USOS

The Morocco exchange has come to an end!

In the last few weeks, we finished writing two papers on diabetes and hypertension among refugees in Oujda, and presented our work in front of some professors from Oujda and Antwerp.

In between doing our research, we couldn't miss the chance to go on some cultural trips. Through visiting places like Al Hoceïma or Thafougalt, we grew closer as a group with the Moroccan students. Combine that with our host family life, and we acquired a strong understanding of the Moroccan culture and way of life.

The goodbye may have been emotional, but this exchange is really only beginning. We already can't wait to welcome our Moroccan friends in Antwerp next April, and we hope they will love Belgium as much as we loved Morocco!

Greetings from Oujda, Morocco! 🇲🇦

We are currently spending a month here on an USOS exchange to do research on non-transmittable diseases in migration contexts as well as getting to know the Moroccan culture.

In our first week here we met our host families and the Moroccan students that will be coming to Antwerp next year for a similar exchange experience. In the first weekend, we had the chance to get to know the beautiful beaches of Saïdia, and this week we started writing on our paper.

It's already been busy, but our month here is only just getting started!

A few moments from our final days in India 🇮🇳

Our final week was spent wrapping up our work with our local partners in Ranchi, reflecting on everything we had learned, celebrating meaningful collaborations, and saying goodbye to the people who made this experience so special.

Thank you for every conversation, every lesson, and every warm welcome. Saying goodbye was the hardest part 🤍

The past week in India: so many perspectives
From villages and courtrooms to government offices, celebrations, and unexpected moments along the way. 🇮🇳✨

The next stop of the USOS India Exchange: Ranchi 🇮🇳
The students were welcomed by the Director of St. Xavier’s Institute. Over the next few weeks, they’ll take their fieldwork to the next level, engaging with local communities and turning research plans into real-world learning.

The USOS exchange in India has officially begun 🇮🇳
Over the past week, the students attended sessions at the National Law University in Delhi, met with professors and scholars, and shared their research topics and fieldwork plans. A great start to an exciting month of learning and collaboration!

🌍 The Second Global Pen Friends 2026 letters are here!
Students from 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇨🇩 DR Congo, & 🇮🇳 India, 🇲🇦 Morocco, and 🇸🇷 Suriname have begun exchanging letters on some of the world’s most pressing challenges: SDG 11 - SDG 12 & SDG 13

✍️ Through personal stories, reflections, and local perspectives, these young voices are connecting across borders and exploring what global solidarity means in their everyday lives.

In a world of instant messages, taking the time to write and share thoughtful letters creates a unique space for dialogue, empathy, and learning 💌

Curious to read their first correspondence and discover the Global Pen Friends project?
🔗Link in bio

Interested in the project? Get in touch with Adam Rachid, Global Pen Friends Project Coordinator.

🌍 The Third Global Pen Friends 2026 letters are here!

Students from 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇨🇩 DR Congo, & 🇮🇳 India, 🇲🇦 Morocco, and 🇸🇷 Suriname have begun exchanging letters on some of the world’s most pressing challenges: SDG 9 , SDG 10 , and SDG 11

✍️ Through personal stories, reflections, and local perspectives, these young voices are connecting across borders and exploring what global solidarity means in their everyday lives.

In a world of instant messages, taking the time to write and share thoughtful letters creates a unique space for dialogue, empathy, and learning 💌

Curious to read their first correspondence and discover the Global Pen Friends project?

🔗Link in bio

Interested in the project? Get in touch with Adam Rachid, Global Pen Friends Project Coordinator.

sdg11

🌍 The Second Global Pen Friends 2026 letters are here!

Students from 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇨🇩 DR Congo, & 🇮🇳 India, 🇲🇦 Morocco, and 🇸🇷 Suriname have begun exchanging letters on some of the world’s most pressing challenges: SDG 4 - Quality Education, SDG 5 - Gender Equality , and SDG 6 - Clean Water & Sanitation.

✍️ Through personal stories, reflections, and local perspectives, these young voices are connecting across borders and exploring what global solidarity means in their everyday lives.
In a world of instant messages, taking the time to write and share thoughtful letters creates a unique space for dialogue, empathy, and learning 💌

Curious to read their first correspondence and discover the Global Pen Friends project?
🔗 Link in bio

Interested in the project? Get in touch with Adam Rachid, Global Pen Friends Project Coordinator.

🌍The first Global Pen Friends 2026 letters are here!
 
Students from 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇨🇩 DR Congo, 🇮🇳 India, 🇲🇦 Morocco, and 🇸🇷 Suriname have begun exchanging letters on some of the world’s most pressing challenges: SDG 1 – No Poverty, SDG 2 – Zero Hunger, and SDG 3 – Good Health & Well-being.
 
✍️Through personal stories, reflections, and local perspectives, these young voices are connecting across borders and exploring what global solidarity means in their everyday lives.
In a world of instant messages, taking the time to write and share thoughtful letters creates a unique space for dialogue, empathy, and learning. 💌
 
Curious to read their first correspondence and discover the Global Pen Friends project?
🔗 Link in bio 
 
👉🏼Interested in the project? Get in touch with Adam Rachid, Global Pen Friends Project Coordinator.