Belgium Smiles: My Third Week

This week was my last few days of summer and the first day of school. (A picture from the first day of school is shown on the left)

On the Wednesday before school started, we took a trip to the Château (castle) Seneffe in La Louvière. There is an anual flower exhibition at the castle and we were lucky enough to visit for the last day of the expo.

My last day of summer vacation was spent with my host sister, Pauline. We took a train into Brussels to go shopping before the first day of school. It was the perfect breather before my life completely turned upside down.

I experienced the biggest case of culture shock since my exchange began on my first day of school.

I attend the institute of Saint Joseph, which is within walking distance from my home in La Louviere. It is a small Catholic (but public) school; there are about fourty students in my "senior" class. Unlike in the states, we have a schedule based on the number of hours for each class during the week. For example, I have eight hours of math every week; this means that I could have 3 hours on monday, nothing on tuesday, 1 hour on wednesday, etc. Respect is also a big deal in Belgium; in the beginning of class, we stand by our desks until the teacher allows us to sit. Also, if an adult happens to walk in, the whole class stands and the process is repeated.

Without the laws of separation between church and state, there is a Cross on the front wall in every room and we even have a religion course! This does not bother me in the least; however, it is a big change from school life in the states.

The most difficult thing for me at school is balancing making friends when there is a serious lack of vocabulary, and attempting-and failing-to complete assignments in French without making words up. My first class was four hours of French. I remember that the first assignment was a dictation. I completed it, and, after reading it over, I realized I had no idea what I was doing. What I had produced was not French. I must be honest; after realizing how far I had to go, frustration hit, I cried. It was the first time I had cried at all since leaving my family in SC. I don't think anyone in the class noticed, but that was certainly a low point for me.

After convincing myself that this is a normal process, that all exchange students experience the same hardships, and after a good amount of sleep, I was, and am, sure that bearing with school would become easier.

Overall, it was an interesting week and I am certainly looking forward to the next.

smiles from Belgium

Coca Cola is universal (Brussels)