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

Jan Christiaens

Jan Christiaens leads a campaign to teach people with limited access to cheap and reliable transportation to ride bikes and gain new freedoms and opportunities. He participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) through the U.S. Embassy in Belgium.
Youth

Kimia Anousheh

Kimia Anousheh is a young activist committed to positive social change and to motivating others to join her in that mission. She participated in the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Program (BFTP) through the U.S. Embassy in Belgium.
Community Activists

Jens Depelchin

Jens Depelchin works to empower disadvantaged people by providing opportunities for developing their talents and interests. He initiated a program serving immigrant communities with support from the U.S. Embassy in Belgium.
Journalists

Steven Decraene

Television journalist Steven Decraene believes that accurate and in-depth reporting helps the public understand and learn from complex global events. He has participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) through the U.S. Embassy in Belgium.
STEM

Jasna Rokegem

Jasna Rokegem leads a team that designs clothing to improve the way people live and even communicate with one another. Through support from the U.S. Embassy in Belgium, she participated in the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) in India.
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

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.
Educators

Hannah Leyns

Hannah Leyns believes dedicated teaching and mentoring prepares young people for fulfilling professional lives. Through a partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Belgium, her students learned valuable skills that empowered them to serve as inspiring role models in their communities.

Our programs

Emerging Young Leaders Award and Exchange Program

The Emerging Young Leaders Award is granted to 10 outstanding young leaders from across the globe. The young leaders selected are given the opportunity to visit the United States for an intensive 2-week program designed to recognize and support their efforts to enact positive social transformation. The program includes an award ceremony in Washington DC, meetings with U.S. government officials and NGOs, and a trip to Austin, Texas to participate in professional meetings with American counterparts.

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.

YTILI Fellowship

The Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative (YTILI) Fellowship is a flagship young European leaders program of the U.S. Department of State that is supported in its implementation by the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF).

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!