Giuliana is twenty years old and comes from Villarosa, a small village in Sicily. At VUB, she is enrolled in the Multilingual Bachelor (MUBA), focusing on linguistics and literary studies. “Literature has always been one of my greatest passions,” she says. “Reading is not a hobby for me — it’s something that truly feels part of who I am.” Her academic ambitions are clear. “In the future, I would love to teach literature and English at university level,” she explains. Among her favourite authors are the Brontë sisters and Virginia Woolf.
Giuliana did not end up in Brussels by chance. “I had known for some time that I wanted to leave Sicily to study,” she explains. “I looked at universities across Northern Europe, but nothing really felt right until I discovered the VUB programme.”
What convinced her was the curriculum itself. “When I looked at the courses, I thought: this is exactly what I want to do. Every year offered subjects that genuinely interested me.” Giuliana chose to complete her entire bachelor’s degree in Brussels and is even considering staying at the VUB for her master’s as well.
First impressions of Belgium
Before moving, Giuliana did not know much about Belgium. “I knew it rained a lot,” she laughs. “But part of my family lives here, in Wallonia, so I already knew a little about the food and lifestyle.” Her first weeks in Brussels were very positive. “The architecture immediately stood out to me. I found the city beautiful straight away.” The university also made a strong impression. “When I discovered the campus and met international students from all over the world, I quickly felt at home. After two or three weeks, I really felt I was in the right place.”
Brussels surprised her with its linguistic diversity. “I come from a small village where you mostly hear Italian and Sicilian. Here, you constantly hear different languages in the streets.” Giuliana already had a basic knowledge of French from secondary school, which helped her navigate the city. “Honestly, I didn’t know Brussels was officially bilingual,” she says. “Dutch was therefore a surprise — but an interesting one.” English and Spanish, the languages of her degree, felt familiar.
Combining student life and work
Alongside her studies, Giuliana works as a babysitter for a family she also lives with. “My days are quite full,” she says. “I take the children to school, attend classes, and pick them up again in the afternoon. In the evening, I study.”
She sees combining work and study as a valuable learning experience. “It forces me to be independent, both practically and financially.” At home, she speaks English, as the father is English and the mother Turkish. “That makes it even more international.”
What makes Brussels special
What Giuliana appreciates most about studying in Belgium is the international community. “I have friends from all over the world, even from countries I never imagined meeting someone from, like Mauritius.” Belgium’s location is another major advantage in her eyes. “You are in the heart of Europe. You can easily travel to the Netherlands, France, Germany or Luxembourg, sometimes simply by bus.”
Future plans
The biggest challenge? “Learning not to rely on your parents anymore,” she says honestly. “You have to find solutions yourself and take responsibility.” At the same time, this independence has made her stronger. “Studying in Brussels has broadened my view of the world, especially socially and politically.”
For now, Giuliana sees her future in Brussels. “I would like to stay here,” she says. Her plan A is an academic career. “Becoming a professor is my biggest dream.” As an alternative, she is considering working as an interpreter or translator within a European institution, such as the European Parliament or the European Commission. “That international environment really appeals to me.”
Finally, Giuliana hopes Belgians will get to know her home region better. “Sicily is often associated with the mafia or with laziness,” she says. “That image is not accurate. It is a region of hardworking people with a rich culture.”