Brussels
(video credit: www.mathieumaximeprod.com/)
There is probably no better place in Europe for a true intercultural study abroad experience than Brussels.
Belgium, as a nation, is in fact an example of multicultural cooperation with its three official languages – French, Dutch and German – spoken by three different communities. Furthermore, Brussels is a cosmopolitan city and has a key role in Europe. Despite being less renowned than other major European capitals such as Rome, London or Paris, Brussels and Belgium in general have repeatedly been the scene of significant historical events of European history, such as the defeat of Napoleon in Waterloo. Because of its position in the heart of Europe, Brussels has always been a geographic crossroads for encounters among European peoples.
On account of all this, Brussels became the natural “capital” of Europe and was chosen to host the headquarters of the European Institutions, numerous European organizations and NGOs. Approximately 32% of its residents are in fact of non-Belgian European origins both as a result of waves of migration and of the arrival of Eurocrats.
At the same time, diversity in Brussels goes way beyond European borders as 36% of its residents are of other backgrounds, mostly Moroccan, Turkish, and Sub-Saharan African. This is primarily due to the colonial history of Belgium and its bilateral agreements signed during the second half of the 20th century with countless African and Middle-Eastern countries.
The bond between SIS Intercultural Study Abroad and Brussels was born when several staff members, who moved there in 2015 to undertake higher education degrees, allowed for SIS to lay its roots in Belgium. Since then, we started building a program that could give our students the opportunity to develop intercultural competences: one of the most important goals SIS has for its students. We believe that living, stuyding and/or interning in a city as diverse and unique as Brussels is the perfect way to achieve it.
Come study abroad with SIS Intercultural Study Abroad in Brussels to experience Europe’s most dynamic intercultural environment and discover your new intercultural capabilities!
