Erasmus Experience in Brussels, Belgium by Irene

Why did you choose to go to Brussels, Belgium?

First of all, I chose Brussels because I'm a student of Translation and Interpreting so I really needed to improve my French. Moreover, I was looking for a city which was in Central Europe, and what is more central than Brussels? That's why I decided to go there.

How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

My Erasmus started at the end of January and ended in June. I decided to go there just for the second semester due to my preferences (weather, subjects, etc).

The money we receive is not much but we have to be thankful that these types of scholarships still exist because of the crisis we're living in lately. As you already know, the Erasmus scholarship has changed and now it's called Erasmus+. The amount of money varies depending in which country you will be staying. In case of Belgium it is 250 euros per month.

What is the student lifestyle like in Brussels?

The student lifestyle is pretty good because as students we have a lot of advantages such as discounts (for example, there's a transport pass just for students which costs 125 euros a year and you can make an unlimited number of trips).

The atmosphere in this city is more than great. At first, if you come from a small city (like me) you find it too big and confusing but you will just need a week to get used to it. After that time, you will see that it's actually a "small" and a very comfortable city to live in.

Would you recommend the city and the University of Brussels to other students?

Yes, absolutely!

What is the food like?

For someone coming from Spain there's not a big deal of the Spanish specialties (like a good "jamón serrano" or a "tortilla de patata"), you know what I mean.

Joking aside, the food is not bad there at all. Nowadays, it's true that you can find every sort of food (Asian, African, European etc) everywhere and it's the same in Brussels.

Moreover, you can't leave Brussels, without trying their traditional dishes and things they are proud of:

• Moules et frites (mussels with chips)
• Gaufres (waffle)
• Frites (chips)
• Chocolate
• Carbonade flamande (Belgian stew)
• Beer

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Brussels?

If I truly answer to this question, yes. However, I finally got an apartment searching on Facebook which is the most convenient way of looking for a place because there are a lot of groups. Be careful with the frauds. On the other hand, it is also very useful because you're not the only student searching or leaving so you could chat to someone in the same situation as you.

How much does it cost to live in Brussels?

It depends on the area and the type of accommodation you live in and if you want to live alone or not. More or less the prices come to 400-450€ per month. I can assure you that there are bargains if you start looking early.

My advice: don't lose hope! I don't know anyone who lives under a bridge.

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

The language is not a problem. All universities offer language courses. But you have to be aware that Brussels is bilingual and they speak French and Flemish so be careful with the university you choose because in some they teach in Flemish and in English.

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Brussels from your city?

From my city, the easiest and most economical way to travel to Brussels is the plane (Ryanair).

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Brussels?

The Delirium pub. If you like beer, they have more than 2000 (yes, two thousand) different types of beer.

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And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Brussels?

Eating out in Brussels is really expensive (25-30 euros per person) but there are some nice restaurants near Le Grand Place (the city centre) which are touristic but you can find menus for 10-15 euros.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

There are so many that I don't know where to start! There are a lot of museums, art galleries and theatres.

My favourite place, without a shadow of a doubt, is the historical centre. Because of the history around it, the atmosphere there is great.

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Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Brussels in the future?

I would say, be open minded and give everyone/everything a chance because you'll never know what's next.