Day 1 - Monday
We landed in Charleroi Airport south of Brussels. We were met there by our Belgian counterpart Wim ----. We took a two-hour bus journey to Brugge. Once there we unpacked and settled in! Later that we evening we headed into Brugge and had a drink in a local pub.
Day 2 - Tuesday
We had a day out in Gent. Unfortunately one of our students stumbled down some stairs at the Train Station in Gent. She ended up spraining here ankle. While she was carted off to hospital we continued our tour of the city where we walked along the canals and viewed the local churches and cathedrals. Towards the end of the day here we visited the local castle and partook of coffee in one of the many coffee shops.
Day 3 - Wednesday
We had lingua class early in the morning where we exchanged ideas with the Belgian Students. After this was completed we had the rest of the day free. This was spent heading into Brugge and having a look around.
Day 4 - Thursday
Day off to relax.
Day 5 - Friday
We had our second Lingua class for that week. After that we had some free time which we spent around the campus. Later that evening Mr. O’Neill arrived over.
Day 6 - Saturday
We travelled to Antwerp and looked at the many sites it had to offer. The rest of the time we went shopping!
Day 7 - Sunday
Again we travelled to Gent. This time though, we had our dinner that evening on a boat. After that, we went to the local cinema, where we saw the Most Disastrous film ever, House on Haunted Hill.
Day 8 - Monday
Oostende was on the cards today. We travelled around and took in the sites…and we toured the local museum there.
Day 9 - Tuesday
We travelled to Dinant. We took several trains to get there, but it proved to be worth it. Once there we received a tour of the local caves. From that we went on to tour the fortress, where we met the HighLander. We rounded off our time there by having a drink of coffee in a local pub.
Day 10 - Wednesday
We had another Lingua class where we again exchanged ideas and worked on the project together, language barriers proving to be no problem!
Day 11 - Thursday
We were taken to Ypres, a historically and possibly culturally important area of Belgium. Once there we visited a development called the Language Valley, which is a computer software initiative developing voice recognition software. We also took the time out to visit the museum dedicated to World War One. Towards the end of the evening, we visited cemeteries of soldiers from both sides of the war.
Day 12 - Friday
Unfortunately Friday was going home time, and again we took a two hour bus journey, but this time in the opposite direction as we headed back to Charleroi Airport as we headed back to Ireland
Quick Time Videos
If you wish you can download a number of video clips from our visit to Belgium.
Cross In Church 4.77MB
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Bin To Pay For 1.82MB
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View Of The Ocean 6.91MB
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Water Fountain 3.04MB
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Bat In Cave 1.37MB
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Group Line Up 12.2MB
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If you don't have a copy of Quick Time click on the logo and download it from their offical site.
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Ireland