I can put the “career” on hold, because I want to see this world and LIVE. I may be working right now, but this is temporary and, well, it’s paying for all my adventures around Europe. I am immersed in the Belgian culture and living each day with thanks and learning.
The year is over, but 2012 was amazing! So many things accomplished and experienced.
- Created a top-notch faux advertising campaign
- Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree (I’m a BA now)
- Lead an entire program at a camp
- Landed a job in Europe and completed all forms necessary (There was a lot)
So thankful for everything I have completed thus far in the past four months in Brussels.
- Living abroad in a country where I did not know any of the languages spoken
- Knew no one that lived here
- Working a job that has tested my sanity
- Learning French quite quickly
- Went to a French Christmas Eve mass at Notre-Dame au Sablon
- Mastering public transit and train connections
- Traveling to new places all throughout Belgium:
- Traveling to new countries:
Looking forward to what 2013 has in store for me and will continue to fulfill my dreams of travel, art, studying, and experiencing new things. The world is open to me.
I ventured outside of Brussels for the first time since I arrived about two weeks ago. I purchased a weekend return ticket, which is super flexible and cheap. The city is beautiful and filled with stone streets, centuries old houses, and soaring towers. Canals line the city and everyone was out on the water for such a nice day. I went with a newly made friend in Brussels and we had an amazing time just sightseeing and walking about the city streets.
One of the main reasons I wanted to go to Gent was to see the altarpiece called the ‘Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’ by Jan Van Eyck dating back to 1432 AD. I went. I saw. I quivered. I was in awe of being able to stand in front of something that I have studied and written about. This was the first time that I am really seeing some works of ART.
Living and working in Europe is my studying abroad, but on my own terms and I like it that way. It’s also cheaper. I am a frugal traveler. Being able to go out to all the museums in my own time and see what I have learned while I was in university is truly amazing.
