Erasmus experience in Brussels, Belgium by Patricia

Why did you choose to go to Brussels, Belgium?

Firstly, I wanted a country that I had never been to so that it would all be new for me and I would be able to begin the adventure without knowing anything about the destination or its inhabitants. And secondly, I wanted a country well situated in Europe, in the centre and with good connections and networks of transport to the rest of the continent because my first objective with Erasmus has always been to travel as much as possible and to not limit myself to only one country, but to get to know the whole of Europe. Belgium has both of these characteristics, therefore, it was one of my first choices of destinations.

How long was the scholarship? How much financial support did you receive?

The grant this year only covered 5 months (thanks to HDP the ministry of Education). However, I have decided to stay the whole academic year to make the most out of the experience, although I do not receive financial help for the last 5 months. The money that I receive is 250 euros a month, a total of 1250 euros. It is assumed that if there is money left over they will give a second financial award among all Erasmus students if we stay the entire course... let's see if it is true.

What is the student atmosphere like in Brussels?

It is a city with a big student atmosphere because it is made up of lots of campuses and universities. The neighbourhood (or commune, as the Belgians call it) with the most students is Ixelles (followed by Etterbeek, the neighbouring area) because it is where the two main universities are located (ULB, the Francophone; and VUB, the Flemish). But there are also different faculties throughout other campuses like the one of the Erasme or in the centre of Brussels (the Hogeschool- Universiteit Brussel). There are various associations for Erasmus students that organise parties, international dinners, trips etc. (the one at ULB is called Express and the first thing you should do as an Erasmus student at the start of the course is sign yourself up to it), clubs in the centre and lots of areas of bars and pubs for young people, open everyday of the week. The truth is that there is no time to get bored for those who like nightlife. In this sense, the worst thing is the transport to get home in the late hours of the night / the morning, the metro/tram/bus close at midnight and there are only night buses (Noctis) on Fridays and Saturdays that run until 3 in the morning. Between 3 and 6, the only option is a taxi or the Colecto (a special taxi) and every other day of the week, you have to sort it yourself.

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

Without a doubt. I think that it is one of the best cities to do an Erasmus because, like I have mentioned, it has various universities that offer courses in three languages (French, English and Flemish), a big student atmosphere, transport facilities to move throughout Belgium and throughout the whole of Europe, the Belgian people, in general, are friendly and they don't look at you badly if you speak to them in English (the language that practically the whole world defends) and it quite a cosmopolitan city with lots of tourist options, restaurants, leisure areas, galleries, shopping centres, green areas etc. It is a city where you can particularly easily escape to other places; Paris is 4h by bus, Amsterdam 3h, Antwerp 1h, Bruges and Ghent approximately 1h, also it is very close to Cologne, Luxemburg and Lille....

What is the food like in Belgium?

The Belgian food is not exactly characterised as healthy. The typical foods are chocolate (there are thousands of Chocolaterias in the centre with hundreds of products of which you don't know what to choose... the most famous are Leonidas, Godiva, Neuhaus, Chocopolis, Elizabeth), the waffles, the french fries with tens of types of salsa, the beer, the 'moules' or mussels with french fries. However, in supermarkets, you can find any type of food that we are used to in Spain. In some Carrefour, they even have shelves divided by countries for whoever misses their native gastronomy. And for meat and fish, I certainly recommend buying it at the "Delacroix" market where there is a great variety of these products, as well as fruits, vegetables and hundreds of clothing stalls (or failing that, in the Gare du Midi market).

Was it difficult to find accommodation in Brussels?

It was not very difficult for me because as soon as they assigned me my Erasmus in Brussels, I started adding myself to various groups on Facebook from Madrid and through a message with a girl from the Basque country that put me in one of the groups, I found a room in Kot, 5 minutes from my university (ULB). So I didn't have any problems, I have had accommodation since July. But I know a load of students that prefer to come here for a few days before in August or September to search for a flat personally whilst they stay in a hostel.

How much does it cost to live in Brussels?

The room in Kot cost me 450 euros a month (bills included) as it was the biggest out of the three and closely resembles a living room. However, there are kots of all prices according to square metres and the area. And my parents give me about 250/300 € a month for my expenses. It's a lot more than what I was given in Madrid because I do not just have to survive in Brussels, I also try to take a trip out of the country at least once a month, and that entails a lot of spending. I spend more than in Madrid, but less than what I would have spent in Paris (which was my 2nd Erasmus option).

Regarding transport, for students the annual allowance that serves for metro, tram and bus is 125 euros. However, I strongly advise tourists to never pay for transport because every time I have been on the tram and on the bus in 5 months, I have only seen one ticket officer.

How about the language? Did you go to a course at the university?

The language in which they give lessons to us in is French, and the language on the streets is also French. However, to interact with other Erasmus students and when I look very desperate with French, I move to English. The university gives free semester French courses for Erasmus students and there is also an academy not far from the university(F9 en avenue Louise) which has an agreement with it to also offer free courses of one month of English, French and Flemish. So if someone is here who doesn't learn two languages it's because they do not want to.

What is the cheapest way to get to Brussels from your city?

From Madrid, by plane with Ryanair which flies to Charleroi airport, and from there take a bus that takes approximately 40 minutes to the Gare du Midi (www.brussels-city-shuttle.com). From Barcelona, there are flights to Zaventem airport which is Brussels International Airport and is closer to the centre, just take the urban bus 12 or 21.

Which places would you recommend for partying in Brussels?

Discotheques: La Fuse, Havana Club, Le Cercle. Pubs: Le Waff, 7/7, The Big Game, the Irish pubs that are around the Bourse area, the bars of Place St. Gery...

And to eat in Brussels? Can you name your favourite places?

Cheesecake Cafe, Hard Rock Cafe, Manhattn's, Chez Leon (for mussels). Fast-food Quick, is like the Belgian and French version of Burger King. For eating french fries: Masion Antoine (the best in town), Fritland, Chez Papi. To eat waffles: Maison Dandoy, Vitalgaufre, Belgaufra, Le Funambule...

And how about cultural visits?

The Grand Place is undoubtedly the star of all Brussels, it is the most beautiful and spectacular square I have ever seen, where you will find the amazing city hall (Hôtel de Ville) and the Belgian museum. The Manneken Pis (the boy who pees) is a symbol of the city but it is very disappointing. The Atomium, the Mont des Arts with very nice views of the town hall tower, the Royal Palace and the Place Royale, the Palace of Justice although it is under construction. The entire European quarter where the Parliament, the Commission and the Cinquantenaire Park are located, with the Military Museum, which can be climbed to the roof terrace and has spectacular views of the city. The Japanese tower and the Chinese pavilion. The district of the Grand Sablon with the Church of Notre Dame du Sablon, the square with the sculptures of the Petit Sablon. The place of Sainte-Catherine. The Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, the botanist, Rue Neuve for shopping with its Inno galleries and the City2 shopping mall. The Rogier area where the finance tower is and the business district begins. Le Bois de la Cambre with its large side is located behind the ULB, in the commune of Ixelles. Avenue Louise and Boulevard de Waterloo with luxury boutiques such as Chanel and Louis Vuitton. The royal theatre of Monnaie where the best operas are recited. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart, the fifth largest church in the world. And of course, Brussels as well as being the city of waffles and chocolate is the city of the comic. There are more than 40 comics (bandes dessinées in French) distributed by murals throughout the city and the best way to see them all is to request the map in one of the tourist offices. The most famous is Tintin, next to Manneken Pis. And also, Brussels has countless Museums, once in a lifetime does not hurt, I recommend the natural history, the instruments and the beer.

Any advice you would like to give to future students in Brussels?

Make the most of it because it is the year of your lives and it will fly by. Breathe in the atmosphere of the city, the opportunities it offers, go out and discover every corner, meet people... international but also try to interact with the Belgians who are more open than I expected. Get out a lot to party, drink a lot of beer because here you will find more than 2, 000 types. Practice languages, do not stay only with the students of your country because you will close many doors. Brussels is the capital of the European Union, take advantage of getting to know more of the history of its institutions, especially for the Spaniards who are very ignorant to the EU. For lovers of international pop music like me, Brussels or otherwise Antwerp is always the destination of the most famous artists like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Katy Perry or Nicki Minaj, so do not hesitate and attend the concerts taking place in your year! And above all, I travel a lot because Belgium is the perfect country to take a bus, train or plane to any part of Europe at jokes prices (I have to mention buses for € 1 to Paris and Amsterdam) and also go out and get to know the beauty of the two parts of Belgium, Wallonia to the south and Flanders to the north because they have wonderful cities beyond Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp. And remember, "Once Erasmus, always Erasmus".