#belgiumexchange

[daniinbelgium-blog]

Ma vie en Belgique en 240 jours

So my last few days since starting school haven’t all been sunshines and daisies. But I don’t know. I want to write this to share my experience with those who are just started their exchange in June/July and for those who are yet to take the leap and join exchange. I’m never great at writing my feelings or whatever but I’ve found if I don’t get it out, it goes around and around in my head. However,

240 days ago I started my adventure. 240 days ago I hopped on a plane with wild dreams and aspirations to start my new life abroad in Belgium. I dreamed of making this year ‘my year’. I wanted to experience new things, learn french, make friends, find my way in life. In some ways its happened, in other ways not.

I’ve can’t say I’ve loved every moment here so far but thats just life. When I first arrived I almost hopped on a plane home after 2 weeks but after talking to a new friend about it all I changed my mind and decided to stick it out, because why not? I didn’t spend a whole year planning this exchange to throw it away 2 weeks after it started. And trust me it got a lot easier once I went out and made friends and did things and started school... School actually made it alot easier for me.

I read a lot of comments about how much people hate their schools & hate being the only exchange student there but honestly it’s so much better for you. I mean I was always happy with my school… I’ve always felt really lucky.  I was always lucky because everything always came easy to me. I went to school with 3 other exchange students who all spoke English, I made 3 really good Belgian friends who always speak just English with me (THIS IS NOT A GOOD THING, BUT I LOVE YOU GUYS FOR IT)  & I always managed to get through classes without participating by using the excuse of “I speak English” or “I don’t understand". A lot of comments were made because I was friends with a lot of guys, but honestly so what? I always felt put down because I was judged for making friends with the opposite gender but a friends a friend? It’s always been like this for me though, so ca va. 

But 240 days ago I dreamt that by 6 months into my exchange I would be speaking good French with all my new belgian friends. I mean, I can speak French with adults and people I don’t know and its actually not bad. But at school, I go mute. I don’t remember anything…. I didn’t think it would be that difficult and in a way its really not, its just I feel embarrassed for trying and when I talk to a teacher and try to explain in french, having a few people giggling at the back of the classroom doesnt really give me much confidence??? But if that happens I guess it should only push you. It shouldn’t knock you back and kill your confidence. 

Since I’m being fully honest here, I liked this guy I go to school with for a while, but of course, me being me I could never speak with him at all (still like that today lol!!)…  That really got me down because speaking on Facebook was fine, being able to say hello was fine, but being able to say anything else was and still is impossible. I guess having that 1 person you could rely on is really good but a wanting a relationship could potentially ruin a lot for your exchange (Happiness wise) I always wanted to atleast have a Belgian friend I could hang out with and be around.. I guess that would be really cool! But I guess this year I just didn’t put in enough effort to make everything I wanted, happen. 

I also always find things happen to me before I’m meant to do something really good. Like this weekend I have a small festival called Day 2 Night,  with my host brother & sister & a lot of kids from school are going but of course I get sick 2 days before… Its not really the end of the world but it does suck. But its a part of life and with the weather changing from 30 degree days to 15 degrees in a little less than 7 days its to be expected. Thats belgium for ya.

Another part of your exchange you have to be careful of is having regrets. 

I have done a lot of things I regret this year. But I guess in the long run, everything happens for a reason. I wouldn’t say its anything bad (so don’t freak out mum) but if I could do a lot of things over I would. I’m going to make my 120 days left count. I’m going to make something out of these days, because that’s why I came here. Thats what exchange is. I tried to make myself into someone and something. I didn’t really let it happen, I tried to force it and I guess now it’s just gotten to me because I think about who I am today and what I want and its not me at all. It’s not who I want to be.

I guess now that I have a little over 120 days left in this beautiful country, I should focus on the good things that have happened. I have travelled and seen a lot. I have made friends from ALL over the world. I found 4 new families who love me. I have experienced new things. I have an amazing Belgian friend who is one of the best people I have ever met. He’s been with me since day 1 of school and I will forever be grateful for him. (personal shoutout, you know who you are (; ) 

But I guess thats enough from me for 1 day. Heres to the next 120 days of my exchange and for all the good times I’m about to have… I hope! 

If you’re reading this and your about to start your exchange my advice to you - no matter how stupid you feel, talk to the other students at school!!!! This is super important. I didn’t do this and now I regret it more than anything. Always say yes! If your host family asks you to go on a trip with them or to spend the day with them, cancel whatever plans you have and GO WITH THEM! Learn the language! Practice. Smile & have fun! It will make your exchange year so much better.

If you’re reading this & thinking of doing an exchange -  DO IT! It is really bloody hard but definitely worth every minute!!!

If you’re reading this and I go to school with you (not sure how likely that is, because its a lot of english) but honestly thank you. I may have really shut myself off from a lot of you & I don't blame you for not talking to me as much but thank you for the majority of you who tried & for those who didn't give up. I will really miss IND when I go home and I'm really lucky I got given an amazing school to attend !

[belchica6528]

Just cuz.

Ok, so I haven't posted anything in forever and that's not good. I'm really looking forward to posting some new pictures from my trips to Paris and London, and also from my birthday, etc. SOON (:D)... BUT, before I do that I just need to get this out there:

Throughout my time spent here in Belgium I can’t help but notice a growing trend among the people I’ve come into contact with. So many people have this innate need for everything to be labeled; classified as black or white, put in a box and all neatly tied up in a bow. We all have this desire more or less, for things to make sense to us with no loose ends or gray areas. This is because the unknown is scary; even if we aren’t consciously aware of this, the state of not understanding something unnerves us. It sets off almost like a little tick inside our brains that is the catalyst of all this craziness. I think that being curious is a wonderful thing. It poses an opportunity to learn and experience in a unique way, and leads us to answers we didn’t even know we had the questions to. However, sometimes “finding answers”, strict black and white, apples and oranges is really difficult. And sometimes trying to force a thing or idea into a specific category puts a damper on the very thing that makes it what is and makes it special and wonderful. I don’t know if I’m making any sense but I feel like I’ve been seeing people left and right struggling to classify things as “right” or “wrong” and completely missing the point of it because of their incessant search for “the answer” when all they need to do is accept things as they are. Some of the most beautiful things in life are the things that have no scientific explanation and can be interpreted in many ways. I wish people would learn that gray is ok and that you aren’t stupid for not having the answer to everything.

I think this directly relates to being an exchange student because over the course of your exchange year you may be introduced to many things that you’ve never seen or heard of before and that you don’t understand. With that said, I can’t stress how important it is to go into these experiences without any preconceived notions that are so strong that they keep you from finding the real truth in things. It amazes and frustrates me how quickly people can turn on their defensive mode when introduced to something that they don’t understand. We are often too quick to speak, and try to put words in others mouths instead of actually listening and attempting to see things from their point of view, and I’ve learned that this is a really important natural reaction to overcome not only as an exchange student, but in everyday life. It may not feel normal, or comfortable but don’t miss out on the opportunity to gain a new perspective because you can’t leave your tiny frame of mind to accept a foreign concept. Rant Over. And with that... have a lovely day everyone :)