Erasmus Experience in Gent, Belgium by Tripon

Why did you choose to go to Gent, Belgium?

I consider the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Gent is one of the best ones in Europe.

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

A minimum of 800 euros per month was necessary for me to cover my living costs here.

What is the student lifestyle like in Gent?

Gent offers equal opportunities for night life (this is the country of fine beer! ), cultural activities, outdoor activities and shopping (though rather expensive! )

What is the food like?

Eating at restaurants may cost at least 15-20 euros each meal, but there are supermarkets easily accesssible (either by public transport or bicycle) and restaurants made for students with delicious meals at a very low price.

And you just gotta' love those chocolate waffles!

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Gent?

It is extremely hard to find accommodation for a shorter period than 1 year. Start looking for a place to stay as soon as you know for sure you are coming.

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

There are language courses available at the University.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

The first thing I did was taking a boat trip around Gent. It is a good starting point, since they give you information about the history of the city and the sites you will then be able to visit.

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

I deffinitely recommend you to visit Bruges and Antwerp, both at about 50 miles away. Return train trips are 50% off on weekends!