Experience in Gent, Belgium by Jana

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

Ghent is in my opinion a very alternative, progressive and open city. I think it is very tolerant too. There are also a lot of students which makes it fun to live in if you are a student yourself. You have this huge student neighborhood with a lot cheap places to eat and drink, fun bars,... and you have the old city with the fancier restaurants, nice coffeebars,.... The city itself is very beautiful with the water and the style of the buildings. There are a lot of parks too and even a vineyard!

What is the student lifestyle like in Ghent?

Because there are so much students you have a nice atmosphere, especially in the student neighborhood. You can really do something everyday, go out in the overpoort (preferably a little bit drunk ;) ), go to a party of one of the student nations, go to a small concert, an underground jazz bar,... There is something to do for everyone!

How much does it cost to live in Ghent?

This is hard to say. I can live of a weekly budget of 30 euro but sometimes I need a bit more or less. It really depends on what you eat, drink and do.

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

I don't really know, my family has a house where I live. I think you have to be fast to find a good place.

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

The food is great!!!! My favourite dishes are french fries with bitterballen or with a frikandel, the spaghetti and the kippenfricassé from the studentrestaurants. Spaghetti kastaar is also great, you can go and eat it in the Kastaar or buy the sauce there. You also have a lot of great pizza places.

What places would you recommend visiting in Ghent?

Go to the Graslei or the vineyard of the Sint-Pietersabdij in summer

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

Yes! I go almost every week to the Brug which is the student restaurant of the UGent and it is also really cheap. Kastaar is great for spaghetti. Greenway is a great vegetarian restaurant. A lot of my friends are fans of Potatolicious but I've never actually been there. Frituur Marcel is great for french fries!

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

It's very good. You have the standard Overpoortstraat with all the dancebars, I can recommend the Coulissen and the Porter's House there. Parties in the Vooruit are always great too. The same for in the Sioux. And of course the Charlatan

What advice would you give future students heading to Ghent?

Bring enough rainclothes and a umbrella haha. Just be open to everything, everybody is really friendly so don't be afraid to ask a local something. Start early with looking for an accomodation