Belgium U

This week I had the pleasure of exploring higher education in Belgium. Each class at my school took a trip to sit in on a University class and have a brief tour of the campus. 6B (my class) went to University of Louvain-la-Neuve. It is located about an hour and a half from Verviers it is is a rather small institution.

In Belgium, and I am sure other places, there are two types of higher education. The first is the University. Students enrolled in this form can expect to have four to five years of school with many many courses, but the only exams being the finals. The other type is called "Haut École" translated to High School. These colleges are two to three years and while the work is considered "less difficult" there is a lot more of it. If I correctly understood the conversation, the Haut Écoles have more busy work, and therefore are very time consuming. Both forms of college are acceptable. There is a lot less variety of Universities in the United States however I do not think that this is solely because of the size of the country. In approximately the same distance as Belgium, there is a grand difference between the styles of colleges in Pennsylvania. Juniata College, Penn State, and Lycoming College are vastly different for many reasons. In Belgium there is much less variety and even fewer options for areas of study.

One of the most popular fields of study is medicine. A surprisingly large portion of my class wishes to pursue careers in the medical field. I found this surprising because, from my limited knowledge of this area in the United States, it is highly difficult and highly competitive. While there are American students who wish to follow this path, I would think that the most popular career choice for American students is engineering or education. Perhaps it is a pursuit of monetary gain for these students, or perhaps it is a desire to help the people of the world. One of the contributing factors to this decision is the course work in schools. There are many language science and math classes, and fewer liberal arts classes, or at least a lesser emphasis on them. For example, a student can choose to have four or six hours of science a week and they can also choose between having math four or six hours. However french class is a mandatory four hours. No more, no less.

Another big difference between the Universities of Belgium and those of the United States is the cost of course. Although school is not free in Belgium, it costs generally between three and five thousand dollars for attendance. Quite a difference from Bucknell University whose tuition alone is 90 thousand. Perhaps this is one of the contributing factors to the sparse use of technology. While sitting in on a Theology class, the professor used the chalkboard and read from a lecture of handwritten notes. The contrary would be the use of Powerpoints and typed handouts.

Overall, I found it to be a very enriching experience and one that confirmed my decision to continue and participate in the higher education system in the United States, despite the higher cost because there are more options for students to choose the kind of learning they would like to participate in. In addition, I think that there is a different work ethic at the universities in America, one that I find works better for myself. I am very glad that I got to experience this day.

A Day to Remember

Last Sunday marked the 10 year anniversary since the destruction of New York City's twin towers and the plane which crashed into the Pentagon. For the United States of America, this is a day of sorrow and also a day in which brought a commemoration of our nations hero's. It was a day, that could make even the most cynical American have empathy for our country. That being said, America is not the only country around the world that was affected by this drastically shocking event. People around the world remember this day, and remember the devastation it brought with it.

One of the most striking things that I noticed about this day in Belgium was how many people talked to me about the events that happened on 9/11. They asked me questions and talked about how the 10 year anniversary of these events was this Sunday. For me it seemed strange that they would be as interested and sympathetic as they were. In honesty, some of the older citizens that I talked to, knew more about the event that I myself do. It is strange to think that this happened 10 years ago. At that point in my life I was 8 years old. I might not have realized then what that event meant, but I can still see the effects of it after all this time.

Students talked about it in school, my host family mentioned it several times, and all day Sunday, September 11th were broadcasts live from New York, interviews with firefighters, and even a re-enactment movie of the events that transpired. From my experience, because that is all I can draw from, it seems that the world respected and empathized with America and still does because of what happened however when it comes to what we chose to do as our solution and counter attack, is less respected.

One of the effects that people have told me that it has had on Belgium is the increased racism to citizens of Middle Eastern countries and practitioners of the Muslim religion. I would say that the events of this date had a similar impact on America as well. However, we chose to act upon it differently. There is a lot of openness when it comes to discrimination after this event. For example, when the Muslim community in New York sought to build an informational center on the religion of Islam within relatively close proximity to Ground Zero, many American citizens were outraged. From my observation, if the same situation was presented in Belgium it would not be openly opposed, however many people would pass their own silent judgment.

Despite the negative impact that this event had, I was surprised with the respect that I was shown as an American in Belgium on the 10 year Anniversary. Thank you Belgium.

School: A Global Institution

This week I began school at the lovely and very old Collège Saint François Xavier 1 (SFX1) Entering the school yard was like being dropped right into the middle of the popular American movie Mean Girls. In addition to the navigation through communication disparities and social groups, school in Europe has proven to be much different that my schooling experience in Centre Pennsylvania.

In Belgium school is divided into two categories, Primary and Secondary (Collège). Each of these schools has six years that must be completed. In the United States I am a senior in high school and that transfers to year 6 (sixième) in Belgium. Everyone also has a class with whom they spend the majority of their time, and for me, it would be with the students in 6B.

One of the biggest differences that I have noticed between the two schooling structures is that instead of the students changing classes, the teachers change and come to the students. This was one of thing aspects that I was most pleased about because it meant that I did not have to wander around my very large school in search of different rooms. At the same time after over 7 hours of school, the same room becomes rather mundane. Another notable difference is before almost every class we meet in the courtyard where we wait for our teacher to come and lead us to class. Every class has an assigned block where they wait for their teacher (6A, 6B, 6C......6E). For me it feels rigid and overly structured compared to the freedom and autonomy which American students are afforded. Regardless it is well organized and students do not have to wonder when class will begin because it does not commence until the teacher arrives in the courtyard.

My host sister parted for the United States last Thursday and upon arrival was asked to choose her classes. She was amazed with the number of choices that American schools offered. This is something that I feel as though I took for granted. I knew that the Delta Program offered a lot of different choices, at least more than State High, however the course selection here is limited to one period where one can choose Spanish, Theater, or Greek. School here is highly regulated by many different parties and there is not much room for variation in course selection, materials, or to some degree, even thinking. In the United States, thinking and challenging the ideas presented is not only accepted, but something that is encouraged. After my first week at SFX1 it would seem that that is not quite the same case.

One of the things that I think is really strong about the Belgium school system is the work ethic ingrained in the students. There is not a time during the school day that the students are not focused on their work. For example, being an exchange student I am not expected to take on the same workload as the other students. Therefore I have at least one hour a day to do what I please. However, it is not a time for relaxation for other students. It is the first week of school and everyone is already focused on studying and memorizing the material in order to succeed. Impressive.

As a culture, the United States places a high value on the expression of ideas and the things that individuals have to offer. Our democratic system is part of what affords that luxury and I am grateful for it.

Bisous,
Riley

Bienvenue en Belgique

Today begins my first full month in the beautiful country of Belgium. I officially arrived Saturday the 20th of August and have been taking my time familiarizing myself with both the language and the culture of the town. As a foreigner, and as an American, I feared the reactions of those around me due to my nationality. It seemed to me that I would be treated rudely because that is how I thought Americans were precieved. However, upon arrival I found that the majority of people I have come in contact with are in fact very accomadating to Americans.

This intrigued me and led me to inquire more on the subject. In the words of the lovely gentleman in my Rotary club, "C'est parce que les americains ont aidé pendant la guerre et maintenant, les Bèlges sont souvenus ça et ils aiment les americains." For those who are unfamiliar with French, I discovered that during the times of war, the Americans came to the aid of Belgium, and many other countries in Europe. In Belgium, they remember vividly the freedom that the American soldiers brought their country and are grateful for that. Thus, Americans are respected and treated well in this country.

Not only is Belgium accommodating to people from America, but to people of all different backgrounds. Everywhere in Belgium, one can find signs in four languages. The languages of Belgium are French, English, Dutch, and German. Almost all politicians speak very slowly when addressing a crowd so that all can comprehend. This is one of the reasons speeches last as long as they do. Another reason is because they repeat everything they say in three languages. Normally it begins in French, because the people here who have french as a first language rarely know the others. It is followed by Dutch and finished in English. When comparing this to speeches given in the United States it is very different. Our politicians are often found to be eloquent, however despite the vast diversity in the country, discourse is only recited in English. In a way I believe that is a good thing because the majority of people, from around the world, can understand even the most basic English. At the same time, it squanders the individuality, and diminishes respect for the other cultures that make America what it is. By reciting the same speech in a multitude of languages, I feel as though it is a respect for the differences that make Belgium unique. One of the reasons that I chose this country for my Rotary Exchange was because of the three main cultural elements and how they are able to exist together harmoniously. For the most part.