Hello hello! Rachna here again!
November and December felt like the moment when my European Solidarity Corps experience really started to sink in. Things slowed down a bit for me, but in a good way, the kind of slow where you actually notice what’s happening around you and inside you.
I also want to take you along with me, not just through my ESC work, but through my life in Brussels outside of it. There is not that much of it yet, but it is growing, slowly and naturally. Little routines, new places, new people, first experiences that feel small but end up meaning a lot.
One big thing from these months was starting French and German classes. Learning languages as an adult is honestly a humbling experience in many ways. You think you’re doing fine in life and then suddenly you’re stuck trying to pronounce basic sounds or remember how to introduce yourself. It’s awkward, it’s frustrating, and it really keeps your ego in check. But I’m slowly learning to enjoy it for what it is. It’s not about becoming fluent overnight or anytime soon, it’s about showing up, messing up, and trusting the process. This journey has reminded me that learning doesn’t have to be about reaching a destination, sometimes it’s just about being on the road.
Another highlight was my ESC on-arrival training, which turned out to be such a special experience. I met so many amazing people from all over Europe, all doing completely different projects but somehow sharing the same values and curiosity. There was something comforting about being surrounded by people who are also figuring things out as they go. One of the most interesting parts was a one-day group project at the Museum of Migration in Brussels. Spending time there, engaging with stories of movement, belonging, and identity, really put things into perspective. It made me reflect on my own presence here, temporary, chosen, and privileged, and how it fits into a much bigger picture.
December also meant Christmas markets, which are hands down my favorite thing about winter. Visiting the ones in Brussels and Bruges felt like a warm hug on a very cold day. The lights, the smells, the cold air, people walking around with warm drinks, it all feels cozy in a way that makes winter softer. Bruges especially felt unreal, like stepping into a postcard of a medieval fairy tale town. I did not do anything impressive or productive, I was just about being there and enjoying it.
Looking back at these two months, nothing huge or dramatic happened, and that is kind of the sweet spot for me. At this point, I am already halfway through my ESC experience, but I am still learning, settling in, meeting people, getting lost in languages, drinking hot things in cold places, and slowly building a life here. And honestly, that feels like more than enough for now.
Here is to the journey, still very much in progress.