LAST DAY IN BRUSSELS

Text by Joshua Berlinger

Tufts University

Before we made our way home, we made sure to stop at two more important sights.  The plan was to stop at St. Michael’s Cathedral and town hall.  The cathedral was absolutely stunning.  The size and intricacies of the architecture were just overwhelming, and it was not too crowded as Sunday mass had already let out.  Below the cathedral were also the remainders of old ruins, which added something very interesting to what seemed like a very stereotypical older European cathedral on the inside (although nonetheless beautiful).  After going to city hall, we were told that it was closed and the website had misinformed us of the dates, so we went to the Erasmus house.  The house actually belonged to a friend of his, and he spent his summers there.  The paintings and architecture of the house were beautiful, but the garden was a bit depressing because all the plants had not grown in yet.  The groundskeeper said that by summer, it would look beautiful.  However, the potential was very much visible to us.  After, we hopped back to the hotel, got on the bus, and went home after a long but extremely informative and enjoyable trip.

EXHIBITS IN BRUSSELS: EUROPEANS ON AMERICANS & MAGRITTE MUSEUM

Text by Sarah Assemany
Wofford College

Our third day of our Brussels excursion was definitely an exciting one!  We started off the day by going to an Exposition on American History entitled, America: It´s our history too.  While the three of us are pretty knowledgeable on American history, the exposition was interesting because it provided a European perspective of American History.  We didn´t agree with all of the interpretations of history, but it was fun to see how Europeans view our history.  While America definitely has its own unique culture it is important to remember that the American culture and/or history is a mixture of various cultures around the world.  This trip was an enlightening one for me because it put American history into perspective for me.

Then, we went to Magritte Museum showcasing the work of Rene Margritte.  I thought that the museum was going to be extremely small since it was dedicated to solely one artist, but I was surprised to find that the museum held numerous pieces.  I couldn´t believe how much work one artist had completed in a single lifetime.  The pieces were all very fun and innovative; each piece allowed you to create your own interpretation of what the artist was trying to say.  It was definitely the kind of art I like to look at because each piece left you with a different emotion.

And, with each day in Brussels we experienced the culture through trying the local food.  Although the waistband of my pants aren’t going to feel so great these next couple of weeks, trying all of the food Belgium has to offer was definitely worth it.  If you are a chocolate lover, Brussels/Belgium is the place to be!  Brussels is known for its chocolate, waffles, and beer.  Aside, from stuffing myself with chocolate, waffles, and even chocolate waffles, I enjoyed the beauty of the city and making the most of the cultural venues that Brussels has to offer.

ARRIVAL IN BRUSSELS

Texto de Joshua Berlinger

Tufts University

Today we left for Brussels for our Legal Studies excursion.  On the metro ride over, the excitement was palpable.  Charlotte, Sarah and I could not wait to explore the history of the city, the important EU organs that were there, and were maybe a bit excited for the world famous chocolate, beer, and waffles.  We met, Paco, CIEE Resident Coordinator, and Cristina,  our Legal Language Professor,  at the airport, and all seemed to go well, although Charlotte had to check her bag due to Ryanair’s unnecessarily stringent rules on airline luggage.  We arrived at Charleoi Airport, took the shuttle to Brussels, and the metro to our hotel, which although not in the most upscale neighborhood, was incredibly charming.  We then walked to a brasserie near Gran Plaza and had dinner, where I was eager to get my first Belgian meal (I specifically requested pomme frites). 

After, we immediately stopped at the first chocolate shop we saw, Leonidas, not realizing it was a chain in Brussels, but thoroughly enjoying our chocolate.  A few steps later we were in the Gran Plaza, and blown away by the beautiful gothic architecture (not to mention the gusty winds that pick up in the plaza).  We took some pictures, and walked over to the famous statue of Mannaken Piss (a little boy peeing), and were all amazed at how small it was in reality.  After a nice stroll, we returned to the hotel to get an early night’s sleep to prepare for tomorrow.

VISIT TO A CENTER OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Text by Sarah Asssemany

             Wofford College

One of our first topics of discussion was Domestic Violence against women in Spain.  We watched a documentary, O Mía…o de nadie, on domestic violence, and afterwards we discussed the effects of traditional gender roles.  The documentary had many statistics including a statistic that shows that 1 of out every 5 women is a victim of domestic violence.  The documentary was very informative, and it also told the story of different women and the role domestic violence played in each of their lives.  In particular, the documentary showcased, Ana Orantes.  She revealed her husband’s violence against women on a talk show, and consequently, she was murdered at the hands of her own husband 13 days later.  The story of Ana Orantes shows that domestic violence is a relevant issue that needs to be resolved. 

                Due to its relevancy, we learned that Spain was the first European country to create a law specifically for gender-based violence.  The law was passed in December of 2004, and its goals include creating special courts and rehabilitation centers for women as well as protecting women that may be potential victims of domestic violence.  Many activists were thrilled to see the new reforms passed, but there was much criticism from more conservative groups.  However, many leaders and advocates argue that these reforms can only promote positive changes once society evolves to create an environment truly equal for both genders. 

                Upon reflection, Spain is not the only country that has become the victim to domestic violence.  All countries, including the United States, have had to face the problem of domestic violence due to traditional gender roles within society.   The United States, much like Spain, has created rehabilitation centers and/or help groups for victims of domestic violence.  However, although the world is constantly evolving, the equality of both genders has not been fully obtained.  It is up to our generation and future generations to promote and sustain an environment in which both men and women assume equal positions.  Each person can do his or her own part in changing societal norms in whatever manner best suits his or her personality from creating and/or reforming laws to being an active voice for change and education within society.