Fragments of session 3 - Leuven Likes and dislikes about the place where I live Teacher As you probably know Belgium is only a very small country in Western Europe. In a few hours' time we can cross the country from the north to the south, from the east to the west, so in fact we are not really used to long distances and we mostly travel by car. The country itself is not very beautiful. I think this is due to the fact that we are living together with 10 million people on only a small piece of land. So it's all rather cramped here. (…)In fact, recent research has come to the conclusion that it's difficult to find silent areas in Belgium. That's why people here like travelling, especially to quiet and exotic destinations. (…)The lack of sunshine makes growing numbers of people feel a little bit depressed in autumn and winter and so they try to go to Spain or the south of France to see the sun. What else is there to tell ? Our cultural heritage is rather old : there are some remnants of Roman times, but the most important period for our architecture and art is the Middle Ages. (…) Belgian (especially the Flemish) people are said to be hard-working, maybe a little bit too serious people. We like things to be well-organised and we are rather punctual. We also like a Burgundian lifestyle, this means abundant food and drink. Most people here love to eat and they spend much time preparing dinner themselves or going out to enjoy a delicious meal at a restaurant. And our best restaurants are really good, I can assure you. You should also taste our chocolates one day. (…)I could tell you a lot more about my country and although the first impression may be more negative than positive I don't want to move because this is where my family and my friends are. Ann (back to top) Students I like living here in Belgium, because we're a wealthy country with lots of beautiful places and historical buildings. Louvain is a rather little city, but it's very cosy and it's great for shopping. Our education and schooling is really good, every child had the right to go to school and that's very important I think. I also love our food-specialties: French fries and chocolates! Hilde (back to top) There are two parts in belgium, in one part, where we live, they speak Dutch and in the other part the language is French(than there is also a very small part we the language is German) The traffic is also a big problem, every morning most people get stuck in traffic jams. Tine (back to top) We have a bad education system, I think. We have to learn a lot and all the people are stressed, especially me. I really would have liked to live in the 70's, because the people were a lot more friendly to each other. They all dreamed of peace and love. I also admire the African culture, cause the people there don't have much, but what they have, they share. Lynn (back to top) Belgium has a big influence of America, by the medium TV. So we come in contact with the English language very often . Some cities in Belgium really stink because of the numerous pollution by factories and traffic. Jeroen (back to top) But I also like all the chocolates of Belguim. I like sweet things and when I start eating chocolates, I can't stop until I have a pain in my side. And then my mum is angry because I've eaten all her chocolates and I can't eat anymore at the table. Katrien (back to top) A lot of people come to Leuven to study, because there's a very large and well-known university. We eat a lot of fries and chocolate in Belgium. We have a football team and we're qualified for the world cup. Pieter (back to top) What I would like to change about Belgium : that the people are( hotter and) more social, because they are sitting all the time behind their computers. I hate it when people don't come out and when they are ugly (I'm just kidding !!!) Lien (back to top) In our country I also like that there are lots of things to do for young people, like art contests. In March I'm going to take part in Kunstbende with Greet!! Liesbeth (back to top) Most of the time the weather isn't very good here, it rains a lot and the temperature isn't very high. On this moment it's 8 degrees. Jan (back to top) At last, like Julius Caesar once said : "fortissimi sunt Belgae" which means : " Of all Celts, the belgians are the bravest" Monique (back to top) Here in Europe the people are running all the time to do as much as possible in one hour. And they are too punctual. That's one thing I want to see changed. It's much more relaxing in Peru then in Belgium I think. Gil (back to top) Belgium has a monarchay , we have a big royal familiy and a few months ago , a new princess was born, on the 25th of October. Her name is Elisabeth. Greet (back to top) First of all I must say that I love the environment, Leuven is a beautiful city, with an incredible city hall. Most of the houses are very old and have a great historical façade. That also goes for some parts of Brussels. Lisa (back to top) Since new year, we have a new currency: the EURO. I don't like it that much, because all of the things are getting more expensive. But otherwise, it's easy when you travel, you don't have to change money. Tine A. (back to top) Belgian schools are the best in the world (it is true cause it was on T.V.) Frederique (back to top)