Words and Things

"Words are, in my not so humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic."
-Albus Dumbledore

Hoi!  Just to give you guys a brief update on my happenings--I am now settled into my permanent room (or kot as the locals call it).  I've gotten to know Leuven a lot better (particularly its pubs).  I've met a lot of new and interesting people from places such as Fiji, Argentina, Spain, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, Italy, Germany, The Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, China, Nigeria, Canada, Potugal, Russia, and Japan.   It's so fun to be in such an international environment!  In general, it's wonderful to be abroad again.  Life gets so dull stuck in your own country.  I guess I was born to be a foreigner :)  Classes start this week and the way it works here is that you don't have to sign up right away, rather you attend several classes at first to see which ones you'd like.  So, I'm very excited to start shopping around (Phenomenology, Medieval Texts, and Ethics, Oh my!)

Now onto the subject as indicated in the post title and epigram.  It has been said that language is the basis of culture.  Many others have asserted that language is the reflection of thought. And language has always been central to philosophy.  Ergo, I think in beginning to try to appreciate the culture of my new home, it is appropriate to start with a post on their language.  For those of you who don't know, in Leuven, being in the North of Belgium (Flanders) they speak Dutch, whereas they speak French in the South and a small portion in the East speaks German.  Compared to more popular languages such as English, Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, German, and Italian, very few people in the world speak Dutch, most of them in the Netherlands and Flanders.  

So far, it has become clear that there two general impressions an American has when one first encounters Dutch.  The first, as recorded by Bill Bryson in Neither Here nor There, is that, "one feels one ought to be able to understand it."  The other, as expressed by many American students here, is "what the hell is that gibberish?"  Quite honestly, the latter was my first impression--It sounded much like German at first.  Yet, they say their R's like the French.  And sometimes I swear it sounds like Japanese.

But many many other times, particularly when I'm walking alone and daydreaming, I share Bryson's sentiment.  It really can sound a lot like English at times--just phlegmier (Phlegmy Flemish! Haha!)  Indeed Dutch is the major language closest to English (other minor ones being Frisian and Scots.)  It has frequently been described as right between English and German.  Yet, a wise man once told me that Dutch is "merely a dialect of German with an army." On the other hand, a wise-ass Loyola abroad student observed that, "it's like drunken Facebook talk."

Bier means "beer."  Wafel  means "waffle."  Mijn naam is Dan means "My name is Dan."  Waar is de bar? means "Where is the bar?"     Have to know the important things first ;)

Belgians have a reputation for being odd

Overall, Dutch is a funny language, and Flemish Dutch is an even more peculiar off-shoot (yet all across Flanders there are variations.)   Underscoring the relationship between language and culture, I'd say that it is a funny little language for a funny little place.  Belgium has a reputation for being an odd place.  In fact, I heard so many things about Belgians and their dislike of foreigners that I shamefully began picturing them as little furry hobbit-like creatures.  

Considering my time in Australia as well, I seem to be attracted to interesting little places which many around the world consider "weird" and seem to brush off as not serious places of cultural richness.  I could have rather studied in a large, proud country such as Germany, Britain, or France, each of which have given the world a plethora of venerated philosophers.  Indeed, a few locals have already asked, "Why on Earth did you come here of all places?"  But I find the prospect of delving into the culture of this weird little place all the more enticing.  Many Americans are familiar with the great cultural figures of Britain or France, but what do most of us know about Belgium besides chocolate, beer, waffles, and fries? Jean-Claude van Damme? The Smurfs?  

Anyway, I hope to share my cultural findings in the future.  So far I have come to know their drinking culture quite well, but that would require another post in itself.  Until next time! Or as they say here, Tot de volgende keer!

The View from My Window

It's a beautiful Sunday here in Leuven!  Today is the last day I am staying at the guest house, so I thought I'd snap a pic of the view (especially considering the view from my new room will not be as good)

The Adventure Begins...

Well, it's only been 2 days since I landed, but it feels like weeks. Just making my way to Leuven was an adventure in itself.  My flight was delayed six hours, so my thrilling journey began with me sitting in JFK bored out of my mind.  Luckily I slept most of the flight so I before I knew it, I was on the European continent for the first time in my life!

Getting off at Brussels Airport and making my way to the train it suddenly dawned on me:  I am on my own. In another country. In another continent.  It's not like moving out "on my own" to college, nor like going to Australia where we had a guide show us the way and there were 30 of us in the same boat.  I couldn't help but think

God, what have I gotten myself into?

While sitting on the train, I took a deep breath and regained my composure.  I was realizing that this is a new step in my life.  Quickly enough, the impact of that realization turned into excitement.

Leuven Town Hall

I clumsily managed my way around Leuven.  Luckily, it is true that most locals speak English.  And counter to the stereotypes, they were very helpful and friendly.  I immediately noticed how "old" Leuven feels--older than anywhere in the US or Australia--and how cramped the streets seem with the buildings so tall and close together.  It was emptier than I expected (since classes still don't start for two weeks.)  This would be a cool place for a zombie movie, I couldn't help but think.

Oude Markt

Oude Markt

After lugging my laptop bag, a duffel bag, and my suitcase-on-wheels (great for cobblestone roads, btw) halfway across town I arrived at the Residential Management Office exhausted and sweaty.  I picked up my guest room key, dropped off my stuff, and took a shower promptly.  I couldn't wait to head back to the center of town and start exploring.   I wondered around and found their famous medieval Town Hall, St. Peter's Church, and the Oude Markt "the longest bar in the world."

The rest of my time so far has consisted of a little exploring and a lot of administrative formalities.  Rest assure, I did manage to make a few friends, grab a few beers, and try genuine Belgian fries.  I've been delighted with all of it--there's something about being a foreigner that makes the most mundane things fun.  I constantly think to myself I'm in freaking Europe and I can't wait to milk it for all it's worth.  Carpe Diem!  This is only the beginning

Pre-Departure

Inspired by my friend Vinny and several of my friends who kept blog-journals of our semester in Australia, I am keeping this blog to chronicle my escapades in Europe, as well as any random thoughts or observations I get the urge to share.  I took a break from packing to put up this up (yes, last minute again.)  I feel a deep excitement boiling up from the bottom of my stomach, only rivaled by the anxiety from the rush to get ready.

A lot of people have asked me why I'm going to Belgium to study philosophy for a year--particularly where does it fit in my overall life-trajectory?  I am keeping a lot of paths open where it fits in (a career in academia not least among them.)  Truth be told, the biggest reasons for my decision to do this are not consequentialist.  I am doing this as an end-in-itself.  I want to go on this trip to grow intellectually, to meet a lot of new and interesting people, and to encounter and experience a variety of different cultures and worldviews.  Europe offers a host of very different peoples with different customs and identities which have roots that stretch back many many centuries.  In fact my study of philosophy has gone hand-in-hand with my interest in living abroad.  I don't just want to tour around and do the fun stuff, I want to try to immerse myself in the full depth of other cultures, other volksgeister.  Allan Bloom hearkened to this in The Closing of the American Mind:

"I received a postcard from a very good student on his first visit to Italy, who wrote, 'You are not a professor of political philosophy but a travel agent.'  Nothing could have better prepared my intention as an educator.  He thought I had prepared him to see. Then he could begin thinking for himself with something to think about.  The real sensation of the Florence in which Machiavelli is believable is worth all the formulas of metaphysics ten times over."    (p. 63)