Vicki McIlmoyle - Sustainability in Brussels
Written by Vicki McIlmoyle, BSc Hons Geography, Sustainability in Brussels 2024.
Sustainability in Brussels 2024
"A truly life changing experience, I wish I could do all over again !"
Memorable Moments
It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit and complete a self-guided tour at the European Parliament, which was topped off by viewing the Parlamentarium in person to appreciate the sheer size of the room which can hold so many delegates at on time. Exploring the BIGH - Aquaponics Farm was a unique moment to view and learn how the use of trout excretion can fertilize their tomato vines which can grow to extraordinary heights!
We got to participate in a climate negotiation simulator where we came up with ideas to combat climate change and received a result through an online calculator to explain how much difference our idea would actually make.
Learning about a different culture
Generally, the culture in Brussels is very similar to back home, such as how they dress. Contrasts between the culture was how quickly the local people could switch between speaking their own languages, consisting of French, Dutch and German, and English. Thankfully English is a widely spoken language which helped us communicate with the locals so we could share the amazing opportunity that GoGlobal provided us with. The architecture of Belgium was very unique which made our surroundings very special to observe.
Challenges and how to deal with them
Speaking to new people can often be a very daunting experience for me, however, I found the various ice breaker activities a great way to push myself outside of my comfort zone and build friendships, helping me to feel more relaxed for the week.
As a fussy eater, I was worried about what the food options would be, but when trying different restaurants and eating outlets, I found they had a wide variety on their menus, including a lot of popular home foods.
Before travelling to Brussels, I learnt a few French words (a widely spoken language there) which made me feel more welcomed by the locals as they appreciated me putting in this small effort.
Making friends while abroad
I was very anxious about meeting the other students on this trip. With a group project being part of our programme, I really hoped I would get along with them. Thankfully, what I thought could be a challenge turned out to be what made the trip a delight for me and one to remember. I could not have asked for a better group of people and the many life-long friendships I made along the way! Our ice breaker activities, such as asking each other comical questions with the help of a card game, and completing a scavenger hunt provided us with an amazing catalyst to form friendships.
Travelling and sightseeing
During our free time, we engrossed ourselves with some of the popular tourist attractions, including the show stopping Atomium, Parc du Cinquantenaire and the Grand Palace. We made sure to delve into the famous Belgium snacks, such as their unique waffles, Belgium fries and the exquisite chocolate, which was of course thoroughly enjoyed by my family on my return home.
Advice
As a massive home-bird, my usual response to opportunities like this is 'absolutely not as my anxiety will get the better of me'. However, we all need to be pushed outside of our comfort zone now and again, and I could not think of a more exhilarating and breathtaking way to do so!
Embarking on this journey was truly a life changing experience for me. It enabled me to gain more confidence and courage, not only when conversing and building friendships with others, but to also say yes to more opportunities like this in the future. So, if your thinking about it, just do it! You won't regret a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity like this.