I’ve been here two months now. Antwerp has truly become my home. The excitement has started to wear off, and I’ve definitely experienced the first wave of homesickness. But that’s ok. I still love Antwerp, and the nice thing about being on a study abroad program is you’re surrounded by people going through the exact same things as you. It doesn’t take much effort to find support here, as well as at home.

A highlight of my past month was a day trip I took to Bruges – perhaps the most beautiful city in the world. Known as the “Venice of the North,” stepping into this medieval canal city is like being transported into a fairytale. Belgium has so many great resources for students, and one of my favorites is the Go-pass. Anyone under 27 can buy a ten-ticket pass which makes any train within Belgium a 5 euro ride. So two friends and I decided to take a spontaneous trip one morning. We made our way to Antwerp’s beautiful train station – Antwerpen Centraal – and we were on our way.

 

I could try to explain the beauty of Bruges, but there’s no way words can do it justice – and it’s even more unlikely my words can do it justice. So since a picture is worth a thousand words, these should suffice:

Tot ziens! (see you soon)