I have loved my time in Brussels so far! I am very struck by how different it is from the states, especially in terms of architecture and the feel of life. This is my first time in Europe, and, as silly as it sounds, I’m amazed at how European it truly feels, according to the media I’ve consumed from afar about the continent. It is typical in Brussels for people to speak multiple European languages, so I hear plenty of French, German, and English, as well as Spanish, Italian, and Eastern European languages. We are staying very close to the main EU buildings, so we are around many EU officials who speak languages from all around Europe. The buildings are intricate and beautiful — very different from much of the more modern and plain architecture in the U.S. — and the streets are much more pedestrian- and bike-friendly. There’s also a much greater emphasis on sustainability in Brussels, with environmental concerns elevated very highly. Every EU building we’ve visited has incorporated recycled materials or renewable energy, and even our hotel is carbon neutral. After taking day trips to Bruges and Ghent, we’ve noticed the prevalence of large town squares, ringed by restaurants and government buildings.

The public transportation here is very convenient; the metro is clean and runs very frequently, and we’ve taken trains and buses as far as Paris. Unlike in America, wearing headphones while commuting isn’t very common here, and people generally seem to be more aware of their surroundings. People dress better in public in general — sweatpants are very rare. While the culture in Brussels and the other European cities we’ve visited isn’t “workaholic” like America, it comes at the cost of stores and restaurants having much more limited hours.  

Our days are typically filled with site visits, where we meet with various EU officials in their office buildings. Today, for instance, we are hearing from the European Council and the European External Action Service, roughly the counterparts of the U.S. Senate and State Dept., respectively. We are usually free in the evening to get dinner and explore. The streets in the main shopping district of Brussels are lively at night, with people sitting outside bars every day of the week. The main foods to try here are frites, waffles, and chocolate, and there are plenty of places selling them. I’ve had a great time taking in the sights, sounds, and tastes of Brussels, and I’m excited to savor the rest of my time here.