On the morning of March 22nd, Brussels was struck by two terrorist attacks at the hands of ISIS, injuring more than three hundred and claiming the lives of thirty. During this time, my group was touring the European Parliament, just a mere but infinitely lucky kilometre away from one of the metro stations that was attacked.
That took a lot of us to a place where we had never been before - I was scared. Genuinely, purely, terrifyingly scared for myself and those around me. I remember the bus feeling strangely heavy that day as we slowly gathered more information to what exactly had occurred.
It breaks my heart to know that there are people out there who have to live with that same fear as a part of their regular lives. One cannot truly grasp the gravity of that, the overwhelming weight of not knowing exactly what fresh horrors the next moments could bring.
But what moves me most is the unity I witnessed that broke through the fear, that not only released its choking bounds but rendered them all together to dust. Watching the Eiffel Tower the day after attack standing proud and strong alit with the colours of Belgium… I remember all I could think was that hope will forever conquer fear.
Endless thoughts and prayers to all those affected in Belgium, and those who are affected by the terrible rage of war every day. Our hearts are with you always. Nous sommes uni.