Vous Embrassez La Culture (aka Embrace the Culture!)

First day of class! Off to French. The entire class is full of American students –from various study aboard programs. I’m so excited to further my understanding of this classic romantic language. Plus, it just may help with my daily communication attempts!

My second class, International Business Negotiations, only meets on Friday mornings and the professor is right up my alley! He’s a legal advisor to the Brussels Beer Festival. Previously, he’s been an executive with the World Bank, United Nations, and Citibank. I am looking forward to this practical course, as it is based on case studies and current affairs.

My roommates and I have been busy planning our trips for the semester. It’s an incredible experience, but more than anything, I’d like to enjoy Brussels and make it my home. I say that now, but I’m travelling about half my weekends abroad! Bruge and Prague are the first trips in September. For now, I’m all about Brussels.

Wednesday I went to Ogilvy PR to become acquainted with my assigned group of professionals where I learned about my upcoming responsibilities. The building is very chic and swanky, almost as if it is a dreamy office from a movie set! The Brussels Ogilvy not only serves as the PR base, but includes Ogilvy Advertising, Ogilvy One Worldwide, Ogilvy Interactive, and Ogilvy Internal Communications. I’ll have opportunities to work with all the departments, even while primarily with PR. The team at Ogilvy was extremely welcoming and encouraging. I am very grateful to work with this global leader, as it will expand my knowledge base and sharpen my skills, especially in political advocacy PR since they are the EU communications hub. Nevertheless, I am excited to work with other clients including Motorola, Kodak, American Express, Coca Cola, Ford, Club Med, etc. Their dynamic and extensive clientele will certainly test me to new limits and further my abilities professionally.

Friday evening, we left for the Vesalius campus, where the student government hosted a beer competition. The winner received a handle of vodka. Is this tailgating without the football? Do not fear – I did not participate. =)

Saturday, we ventured Brussels! From Palais Royal to Parc de Cinquantenaire. It was beautiful, but my roommates and I decided we like our cozy Rue Gray apartment any day. Too many paparazzi near the palace! Later that night, a group of us visited Le Corbeau for dinner. You can dance on the bars on Saturday night! I felt as if I were back in Greenville at the Blindhorse.

Another week and many new adventures are in the book. Can’t wait to share what I get into next week. Cheers!

From Tourist to Resident

Once you finish freshman orientation during your first year at college, most people think they are finished. Wrong! My classmates and I have so much to learn before classes begin Monday. Being at an international college is definitely different; it’ll be exciting to meet other students from other counties. It almost seems like we’re visiting those countries!

Thursday was especially entertaining since we had a day off to explore more unknown parts of Brussels. We had a personal tour guide from a Vesalius student to Louise, known for the finest fashions in the city. Needless to say, our wallets stayed in our purses. After our walk down the Belgian “Rodeo Drive”, we headed to Grand Place and shopping district. Of course, us girls had fun noting the stores we want to visit later. We returned via the metro and spent our last night at Hotel Derby, packing and getting to know our new friends at other universities in the EPA program.

Friday was moving day! Our apartments are in the south eastern area of Brussels. We are only two minutes from Place Jourdan, known for its Sunday market and delicious cafes. It’s especially nice to be settled in our new flat. I feel as if I were back at Furman, as our landlord decorated our apartment in pink! Since our apartment building is full of Furman students, we’ve enjoyed relaxing on our terraces and mingling in the halls. Reminds me of dorm life, but European style.

The reminder of Friday was interesting - I am the first person of our group to get lost on the bus system. What a surprise, LOL. On my way back from meeting with my Vesalius adviser, I missed my bus stop. Apparently, if you don’t press a tiny blue button, they do not stop. And to top it all off, I was too busy enjoying the scenery to notice until I was halfway to Grand Place. In my bittersweet adventure, I was too scared to get back on another bus (there are at least 100 routes in Brussels and they don’t just go in a circle!). Thank goodness for Verizon’s global navigator! I can honestly say it’s been my lifesaver. Rather than playing the lost tourist, I strolled through a nearby park and reached my apartment after a pleasant twenty minute walk. I do not advocate this mode of transport, but it certainly got me from A to B. =)

Saturday was the three hour tour of Brussels. Thankfully, this three hour tour didn’t end in a lost minnow. The bus tour went all over the city, but I think it confused me even more! Of course, now I have lots of places to return to visit. The tour ended at the Atomium, built for Brussels’ World Fair in 1958. During the summer, the Atomium offers a “Death Ride” – a quarter of a mile zip line from the very peak of the Atomium. Since you probably can’t fathom this outrageous stunt, check out the link: http://www.brusselslife.be/E/article/id/1951. Several Furman students want to try it. Needless to say, I’ll be taking photos safely from ground level.

My personal favorite day of the week in Brussels is Sunday. The city has several outdoor markets, including one at Place Jourdan. My roommates and I headed to buy groceries and browse the vendors. The largest market in the city is located at Gare du Midi, selling everything from fresh fruits and veggies to flowers and from clothes to household items. It may not be Walmart or Target, but the markets are the heart of the city, offering everything for bargain shoppers (or college students on a budget!). More posts to come, but now I’m off to our back terrace to enjoy strawberries and fresh brie from my Sunday market outing. The photo shows you a glimpse at our view. Wish you all were here!

My First Steps

As the plane landed in Brussels, reality final struck. On the plane and through the airport, it was apparent I am American. From the beginning, Belgians were very friendly. Maybe because I stuck out like a sore thumb as I was wondering around the airport trying to comprehend the French and Dutch signs.

The hotel is truly like the “European Vacation” movie, especially the concierges. Hehe. The small quarters where you can barely squeeze through the halls and stairs is not an urban myth. My suitcases didn’t even fit through the doors. On the first day, my roommates and I blew a fuse with our hair straighter. The concierge and I had an interesting time communicating, but needless to say we were able to reach a conclusion.

Surprisingly, my roommates and I did not have too much jet lag, so we started exploring the city. All the buildings are unique with lots of character. We felt as though we were in Disney World since the buildings look like a fairytale and are close together, towering overhead. Grand Place is just like a postcard. Later that evening, there was a lightshow at the Hotel De’Ville, which is also known as the town hall and located in the Grand Place. Belgians and tourists just sit on the cobble stone road watching the lightshow. It felt like the 4^th of July.

After the lightshow, a few of us headed out to try out the nightlife. The energetic streets and live music, paired with the old-fashioned bars, make the atmosphere like nothing else. A former Belgium Internship Program participant told us about a bar called Delirium, a young trendy bar with live music each night and known for a world record in the number of types of beers sold (of course, it’s Brussels!). Since none of us knows French (yet!), one member of our group asked a Belgian “Delirium?” and they took us there! Though some of the citizens seem frustrated with our English, most locals have been very helpful and kind.

Monday was our first group meeting. It was exciting and nerve-racking all at the same time. Some of our group found out our internship assignments – myself included =) I’ll be working for Ogilvy Public Relations. It is a worldwide firm and they are the EU communications hub. Check out their website: www.ogilvypr.com or www.ogilvy.be . I am really looking forward to this opportunity, especially since they have offices around the world.

Today, we had our housing meeting and the official tour of the European Union. The EU buildings surely stick out with their modern windows and architecture. Since most EU members are taking their summer vacation, our “American voices” were the only ones to echo the lonely halls. Needless to say, I was grateful to have the opportunity to see where EU policy begins; especially being that this will be my home for the next four months.

Tomorrow we have our orientation for Vesalius College, which is part of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, the Free Dutch University of Brussels. Wish my classmates and I luck as we start our international education! =)

Final Countdown!

In just 6 days, I'll be walking the cobblestone streets in Brussels! If there's one thing I could change about my trip to Europe, it'd be packing. Absolutely no fun. On the brightside, packing means it's almost time to leave and I only have 2 suitcases, so the madness will end soon enough! I feel like Santa Claus, checking my list twice to see if everything is ready to go.

My only knowledge of entertainment in Belgium is from YouTube... But my family is begging for me to stop singing. At least I'll try not to sing out of tune!

My first 36 hours in Brussels will be spent sightseeing on my own. Luckily, I have some help from the 36 hours of the New York Times travel. Try to keep up. Bon voyage!