Erasmus Experience in Ghent, Belgium by Fanny

Why did you choose to go to Ghent, Belgium?

The university of Gent proposes a lot of different courses that you can match. Then Belgium is a really nice country and Gent a beautiful city for living.

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

3 months, 230€ per month.

What is the student lifestyle like in Ghent?

Really nice, accommodations are great, there are several student room in many places in the city, near the different campuses. It is really easy to move, the tram isn't really expensive, you can have a bike for 20€ for 3 months. There are many places to hang out and to visit with special prices for students.

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

Of course, the academic level is high, teachers are great. The city is beautiful.

What is the food like?

Like every cities in Europe. There are every kind of food (fast food, french, italian, japanese, chinese, indian, vegan.... food). You can find every kind of markets, big brand with everything, bio....

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Ghent?

No, i found a place quickly in an inhabitant house near my campus. Really ice experience!

How much does it cost to live in Ghent?

I paid 500€ per month for my room (in a house), 50-60€ for food, bar are not expensive for students there happy hours.
Restaurants can be expensive as it is a quite rich city and a touristic one too.

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

It is really easy to speak english, everybody speaks quite well english. Dutch is more complicated if you don't know at all the language but every student speaks are really good at speaking english and sometimes French or German. There are many courses available in English.

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

I took the train every time I have to come back to Paris. There are cheap line like izy.com. Gent-Brussels is quite cheap: 6-8€ to go to the center, 12€ to go to the airport. Gent-Lille: 18€ then Lille-Paris: 22€. The bus can also drive you every where foe cheapest prices (but longer).

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

In the historic center, there are pubs with every kind of beers! Near the water or ask to belgium people to show you the places to hang out with them. Erasmus offers many partys in the center (karaoke ...).

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

There are good restaurants everywhere. It is really easy to pick one while walking are ask internet !

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Churches in the historical center, it is nice to go on the top of the towers to see the city, there are beautiful inside. There is a Middle-age castle near the historic center that is well conserved and incredible to visit. There are really nice museums (design, painting (modern, contemporary...)). Then the architecture of streets is already really nice to see.

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

Find people to go where you like, it is a really nice city to go with people, even a romantic one ! Don't hesitate to rent a bike and visit all the city there are some hide places to discover !