Erasmus Experience in Leuven, Belgium by carlos

Why did you choose to go to Leuven, Belgium?

I chose Leuven because there is the best school of languages.

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

I was without scholarship.

What is the student lifestyle like in Leuven?

I was living with during the good weather in leuven, so I dont know the rest of the year.This time was so good because every weekend there was some party, some festival, some event.
To go out also is good, I just drank beer and it was so cheap. The people is no so open but if you wait with 3 o 4 beer they become open.

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

yes.

What is the food like?

I had just one hour to eat in this stuffs in the middle of the day (2 hours in spain), so I ate a lof of time in places with "baguettes with fillings". They was so good. I remeber just one dish typical: "meatball with sauce and potatoes". And also the fries, the french fries with Joppiesaus ( for me the best)

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Leuven?

No, it was so easy, I search it by internet. I was living inside of the ring.

How much does it cost to live in Leuven?

I dont know exactly because i was traveling all weekends. Just to life you need like 600€/month (room and food). If you go out out and travel 1000-1100€/month

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

yes. there are language course in the university, cheap and good.

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

"autostop" is the most economical. I am from near of Santiago de Compostela(Spain). I took a aeroplane Santiago-Frankfurt hahn. After a bus airport frankfurt hahn to Luxemburgo. And finally a train Luxemburgo to Leuven.
it was: aero 70€( with big bag 20kg) + bus 19€+ train 24€=113€.

It's better if you don't go with big baggage, Take 2 aeroplanes, Santiago-Madrid, Madrid-Charleroi. after 1 bus to the city, and 2 trains to leuven. Its more fast and more economic. the baggage you can send it using "packlink.com". It so cheap, you just have to choose the right dimensions to get a economic price. I sent 30kg for 38€. The problem is the time, I had to wait almost 2 week for my baggage...

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

"oude markt"

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

I don't remenber the name, but when I ate in restaurants I ate in the "oude markt".

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

The town hall, Dietsestraat, the church of saint michael, the curch of saint pieters, the oude markt, Grrot Begijnhof, Arenbergkasteel, the oude markt. Ladeuzeplein square.