Get creative
Organize your art supplies and get to crafting. Consider painting some Smurfs, recreating a famous Belgian comic strip, or doing some finger crochet.
Need more inspiration? Check out these virtual tours of Belgium’s famous street art.
Pick a film
Watch a movie that relates to your destination. Some ideas for Belgium include:
- The Adventures of Tintin (2011)
- In Bruges (2008)*
- If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium (1969)
*Rated R (may not be suitable for all students)
Study some history
Dive deep into the history of specific sites you’ll visit on tour. Study the role of Belgium in the two World Wars, the family tree of the Belgian monarchy, or some historical Flemish painters. Then, tour Brussels, the capital of Belgium, with this virtual reality video.
Choose a book
Read and discuss a book that takes place in your destination or describes the local culture. Pick from titles like:
- The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman
- The Adventures of Tintin series by Hergé
- The Abyss by Marguerite Yourcenar
Fill up your plate
Arrange a potluck and encourage your friends to bring a traditional dish from your destination. Know a chef? Hold a virtual cooking class with your travel group, or support a local restaurant that offers delivery/take-out of your destination’s cuisine. Try Belgian chocolate, waffles, or French fries with mayonnaise.
Learn the language
Call up a friend or set up a group video chat and practice your language skills. It helps to make flashcards with common sayings to use on the phone or throughout your travels (think about ordering at restaurants, buying souvenirs, and chatting with locals).
Did you know?
84% of the world’s diamonds pass through Antwerp, the largest city in Belgium, to be polished!
Meet Your Partner in Travel
Orion spent a summer in Belgium traveling around the country and enjoying the local cuisine. He learned about the history of Belgium throughout the 20th century and marveled at the stunning architecture. Now, he searches for the perfect waffle in Boston to help remember his experiences and maintain his appreciation of Belgian culture.