Experience in Ghent, Belgium, by Sara

What do you think of Ghent as a place to live? Would you recommend it? How is it?

It is the perfect city to live in, whether you are a student or not. It is a mix between a big and small city, with different transport options and a big variety depending on what your tastes are. Without a doubt, I would live there without a second thought.

Source

What is the student lifestyle like in Ghent?

Incredible. Without words, Ghent is a student city with lots going on, which you can see because the days for going out are Monday to Friday and at the weekends, the city is left a bit more "deserted", but this doesn't mean that there are no parties, because there are also some on Saturdays and Sundays.

How much does it cost to live in Ghent?

For me, going from being in a big city like Madrid, it isn't expensive, as I am not depending on transport which I am spending like 60 euros a month on. The supermarkets are quite good, if you use the transport that is good too, as well as the party and leisure offerings, depending on where you go. Possibly the only negative that I could find in some places is that you have to pay to go to the toilet, but it is a custom which exists in many European countries, which Spaniards aren't very used to.

Was it difficult to find your accommodation in Ghent?

Do you have any advice?

It wasn't at all hard to find accommodation in Ghent since the girl who was there the year before helped me. But you have a big amount of student digs websites (which most students here use) and university residences depending on where you go; and Facebook groups with adverts for renting apartments. In my case, I recommend going for a student pad or a residence, especially to have more contact with other, in some apartments, you have to decorated them yourself and that isn't worth doing for just a year.

What is the food like?

What are your favourite dishes?

The typical foods in Belgium are chips, mussels, waffles... in Ghent it is Cuberdons, which are a strawberry sweet which I don't like at all. You can have the chips with hundreds of types of sauces and the waffles and chocolate... are indescribable, but the most important thing is: the beer. Duvel is my favourite, of course.

Source

What places would you recommend visiting in Gent?

All of them. All of the corners of Ghent are special, whether its be its canals, its gothic buildings, churches, etc. The most important places are: Graslei, Korenlei, Belfort, Korenmarkt, some areas of a neighbourhood called Rabot, Dampoort, Saint Jacobs Square, Oveerport for going out, Vooruit and a hundred more places.

Is it good to eat out in Ghent? Can you recommend some good restaurants?

The Adadeus is a place where you pay 20 euros and there is a free rib buffet, no need to say more. The chip stands are essential, and the Bicky Burguer ones are so famous.

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

Overpoort is a student area, (Porter House, excellent Erasmus site), Cuba Libre, P-Nuts, Pere Total, Twitch and more in this area. In the centre, there is Charlatan, which is better for going out on Saturdays, CafeVideo, Vooruit which is giant, etc.

What advice would you give future students heading to Ghent?

You are going to have the best year of your life, in the prettiest city in the world.