SHAPE/ end of program.

One of the supposed highlights of the program mentioned in the schedule we received before it started included visitng SHAPE headquarters. However, I entered the program without the faintest idea of what SHAPE even was.
However, after several puns about getting "in SHAPE" were stated every time we passed a runner on the bus ride there, I finally learned that it is The Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Powers of Europe, a military branch of NATO. It is a specialized organization part of the integrated command structure of NATO whose main function is to provide a link between non-NATO European countries and NATO. The headquarters, which were also not that exciting besides the lecture hall we were in being as big as a planetarium, is an operational headquarters of the EU along with NATO. Unfortunately, the representative of SHAPE speaking to us was our worst speaker by far, reading most of his hour-long power point without looking up, and speaking broken English. In his defense, it seemed that he was suffering just as much giving the presentation as we were attempting to sit through it. It being the last day of the program, and all it's members being extremely sleep deprived did not help much either.
So, while I did not glean much from his presentation, one funny thing I noticed walking around the headquarters is that all nations' cameo get-ups are slightly different shades of green. After this presentation and a brief question and answer period that I did my best not to sleep through, the academic portion of the program concluded. On a scale of 1 to 10, on an educational level, i would give it a 9.5 at worst. It's only drawback is that you learn so much in such a short period of time that it's hard to process and understand all that you've learned, and unavoidably some of it is forgotten.

Another couple random thoughts: Chocolate beer was actually better than I expected to be, pretty smooth taste. Also, Brussels is home to a bar called Delirium, the Guinness world record holder for most beers simultaneously on tap at 2,000. Most of the members of the program spent a majority of their nights there, due to it's size, and American playlist. Even in Europe, I can't escape hearing Sweet Home Alabama when I go out.

This program provided with more then I could have hoped for, academically, and socially. Not only did I learn a lot, but I also met some great people. (Specifically Brett Neely, a journalist stationed in Berlin who I promised I would mention) I am now faced with three days of spring break to catch up on 10 days of little sleep, and a return to normal life. If you read this, I hope you learned a few things. As the first blog I've ever done, I learned a lot writing it, and I think I made some progress as I went along. If you have any suggestions, of thoughts, you can comment. I'm glad with my decision to keep this blog, I know I got something out of it, and I hope the readers did too.