Bridgit Kasperski
  • Home
  • About
  • Work
    • Recommendations
  • Blog

belgium the brave 

3/24/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Brussels holds some of my happiest moments. It’s a city where I experienced true independence for the first time. It’s a place where I made incredible friends, joined a magnificent family, practiced a new language, explored a foreign culture and above all else, learned myself. My six-month study abroad experience was based in Brussels, everything stemmed from this beautiful and brave city.
 
This is not a city Americans seek out, not even Europeans. It’s not a Paris, London, Barcelona or Amsterdam. This is not a touristy destination. It’s a city that is surprisingly delightful, yet live able.
 
As a student studying abroad, it was perfect. Since Americans did not flock to Brussels, the city and country, remained authentic. You had to learn the language and culture, unlike other popular European areas. I fell in love, real, consuming, complicated love with the food (Waffles! Frites!), beer (the best beer in the WORLD), culture (French, Dutch and German all rolled into one) and people. Since Brussels is the capital of the European Union, it was very diverse, which I adored.
 
I made some of my best friends in Belgium. I met my soul mate there, a woman I have travelled to over 15 cities with. My host family was from Spain and they changed my life. They showed me so much love and were literally my family when I was there. I shared real stories and experiences with my host family, which I will cherish forever. I still talk to my host parents every week. Just last year, my host mom came and stayed with me in my cramped NYC apartment for her first American adventure. She’s one of my biggest inspirations, if I can live life with just half of the zest, excitement, curiosity and joie de vivre that she does, I will be a happy woman.
 
When I heard about the absolute horror that fell upon a city that is a part of my being, I was a mess. I wanted to run over there and help. I wanted to be with my host parents.
 
Brussels will not be defined by this terrible act. Let the country be remembered as even more beautiful and brave. I will continue to cherish Belgium and everything the country gave me.
 
Belgium forever. 
Picture
My host parents!
Picture
My soul mate, Autumn, and I at The Delirium Cafe. A Belgian must!
Picture
One of my last nights in Brussels. The photo was taken in Grand Place, the breathtaking center of the city.
Picture
Keep on doing your thing Belgium, chocolate and all!
0 Comments

    Archives

    December 2020
    September 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    March 2019
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014

    RSS Feed

Copyright © 2015
  • Home
  • About
  • Work
    • Recommendations
  • Blog