World

Why Belgium is the Perfect European Country for Your Next Vacation

Published

4 years ago

March 25, 2022

With spring days here and travel restrictions easing, it’s time to start looking forward to vacations. Many European countries are welcoming travelers again.Two major travel trends to have emerged in the last few years are solo travel and sustainable travel – both trends set to continue beyond 2022. Most solo travelers are women so while there’a a wonderful world out there to explore, traveling safely should always be prioritized. It’s worth checking out the best cities for women to solo travel.

Lockdown has given us time to be more environmentally aware. Although we’ve learned to appreciate what our local areas have to offer, many of us are now hoping to travel further afield in a way that’s as kind as possible to the environment.

What is the best way of traveling sustainably in 2022?

The top tip for sustainable travel is traveling slowly. Traveling by road, rail and public transport are best for getting to your destination. While time constraints mean this is sometimes impractical, there are ways of traveling sustainably once you arrive. If you must fly, limit your air travel. Rather than taking a few trips, take one air trip per year and stay longer in your destination. Slow down and explore one country or region well. Europe has so many small countries neighboring each other and such great public transport links that it’s an ideal place to explore on vacation. This article considers why Belgium is an unmissable country for a wonderful trip.

Location

Belgium is surrounded by France, Luxembourg, Germany, the Netherlands and the North sea. It’s small and easily explored using public transport or by bicycle. Belgium offers countless historic castles, cathedrals, museums and medieval villages as well as bustling cosmopolitan towns and cities. It also boasts a delightful green region. This section looks at its highlights.

Cities

Bruges.

A picture perfect medieval city built on a network of canals with pretty cobbled streets and historical buildings. It’s a fairytale town and can be easily explored on foot, by boat, bicycle or horse drawn carriage. There are charming cafés and chocolate shops everywhere.

Ghent

A larger university town full of cathedrals and historical buildings. Gravasteen Castle with its moat is unmissable. The profusion of galleries and museums make Ghent a haven for art lovers.

Antwerp

The vibrant fashion capital, hosts museums, galleries, architecture and darling cafés. It’s a great place for shopping and chilling. Het Steen Castle, a medieval castle which protected the city from viking raids, is impressive.

Brussels

Multicultural, multilingual and cosmopolitan, art galleries and historic sites abound. The Grand Place is probably one of the most famous squares in Belgium. Brussels is a bigger city and merits a couple of days to visit properly. Tin Tin comics tour in the Hergé museum is a fun activity.

Durbuy

By contrast, Durbuy, just 2 hours from Brussels, is known as the smallest city in the world! It’s idyllic with cobbled streets and flower boxes everywhere. The river Ourthe passes through Durbuy. Visit the Topiary Park and quench your thirst at the Marckloff brewery. Adventure valley park nearby, is a great spot for outdoor activities

Dinant

Hometown of Adolphe Sax, inventor of the saxophone, Dinant is a treat. Follow the saxophone trail and take a cable car trip up to the citadel. The views of the River Meuse are spectacular.

The Ardennes

If you want to get out of the cities and towns, travel south to the beautiful verdant Ardennes. With its forests, rivers and trails, it’s a haven for cyclists and hikers.

Cool off at the coast

Belgium is blessed with beautiful sandy beaches and coastal towns. Ostend, made famous by Marvin Gaye who lived there, has lots to do. Nearby De Haan is another seaside town worth a visit.

Historical sites not to miss:

Waterloo. Final battleground of the Napoleonic wars.

Menin Gate in Ypres. A memorial to soldiers lost in WW1

Langemark Cemetery. Burial site of thousands of German soldiers killed in the war.

Belgium has it all not to mention its delicious culinary delights. If you get bored, which is unlikely, you can simply nip across the border and choose another wonderful country to explore.

World

Swiss International University Enhances Student Employability with Major Global Collaborations

Published

2 days ago

November 8, 2025

Jenny Jackson

New collaborations with Citibank, Abu-Ghazaleh Global, RAK Properties, and others strengthen SIU’s commitment to connecting academic learning with global career opportunities.

Swiss International University (SIU) has already informed about the new corporate partnerships that will start in October 2025 and that they will provide students with better access to internships, training programs, and job opportunities in various fields.

The new partnerships are aligned with SIU’s goal to combine education with the real world, as they ensure that the graduates are equipped with the required knowledge, skills, and professional exposure to be successful in the global economy of today.

In the last few weeks, SIU has formed alliances with several major companies, including those from the banking, business, hospitality, real estate, and consulting sectors. The students will be actively involved in each collaboration through internships, practical training, and the career opportunities that will be given to them during or after their studies.

Among the key collaborations are

Citibank, where students of the business and finance fields will get to experience international banking operations through special training and possible hiring programs.

Abu-Ghazaleh Global has given SIU’s programs its official blessing and access to practical experience in global business, accounting, and consulting.

RAK Properties is going to give real estate and business students a chance to learn about property development, investment, and project management.

The Signature Inn Hotel Al Riqa L.L.C. offers students of hospitality a chance through real-life interrelated scenarios to gain the knowledge of front-office operations and guest management.

Al Shabaka International Businessmen Services is opening a door for the students to meet the professionals involved in global business consulting and administration.

Galadari Motor Driving Center, where students will get a clear insight into corporate management, customer relations, and operational efficiency.

Women’s First Jobs is going to help female students and graduates through career counseling, professional networking, and empowerment initiatives.

MyFounders.Club Global is building up the students and aspiring founders in terms of innovation and entrepreneurship by taking them through the process of developing and launching new ventures.

Revival AE Project Development Consultant Co., L.L.C., where students will be working on consulting for sustainable projects and environmental management.

“The partnerships that we have formed represent our commitment not only to the business world but also to the world of academia,” said the Head of Swiss International University. “We are aspiring to equip every student in SIU with the power to win the global job market through robust academic credentials, practical exposure, and a web of real opportunities. Our target is not a teacher-student relationship whose only need is the job—our students will be the ones making changes in the various fields of tomorrow.”

The academic world and the global market are the two areas where SIU, collaborating with partners at the present time, shows the institution’s continued commitment to creating a career-oriented academic environment where learning takes place beyond the walls of the classrooms.

The deadline of October 2025 is approaching, but the university is still looking to make new strategic partnerships to grow its network of global partners. It is clear from the continuous activities of the university that it is striving to offer its students worldwide the possibility of not only utilizing their skills but also being a part of the industry via employment and thus empowering them to make a difference in international markets.