Week #1: Complete!

“Life Is Like A Box of Chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get” is Forest Gump’s famous line, but I’d also like say it is fitting for anyone doing an internship in Belgium. One, you never know what to expect...and two, there is LOTS of chocolate!

My first week has been incredible. I love my job and life in Leuven is fantastic. Let’s rewind to Monday. I’m staying at Juan’s and I wake up for my 1st day of work only to find out that InBev is now a new company! (Over the weekend they bought Anheuser Busch in the US). So everyone at work was welcoming the “new guy” into the “new company”.

My first two days at work were meetings back-to-back, learning about all our global and multi-country brands and of course – my major responsibilities; leading the World Draught Master event in October 2008 and creating monthly Brand Fact Books for Stella Artois. (I must say, it’s quite cool working for a beer company where in the town of Leuven, Stella Artois signs are literally EVERYWHERE).

On a more personal note, I went out Tuesday and found a studio right in the centre of Leuven! Literally 30 seconds from both of the major markts and right in the heart of the shopping/restaurants/bars/everything district...couldn’t be better! Work is only a 15 minute walk away and everything in my flat is brand new and super modern..muhaha! This weekend I was out shopping buying everything from towels to plates to a TV for the new place. I’m now officially ready to host!

Otherwise, I’m keeping myself busy – just started salsa lessons this week with some other interns, went to dinner with a member of AIESEC Leuven, and have toured most of the major sites of Leuven! Here are a few things I found interesting during my first week here in Leuven...

1. Everything is just a little bit smaller...Elevators, flats for rent, beer glasses, with the exception of food portions - WOW.

2. Everyone parties on Friday night and the city comes absolutely alive!

3. Similarly as in Mexico, the movies here have breaks. I went out to see Kung Fu Panda and half way through the movie, all the lights came on. After a 5 minute break for drinks or a visit to the lou, they proceeded with the movie.

4. Everyone has been telling me to prepare for September when 30,000 students move back to Leuven for school!

5. The amount of beaurocracy here is incredible: Last week I went to the Commune to get myself registered, but even though they were open until 8pm, they only accept foreigners until 7pm?!? I’ve come to expect everything will take twice as long here.

6. Store hours: It is so difficult to catch them! All stores close immediately at 6pm – they’ll even turn the lights out on you! Then there’s market madness on Saturday right outside my flat and then EVERYTHING shuts down on Sunday...and I mean everything.

7. Music is the same as in Canada! I’m still listening to all the same stuff on the radio, with just the odd European band mixed in.

8. Waffles, ice cream and chocolate: These should be Belgium’s 3 national foods! It’s no wonder Belgians love sitting out on patios letting the day pass them by...the food and drinks are incredible here!

9. Prices of interest: Beer – 1.8 Euro, Coke – 1.8 Euro, 2 scoops of ice cream – 2 Euro, Movie – 8 Euro, Meal out with friends – 10 Euro

10. Preferred Mode of Transportation: Car 40%, Walking 25%, Bike 25%, Bus 10%...it only takes 20 minutes to walk from city centre to edge of Leuven!

Next week looks to be exciting! Two major team meetings at work and a trip to Rotterdam / Amsterdam to see old friends on the weekend.

With the national government in trouble as the Prime Minister handed in his resignation earlier last week, today is going to be like a big box of chocolates...as it’s Belgium’s national holiday and no one knows what they’re gonna get.