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| EMA Regional Chapter Representatives...action photo! |
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| Leasa & Ali enjoying Brussels. |
Another trip to Brussels--this time to represent the North American chapter of the
Erasmus Mundus Student and Alumni Association (EMA).
I was recently voted in as the President, so it is my duty to represent (rough gig, right?!) One of my dear friends, Ali from Brazil, was also in attendance and we had a ball hanging out, catching up, and engaging in EMA business. We talked about WHY we feel compelled to be apart of EMA and we discovered our answers were similar...our Masters degree experience gave us so much (an education, an international experience, and lifelong friends), that we feel it is important to "give back".
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Yum, Belgium waffle!
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So, there we were in Brussels giving back as we participated in three days of marathon meetings in the European Commission
Madou building. At the end of each day we went back to the
Thon hotel and treated ourselves to cold Belgium beers chilling in our mini-refrigerator, good cheese, Speculoos cookies, and Belgium chocolate (all of which was purchased at the local
Carrefour supermarket one block away). Yep, sweet life--workin' hard and playin' hard!
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Grand Place at night!
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| Grand Place Christmas light-music show. |
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| The famous KWAK beer--LOVE IT! |
Play hard! These EMA meetings are like the mini-UN during the day (serious discussions with an infusion of politics and intercultural communication dynamics). At night, however, everyone leaves the seriousness in the meeting room and an international festival comes to life as we all enjoy the Brussels nightlife together! This year we had the help of the Brussels Christmas market and incredible
Christmas sound and light show at Grand Place. I visited the
Christmas market with my Flemish friend, Marijke, in December 2009. But, this year the Christmas sound and light show was much more elaborate with beams of light shooting up from the center of the square and lights dancing to the sounds of classical music. Incredible!!! Now, this is a place you want to visit during the Christmas season. They even had real sheep in the nativity scene...okay, that was a little over-the-top for my likings, but they did really go all out. So, as we hopped from pub to dance club to waffle kiosk, always ending up back in the magnificent Grand Place to marvel at the lights, the architecture, and yes, the sheep too.
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| A late night waffle experience...with lots of laughter! |
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| Atomium |
The trip ended with a visit to the weird structure called the
Atomium. This UFO-looking structure was designed in 1958 to symbolize the peaceful use of atomic energy. We rode the elevator to the top sphere and discovered that this is maybe the (only) reason to visit the Atomium--the views overlooking Brussels.
I was recently voted in as the President, so it is my duty to represent (rough gig, right?!) One of my dear friends, Ali from Brazil, was also in attendance and we had a ball hanging out, catching up, and engaging in EMA business. We talked about WHY we feel compelled to be apart of EMA and we discovered our answers were similar...our Masters degree experience gave us so much (an education, an international experience, and lifelong friends), that we feel it is important to "give back". 
Play hard! These EMA meetings are like the mini-UN during the day (serious discussions with an infusion of politics and intercultural communication dynamics). At night, however, everyone leaves the seriousness in the meeting room and an international festival comes to life as we all enjoy the Brussels nightlife together! This year we had the help of the Brussels Christmas market and incredible Christmas sound and light show at Grand Place. I visited the Christmas market with my Flemish friend, Marijke, in December 2009. But, this year the Christmas sound and light show was much more elaborate with beams of light shooting up from the center of the square and lights dancing to the sounds of classical music. Incredible!!! Now, this is a place you want to visit during the Christmas season. They even had real sheep in the nativity scene...okay, that was a little over-the-top for my likings, but they did really go all out. So, as we hopped from pub to dance club to waffle kiosk, always ending up back in the magnificent Grand Place to marvel at the lights, the architecture, and yes, the sheep too. 
2 comments:
I see that you got everyone to participate in an action shot. I see you got to eat one of your favorite treat-Belgium waffles. So now you lead the group. I always knew you could lead a group. Wow!!!!!!!
Oh, look at that! Only saw this now.... and then remember clearly why one should not take part on action photos... they always make first oage! Great to see you again, thank you for the lovely company and the chat!! x
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