Welcome to the Belgian booths MIT ECF 2025

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Fun facts on Belgium

    1. Three Official Languages – Belgium has three official languages: Dutch (spoken in Flanders), French (spoken in Wallonia), and German (spoken in a small eastern region).

    2. Two Names for Its People – People from Belgium are called Belgians, but they are divided into Flemish (Dutch speakers) and Walloons (French speakers).

    3. Small but Mighty – Belgium is a small country, about the size of Maryland, but has a huge impact on world affairs, hosting the European Union headquarters in Brussels.

    4. Invented the Smurfs & Tintin – The famous blue Smurfs and the comic book hero Tintin were created by Belgian artists.

    1. French Fries Are Actually Belgian – Fries were not invented in France! Belgium claims to have invented them, and they are called "frites", best served with mayonnaise.

    2. Beer Paradise – Belgium has over 1,500 different types of beer and is home to Trappist beers, brewed by monks in monasteries.

    3. More Chocolate Shops Than Any Other Country – Belgium is a chocolate paradise with over 2,000 chocolate shops and produces 220,000 tons of chocolate per year.

    4. Home of the Waffle – Belgium has two types of waffles: the Brussels waffle (light and crispy) and the Liège waffle (dense and caramelized).

    1. Has a Statue of a Peeing Boy – The famous "Manneken Pis" statue in Brussels is a tiny boy peeing into a fountain. Sometimes, he is dressed in costumes!

    2. Napoleon’s Final Defeat Was in Belgium – The famous Battle of Waterloo (1815), where Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated, happened just outside Brussels.

    3. Longest Reign Without a Government – Belgium holds the world record for going 541 days without a government (2010-2011) due to political deadlocks.

    4. Saxophone Was Invented by a Belgian – The saxophone was invented by Adolphe Sax, a Belgian musician, in 1846.

    5. Has an Annual Bathtub Race – The city of Dinant hosts a bathtub race, where people race down the river in decorated bathtubs! 🚣‍♂️🛁

    6. Hosted the most ridiculous war: During the Middle Ages, two towns started to quarrel because a farmer from one town stole a cow from the other town. Things escaladed so quickly that it resulted in total war. 10,000+ people died, and the king of France had to personally settle the matter. For a f****** cow!!

Living costs

We understand that coming to another country can be stressful, but rest assured—Belgium offers a high quality of life at a manageable cost. While some expenses may be lower or higher compared to the U.S., daily necessities like groceries, public transportation, and healthcare are often more affordable. With careful budgeting and an open mind, you'll find that living in Belgium can be both comfortable and enriching. To help you plan, check out this cost of living comparison for a better idea of what to expect.

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