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.

Community Activists

Michael Privot

As an academic and activist, Michael Privot believes racial equality is possible through collaboration, open-minded dialogue, and ultimately through legal reform. He participated in the 2013 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) through the U.S. Embassy in Belgium.

Stewards of History

Christophe Gaeta

Christophe Gueta views his work as a scenographer, or a designer of museum exhibits, as a dynamic tool for educating young audiences about democratic values – a mission he shares with a frequent collaborator, the U.S. Embassy to Belgium.

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.

Artists

Sarah Avci

For Sarah Avci, the arts are a powerful tool for supporting underprivileged women with positive and meaningful experiences. She participated in the IVLP KARAMAH Leadership Exchange Course through the U.S. Embassy in Belgium.

Community Activists

Imane Bakkioui

Imane Bakkioui, a young advocate of interfaith dialogue, has participated in two programs sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Belgium. She has participated in the “Women2Women” program and the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).

Artists

Mehdi Benallal

As an entrepreneur, Mehdi Benallal dedicates himself to teaching audiences about cultural diversity through promoting live music performances. He has collaborated with the U.S. Embassy in Belgium on cultural outreach programs.

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.

Our programs

Women2Women International Leadership Program

This program engages young women leaders in an intensive action-oriented leadership training and conference held annually in Boston, Ma.

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.

Global Entrepreneurship Summit

The Global Entrepreneurship Summit is an annual summit that showcases entrepreneurs and investors from around the world, creating new opportunities for partnership and collaboration between American entrepreneurs/investors and their international counterparts.

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!