This semester abroad has been the best semester of my studies thus far. Despite being a journalist, and therefore a writer by trade, I know what I say in this update won’t properly convey everything this semester has meant to me. So far this semester I have visited two cities in Belgium – Dinant and Ghent – and I have plans to visit at least two more. I have been to London, United Kingdom; Prague, Czech Republic; Budapest, Hungary; and Barcelona, Spain. I am planning trips to both Berlin, Germany, and Warsaw, Poland. But I have learned the most, by far, during my time living and working in Brussels every day.

As a reporter at MLex Market Insight in Brussels, I’ve had the opportunity to go into several of the EU institution buildings. I’ve reported on no-deal Brexit preparations, a list of EU blacklisted tax havens and so much more. Every story, and in fact each and every minor task I’ve taken on as an MLex intern, has been an opportunity to learn and grow. In my classes, I’ve also learned a lot about international reporting and Belgian history and culture. Outside of work and classes, living in Brussels every day has offered new experiences. I’ve fallen in love with Brussels, Belgium. Every experience has been exciting and informative from learning the Brussels public transportation system to getting used to the fact that almost nothing is open on Sunday to trying to decide what my favorite restaurant is in the city.