Anna Valley (Belgium)

Education:
2024 Graduated from the Catholic University of Leuven Majoring in Japanese Studies
2022-2023 Kyoto University Graduate School of Letters Exchange Program
 
 
Work Experience:
Neuhaus store clerk (part-time) 3 months Brussels, Belgium
Volunteer interpreter for Maiko performances 6 months Kyoto, Japan
Natural food store clerk (part-time) 3 years Linkebeek, Belgium
Scout Activity Officer (Volunteer) 2 years Brussels, Belgium
 

Hello, Bonjour, Hallo!

My name is Anna Valley and I am from Belgium. I am from a town called Ruisbroek, which is next to the Belgian capital, Brussels.

In fact, there is no such language as "Belgian", so there are three official languages in Belgium. Depending on the region, French, Dutch, or German are spoken. My mother tongue is French, but I lived in a Dutch-speaking region, so I was educated in Dutch from kindergarten to university. In addition, I spoke German with my father and took German classes in high school, so I can speak the three Belgian languages.

Since I was a child, I have been exposed to the different language and culture of Belgium, which has sparked my interest in international exchange. After graduating from high school, I decided to broaden my horizons by studying abroad in Taiwan with a host family. Although it was only for a year, I learned basic Chinese during that time and experienced a culture different from Europe for the first time.

I have always had a deep interest in Japanese culture and the Japanese language, so I majored in Japanese studies at university and had the opportunity to study abroad at Kyoto University for my master's degree. I will graduate from graduate school in February 2024, and this will be my first job as an international exchange officer, so I have a lot of things I don't understand, but I would like to learn a lot through events and interact with the people of Niseko Town. Thank you very much.
 
 

I'm from a town called Ruisbroek, next to Brussels, the capital of Belgium. The town is a residential area, so there are no tourist attractions, but there is a canal running through the middle of the town. If you walk along the towpath of the canal, you can see beautiful scenery.

To introduce Belgium a little, chocolate, beer, and waffles may be the most famous things, but there are many other things. For example, Belgium's famous cartoons "Tintin" and "The Smurfs" are famous. And do you know the saxophone, an instrument often used in jazz? It is an instrument invented by a Belgian person.

I live right next to Brussels and often go there, so I would like to introduce the capital city. Brussels is also called the capital of Europe because there are many EU institutions in the city.
Finally, I would like to introduce the beauty of the cityscape of Brussels. If you walk around the center of the city, you can see my favorite Art Nouveau architecture. Also, a famous tourist spot is the Grand Place, where the Flower Carpet is held once every two years. I recommend that everyone visit it at least once.