Belgium

The capital of amazing food

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The home of the European Union and NATO.
Belgian culture has been influenced by French, Dutch, Austrian, and Spanish cultures, creating an amazing cultural mix.
Your program will take place in the southern part of Belgium, which is a French-speaking region.
Belgian youth enjoy sports—especially football and cycling—going to concerts and the cinema, and spending holidays at scouting organization events.
Your social life will definitely revolve around family and a close circle of friends.

People and community

Belgians describe themselves as tolerant, flexible, modest, and open-minded. They highly value their privacy and the enjoyment of a safe and comfortable life. Belgians are very hardworking and self-disciplined.

Your program will take place in the southern part of Belgium, which is a French-speaking region, most likely in a suburban or rural area. Public transportation is well-organized and safe, which will allow you to explore the place where you will be living.

School

You will most likely be enrolled in an academic secondary school, although there is a chance you might attend a vocational secondary school. Classes usually take place from 8:00 in the morning until around 4 or 5 in the afternoon, while Wednesday afternoons are always free. Diligent studying and a strong focus on academic success are very important to Belgians.
The most popular school subjects in Belgian schools are Flemish (Dutch), mathematics, history, geography, science, religious studies or ethics, and physical education.

Language

People in this part of Belgium mainly speak French. Many also know Flemish and German, and are quite proficient in English as well.
You should have some basic knowledge of French before going on exchange, as it will definitely help you improve your language skills more quickly.
AFS will give you access to Rosetta Stone online language courses so you can start learning French before the program begins. AFS will also help you find language classes during the first weeks of the program.
English will also be useful at the beginning of your exchange.

Food

Belgian cuisine is much more than just good chocolate – it’s a place where you can taste waffles (wafelen), French fries (pomme-frites), mussels, and carbonade flamande (a beef stew) served with potatoes and bread.
Belgians take their time when eating, so you’ll have a great opportunity to try all of this and much more.
Many families consider eating together very important, especially when it comes to dinner.

Explore the Programs Available in Belgium