As an exchange student from Belgium, I want to learn as much as I can about America. In this article I want to teach you guys some things about my home country.
Belgium is a small country situated in Western Europe. Some neighbouring countries you might know are France, Germany, and England. It’s 11.79 square miles long, which is 1/4 the size of Pennsylvania. In just four hours time you can drive from the top to the bottom of the country. There are eleven- million inhabitants, which is close to the Pennsylvanian number (+- 13 mil). We have three national languages: Flemish, Walloon, and German. Flemish is a kind of Dutch and Walloon is a kind of French. There is a language border that divides the country in two. In the north they speak Flemish and in the south they speak Walloon.
Belgium is not that different from America. We listen to American music, watch American movies and shows, and have the same kind of electronics. Mostly our food is different. American stores are so big! We do not call our waffles Belgian waffles, and they are not round. The drinking age is 16 (except liquor, that’s allowed at 18). We think we are most known for our chocolate, beer, and fries. Did you know French fries are not at all French, but actually Belgian? Football, or American Football as we call it, is not a common sport in Belgium. Our most famous sports are soccer and cycling. The Men’s soccer team is even 2nd on the Fifa World Ranking. The Olympic gold medalist winner for cycling? You guest it, Belgian. To end with a quote from Donald Trump: “Belgium is a beautiful city”. If you have any questions, that’s what the internet is for.
Belgium is a small country situated in Western Europe. Some neighbouring countries you might know are France, Germany, and England. It’s 11.79 square miles long, which is 1/4 the size of Pennsylvania. In just four hours time you can drive from the top to the bottom of the country. There are eleven- million inhabitants, which is close to the Pennsylvanian number (+- 13 mil). We have three national languages: Flemish, Walloon, and German. Flemish is a kind of Dutch and Walloon is a kind of French. There is a language border that divides the country in two. In the north they speak Flemish and in the south they speak Walloon.
Belgium is not that different from America. We listen to American music, watch American movies and shows, and have the same kind of electronics. Mostly our food is different. American stores are so big! We do not call our waffles Belgian waffles, and they are not round. The drinking age is 16 (except liquor, that’s allowed at 18). We think we are most known for our chocolate, beer, and fries. Did you know French fries are not at all French, but actually Belgian? Football, or American Football as we call it, is not a common sport in Belgium. Our most famous sports are soccer and cycling. The Men’s soccer team is even 2nd on the Fifa World Ranking. The Olympic gold medalist winner for cycling? You guest it, Belgian. To end with a quote from Donald Trump: “Belgium is a beautiful city”. If you have any questions, that’s what the internet is for.