From Benin to Brussels: An Immersive Experience

Future graduates of the ESAS[1] school, three Beninese students packed their bags and settled in the capital. Over the course of four weeks, they met with organizations dedicated to street social work. Combining field practices with a focus on prevention, the young interns discovered a profession with many facets. Initiated by the CAPI[2] project, this immersion into unfamiliar territory enabled them to gain insight into a variety of realities.

Testimonies from Vanessa, Harri, and Benito

Harri :

My one-month stay in Belgium was a very special experience.
First of all, it was my very first time in Europe; my very first time outside my home country, Benin; my very first time for almost everything 😄. Brussels pleasantly surprised me with its diversity, its openness, and the warmth of its people despite the cold climate—which I really struggled with 😂. I obviously can’t forget the famous Belgian fries 🤭🍟.

Together with my classmates, we met many organizations. Through these encounters, I discovered a different way of doing social work: more rooted in the streets, more creative, and strongly focused on prevention. The outreach work, activities, and exchanges with social workers truly left a lasting impression on me.

I also appreciated the richness of the city: public transport (trains and trams), neighborhoods, languages… even though everything was new to me, I absolutely loved it. This trip opened my mind, changed my perspective, strengthened my professional motivation, and made me want to contribute even more to social work in Benin.

Benito :

During my stay in Brussels, I had the opportunity to visit various organizations engaged in street social work. What all these organizations have in common is the ultimate goal of their interventions: prevention. It was a truly wonderful experience, and if I had the chance to live it again, I would not hesitate for a single second. Beyond the internship itself, I was also able to explore the city of Brussels and its main attractions, as well as visit a few museums.

I thoroughly enjoyed Belgian burgers and fries, spaghetti with Bolognese sauce, and Belgian chocolates—Belgian gastronomy ☺️. Aside from the food, the means of transport were particularly memorable for me, as it was the first time I had ever boarded a train, metro, or tram, and it was truly a great experience. Brussels is a city full of charm, where life is pleasant, and I would like to once again thank Dynamo International for giving me the opportunity to complete this internship and to live this unique experience in the city.

Vanessa:

It was my first time in Belgium, and also my first time traveling by plane, metro, and tram. At the beginning, I felt a bit dizzy and got on the wrong line several times, but after a few weeks I got used to it—to the point of helping a woman find the right metro 😆. The cold surprised me, and then, a week before our departure, the weather became pleasant, as if Belgium wanted to offer us a lovely farewell 😌.

I met very kind people, especially within the associations: they are passionate about social work and deeply committed. Thanks to them, I discovered new methods of social work, especially street-based work. With my classmates, we explored Brussels, visited two museums, the Grand Place, and other very interesting places. We ate fries, waffles, and burgers—but not beer 😂.

It was a rich and meaningful stay, and I keep very fond memories of it, as it broadened my perspective, opened me up to new horizons, and encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and innovate. I will always remember it as a deeply enriching human and cultural experience.

[1] Higher School of Social Workers of Cotonou

[2] The CAPI project – Cohesion, Empowerment, Prevention, and Innovation – is part of the 2024–2028 bilateral cooperation program between the Republic of Benin and the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, under Axis 4: “Youth support, socioeconomic integration of vulnerable people, and sports.”