Hasheider says 'bonjour' from Belgium

— Editor's note: Sauk Prairie Rotary exchange student Julia Hasheider is spending a year in Belgium. Below her first-hand account of her second month in Belgium.

"Bonjour! Well this month went by really fast. So, this is my second month in Belgium... First, le 19 Septembre, was the fête de wallonie ( Namur) (my region of Belgium-the French speaking part I think it is). I went with my family and we met my host mom's best friend at the parliament where the minister works (my host mom's best friend works at the parliament). So I got to see the parliament building along with the minister. That was really neat! After waiting, eating, talking ... there was a fireworks show. This wasn't just any fireworks show; it was huge and beautiful and very professional! I was amazed and still am (it's on the Internet if you want to search it - type in Google "Namur fireworks 2009").

Le 26 Septembre, my family took me to Bruge and the sea (la mer). It was one of the last beautiful days here in Belgium and it was gorgeous at the beach! In Bruge, we walked around the streets, saw churches and the plazas ... and at the sea I found a lot of shells, took some good pictures, and had a ton of fun! It's indescribable how wonderful that day was.

This month was harder than last because I was sick. I got really dizzy one day, and I stayed home from school for two days (I was seriously dizzy and headaches and stomach aches). The doctor came to my room and he told me it's from school and learning French because he was the same when he went to America for a year. He said it's normal. I wouldn't be surprised if I had the flu too, because everyone at school either has it or had it ...

School is going great! I understand the majority and I received my report card today for the month and I'm passing some classes! I'm really surprised, but I'm trying my best to learn French as fast as possible.

Otherwise, my classes are going good (science is a lot better, but I still don't understand math or geo that much). French class I can understand ... Speaking is getting better for me too, and so is writing.

I went to a Rotary meeting.

Umm ... I've been playing a lot of piano on the grand piano here at my house. It's really nice :)

Otherwise, I could live this life forever ... my family and friends are so wonderful and the French, now that I can understand almost everything and speak to my friends and hold a conversation ... it's great.

— Julia Hasheider