It’s funny how the day I arrived in Belgium, 3 suitcases in tow and a gazillion butterflies in my stomach only seems like yesterday. I vividly remember sitting and having my evening meal with my host family and thinking ‘what the hell am I doing here?’ whilst apologising for my bad French.
Unfortunately, I’m now way over halfway through my stay in Belgium, in fact there are only 5 and a half weeks left.
When you study languages in England, everything is geared towards the year abroad. From secondary school, this idea of a ‘a year in Belgium’ or whichever country you’re going to is dangled in front of you and you know it’s going to happen. Everyone says ‘it’s the best year of your life’ and I feel like I’m finally starting to understand why.
I love knowing little things about the culture that people who haven’t lived in Belgium don’t know; from the way that people say ‘bonjour!’ to everyone when they enter the staffroom, to the way that when entering/leaving a party you have to kiss each individual on the cheek or the way you should (should being the operative word) wear shoes indoors and the huge list of Belgian words and phrases I’ve come across… I feel like I’ve learned a lot about this beautiful and welcoming country.
The last 11 and a half weeks have flown by. I still have over a month left, thank goodness, but I can’t quite believe the utter dread and terror that fills me when I even contemplate leaving this place. I’m looking forward to seeing my family again, don’t get me wrong, and I can’t wait to hug my parents and brother, but the thought of even stepping on the plane makes my eyes watery.
I’ve finally come to feel at home here, I’ve made friends, I feel I can communicate in the language, I met a special someone and I’ve travelled not only in Belgium but also to France and Luxembourg. I so don’t want to leave; I never thought I could feel so at home somewhere that wasn’t home.
Sadly though, I have to leave in just over a month’s time. I’m going to be a total mess at the airport; if I thought it was bad on the way here, it’ll be twenty times worse on the way back (queue ‘crazy crying English girl’).
I’m lucky though, because when I’ve finished in Spain next year, and after I’ve nipped home to England to stock up on medical supplies, see the family and pick up a few English essentials, I’ll be right back on the plane to Belgium for a few months before I have to start at university again next year. Belgium’s become my second home and I think it’s the idea of coming back next summer which will keep me going when I’m in Spain.
No one tells you how many attachments you’ll form when you go on a year abroad. I think that however huge the culture shock was when arriving, it’s going to be nothing compared to the sudden shock of leaving. Thank goodness I’m coming back next summer, that’s going to be something to look forward to. However for now, my aim is to make the most of every second here in Belgium the first time round, before I come back next year.
Yep, that’s right, I think I fell for Belgium. It’s simply my home from home.
Ma vie en Belgique <3 