It has certainly been hard at times, but I can say that I am having a great time! Liège is a beautiful city, and I believe (hope) my french has already improved! At least my confidence in speaking french.
Some things I have learned are:
- You kiss everyone (as a greeting, of course)!
- The chocolate is fantastic
- Everyone is curious about America - and surprised when they learn that I don't watch tv or eat at McDonald's often.
- Scouting here is not at all the same as in the US.
- Almost everyone is very friendly
- The littlest things can set off homesickness
- How to use the buses
- That gestures are completely different (tapping my head to say "I've got it, I understand" probably translates to "I'm crazy")
- Ballet is the same in every language - contemporary dance is not.
- And, even if I am completely bonkers to leave everything I know and love for a year - it is completely worth it!
And it's hard (and a little strange) to try and make friends in another language - luckily for me everyone seems to be super nice.
I consider myself incredibly lucky in my placement in a host family - they're perfect! And especially lucky when compared to other exchange students who already have issues with their host family.
Everything is going well, and I love Belgium!
