In 2021 I started to become obsessed with a new Netflix dating show that had just come out called ‘Single’s Inferno’. I was never the type to enjoy reality TV, as I felt deeply uncomfortable with how the cast would be exploited by the production crew. As a documentary filmmaker, I find it of uttermost importance to create a safe environment on set where not just the crew, but also the filmed subjects can feel safe. Now I’m not sure how ethically correct the crew would treat the Single’s Inferno cast behind the scenes, but I could feel a sense of sincerity in their production that I really appreciated. As a hopeless romantic, I thoroughly enjoyed their focus on the cast’s longing and internal struggles for their significant others. The way the cast interacted with the crew during their interviews felt very honest and raw. Their words seemed to be coming from a deeper place that was genuine and didn’t feel too polished. This made me believe there was a sense of trust present on set while filming the show. There was a certain wholesomeness in the way the cast interacted with each other. The show focused on the small details that formed their relationships into something more meaningful, such as eye contact, the touch of a hand, the sharing of food, etc. Paying attention to these small, romantic gestures was something I hadn’t seen before on a reality dating show. The concept felt more elevated, nuanced, and refreshing. Another thing I appreciated was how they translated these delicate romances into the cinematography. I was shocked to see this since I had never seen a dating show that looked this good. The camera subjectively juxtaposed each person’s position with another in their complex framing. I could tell someone had put a lot of thought into each shot so that it would thoroughly function as a part of the storyline. This show really inspired me to want to elevate reality dating shows. As a documentary filmmaker, I was intrigued by the way this show focused on the cast’s psyche and emotional needs while creating beautiful scenes that helped move the story forward. After this show, I’ve been considering a career in reality dating shows. I feel like I could use my hopeless romantic storytelling skills to present something that goes deeper than initial attraction and helps the cast find out more about themselves. It would be such a pleasure to create something genuine that leans more into an artistic documentary-style cinematography. I'm glad this show opened my eyes to the beauty and creativity of reality dating shows.

At age thirteen, like all Belgian students, I chose the course of study that would determine significant aspects of my future self. Fortunately, my interest in languages and cultures drove my choice of high school major in Modern Languages. This was fortunate because the small village of Ypres where I lived, could be restrictive toward openly queer kids like me. Therefore I curiously delved into other cultures. My mother, a travel agent, showed me the importance of broadening one's perspective through travel. My parents taught me to put curiosity over luxury. My parents have always put the experience of exploring first and with our limited amount of resources, our travels have always been very primitive and low-budget. There was a big advantage from staying over at local’s houses. We were able to fully immerse ourselves in the culture and learn about it through conversations with real people, instead of books or the internet. One of my first big international trips was to the mainland of China. It was the biggest adventure I had ever been on. We slept in tiny shacks and shared common rooms with local people. I discovered the complex language that is Mandarin, ate foods I would never find in Europe, and saw landscapes that seemed too extraordinary to be true. This trip opened my eyes and sparked a curious fire in me, that continued to grow over the years. My love for different languages only grew bigger while travelling, knowing how useful it can be.Now, I speak Dutch, French, German and English, while learning Korean. I was able to adopt my parents’ ways of traveling to my own experiences. I learnt their ways of problem-solving and became more self-aware about the world around me. It also takes skill to be able to communicate with people who might not speak the same language as you and were raised in a different environment. I’ve definitely improved my communication skills and flexibility thanks to travelling. These are all necessary skills when you're an aspiring documentary filmmaker like me. Besides China I was also able to explore Malaysia, the Philipines, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Morocco, Turkey, La Palma, Slovenia, Austria, Portugal, Italy, and many more. Some travels were with my family, some by myself. When I travelled alone I was able to feel the most independent I had ever felt. I acquired a certain freedom when I was traveling alone. It also helps me to remain humble and grateful for the freedom that is left to discover.