COUCHSURFER

Aug 30, 2016
2 min read

My third year of study in fashion is exciting for many reasons, but the most important one is that I will be in the beautiful city of Liège, in Belgium! My first two years of study, spent studying in England, were an amazing opportunity which gave me not only confidence to pursue my dreams, to travel and learn foreign languages, but also lots of new skills and professional contacts. I am very thankful for it, but it was time to move forwards and build on a new experience.

Out of the things I had to sort out before departure, finding suitable accommodation was the worst. I couldn’t find anything. Eventually, I decided it was best to find something upon arrival. It was a risky decision, but proved to be the right one. Trust me on this, never pay the rent before you have seen the house!

My mom was accompanying me, so we both needed to find a place to stay, at least for the first couple of days. I had never used Couchsurfing before, so I didn’t know what to expect, but we finally found a local family in the outskirt of Liège. Our hosting family turned out to be great! My visit with them was a great opportunity to learn about the local culture, customs and history. They also helped me settle down and feel in Liège like at home. They’ve been a great help, and we’re still corresponding! Most importantly, though, they’ve helped me overcome my two biggest fears; how to orient myself in an unknown city, and how to survive here without knowing French. I know I can ask them for help anytime.

Silhouettes of liege

This photograph is of Liège-Guillemins, my favourite building. It’s the first building I saw when I arrived to the city, and its silhouettes remain an endless source of inspiration.

This ultra-modern train station is designed by the famous Catalan architect Santiago Calatrava. With its steel and glass vaulted roof, the station is considered an architectural tour de force.

Ç'est magnifique!

Life is an endless journey of which I can never get enough!

Gaufres de Liège are he first staple of local cuisine. These authentic waffles abound with caramelised sugar, cinnamon and vanilla. They were delicious!