ADRA Europe is the regional office of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, a global humanitarian organization. It is based in Brussels, Belgium, and acts as a supporting office for ADRA offices across Europe. The team is small and very well coordinated.
In terms of language, Brussels is a French-speaking country, but English is also widely used. Some basic French phrases were helpful for daily life, though the working language at ADRA Europe is English. Professionally, I familiarized myself with ADRA's work and the broader humanitarian sector before arriving. Organizationally, I sorted my accommodation before departure, which I would strongly recommend doing as early as possible given how competitive and expensive the Brussels housing market is. I found accommodation through a link I used from the Erasmus website. Just be patient when looking for suitable and reasonable accommodation.
Brussels is a vibrant and multicultural city. A very great place to experience Europe from a different angle. I would encourage future students to explore the city beyond work; many EU buildings are located there.
My tasks at ADRA Europe were varied and meaningful. I assisted with the preparation of the Fundraising and Programs Forum in Poland, including organizing presentations and checking participant documents. I developed a volunteer survey to map volunteering activities across ADRA European offices. I also assisted with a Disaster Ready Church manual in the emergency and peacebuilding department and supported Log Alto training sessions. I was well mentored by my supervisor and the wider team, who encouraged me to engage actively rather than just observe. The working conditions were welcoming and collaborative.
Through this traineeship I developed a stronger understanding of how international humanitarian organizations function in practice. I improved my skills in notetaking, survey design, document preparation, and research. I also grew personally in terms of confidence in professional settings and networking. The experience deepened my knowledge of humanitarian concepts such as localization, the triple nexus, and ethical storytelling, and strengthened the connection between my academic studies and real-world practice.
This traineeship was one of the most enriching experiences of my academic journey. It gave me real exposure to the humanitarian sector, deepened the connection between my studies and practice, and shaped me personally in ways I did not expect. I would recommend ADRA Europe to any student with a genuine interest in humanitarian work and international development.
