It has now almost been a year ago when I had first applied for the Transition Scholarship. This was done in advance by the help of the Law faculty at my home institution of Stellenbosch University. I had applied for a semester exchange to KU Leuven and did not know at the time what awaited me. I had taken a chance, hoping for a successful outcome, trying not to get my hopes up, as the possible of disappointment in not receiving the scholarship, remained. On the day I received the news that I had been awarded the scholarship, I could have marked the start to an incredible journey. Up until this day, now almost a month after my arrival back in South Africa, I will never be able to thank the International Office of Stellenbosch and the Transitional Fellowship Programme enough. The opportunities they have given me in supporting my exchange, both academically and financially, were unprecedented. They have given me a platform from which to step into an entire new phase of my adult life, introducing me to an international network of students and academic relations, guiding and supporting me on a path of such incredible perspective- about my life, my personhood, my values and my ambitions. They have also given me the necessary support to pursue my goals and truly explore what the world has to offer. This is something that cannot be measured or relativized. It has been an inexplicable honour to receive this opportunity for exchange, an honour which I hope to have shown my appreciation for, in what I have brought back to South Africa and to my own mind-set and life values in the end.
Tag: Belgium
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Kolawale in Belgium
My trip to Belgium was hitch free. I boarded from Cape Town international airport to Brussels international airport in Belgium via Dubai on emirates airline. It was beautiful moments all the way. I arrived at Brussels on the afternoon of the 18th of September, 2014. Fortunately it was the start of the orientation week for new students. The information sessions were okay and parties and dinners were interesting.
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Michael in Antwerp
ARRIVAL IN ANTWERP:
So having been in Antwerp for nearly a month now, here is my first report on things have gone down so far.
Firstly, in terms of getting here it was really convenient (Lufthansa operates the cheapest and shortest flights) as I flew in to Brussels central and then caught the train from the station to Antwerp central which is within easy walking distance to the main campus.