Liepāja Residents Teach the World How to Be Good Teachers in Belgium and Why Fish Have Scales

While Riga students are still wondering whether to venture beyond Daugavgrīva, Liepāja Academy master's students have already triumphantly returned from Belgium, where they spent a week teaching locals how to be real educators. And no, it wasn't a vacation with beer, although they certainly sampled Brussels beer too.

The "learning by doing" program included 30 students from across Europe, but Latvian was heard the loudest. "We're from Liepāja after all, we always speak loudly," explains one participant. "Especially when you have to explain to Canadians why fish have scales and why our hockey players are better than theirs."

The biggest challenge wasn't the foreign language or arranging funding, but having to live in a hostel without Liepāja's market and Karosta's charm. "De Haan is beautiful, but it doesn't have our tram," admits a student. "And their beach is far away - a whole 50 minutes to Brussels!"

Program coordinator Geneveva, whom they "lovingly called" Genoveva, was reportedly thrilled with the Liepāja residents' energy. Especially after they organized a national dinner and offered guests authentic Latvian flavors. "They thought dark bread with cheese was exotic," laughs a participant. "But when they saw our sauerkraut, they understood that Liepāja really is on another level."