Common Belgian and Hungarian history – Part 2 in Brüges

During our Erasmus+ exchange in Belgium, we had an enriching cultural and educational experience that also helped improve my English skills, especially through daily interactions, guided tours, and preparing our final presentation video. We arrived on Sunday, and on Monday, we visited the town hall of Bruges and climbed the famous Belfry. Later that day, we enjoyed a guided tour through the city, learning about its rich history. On Tuesday, we travelled to Ieper where we visited a war museum and four cemeteries, deepening our understanding of World War I. Wednesday took us to Brussels, where we explored the European Parliament and later visited a Jewish Museum. There, we had the unique opportunity to meet a Holocaust survivor, which was both moving and memorable. Thursday was spent in the Historium in Bruges, and afterward, we worked in international teams to create a short video summarizing our week. This helped me develop my spoken and written English, as we collaborated and scripted in English. On Friday, we visited the local school, presented our final video, and ended the week with a relaxing boat ride through Bruges. Overall, this exchange greatly improved my confidence in using English and gave me lasting memories. My host family and everyone who we met during the exchange was really nice for the most part. I would recommend taking the opportunity if you can go to an Erasmus+ exchange. It helps a lot with language skills and you can meet very interesting people. Overall, it is a really nice experience.

Farkas Péter

In this Erasmus project I learned a lot of skills for example my English vocabulary and socialising with other people mainly on the programs where we were working together in teams. We did a lot of things here but the ones that I would highlight are the city seeing of Bruges, the boat ride on a river here too, and my favourite activity was when we went to the European Parliament. I learned some kinds of things from their culture like that they only shower 3 times a week and I’ve tried a lot of local foods like waffles and french-fries. My exchange student and his parents were really nice to me it was a great experience. We always ate together they were really cool, helpful in all kinds of situations where I needed help, friendly and always tried to speak English. Besides the programs we saw the city, met up together in big groups and went shopping multiple times, so I really liked that too. I would definitely recommend this whole program because it was a really cool experience, met great people and I learned a lot of new things.

Bálint Olivér

In the Budapest part of the trip, the teams got to know everyone, and in Brugge it just got stronger, and was an easy start. When we arrived in Brugge, we instantly went into the city to explore. It was not much difference all the other days, if we had time we explored, walked, talked and enjoyed our times. We tried the traditional Belgian foods, the fries, the waffle, and the chocolate as well, and we weren’t disappointed. The parts we weren’t in Brugges was the same, we explored some bits of Ypres, the famous city from WW1, an also Brussels. It was a real team work to decide on where to go every night, but the Belgians really helped a lot. I got lucky with the girl I hosted, because she was really welcoming and nice throughout the whole trip. The project was a lot of fun in my perspective, I enjoyed getting to know new people, improving my English a lot and getting used to the streets of a beautiful medieval city. Afterall for me it was a really good trip and experience. 🙂

Gillay Virág

My experience with Erasmus+ has so far been extremely positive. It’s my second time travelling and both trips were unique in their own way. The theme of this project was the common history between Hungary and Belgium, so the activities and workshops were designed to help us understand and learn about our differences and similarities. Being with new people from different nations, living their lives, eating and drinking with them creates a bond between us, which is, I believe, a very important thing to achieve between nations. We visited different kinds of interactive and innovative museums, which were very helpful in teaching us about our shared pasts. We also visited World War I cemeteries where there was a Hungarian soldier as well. We learned about Bruges in the Middle Ages and saw lots of important landmarks. On one of the last days we went to the European Parliament where we could learn more about our shared present and future together as well. Our Belgian partners were very cooperative and charming, we had lots of fun also after the programs and enjoyed spending time with each other in a new city and country.

Haás Anna

My Erasmus+ time in Belgium was a really great experience that helped me improve my skills in many ways. In Brugge, I learned about the city’s rich history and visited many museums. I saw beautiful historical buildings and explored a lot of great places. We went to Ypres to learn about WW1 and visited French, British and German cemeteries. In the evening, we saw a memorial called The Last Post. On Wednesday we went to Brussels and learned a lot about the European Union Parliament. On the last two days, we worked on the final video about our project. My host and her family was the best. They welcomed me warmly and I had a really nice place to stay. Her family spoke really great English, and we really got along. I ate a lot of amazing food including the Belgian waffles and fries. We discovered great places in the city centre and I have to say Brugge is amazing at night. Erasmus + is definitely an experience I would do again anytime. You can learn so many new things and discover cities you’ve never been before.

Kiss Anna Veronika

My time in Bruges during the Erasmus program was a wonderful experience. Bruges is a beautiful city with a lot of history, and I am grateful for the opportunity to study there. However, like any trip, there were both positive and not-so-exciting aspects. The city’s museums were an important part of my visit. Bruges has many museums that tell the story of its past. While I enjoyed learning about the history, I found some of the museums a bit boring. The exhibits were interesting, but they didn’t always capture my attention. On the other hand, I found the graves in Bruges to be very fascinating. The old tombstones told many stories about the people who lived there long ago, and I enjoyed seeing the designs and learning about their history. The graves were much more engaging for me than the museums. One of the best parts of the Erasmus experience was the family that hosted me. They were kind, welcoming, and made me feel at home. We spent a lot of time together, and I am happy to say that we became lifelong friends. We shared many special moments, and the memories of our time together will stay with me forever. The warmth of my host family was a big highlight of the program. Overall, I am very thankful to the European Union for making this experience possible through the Erasmus program. It gave me the chance to meet people from different cultures, learn new things, and form lasting friendships. The Erasmus program is a great way to connect with others and experience life in a new country. In conclusion, while some of the museums were not as exciting as I hoped, I truly enjoyed the historical sights, especially the graves, and the wonderful family that hosted me. It was an unforgettable experience, and I will always be grateful for the opportunity provided by the EU.

Kunos Fábián

My trip to Belgium was fun and interesting, although by the end I got pretty tired. I enjoyed all the programs, since I enjoy history. My vocabulary and listening got much better, thanks to the different tasks and since I had to speak in English all week. Thanks to my kind hosts I also had the chance to try out different kinds of traditional Belgian foods – from waffles to fries and steaks. I also had to bike to literally everywhere and I liked it so much! I can’t cycle in Budapest that much, since we don’t have many good bike paths. My host and her family were really nice, welcoming, helpful and friendly. They made us many interesting programs to do in the evening. Thanks to this I had the opportunity to peep into their average days. I can definitely recommend Erasmus+ (there’s a reason why it is not Erasmus-) to my friends and other classmates. It is a fun, unique, cool and refreshing experience for everyone involved! You get to know a bunch of different people and there is always at least one person who is there for YOU.

Nyikos Fanni

Spending my Erasmus in Brugge was an unforgettable experience. The city itself felt like stepping into a fairytale, with its beautiful medieval buildings, charming canals, and cobblestone streets. We spent hours just walking around, admiring the architecture and taking in the atmosphere. Of course, we couldn’t miss out on trying traditional Belgian waffles. They were amazing, especially with chocolate and whipped cream. One of the most impactful moments of our trip was visiting the World War I battlefields. Seeing the endless rows of graves was heartbreaking. It made history feel real in a way that textbooks never could. The sheer number of fallen soldiers was overwhelming, and it was a stark reminder of the horrors of war. We also had the opportunity to visit the European Parliament, which was fascinating. Learning about how decisions are made that affect the whole continent made me realize how interconnected we all are. This trip truly broadened my perspective, and I’ll never forget it.

Páva Márton

Our Erasmus trip to Bruges was an unforgettable experience. The program focused on the common history between Hungary and Belgium, allowing us to explore historical connections and major events between these countries. During the week, we visited several important cities. In Bruges, we admired the medieval architecture and learned about the city’s significance under Habsburg rule. We learned about Habsburg monarchs and got to visit several museums about Bruges history. A day trip to Ypres focused on World War I. Walking through some cemeteries, visiting the In Flanders Fields Museum helped us understand the devastating impact of the war. We also attended the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate, a touching ceremony to fallen soldiers. In Brussels, we explored World War II history and visited the European Parliament. It was helpful to learn how the EU works and how it promotes unity among nations with a shared past. The trip was not only educational but also a great opportunity to meet new people and experience Belgian culture. Thank you, European Union, for making this trip possible.

Ránky-Rudi Kata

It has been an amazing experience to participate in this Erasmus+ project, about Belgium and Hungary’s common history! My critical thinking and communication abilities improved a lot, especially in the workshops that addressed discrimination. I now have a better understanding of history and a more comprehensive perspective of Europe because of the guided tours in Bruges, Ypres, and locations like the European Parliament, the Historium, and Flanders Fields. It was also thrilling to get a close-up look at Belgian culture in the perspective of locals, such as strolling through the historic alleys of Bruges, touring the town hall, and striking up conversations with residents. Because our hosts were so amiable, it felt very comfortable to communicate with them both throughout the program, but especially in informal circumstances. They shared interesting information about Belgian life and truly made us feel at home. In addition to all the formalities, we engaged in some meaningful discussions and enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere of the city. Erasmus+ brings history to life in ways that no textbook ever could, and I heartily suggest it to my peers because it provides incredible learning opportunities, opportunity to immerse oneself in diverse cultures, and possibilities to form friendships that transcend national boundaries.

Szirmai Sándor

The second part of our Common History Erasmus was great. While we hosted in the first, it was a breath of fresh air to be the guest, especially in a city like Bruges. The family that hosted me was amazing, honestly, I could not have asked for a better one, they were so nice and caring I really could feel like I was home, I was not just lucky with my hosts though, both the Belgian and the Hungarian group consisted of amazing and interesting people. Throughout the project, our main focus was of course to learn about the common history between Belgium and Hungary. All the way from start to finish, I really felt like our hosts did justice of that task. Our programs were really interesting, although I felt like I already knew around 60-70% of the information presented, but that wasn’t really a big problem. For almost every day I felt like our schedules were crafted almost perfectly, finding a balance between learning, having fun and resting a bit. Thanks EU!

Zsoldos Bence

The second part of the project continued where we left off. Every Hungarian participant was excited for the trip, and we managed to arrive in Belgium without any problems. The program was well thought out with interesting activities and meaningful visits to several historical cities, sites and cemeteries. Hungarian participants had the chance to get to know different parts of Belgium’s History and connect these to their own. We also had the chance to visit the European Parliament where we got a crash course about how the European Union works and was able to visit the hall where politicians gather for sessions. This was an excellent opportunity for the participants to feel more European. From Habsburg monarchs to World War I & II we touched on a lot of topics and familiarized ourselves with plenty of newfound information. The organizers also combined our project with another project briefly, so we had the chance to meet Swedish students from another project. Overall, we were well taken care of, and the organizers did an excellent job planning and executing the project. Every participant enjoyed themselves according to their feedback and had a pleasant time at their hosting families. We strongly recommend our students to participate in projects such as this one in the future.

Irmalós Dávid

The Belgian meeting of the Common History Erasmus+ project took place in Bruges in March 2025. We participated in very well-organized programs, where we dealt with the historical events of World War I, talked about the Habsburg era, and the excellent facilities of the city allowed us to get to know the medieval development and life of Bruges in depth. It was a pleasure to experience the operation of the partner school, and we were very satisfied with the kind welcome we were given. Thanks to Erasmus, we were able to exchange experiences not only with the teachers of the Belgian school, but also with the teachers of a Swedish student group who were staying there. The meaningful, exciting programs, the many trips, and the valuable free time all helped our students to deepen the friendships they started in Hungary in the fall. We are also grateful to the Belgian families for welcoming our students with great attention.

Béres-Deák Barbi