Erasmus Experience in Leuven, Belgium

Why did you choose to go to Leuven, Belgium?

I chose Leuven for its university and their programme of international and European law which seemed interesting to me, with a good reputation.

A square in Leuven

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How long did you stay there? How much grant did you receive?

I stayed there for one school year.

What is the student life like in Leuven?

Leuven is essentially a small town made up entirely by students. It is a very lovely town, where everything is close by, and it has a young, international atmosphere. It is true that at weekends the majority of Belgian students go back home to their parents, but the international students always stay!

There are a lot of students in Leuven

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Leuven town hall

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Would you recommend the town and university of Leuven to other students?

That depends on your interests and what you want to get out of your Erasmus mobility. I would recommend the town to someone who really wants to learn something now, and improve their level of English... Leuven is not the kind of town where the Erasmus students party as much as in other towns (i. e, all the time). The way of life is calm nonetheless, but you don't find yourself getting bored since there are almost exclusively students living the city.

Leuven is a town comprised essentially of students

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What is the country's food like?

The food is not famous, rather unremarkable. To me, the university restaurant seems expensive and not very good. Except they always serve chips, beer and waffles, for some encouragement.

How was finding accommodation?

It is very easy, because it's a student town everyone ends up finding a room somewhere. There are a lots of student residences, where you can rent a bedroom. Generally speaking, the easiest way to find one is on the internet, but you can also walk around town and take a look at the adverts stuck on the windows and doors of places where they have a free room.

Student halls in Leuven

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What are the rent prices like? And the cost of living in general?

The prices vary between 200 and 400 euros per month, depending on which date you start looking. The less expensive bedrooms are often already taken by Belgian students who are more familiar with the whole system. But all the same, it is easy to find a room costing about 250 to 300 euros. On the other hand, the bedrooms are very small, the buildings themselves dirty and not very comfortable...

What is the language learning like? Did you take a language course offered by your university?

Classes are in English. It is possible to take a free Dutch language course. But to be honest... I personally had a bad experience! The teachers are strict and not flexible in the slightest!

The University campus

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What is the cheapest way of getting to Leuven from your town?

By train.

What places would you recommend for a night out in Leuven?

You will discover them yourself... Leuven is so small...

And what cultural visits would you recommend?

The other nearby towns: Brussels, Ghent, Bruges, Amsterdam...

Ghent

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Bruges

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Any advice for students coming to Leuven?

Take into consideration the climate there: very bad, winters without sun. And that during the revision period, Leuven is empty...

Students in Leuven

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