This is the first time ever to visit Germany. Awesome! Colonge is very wonderful place. It is nice and clean. Everything there is very well organized, order and secure. I got two hours with tourist guide in Colonge. Our guide told me almost important building, sites, and more other history. I am very interesting with those buildings, sites and infrastructure. Of course, Colonge is a busy city. We have seen cars, trains are working very active. Colonge is lively city. And after two hours of tour-guide, I got released to free walk. As I do not have much time, I just try to walk a long the rivers and find some main important places and buildings. Well, I will not get lost in the Germany's fourth-largest city (after Berlin, Hamburg and Munich). Why I do not get lost? Very easy, I brought a map with. Totally, I went to visit Cathdral, Treasury, St. Andreas, Chocolate museum, Crane buildings, Triangle (Viewing point), LANXESS Arena, Town Hall Deutz, Tanzbrunnen, Koelmesse (Trade fair), Rhine park, Rhine cable car, and many other interesting places.
        I would say I really enjoy my trip to Colonge, Germany. I hope sometime in the future I can bring my father visit this place also. I have much to say about Colonge as it is already perfect place. I just want to share all of you with photos I took during visiting.

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Today, there are two main activities were held in Leuven city. First is the Educational System at KU Leuven. Well, this session is very important for either international students as well as local students who just newly graduate high school.
      At 10:30 am this morning, the presenter started his job confidently with lots of questions at the end. Presenter gave students information about educational system in KU Leuven. Basically, the system is not far different from Pannasastra University of Cambodia (PUC). At the first week of academic year, student enjoys their freedom to choose class or professor they want and like. Student can somehow shopping class to better clearly understand the study situation. After the first was over, students are required to register courses they need to study in the first semester. Normally, students can have maximum credits of 30 ECTS per semester or maybe around five courses if each course values 6 ECTS.
      In other word, the presenter also gave us some perspective of student-professor relationship and professor-students relationship. What professor expect from students? What professor ask students to fulfill? On the other hand, What should student begin with? What should student prepare for? What are activities or event students required to do? What is oral exam, written exam?
   Totally, I could say it was very beneficial for international students as such to know all of these. I know and agree that no one want to get lower grade; we all want to get higher grade even A+. Thus I really appreciate this session. It helps a lot of things. I am now back on track I can say. At the beginning, I feel like I don't know anything about system here; how could I pass exam. Maybe I could be sent back home if I could not pass exam. I was really worry. However, I am recover now. I am a bit confident and know what should be done and where to go next.
I am so sorry for this article; I could not have much photos as I was very busy taking notes. I could only take video for you; this video mainly about activities of students association from various group, faculty, associations. I think you better take a look at it to make it clear. OK!

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September 18 is the Orientation Day for full degree seeking student ranging from Bachelor, Master and Ph.D level and, September 19 today, is the Orientation Day for exchange student with different level of degree. The Orientation Days is mainly about how to help student get to know Belgium, particularly Leuven. The presenter offered student various kinds of information such as student services, traffic, waste selection, bike rental, opening a bank account etc. Totally, the purpose of this event is to make student feels that Leuven is their home.

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On Tuesday afternoon, our group gathering up at the Saint-Mechael, Naamsestraat 57, Leuven and at about 12:15 pm we were heading to City of Peace - In Flanders Fields, Ypres. Historically, Ypres was severely destroyed by enemy during World War I. However, after the war ended everyone comes and has been tried to preserved this place. With very well designed and decorated, Flanders Fields Museum is very attractive and beautiful place. Local and international tourist have a visit contiguously since its opening hours.
      During our visiting to Ypres, we got a great chance to visit exhibition inside the building and, of course, it really really brings us back to war period. We felt very sad to see all of those things. However, we really appreciate for very well preservation.
      At around 5:30 pm, there was a tour guide telling us about story of the City of Ypres and we also walked around the ramparts with around 1200 meters long. Of course, it was 17 century property, so some were broken and other still in very concrete standing. Our tour around city-rampart is about 2 hours an a half  and we finished the day at the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing where we were quiver at the sight of the memorial ceremony. Traditionally, at 8:00 pm everyday, since 1928, they always celebrate the impressive ceremony at the Menin Gate to commemorate the soldiers fallen for the freedom of Belgium in WWI.
Here are some photos I took during my visit in the Flanders Fields Museum. It was very amazing:

Inside Flanders Fields Museum: Exhibition of Battle Field in WWI

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The third cultural daytrip of September 17 2012 taken place in Saint-Michael's Church, Naamsestraat 57, Leuven at 6:28 am local time. Everyone, totally 21 persons, were ready to go on trip. At 6:28 am we were a heading to Henry Chapelle American Cemetry, Grain D'Orge Brewery and Chocolate Factory Jacques. Interestingly, we all had chance to visit view around city Eupen especially its giant dam. Our trip was very educative, memorial and meaningful. We all join hand in hand moving forward to our destination. We did not encounter any troubles. Luckily, the weather was also really appreciative for us. It was not too cold and neither hot. There was no rain. It was as it is a common weather as Belgium usually has.

In front of Henry Chapelle American Cemetery

       At the Henry Chapelle American Cemetery, the U.S officer gave short of history during WWI and WWII. American sacrificed a lot of soldiers in Europe. Thus Belgian government gave small part of their territory to U.S for cemetery. Also, we got some papers, books and quizzes to do during our traveling. We are happy to learn about history.
       At the Grain d'Orge Brewery and Chocolate factory, students were historically told about how factory was founded and set up and also its process. Further, students could have great opportunity to taste beer and chocolate just making from factory. Of course, I did not allowed to taste beer, so, I did not whether it is nice or not but I did chocolate. Chocolate was really really tasteful. At the end because chocolate is tasteful, I bought some chocolates for my friends and neighbors.
      On the other hand, I took some photos to strongly proof my argument. You all can take a look at the below:

Script about history

Picture behind is about 'how U.S troop help Europe in WWII

Behind is all U.S soldiers dead during WWII

U.S flag behind showing that this land is belong to U.S government

Owner of Grain D'Orge Brewery

She explained how beer is processed

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I still have some time to enjoy life in Europe mainly Belgium. Only a week ahead I will be very busy with my studying. Anyway, I am trying to take this chance to liberate myself with European environment. This afternoon my brother and I had an opportunity to visit National Park in Belgium. It is not far from Leuven. We just spent around 30 minute to reach this Park or Museum.

In front of National Park

       Well, Coming to this museum I really appreciate their hard working. They decorate this museum in an attractive and professional way. Everything in here is clean and secure. Local and international tourist could tremendously benefit from this beautiful and fresh atmosphere. I myself did some walk in here around 5 km long. It is very natural and classic. I love it very much.

       However, one thing I want to reveal all of you guy is that this Park is man-made; it is not naturally created. Thus it is not as value as our Cambodian park such as Kirirom, Vireakchey Park and so on. I can say that Cambodia is good at this. We all should join in hand to preserve this priceless property. We can help preserve by always keeping it clean and make sure it is secure. There are more to say here but I want all of you express it by one ownself.

Map of National Park

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