Jane
ICC Student Staff Leader
To whoever is reading this blog –hi! I’m Jane, and I’ve recently joined the ICC as a student staff leader, working together with a group of students and staff who are all here to create a more diverse and welcoming space for the student body at Waseda. You can probably guess from the fact that one of the key words in our office is “intercultural” that we all come from different backgrounds.
So today, I’d like to introduce you to where I’m from – Luxembourg, one of the smallest countries in the world.
Where’s Luxembourg?
If you zoom in on Google Maps and focus on a tiny country nestled between France, Germany, and Belgium… you’ll find a place called Luxembourg. Despite its size, it’s well known among those working in finance, thanks to its high GDP per capita and international business-friendly policies.
Beyond the economic statistics, Luxembourg is also considered one of the safest and most comfortable places to live, with a strong healthcare and social security system and an impressively diverse and multilingual population – currently ranking 9th in the World Happiness Report.
Free Public Transport
One of the unique things about Luxembourg is its free public transport. Since 2020, trains, buses, and trams across the country have been completely free for everyone – both locals and visitors. The entire system is now state-run, meaning that all operating costs are covered by the national budget and taxes, without affecting the salaries of workers in the sector.
While the country’s small size and population certainly make this goal more achievable, it remains a major accomplishment with the fact that Luxembourg is still the first and only country in the world to implement free public transport at a national level. This policy aims to create a greener future by reducing CO₂ emissions, and to promote social equity by helping lower-income residents reduce their daily costs.
Inclusive Society
Luxembourg is also one of the more progressive countries in Europe when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights. In fact, our former Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel, is openly gay and married to his partner – making him one of the first openly gay world leaders to be re-elected. His leadership and visibility have contributed to building a more inclusive society in Luxembourg.
In 2014, the country passed a same-sex marriage law, granting same-sex couples the same rights to marry and adopt as heterosexual couples. This law also sparked broader legal reforms, including the adoption of gender-neutral language in official documents, such as replacing “mother/father” with “parents,” and “husband/wife” with “partners”. Transgender individuals have also been granted the right to change their legal gender based on self-determination, without the need for surgery.
*A photo of a Luxair aircraft – the national airline company in Luxembourg. In June, all aircrafts changed their design to celebrate Pride month with the population. (photo by author)
Younger Generation
But Luxembourg isn’t perfect. Despite its many advantages, it’s sometimes seen as… well, a bit boring – especially by younger generations. With a small population and not much happening after dark in most towns, many young people feel that the country lacks opportunities for adventure and career exploration in certain fields.
As a result, a growing number of young Luxembourgers choose to study or settle abroad in search of more dynamic lifestyles. Frankly speaking, most of my classmates from school are now studying or working in other countries – just like me. Many of us crave a chance to explore different paths in life, in ways that just aren’t possible back home.
*A photo of my hometown in Luxembourg on a snowy day. This town is close to the German border, which means that it only takes a 10-minute walk to get to Germany. (photo by author)
Finally…
If you’ve made it this far…thanks for reading! Whether you’ve heard of Luxembourg before or this is your first time, I hope this little peek into my world has sparked your curiosity. And who knows? Maybe you’ll want to visit one day.
If you do, feel free to reach out to me for recommendations!
