It has been a while since you blog readers have last heard from me! I did not forget about you, but I will admit the month of January was a hectic month. All of winter break, I watched enviously as my friends from Pitt relaxed after their final exams, enjoying the holiday, while I had to study for finals. In Belgium, universities typically hold their finals for an entire month and the exam period usually falls in January for the fall semester. Another important thing to note about Belgian final exams is that the final exam is the only grade that gets factored into your overall grade. As you can imagine, the pressure is high- especially when taking exams in your non-native language. I finally got through it, after many long nights and early mornings dedicated to final exam preparation. My last exam was on January 27th, and as soon as it was over, I had to pack up my bags and move out of my house. Again, it was hectic. Since then, I have given myself a much deserved break; I have been traveling around Europe to soak up the last chances I have to explore this beautiful continent before I head back to the States. I visited Prague, Vienna, Salzburg, and Berlin in a tiring yet exhilarating interrail trip. Now, I am back in Brussels, enjoying my last few days before I catch a flight back for America later this week.
It is crazy to think that my time in Brussels is almost over. My international experience turned out to be everything that I had hoped for and more. I came with a goal to improve my French, and I was so proud to have successfully completed my finals completely in French! I also came with the goal to travel, and I certainly have checked off many European destinations off of my bucket list. Additionally, I came to Brussels with the goal of making long-lasting international friendships, and I couldn’t be happier with the friends I have here. I know we will stay in touch- and what’s more, I get the perfect excuse to visit them in their home countries (Spain, Austria, and Switzerland, just to name a few). Beyond my pre-set goals, my international experience here in Brussels gave me a newfound self-confidence. Being far away from everything I have ever known is supposed to be a little bit scary and stressful, but I now know I have the abilities to adapt in a new culture, maneuver my way around confusing cities, and, most importantly, transform any loneliness into independence and initiative. I have the power to make my experience the best it could be; there is no point sitting around being homesick when the world is so wide and full of opportunities!
Not to brag, but I have 100% seen personal growth. My French skills have dramatically improved, and I feel stronger academically knowing that I could adapt to an entirely different teaching style, examination process, and university setting. I have grown personally with respect to my health and my environmentally friendly habits. I have learned to shop for local produce, to reduce overconsumption (especially since two suitcases for all my stuff is not much room!), and to opt for walking or public transport to get where I need to go. I learned to notice the difference in food quality and ingredients between America and Belgium, and I hope to translate my new health habits back in the States for a better lifestyle. I also have changed my professional mindset. In America, there is a major emphasis on hustle culture, where making the most amount of money is the target for many workers. In Belgium, and in much of Europe, there is a greater emphasis on work-life balance, and although it is true that some Europeans make less money than their American counterparts, the quality of life is dramatically different. I am planning on entering the legal field, a career choice that comes with long, hard hours. While I am passionate about law and ready to put in the time and effort to be successful in my career, my international experience in Brussels has reminded me that everyone needs a proper work-life balance. In America, work tends to consume all aspects of life, especially in careers such as law. In Europe, there is a clear boundary between work and life. Weekends are highly valued and uninterrupted free-time, and vacation days are plenty. Of course, each job is different, but learning about the work culture in Europe has restructured my life values and career expectations. At this point, I am seriously considering moving back to Europe upon finishing law school in order to start my career here. It is not set in stone, but we will see where life takes me. That is another thing this international experience has taught me: flexibility is key. Being flexible with your plans and with your expectations can often lead to more fulfilling experiences.
While this was my last semester at Pitt for my undergraduate degree, I am hoping to carry my new skills and perspectives into law school next fall (maybe even Pitt Law!). I am so thankful that I pushed myself to take on the challenge of studying abroad, and I am so thankful for all the resources Pitt provided to help me along the way. I know when I return to the States, I will likely not be able to shut up about my experience for at least a few months. I will be encouraging everyone to take a risk and to open their mind to the international experiences that studying abroad can offer. I hope I was able to inspire at least some blog readers, and, as this is my last blog post for my Brussels exchange experience, I hope my stories, advice, and reflections have been worthwhile.
As a final parting message, I have picked up a typical French way to say “goodbye” here in Belgium. They say “bisous,” meaning “kisses” to greet and say goodbye to dear friends. So, to my blog readers, bisous from Brussels!
