Life in Brussels
About the author: Kevin Reso’26 is a Global Studies/FSI The Europe Center student interning at the Center for European Policy Studies in Brussels, Belgium. Kevin is studying Economics at Stanford University.
On any given day in Brussels, it’s possible to have a conversation in two, three, even four languages. What one might talk about in their language of choice, however, proves often even more varied.
Whether it’s about the latest trends in the European economy, someone’s research in sustainability, or last night’s Euros match, I’ve chatted with quite a few friendly faces about what seems like everything under the sun. Even if the topic is as mundane as where best to get a cheap raincoat (I’ve never gone outside to get drenched ten minutes later so many times), I feel as though I come away with something just that little bit extra. Here, I always get the feeling that I might’ve actually learned something — something I could only learn by being here.
Regardless of with whom I’m speaking, I sense it — this Brussels feeling. Sometimes, it’s the guys at the gym in Ixelles or my very kind coworkers. It might even just be that same cashier at Carrefour every morning or whoever I’m sitting next to at a café at any given moment. Every interaction is different. Each person proves unique. Here, there exists such a great concentration of stories so interesting that I may never get bored of hearing them.
That’s what has made Brussels a place that I have enjoyed. Although I’ve seen a couple of travel bloggers who might disagree because the Atomium is not that cool, I’ve basically just got to say one thing: Bruxelles, je t’aime.
In her song titled with the same sentiment, even popular Brussels-born singer Angèle admits that the city might not have the presence of a New York, the glamour of a Paris, or even all that much sunlight. It makes up for these superficial shortcomings, however, with its incredible diversity. Its strength lies not in its facades but in the people who it call it home.
Both at work and out on in the city, I get to feel, talk to, hear, and taste not just Belgium but every corner of Europe and even sometimes the world too. And no matter where everyone comes from and how or why they ended up here, there’s always a common thread. Each and every one of them finds themselves admitting that Brussels is a lot more than what meets the eye.
