My life
My Belgium

This is the Belgium of today – and tomorrow – told through individual stories of people who inspire us. Their vision for their country embraces diverse ideas, opinions, cultures, races, genders, languages, and religions. They also share a common experience: participating in a U.S. Embassy-sponsored exchange or grant program.

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Featured stories

Community Activists

Hendrikje Meyvis

Hendrikje Meyvis works to provide disadvantaged communities with opportunities to develop their talents and interests. Through a partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Belgium, she launched a program that provides professional development to refugee communities.
Artists

Melat Nigussie

Melat Niguisse believes that the arts can empower activists to bring about broad social changes. She participated in the International Visitors Leadership Program through the US Embassy in Belgium.
Youth

Jasmine Del Monte

Jasmine Del Monte is a young activist with an interest in both entrepreneurship and women’s rights. She has participated, in addition to serving as a coach, in the leadership program Women to Women (W2W) through the U.S. Embassy in Belgium.
Artists

Fatena Al Ghorra

Fatena Al Ghorra is a poet who believes in building networks that provide support and inspiration to a global community of writers. In 2017, the U.S. Embassy in Belgium nominated her to participate in the “International Writing Residency Program” at the University of Iowa.
Youth

Pili Verbinnen

Pili Verbinnen is a young activist dedicated to bringing positive change in such areas as the environment and education. As a teenager, she participated in the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Program (BFTP) through the U.S. Embassy in Belgium.
Entrepreneurs

Wietse Van Ransbeeck

Wietse Van Ransbeeck’s work as a social entrepreneur focuses on supporting people’s right to have a voice in their government. He participated in the 2018 Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative (YTILI) Fellowship through the U.S. Embassy in Belgium.
Youth

Alexandra Smarandescu

Alexandra Smarandescu’s passion for politics and leadership is based in her belief that communities benefit from dialogue and a diversity of ideas. She met like-minded young leaders as a participant of the Women to Women Leadership Program (W2W) through the U.S. Embassy in Belgium.
Entrepreneurs

Sihame El Kaouakibi

In a March 2019 interview, Sihame El Kaouakibi discussed social entrepreneurship and education as tools for social change. She participated in the 2014 “International Visitors Leadership Program ” (IVLP) sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Belgium. 

Our programs

Grants Program

The office of Public Diplomacy manages the U.S. Embassy in Brussels grants program. The Grants Program assists non-profit, educational and cultural organizations to implement programs that advance U.S.-Belgium ties.

International Writing Program

Each year, the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa offers various programs aiming to connect literary communities overseas with distinguished American writers. Past programs have conferences, reading and study tours, and writing workshops.

Study of the U.S. Institutes

Study of the U.S. Institutes for Scholars (SUSIs) and Secondary Educators are post-graduate level academic programs. The institutes consist of a 4-5 week academic residency and a 1-2 week educational study tour to a different region of the United States.

Your life your Belgium?

Make it your own story!

Are you someone making a difference in Belgium, just like these people? Then we would love to hear from you! Take a look at our U.S. Embassy programs and see which ones will help you do extraordinary things.

Inspired? Let us know!