it. Brussels waffles are flat rectangles with toppings like the Liege waffles are round with sugar crystals inside.
Here’s an insider secret: the best waffles come from little yellow vans. You’ll find the waffle vans on most street corners
Another great aspect of city life is the public transport. For only 12 euros a year, students can take any tram, metro, or bus. Transportation is not the only affordable aspect of student life in Belgium. Student discounts are everywhere in every city. In most situations, you don’t even need to be an active student to get a discount. As long as you are under the age of 26 you are considered a young adult and privy to student discounts. Student discounts range from a reduced rate to completely free. Belgians believe that young people having access to art and culture is very important, so most museums are very cheap and often free for students.
I chose to study with ISEP because it was direct enrollment, so it guaranteed me a place during the application process. BSOG is a small college part of the bigger VUB university. You can enjoy the resources of a large university with close relationships from a smaller tight-knit campus. When meeting with my ISEP coordinator she was able to answer all my questions and give me insider tips such as what card to get that has the least amount of international fees.
I can’t recommend Belgium enough as this little country is overflowing with culture and diversity.
Jayda Fowler (BA Humanities: International Studies & BA French) spent the Spring 2024 semester studying abroad in Brussels, Belgium through ISEP. Jayda had the following to say about studying abroad, “Traveling is exhilarating and there is so much to see but my advice to future students is don’t be afraid to slow down and really take in the little moments of your life abroad.”
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