Professional Confidence from Navigating Teaching in Belgium

Alyssa Noseworthy was a 2024-2025 Fulbright English Teaching Assistant to Belgium.  During her time at Dartmouth College, Alyssa worked as a college writing tutor and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in French and Spanish.  In her spare time, she enjoys translating, cooking, and playing the violin.  She taught at the Athénée des Pagodes and the Hoofdstedelijk Atheneum Karel Buls in Brussels.

Q. “Can you describe your grant project for us?

I was an English teacher at two secondary schools—one French, one Dutch—in Brussels. My main responsibilities included developing some of my own lesson plans and teaching about 6-8 upper-level English classes (usually in the 5th and 6th, or the last two years of high school). Classes were usually fully in English. Outside of my main contract teaching hours, I did volunteer a bit of additional time after school to help tutor students and clarify tricky grammar points. One of the most interesting parts of my grant was getting to work within both school systems!

Q. “What inspired you to apply to the Fulbright Program in Belgium?

I’ve always been really passionate about language-learning and cultural exchange, so I was drawn to Fulbright as a way to experience both firsthand. I also came in with about two years of tutoring experience and wanted to challenge myself to grow as a teacher—and I certainly did! I didn’t know at first that I would be placed with high schools, but I’m so glad that I was; my students were incredible and I had an amazing time.

As for Belgium, I was interested in learning more about E.U. institutions and international relations–okay and yes, maybe just a *little* bit for the waffles. I also wanted to live in a country where I could use and improve upon my French. And while you do have to be intentional about using your French here, I’ve had some awesome opportunities to immerse myself over the last 9 months. I genuinely fell in love with Belgium, rain and all, during my time here.

Q. “What has been the most interesting or rewarding topic you have been able to share with your students?

I really liked teaching about different American traditions like Thanksgiving and our own renditions of Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day. I think that other countries often assume that “America doesn’t have culture,” or that if it does, it is all inherently borrowed. Teaching my students about these customs was rewarding because I feel it helped them realize that the United States does have its own distinct culture (and that it’s more nuanced than what they’ve seen on TV)!

Q. “Can you describe a typical day in your life on the grant?

On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, I split my time between the two schools. Usually, I would spend Wednesdays or weekends developing lesson plans; at my Dutch school, we worked out of a curriculum, but my French school gave me a lot of personal liberty with the material I taught! I had long weekends to explore Belgium. In general, you have quite a bit of free time on the grant, so take the time to pick up old hobbies or try new ones, join clubs or engage with the local community!

Q. “In what ways have you engaged with your host community in Belgium?

Early on, I joined EducationUSA, where I helped at study abroad and university fairs to demystify the U.S. admissions process a bit for Belgian and international students. I really enjoyed learning more about how the Belgian university system works, as well as getting this opportunity to give back a bit and distill my own experiences into useful advice for students. One of my main goals going into the grant was to help prospective students navigate transition, and EducationUSA was a great outlet for this.

Q. “Can you tell us the story of a particular memorable moment from your time in Belgium?

I think that one really memorable moment for me was visiting the Parliament during its open access hours on Europe Day. Getting to stand in the Hemicycle, at the heart of this giant, multinational democracy, and see the 24 booths for all the different languages that they collaborate in, translate in and out of, to and from—I was all at once stunned and a bit emotional that the EU fosters such a close relationship between its institutions and its people.

Q. “Has Belgium been what you expected? In what ways has life in Belgium surprised you, either for its similarities to or differences from your own culture?

Belgium wasn’t what I expected in many ways. I knew going in that Brussels was the capital of EU institutions and had a thriving international community, but I think I hadn’t fully processed that until I was living there and regularly meeting people from all over the world! As someone coming from the suburbs in the American Midwest, I was a bit culture-shocked, but in the best way. Brussels is this vibrant, diverse city where you can find a little piece of everything, and that’s truly one of the things I’m going to miss most.

Q. “What has been your favorite ‘discovery’ in Belgium?

All the festivals! There’s always something happening in Belgium. Check the events websites for the different cities every once in a while—you’re bound to find something that piques your interest.

A close second would be La Cai Tapiocaria in Brussels. It’s a delicious Brazilian place and a total hidden gem in the center!

And last but not least, the Gravensteen Castle in Ghent has one of the funniest audio-guides I’ve ever heard. It’s voiced by a comedian instead of a historian!

Q. “What will you do after your Fulbright grant? In what ways has your experience in Belgium this year impacted your plans for the future?

I’m honestly still figuring things out, but living in Belgium has made me realize that not only would I want to consider a life in Europe long-term, but I also really enjoy teaching! I’ve also learned that I want to keep working in this in-between space of intercultural mediation and conversation.

I think the biggest thing that Fulbright has given me is professional confidence. It’s corny, but I’m going to say it anyway. I think I learned to believe in myself. Fulbright pushes you into a lot of difficult situations–the red tape of immigrating, the apartment hunting, the new school and new job, new languages, new cultures, etc. I think looking back on my experience and realizing that despite all of that, I actually thrived, makes me immeasurably proud. I know going forward that I could do it all over again, and not just manage to get by, but love every minute of it–and that’s a powerful thing to know.

Q. “What advice would you give to someone who is considering applying to the Fulbright Program?

First and foremost: apply!

But secondly: don’t be surprised if it takes you a while to settle in. In a way, you’re basically starting over, and that’s just as scary as it is radically freeing. Go in knowing that there are going to be some challenges, but that you’re more than capable of sorting them! I think that’s the mindset you need to bring for some of the growing pains that inevitably come with adapting to a new country and culture. You’re going to feel homesick sometimes, not every day is going to be glamorous, and in the span of 9 months, you’re going to have some highs and lows. All of that is fine, embrace that. The point isn’t for every single day to be incredible–that’s not true of your life back home in the U.S. either. The point is to keep showing up, keep trying, and eventually, you’re going to look back one day in April or May and realize that you’ve grown a network and a home away from home, maybe without even realizing it.