Caribbean boy lands in Belgium

So AFS has asked me to write a few words about my experiences in Belgium, the problem is thinking of where to start. But I guess like all things I'll start at the beginning: On the afternoon of February the second I found myself looking out the window of an airplane into what appeared to be fields and fields of snow. I thought to myself ¨I wonder where the houses are?¨. Even more to my surprise when the captain announced our short landing in Brussels airport. As it turned out those fields and fields of snow were actually clouds. That's when I looked at my sun glasses and realized I wouldn't be needing them for a while. Strange idea for someone who comes from where I'm coming from. So upon landing and while shivering in the cold I kept repeating to myself ¨What did you get yourself into this time?¨ Remember this is the first time I experience this type of weather.

 

I spent my first couple of days of orientation camp without knowing who my host family would be. But hoped for the best. The last day I got the news ¨WE FOUND YOU A FAMILY¨. Ok great. Jack and Ana were my first temporary host family. Temporary because Ana needed an operation midway through the program so that was the arrangement. I would live three months with them and three with another yet to be determined family. So I spent my first three months here living in their home in Brussels. I can honestly say that I loved living with those two. They made my shift into European life so easy and I feel so grateful to them for that. At night when I got home we would have dinner together and discuss general anythings. On a side note; Ana's cooking is some of the best I've tried in a long time therefor I'm sure I must have added at least a couple of pounds during my stay with them. They really treated me like another member of the family. I even took the role of babysitter to their grand daughter several times. Jack and I would always sit to talk about politics, history and current events. In a way I feel like I learned allot from that man in the short time lived there. Even now after I left they still invite me for dinner and tell me that anytime I'm in the area that I have a home.

 

The second and ongoing phase of my AFS travesty has been living with the Doorst family in the small town of Lubeek. Its a quiet place which gives me time to think but at the same time just half an hour from Leuven when I feel like I need a little bit more chaos in my life. I really feel blessed with the Doorst family as well. They are exceptional human beings. There's Freddy (dad), Rita (mom), Els and Katrine (sisters). And not to mention Tom who's Katrine's boyfriends and spends weekends at home as well. I love how they're such do it yourself type of people. For example: They make they're own wine, plant ther own vegetables, have chickens which give us the eggs we eat. Anytime something needs building or repairing around the house Freddy is up to the job. Right now I'm helping him to build a new fire place. The house is filled with animals; Besides the chickens we have a parrot, a cat, a dog and a pond filled with fish. The dog and I didn't get along very well at first because every morning at 5:00am it had the great sense of humor of opening my door and jumping into bed with me. As you can imagine that didn't make me the happiest of morning people. But after a short time she learned that that was something I wasn't particularly fond off and left me alone. But yes, living with the Doorst family is great. I talk a lot with Rita about life and philosophies. We even share a lot of books since it appears to be we are both into the same type of literature. With Els I also feel like I've developed a very special friendship in the short time I've had living with them. I'm actually starting to see her like a real sister these days. So regarding complains I truly cant say I have any.

 

As far as work goes, I'm working in a Brand Design Agency called THE PARKING LOT. Since I walked in the first day and saw that these guys came to work in t-shirts and jeans and have the office covered in toys, I automatically realized that this was my type of environment. The guys are great, all very cool and down to earth. We make barbecues usually once a week. I specially get along with my boss Evan. Its funny but I feel that our minds work in very similar ways and easily understand each other. In a way not to sound corny but I see him as my spiritual brother. As far as the work itself goes: First the idea was that I would be account manager. That didn't work very well because of the language and because I had very little domain over existing accounts. So after that I started to help in the co-writing of a comic character called Brand Man. I wont give to much details about that to not spoil the surprise when it comes out. Then I've mostly been working in the area of marketing and promotion of our own t-shirt line called Larghetto-Pink. Just recently started writing a blog about them just to get the word of mouth going. Right now this week I've been doing the boring yet necessary job of updating our company contacts database. Woohoo. No but seriously I like it here. I'll miss the guys when I'm gone. But I'm already planing on meeting up with Evan again in December so all is good.

 

As far as Belgium goes. I've had many great impressions about this beautiful country. Apart from the ridiculously AMAZING assortment of beers. Belgians are funny people. They will never start a conversation with a stranger, but once the conversation has started they will be involved 100% into it. I find that funny yet ironic at the same time in a way I cant seem to find the words to describe right now. Something that I like a lot is the sense of punctuality. Back home when you tell someone that you'll meet them at 14:00 and you'll be lucky if by 14:30 they're there. Here time is something that is greatly respected. I've always felt that way myself so it just feels right be be amongst others who think that way. Before I got here weather was something I took for granted, now I cant help but feel great full when the sun comes out. I also saw some snow for the first time which for me was an experience of immense joy.

 

I love the seights I'm seeing, the culture I'm experiencing, the extraordinary people I've been meeting. For someone who had never been to Europe I am completely blown away. This experience has been better and more gratifying than I had ever anticipated. After I finish here I intend on staying in Europe to pursue further studies and hope to keep living with the same degree of enthusiasm in which I find myself now.

 

I'm sorry if I made this a little long and bored you along the way. I just feel like I have a lot of good things to say. Even feel as though I'm missing out on plenty. Oh well, at least now you get the idea.

And one more thing. When ever I go back home. I think I'll become an AFS volunteer.

 

Love and Light,

 

Arturo Menicucci

Caribbean participant, Vocational Program in Belgium Flanders 2006

About the weather and friendly people...

My first impression of Belgium would have to be the weather, which directly contrasted with the summer that I was used to. However the ice covered buildings were indeed a beautiful sight as I flew into Brussels during the early hours of the morning. Although I had only been in Belgium a few moments the people seemed very nice, the lady whom I had been sitting next to was most friendly and answered my various questions about her country, and told me that I would have to visit Brussels and a few other Belgium cities.

 

My first Impressions of my volunteer work would be the friendly people. I would be working in a primary school with children with mental disabilities, the children were all very affable and curious to the fact that I was from the other side of the world and unable to speak Dutch and only English. The curiosity continued and every new person that would visit the class they would always tell them that I was from the other side of the world and spoke only English. The teachers were also very friendly spoke to me in English which was a relieve as I knew next to no Dutch.

 

Sam Rosser

Partcipant from New Zealand, Community Service Program in Belgium Flanders 2006

Home, sweet home

I've been back in Australia for almost two weeks now and so it is time to finish off my amazing year. Previously, I was at the end of my adventurous summer, jet setting across Europe and, pretty much living the life. Since then, I went from the traveling exchange student, to becoming a full Belgian.

 

I went back to school, beginning a new school year with the language under my thumb and a good map of the place. I had a new confidence, and a new determination. I sat in classes, and instead of reading, or drawing, or even doing dutch exercises I listened, followed, participated. I spent the last few months really profiting from my year, getting involved in everything, saying no to nothing. I made friends from all over the place, I became a helping hand for the new students, and I became a lot more than an exchange student in my family.

 

So of course, this made it extremely difficult to say goodbye to everyone. I had formed extremely close relationships with other exchange students, people from school, from my village and from my family.

 

The 'afscheids' began the beginning of December, approximately one month before I left. School finished up before exams, and on my second last day, my class threw me a surprise going away party!! It was a complete surprise for me, and definitely one of the nicest things a group of people have ever done for me.

 

Following a few difficult exams, which distracted me from the thought that I would soon be leaving, it was back on track with farewells. Our end-orientation camp was full of emotions. We were only a small group, of 14 students from 6 different countries and 3 different languages, but we were a close group. This was the last time I would see some of them. It was probably the most defining weekend for me as an exchange student, and marking the end of my amazing journey. Although there were still 3 weeks, it brought closure to the journey, which was a strange concept for me.

 

The last 3 weeks were probably the best from my whole year emotionally. I didn't do anything special, but I spent so much time with my family and friends, and that time was so precious to me. I became closer to people in those last few weeks, maybe because I wanted to make the most of the time we had together, maybe because I realised how lucky I was to have these people in my life and I wanted to prolong the inevitable as much as possible.

 

But, the inevitable came, and while I didn't know exactly how to say goodbye to people, the reality that I was leaving hadn't quite sunk in, I knew I had to try my best. It finally began to sink in at the airport, as all the girls from Australia and New-Zealand (7 altogether) gathered with their host-families. The excitement of being in an airport, with our suitcases, altogether going on a plane to some exotic location with warm weather made the waiting time go quickly. The excitement came to an end for me as they told us we had to go through the gates. Time to say our last Belgian goodbyes. This was the hardest of all.

 

Nonetheless, we remained in good spirits, in such a close-knit group of exchange students; we were always chatting and laughing. When it came to Singapore Airport I had to say the last of my goodbyes, as I headed off alone to Sydney. After a very strange 8 hour flight, I was home again. The year in Belgium felt so close to my heart, and yet in my head almost as a dream.

 

Sometimes it feels like a lifetime since I was in Belgium. I think about my year, everything I've done, all the people often. I?ll be quietly laughing to myself as I think of something that happened, and people ask 'what are you laughing at?' But I don't tell them too much, I love talking about my adventures, but also I want to keep some stories between Belgium and myself.

 

I've spoken with my host family 3 times already, and I?m already thinking about when I'll be able to go back and see them. I know it won?t be for a couple of years at least, but I can't wait for that day. Also, it gives me motivation. Motivation to study and work hard, to earn credentials, to save money, to build a future. A future that includes Belgium, my Belgian family and friends, and also all the other friends I've made through AFS from other countries.

 

My AFS year was absolutely priceless. What I've done, seen and learnt, I will never find anywhere else. I really think everyone should go on exchange. I also believe it doesn't matter where you go; it's the people who make the year unforgettable.

 

So I just want to say thank you, for making this year possible. I will definitely never forget 2005. It goes down in my history as the best year of my life.

 

Gabrielle Watson

Partcipant from Australia, School Program in Belgium Flanders 2005