Brussels: More than the Capital of Europe Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Classes were taught in English, with European instructors. There was a good mix of both international and local students. More reading was assigned than is generally in an American university; however, there were less tests/exams, and when there was one, it was generally more of a rote memorization than abstract expression, like in the US.

On-site administration of your program

The ISA team overall was welcoming and sought to fix/accomodate any needs. Every other weekend or so, we went on an excursion, and they were always well-planned and sought out (except in Antwerp, where we walked through a fleeting rainstorm instead of sheltering for the five minutes that it lasted. Everyone was soaked and some had to purchase new clothes at exorbatent European prices).

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived with an older woman. I had my own living area in her apartment that was generally seperated and provided a lot of privacy. While she did make dinner, hosts were also supposed to provide brakefast, for which she only bought a box of cornflakes and a quart of milk. Dinners were well-cooked, but almost always too small a portion. She also made it a mission to try to serve food I didn't like (I think past homestays had turned down a lot of her cooking), but I tried everything with vigor, only refusing "Stek American," which is purely raw beef. Though I may not have been fed as ritsy a brakefast as others in my program, my increased independent living made up for it. I didn't have to purchase any sheets, etc., all of which was provided. Twice a week, a maid came and cleaned my half of the apartment, did my laundry, and cleaned the bathroom, which was an elegent touch. The woman's son-in-law came every Friday, and we had some good discussions. Most of the time, I felt like a family member, but when it came to things like extra food, using the television, etc., I felt like I had to engage in a buisness transaction. The neighborhood was very good and high-end, with virtually no crime. I took a constitutional walk every evening and never once felt unsafe. In fact, most of the people in that neighborhood were out walking as well, so it was a safe atmosphere. As I was in a good neighborhood, if I wanted to engage in nightlife, I had to take the metro for about ten or fifteen minutes into town. My distance from the center of town did occasionally make me have to leave a party or gathering to catch the last metro home, but in retrospect, this probably was a good thing!

See above comments regarding homestay food. Regarding the city food, Brussels had so many options, I rarely dined in the same place twice! There is a tourist-y part of town called the "stomach," which I patronized for the first few weeks, but half-way through the program, I began branching out, getting reccomendations from locals, and trying more adventurous cuisine.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Overall, the social aspects were agreeable. There were other students from another program I also hung out with, and made some local connections too. I made it a point to befriend those who were willing, so as to leave not only a good impression of myself, but my country as well. Vesalius provided a few international outings, but the best were the ones made on my own with the other students.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Brussels is a very safe city during the day, and like any city, there are certian areas to avoid at night. I never went near the Gard Du Nord, which has the "Red Light District" and made sure to keep to myself at night. I found that smoking a cigarette at night made one fit in and look more "European" and thus draw less attention. The Gypsies, or Roma, were occasionally a problem. They likely knew we Americans weren't used to their tricks, and a few times got a bit agressive in their begging. My homestay provided me with a few French phrases to send them away, which worked beautifully. As a tourist, one also must be careful to count your change after visiting a shop, as the owners occasionally rip you off if you're not careful (mostly in smaller stores). Thankfully, I never experienced any health problems (I was the only one who didn't get sick on our excursion to Holland), except maybe a few headaches from the constant rain, which were remedied with the usual. Others did get sick on the program, but mostly those who were living in homestays with multiple people.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

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• Apartment

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