My Belgian Life

A bit more than one year ago, I embarked on the most incredible journey of my life— my Exchange Program, sponsored by UFMG's Minas Mundi International Relations Directorate (DRI), in the city of Liège (French-speaking region), in Belgium. To be honest, words cannot fully capture the wealth of experiences, transformations, and wonders that this past year has brought into my life.

My exchange journey began precisely two years ago when I applied for the “Selection Process 2021/2022” by DRI, which marked the first post-pandemic call for applications. It's a decision I consider to be the best academic and professional choice I've made within my university career, surpassing even my various roles at the university, such as being the president of a junior company, director of initiatives, and leader of national events.

During the selection process, my choice of the Université de Liège was based on several key criteria:

• Wide Range of Courses: ULiège offered a diverse selection of courses in different languages, including French and English, which greatly appealed to me, especially given my background in systems engineering. The academic offerings at the university were truly captivating, including various options in computer science and engineering that were closely related to my original undergraduate program.
• Support for Exchange Students: At ULiège, they have a dedicated department for exchange students called the "Erasmus Office," which meticulously plans the reception of international students. Additionally, there are student groups known as ESN (Erasmus Student Network) that provide support and organize various projects throughout the semester. My research left me deeply impressed with how well-prepared the university is for international students, and this became even more evident during my exchange. I felt incredibly secure in my choice and knew I would be warmly welcomed.
• Strategic Location: Belgium's strategic location in Europe made international travel and cultural exploration easily accessible and facilitated connections with various cultures.
• Diverse Languages: Beyond my desire to learn French (the primary language of the region I stayed in), Belgium has three official languages—French, Dutch, and German—and a significant portion of the population also speaks English. This offered me not only an opportunity to enhance my English skills but also to embark on learning a new language, which was one of my aspirations.

Delving further into my experience, during my first semester in Liège (2022/2), I enrolled as a computer science student at the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the Université de Liège. From an academic standpoint, it was a highly enriching experience that complemented my education at UFMG (Federal University of Minas Gerais). I had the privilege of taking courses from the "Master's in Computer Science and Engineering" program, which challenged me in various ways and had direct relevance to my Systems Engineering program at UFMG. One of the highlights was the opportunity to explore other areas and develop different soft skills. Consequently, I also took courses from the "Business and Management" department at ULiège (HEC), further enhancing my skills and knowledge, which were aligned with the entrepreneurship and innovation cross-disciplinary program at UFMG.

As my first semester unfolded, I became enchanted with the university, the international atmosphere of Liège, my experiences, and my newfound Belgian life. Consequently, I decided to apply once more for the DRI's exchange program—"Selection Process 2022/2023"—with the aim of extending my stay in Belgium. Fortunately, I was approved for the second time for the Minas Mundi exchange program, securing a spot in engineering at the Université de Liège. This extended my exchange experience to a full year, spanning the "Academic Year 2022-2023" at ULiège.

Continuing with academic matters, in 2023/1, and in collaboration with my ULiège coordinator, we tailored my course schedule to focus more on my specific field. Given that nearly all of my courses were highly technical and advanced from the "Master's in Computer Science and Engineering" program, and closely related to my studies at UFMG, this semester allowed me to establish more professional connections within the tech industry.

Beyond the academic experiences over the past year, I had the privilege of completing an internship arranged by the Université de Liège in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, also known as the capital of Europe, at PwC Belgium—Pricewaterhousecoopers—one of the world's four largest auditing and tax companies. Securing this internship required significant effort and dedication. In January 2023, I came across the opportunity on LinkedIn and submitted my application through the PwC BE career website. After the review of my résumé and interviews, I was approved on the same day following an interview with the department manager, earning high praise for my qualifications. Starting in February 2023, I spent five months working at a Big4 Company in the heart of Europe. An interesting note is that despite PwC's primary focus on auditing, accounting, and consulting, my internship was in the "Digital Products Management" area, involving the management and handling of software products, such as Product Owner and User Experience—a field closely aligned with my computer science studies and my career ambitions in IT. Thus, this international internship experience, conducted entirely in English, was a significant highlight of my time in Belgium.

In addition to my professional experiences, to supplement my finances, I also worked as a freelance bartender at a Brazilian bar called "Café Brasil" in Liège during the first semester of 2023. In total, I spent five months as a bartender, learning and crafting cocktails. This experience proved to be both enjoyable and different, and it has since turned into a hobby of mine.

It is also important to highlight the cultural aspect of my experience. I had the privilege of visiting 16 countries in Europe and exploring more than 40 different European cities. This journey offered much more than leisure and travel; it facilitated cultural exchanges, introduced me to diverse cuisines, and allowed me to connect with people from various backgrounds. It undeniably expanded my worldview. Throughout all these travels, I formed numerous friendships and gained a deeper understanding of the world.

In summary, over the past year, I have had the privilege of calling Belgium my home, exploring 16 incredible countries, and discovering over 40 vibrant cities. I engaged in coursework across ten distinct fields at the university, conversed in three different languages, and embarked on an extraordinary internship with a renowned global Big4 company (PwC). I fully immersed myself in the world of computer science and engineering and even tried my hand at bartending, with success. All the while, I made many friendships, had a blast at countless parties, and embraced a new world of experiences and emotions.

Liège, a place I initially considered a temporary residence, has transformed into my sweet home. Words alone cannot do justice to the countless memories I've created there. My affection for my "Belgian Life" is immeasurable, and I carry these beautiful memories with me wherever I go.

I want to express my sincere gratitude to my home university in Brazil, UFMG, and to the Université de Liège for making this extraordinary opportunity possible. My family and friends provided unwavering support throughout this journey, even when I was thousands of miles away from home. To my "Brazilian crew" in Liège and my dear "international" friends (from Europe and beyond), my deepest thanks. You hold a special place in my heart, and I will always cherish the incredible experiences we shared.

As I reflect on this moment, I find myself torn between the ache of missing those I left behind and the joy of carrying forward a treasure trove of precious memories. One thing, however, is abundantly clear: I have no regrets. Choosing this path was the best decision I've ever made, and the past year stands as living proof of that.