Tag: aubreygunnels

By aubreygunnels

Brutally Honest Opinion of Brussels:

Overall, I rate Brussels a 7 and just to give you an idea of how I rate other cities: Washington DC 9, NYC 8, Atlanta 8, Charlotte, NC 9. Brussels thus far is a city I appreciate but not a city that I have potential to fall in love with and here is why..

Pros: Brussels is a multicultural hub. The majority of Brussels citizens are open minded to foreigners and different languages. The entire city if filled with different nationalities and backgrounds that keep the prejudices that other French speaking countries have to a minimum. People are for the most part friendly to Americans and other nationalities.

The people of Brussels are very liberal socially. They passed a gay marriage act in two hours and the people of Belgium barely seemed to notice. They are open about most topics and dress far from conservatively.

As mentioned before, there are French fries and waffles on every corner. It doesn't get much better than that.

Cons: First I want to point out, Brussels is not the cute European town that would be expected when travelling to Brussels for the first time. It has some pretty sectors but the other parts are not as quaint and Euro looking. The town looks a little dreadful. Though, this might have something to do with the weather. The weather is dreadful. It’s what I imagine Seattle to be like: nonstop rain. It rains almost every day for at least an hour, is cloudy all the time, and of course it is cold as well.. but I think that’s just a Northern thing that isn't actually a legitimate complaint.

Brussels just doesn't give me a warm fuzzy feeling. Which I know seems completely absurd but I remember walking in DC for the first time and falling in love. Also, every time I’m in downtown (uptown) Charlotte I am comfortable and at home. Brussels - not the case. I don’t think Brussels has the charm I am used to.

Heckling. We can’t go anywhere without getting shout outs from men. Harassment is an issue they have been trying to address. While the men never touch you and the confidence booster is nice, it is quite annoying.

Everyone goes about their own business here. There is no talking in lines, picking up a conversation on bus, or anything a southern gal is used to. Where I grew up, you chat with everyone or make polite small chat. Everything is quiet here, public transportation, the gym, etc. The only time it is loud is if you share a train with another group of Americans. The stereotype holds true - Americans are loud. Most likely due to the fact that Europe is quiet.

However, like any place you live, the people you surround yourself with is what makes the place home or not home. I think Brussels would be about a 4 or a 5 if it weren't for the family our CIEE group creates. Though I would never move here, these next 3 months will still be fabulous.

By aubreygunnels

Belgium is known for amazing food and drink. The stereotypes hold true and Belgians know a little something about waffles. They are absolutely everywhere. Downtown, there are copious amounts of shops and bakeries that specialize in the Belgian tradition. We have waffle food trucks on campus and at the exit of most metro stops. As if this weren't enough waffles are Belgian's version of a Twinkie. They are wrapped in cellophane in every vending machine and packaged in grocery stores. They are enjoyed plain of course but one can't help but try a delectable waffle covered in whip cream, chocolate, ice cream, and a delicate fruit topping. I've seen peanut butter, Nutella and a spread called Speculoos spread on top. I feel like it is Belgium’s version of a crepe? ...continue reading "Food Food Food"

By aubreygunnels

We toured our school, Vesailes College, today. It is a small school of approximately 300 students where all the classes are taught in English. It specializes in business, communication, and international affairs. Nearly half the student population are study abroad students from around the world. The students come from various programs affiliated with Vesailes College (VeCo for short) such as CIEE and ISEP. The teacher to student ratio is very low. My classes will have at most 30 students in them. ...continue reading "Vesailes College"

By aubreygunnels

Through CIEE in Belgium, you have the option of a homestay and an apartment stay. Because GW is on a payment tier system, I would advise GW students to do a homestay so meals are included. Homestays by no means limits your ability to come and go as you please but merely gives you a better immersion in the Belgian culture.  ...continue reading "Homestay"

By aubreygunnels

The second Saturday in Brussels we had the option to volunteer with the rest of CIEE students. We worked with a group called Serve the City; they help the homeless, elderly, abused women, and children around Brussels. The group is run by men and families that are funded from the states. They have monthly excursions of about 50 people to go out and help various nonprofits in the city. ...continue reading "Volunteering"

By aubreygunnels

Because Brussels is the capital of the EU, the city is very diverse. When you sit on the tram, it is completely normal to hear three or four different languages. Therefore, being foreign isn't an out of the ordinary thing. We do stick out like sore thumbs however. We have found the public transportation buses and trams to be extremely quiet. However, the students in our group are very much the opposite. Speaking English in our normal tone is quite loud compared to the people of Belgium. ...continue reading "Perception of Americans"