When I stepped off the plane the first day we touched down in Belgium I was full of excitement. Most students were enjoying their Fall break resting at home, but I was ready for a week jam-packed with activities in a foreign country. I noticed the differences immediately. Our short walk to the hotel offered my first glimpse of Brussels. It was the quietest Sunday morning I had seen in a while. All the shops were closed and people were nowhere to be seen outside of the airport. Sunday is traditionally seen as a day of rest, a practice somewhat held in the American South, but the streets of Brussels were very different from the bustling shopping district of Downtown Charleston on this day. The sound of the crisp morning air was broken by a barrage of Dutch and French words from some locals.
At the hotel we met our tour guide, Christophe, who quickly became an invaluable part of our trip. At first I was eager to get out and explore, but his enthusiasm and deep knowledge about the city won me over. He was especially thoughtful when he learned I had recently gone vegan, providing me with a fantastic list of nearby vegan restaurants. I had worried about finding plant-based options in Belgium, but to my surprise, there were several great spots just a short walk away! While I couldn’t try the famous Belgian waffles or chocolate, I appreciated how accommodating both my professors and Christophe were, making my experience even more enjoyable.
By the afternoon the city slowly came to life, and a few classmates and I took the opportunity to explore. I was surprised by how much French was spoken in Brussels despite being outside the French-speaking region. I enjoyed testing my listening comprehension skills, though I was too nervous to start a conversation with any locals. I was also amazed by how charming all the shops were, and I even ended up buying a sweater from a vintage clothing store.
The following day, we visited some of the most influential EU institutions: the Council of the European Union and the European Commission. It was my first time visiting such an important place, and I was nervous—I had never even needed to wear a pair of slacks before in my life. The night before I frantically studied both institutions, worried that I wouldn’t know enough. But my nerves were unnecessary, as the visits were incredibly insightful. By the end I was left with a much richer understanding of the European Union.
