A collaboration between
Belgium x The Netherlands
This year’s congress is truly special: for the first time, Belgium and the Netherlands are working side by side to bring the 40th EFPSA Congress to life. As a lustrum edition, it celebrates collaboration across borders and shows how we can overcome boundaries to create something greater together.
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The two countries share a border and many similarities, yet also have their differences. In our journey of preparing this congress, we have discovered both and learned how these differences enrich our partnership while our common ground connects us.
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Curious to get to know the countries behind the team? Discover more about Belgium and the Netherlands here.
Belgium
Belgium may be small in size, but it is big in diversity. With three official languages, Dutch, French, and German, it is truly a multilingual crossroads in Europe. Belgium is world-famous for its chocolate, beer, waffles, and fries, but also for its vibrant art and culture, from the surrealism of René Magritte to the adventures of Tintin. Brussels, the capital, is home to the European Union and NATO, making Belgium an international hub where cultures and ideas meet. Other cities like Antwerp, Ghent, and Bruges showcase history, creativity, and charm at every corner.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands is a country of innovation, creativity, and open minds. Known for its iconic windmills, tulips, and world-class cheeses, it is also the land of bikes, there are more bicycles than people! Dutch culture has left its mark worldwide, with legendary painters like Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh, and with cutting-edge design and architecture today. From the canals of Amsterdam to the modern skyline of Rotterdam and the student spirit in Utrecht, the Netherlands is a country where tradition and progress go hand in hand.
The Low Countries
Belgium and the Netherlands share deep historical roots. Once part of the same region known as the Low Countries, their histories have been intertwined for centuries. From medieval trade routes that connected their cities to the flourishing of art and science during the Renaissance, the two countries developed side by side.
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In time, however, Belgium and the Netherlands became two independent nations, each developing its own identity, language traditions, and cultural character. Their paths may have diverged, but the bond of a shared past still connects them.
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Want to know what brings them together and what sets them apart? Discover the quirks, contrasts, and common ground between Belgium and the Netherlands here.
LANGUAGE
BELGIUM
THE NETHERLANDS
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Belgium is a multilingual country with three official languages: Dutch, French, and German. Depending on where you are, you’ll hear very different sounds and accents.
The official language of the Netherlands is Dutch. While the same language is spoken in the northern part of Belgium (Flanders), it sounds quite different.
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Even though Dutch is spoken on both sides of the border, the accent and certain expressions differ between the Netherlands and Flanders. People can easily understand each other, but sometimes the same thing is described with a completely different word, which can lead to funny moments!
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Curious to see the differences? Discover some Flemish and Dutch words below.
FLEMISH
Frieten
(fries - watch out! 'patat' means potato in flemish)
Kuisen
(cleaning)
Amai
(wow)
Bankkaart
(bank card)
Kleedje
(a dress)
Botten
(boots - shoes)
Gij
(you)
Uw
(your, e.g. 'uw botten' = 'your boots')
DUTCH
Patat
(fries)
Schoonmaken
(cleaning)
Jeetje
(wow)
Pinpas
(bank card)
Jurkje
(a dress - watch out! 'kleed' means carpet in dutch)
Botten
(bones - skeleton)
Jij
(you)
Jouw
(your, e.g. 'jouw botten' = 'your bones')
MENTALITY
BELGIUM
​Belgians are often described as modest, reserved. They tend to be diplomatic and indirect in their communication, often softening their words and rarely saying exactly what they think. Belgians are also fond of enjoying life the “Burgundian way”: good food and good company.
The Dutch are known for being direct, pragmatic, and open-minded. They say what they mean and mean what they say: always straightforward, so you know exactly where you stand. This difference in communication style with the Belgians can lead to some amusing and enlightening encounters!
THE NETHERLANDS
Food & Drinks
BELGIUM
Belgium is world-famous for its fries, waffles and chocolate. When it comes to beers, the variety is astounding. While Stella Artois is one of the most well-known Belgian pilsners, the country also produces stronger beers, such as tripels. In Belgium 'jenever' is a traditional spirit with all kinds of tastes, from apple to chocolate.
In the Netherlands, you’ll find iconic snacks like stroopwafels, bitterballen, and raw herring, but also the ever-popular kroket: a deep-fried, creamy meat snack that’s a staple of Dutch fast food. Cheese is another favourite, with Gouda and Edam being household names. In the Netherlands, Heineken is the most popular beer, and 'jenever' is a classic spirit, usually enjoyed neat and strong
THE NETHERLANDS
Landscape
BELGIUM
Belgium offers rolling hills and green forests in the Ardennes (the south), picturesque medieval towns, alongside bustling cities like Brussels and Antwerp.
The Netherlands is famously flat, dotted with windmills, tulip fields, and an endless network of cycling paths. Water plays a central role in Dutch life, with canals, rivers, and ingenious dikes shaping the land.