Experience in Antwerp, Belgium by Elise

What is it like to live in Antwerp? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Antwerp is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, some say even more different cultures live there compared to NYC. This means that there are various communities like the jewish district, the Portuguese disctrict, the African district and so on. If you open your mind to all of these different cultures you can learn so much more than when you'd live in a one-culture city or a village. I really love this aspect about Antwerp. Apart from that you have the student districts where all the partying is happening and the "old part" of the city, with small streets and old buildings which make you feel like you travelled back in time. Also for shopping Antwerp is a great place, with the Meir as the most important shopping street.

What is the student lifestyle like in Antwerp?

It's hard. In a good way. If you want you can go party every day, you just have to know where to go. There are pubs where besides drinking you can also dance and have fun. Then there are the clubs like Noxx, Red and Blue and Cafe d'Anvers who have free entrance for students on Thursdays. There also are a lot of student clubs who organize big parties called TD's every now and then and smaller parties in a bar as well. After a night of going out you can go and eat fries in a frituur to ease your hunger and make your hangover the next day a bit more bareable.

How much does it cost to live in Antwerp?

It's a Western European country so it is more expensive than the eastern countries like Poland or Czech Republic but much cheaper than the Scandinavian countries. As long as you pay attention to which brands you buy and the promotions it is not so bad at all here.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Antwerp? Is there any advice you can give?

It's not difficult, I see advertisements on the windows everywhere. A good website it kotweb.be.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Because of all the different cultures living here you can basically find everything. The most popular dishes of Antwerp are fries and waffles. If you try fries and you don't know which sauce to chose, take Joppie sauce! Everybody loves Joppie sauce. Oh also, try Speculoospasta which you can buy in most supermarkets. It's a bread spread made out of delicious cookies and it was invented by a Belgian.

What places would you recommend visiting in Antwerp?

Groenplaats, Meir, Grote Markt, Kammenstraat, the Cathedral, Rubenshuis, MAS, Park Spoor Noord or Stadspark when the weather is nice, the voetgangerstunnel which is a tunnel under the river (Schelde), the zoo, Ossenmarkt, Stadswaag and of course Central Station (one of the world's most beautiful train stations)

Is it good to eat out in Antwerp? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

the frituur Jean at Ossenmarkt or Da Giovanni which is a pizzeria near Groenplaats

Is the nightlife good in Antwerp? Where is good to go?

Yes, the Prof in Vekestraat or the Salamander at Ossenmarkt

What advice would you give future students heading to Antwerp?

try Joppiesaus