Story and Photos by Natalie Edelstein from Brussels, Belgium

I don’t have much to say about my trip from Los Angeles, California to Brussels, Belgium. This is probably because I fell asleep before my flight ever took off from LAX and when I woke up, 11 hours later, I was in Dublin. Surprisingly, I even slept on the two-hour flight between Dublin in Brussels. 

[Brussels, Belgium]

I’ve now been in Belgium for 3 weeks, and I have plenty to say about that. What an insane adventure it has been. You can read all the guidebooks you want, take as many virtual tours on Google maps as your heart desires, but nothing will truly prepare you for the first time you try to order coffee and the barista responds to you in French. Although it has only been three weeks, I can already confidently say that living abroad is an experience like no other.

I’m currently an intern for FleishmanHillard EU and even in my office full of ex-pats there are some European customs that took some adjusting to. Primarily, the work culture in Europe is much more relaxed than it is in the states. The daily attire also consists of much more black, blue, and gray than I’m used too.

Being apart of an internship program abroad has proved to be a great decision. I’ve had the opportunity to meet other interns my age from all over Europe and working in another country is challenging but very exciting. 

[Photo from my side trip to Paris, France]

Additionally, in my short three weeks, I’ve also had the opportunity to visit two other cities. I think that’s what baffles me most about Europe. In California, it can take you 3+ hours to get from Los Angeles to San Diego. In Brussels, all I had to do was hop on a two-hour train and I was in Paris, France. Another hour and a half and you’re in Ghent, Belgium. This weekend we have a trip planned for Venice, Italy and the weekend after we’re heading to Cologne, Germany. Oh, and did I mention round-trip travel is usually less than $70.

Of course, there are some challenges. Simple things, like going to the grocery store, are significantly more difficult here because everything is in French, and if you haven’t caught on yet, I don’t speak the best French. The time difference makes it difficult to communicate with friends from home, however our trip has already forged some pretty great friends so I haven’t had any problems with being homesick yet.

As my third week comes to a close I just wish things would slow down a little bit. I have had nothing short of an incredible time and I can’t wait to make these four months last as long as I possibly can.