I remember undoubtedly that it happened on an unlikely
day of my life. I was at school as usual in the daily routine of a student and
my classes were deeply boring and tiring due to the fact that I have never
enjoyed the Art classes and Portuguese as well. Nevertheless, my Art’s
teacher proposed to our class to do a task related to the refugees and then she
said to deliver it in the library. I wasn't expecting that this random task
could change my school’s journey and even my life. Eventually, after school
when I got home, my mother was profoundly surprised and I could see her
happiness and pride on her face. I got curious as well, owing to the fact that
her reaction wasn't common.
That’s when she told me that I had achieved an
opportunity to join the project “Erasmus +” and in one month, I would be in
Brussels, the capital of Belgium and stay in a host family with foreign people.
I got remarkably speechless due to the fact that I hadn't ever dreamed of
having the opportunity to travel abroad, and I knew that it would be an
unforgettable and incomparable experience.
Some time afterwards, exactly
one month in November, I was smoothly ecstatic and apprehensive. At first, I
woke up early and then I drove to the airport because our group was going to
meet there and establish a plan for travelling.
Few hours later, when we arrived in Brussels and got off the plane I
thought “Where am I? How is that possible?”
Suddenly, we realised we were far away from our host city which is
over 300km from Brussels and we had to get the train quickly. As we were late,
we couldn’t miss the train owing to the fact that our host family were already
waiting for our arrival and they couldn't get distraught. Eventually, we got to
the train station. It was deeply deserted and spotless and then I realized that
Belgium cares about environmental sustainability and that was one of the
characteristics I got interested in this country.
Several things and activities happened all week and I am so grateful
and amazed owing to the fact that my school provided me this opportunity and I
met many people from Spain, Belgium and Greece who helped me to understand that
even far away we could help other countries and organisations in general with
our confidence, effort and discipline. It seems to be a normal journey but
there is one thing that I can complain about, which makes me think and reflect
about how diversified tiny and non-popular countries could be. In Belgium, we
profoundly felt a contrast between how people treat others and how much effort and
confidence they put in everything they do or what they are keen on. For
instance, when I met my host family, the “host-mother” taught me several
traditional activities and challenged me to wake up at 4am and drink 1 bottle
of soda and I accepted, it ended up with a strong head pain and getting
sick and I realised I would never repeat
that in my life. I thought “It is awkward and unhealthy”
Unfortunately, the trip in Belgium was over and I got
back to Portugal. I kept in contact with many people I knew there and currently
I still contact some of them. By the time, and after a deep reflection, I am
able to describe that this trip has a double interpretation. It was weird the
way that I got the opportunity. On the other hand, with this experience I
learned a lot about cultural diversity and accepting uncommon traditional facts
which are usual in other countries. I am speechless, nothing more!
By Ruben Duarte 11th B
