• 1st, the Infocycle cost only 75€ and is open to everybody, whatever your nationality, your age, your education level, your professional background, etc. Even if you come from abroad as I did each week-ends (Paris - Bruxelles), it is not so expensive to follow this formation regarding to its quality and its fame. There is no comparable opportunity in France, so I had no doubt when I apply 8 months before (the waiting list is very long, indeed) Infocycle training is worth it.
  • 2nd, Speakers are extremly bright and captivating and you will definitely feel much more clever after this training programme. Futhermore, they are also very available and ready to answer all questions, even the most bothering ones. During this Infocycle, freedom of speech doesn't suffer from any compromise and this is something very refreshing. Even the BTC was sometimes subject to criticism.

CTB - BTC

  • 3rd, If you pass the exam, you will get a well known diploma which can open many doors in the international cooperation and NGO world. Moreover, the BTC offers to those who managed to pass this exam an unique opportunity to work in the cooperation through the Junior Programme. In fact, after a compelling selection process, successful applicants will be incorporated in a database which allows them to receive job offers related to cooperation projects during two years. These job vacancies being located exclusively in emerging countries in which the BTC uses to work.
  • 4th The organization is very good and participants are all hosted in a great youth hostel where you can meet friends, develop your network and/or start contributing to some associations' activities. Everything is done to make you realize that your involvement can contribute to change people lifes. However, you will also finally get to understand that working in international cooperation can be very frustrating and much less selfless that you may think... Indeed, politics and economic interests are never very far.
  • 5th People are very friendly and got incredible backgrounds. Almost everybody has already a significant experience in some developing countries, so you can also learn from them. This Infocylce allows you to live in an wonderful melting pot during 4 week-ends. It will surely remind their Erasmus trip to those who had the chance to live this kind of unforgettable experience and will enrich those who not.
  • 6th When you spend 4 week-ends with such a friendly group of people (more than 110 persons, nothing less) you will surely miss them as soon as the first friday after the end of the Infocyle. Sometimes the link can be so strong, that you will finally all feel as part of a big family. Thus, I am still in touch with my "BTC friends". We create a mailing list and we already planned to meet in few weeks for celebrating Thanksgiving together. In such a hearty and convivial city as Brussels, this kind of friendly reactions happens frequently, trust me.

If I had to evoke the negative points of the Infocycle I would just mention two inconvenients : - 4 week-ends/1 month, that's too short for getting so much information - It's a pitty to divide the group between french and flemish speaking people (although I understand the solution is uneasy to find)

So except these two flaws, Infocycle is a quality training and I recommend it to all of those who want to better understand developing countries issues and are curious to know how they can help.

I want to thank all the participants of the september and october sessions, as well as the BTC staff ; you were all great and I feel lucky to met you during this stimulating formation. Long live to this exceptional opportunity.