Yau

I'm planning to take a year long course on French next year, and I'm now stuck in a dilemma.

My favourable choice is Brussel, because I can save a huge lot of money on
accomodation and food as my relatives live there. But every time I tell my french friends about my idea, their responses are so ....suspicious.

Uttered from their mouth is "Oh, NO!" I asked why and then they often ammended what they said. "Hmm, it's a good choice indeed." I've heard that French often laughed at Belgian, saying they're "stupid". My politically correct professeur admitted there's a joke about them, but reiterated Belgian is actually clever---- though he said it with snicker in his voice.

All these are stereotype and I think it's unwise to rely on these stereotype to understand any country. But, what would you suggest if I'd like to make a study on French? Is it a bad choice for going to Belgium?

Please give me some advices---- either politically correct or not--- I'm pleased if I can hear the frank and plain advice about it.....