She lived in the town of Willebroek and was instantly exposed to the politics and history of her new home.
''My host mum was in politics. She was a member of a political party and worked in the European Parliament.
''She showed us around Flanders Fields.''
Flanders Fields was the site of many casualties on the Western Front during World War 1.
Mrs Tavendale's great uncle died in battle in Belgium. His body was never found, she said.
''I found his name in Flanders.
''It was an eye-opener for a little girl from Papakaio.''
Vivid memories from the trip included seeing the maintained trenches people lived and fought from, ''miles and miles'' of crosses, and a lot of houses that still had blackout shutters attached.
''You got a real feeling of what they went through.''
The war took a lot from Belgium, she said.
''Belgium is very much the centre of Europe. They lost a lot of their history, their towns disappearing, so they hold very strongly on to the history they still have.''
The trip had changed her.
''I grew up a lot very quickly - when you're away from home [you do] anyway - and then you see crosses of New Zealand soldiers; probably in their hundreds. You just realise the sheer scale.''
She hoped political leaders and communities would not repeat mistakes of the past.
''I hope we've learnt from our history and that we don't see those days again.''
