Esperienza Erasmus a Lovanio, Belgio da Angelo

Why did you choose to go to Leuven, Belgium?

I wanted to try the Erasmus experience and they had told me Leuven was the place to be in for it! Turned out the guys who told me that were right!

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

This is subject to changes from year to year, in 2011/2012 it was 235€ a month (for Italians) and it was for 5 months.

What is the student lifestyle like in Leuven?

It's great, full of activities, multicultural, the city is filled with young people who are most of the time interested in partying as well as in cultural activities!

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

Definitely yes, high quality education! One of the best universities in the world!

What is the food like?

Maybe not the strong side of Leuven. Traditional Belgian food u will find around is mostly French fries and Bicky burgers. They are really tasty stuff but also not too heLthy. The city is full of restaurants, mostly Italian. Some of them are really really good but also not as cheap as most places in the city!

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Leuven?

Not really, but I had contacts trough friends who lived there before me. The housing service and the univ residence are something I recommend checking out!

How much does it cost to live in Leuven?

The rent was around 300€ in most cases, ranging from 230 to 400 for a single room. For a studio maybe a lil more, like 500. Supermarkets offer good quality food with cheap prices. Going out and drinks in the city are also cheap. In fakbars you can get a beer for less than a euro!

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

I didn't learn Dutch cause everybody speaks English in the city!

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

Easyjets flights get directly to Brussels central airport which is 15 minutes away from Leuven by train!

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

Any bar in oudemarkt and the fakbars to party hard and have fun. For more cousy nights I'd recommend metafore and some other bars in the center but not in Oude. Sunday nights at stuk are a must!

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

Amici miei was a cheap and good Italian restaurant in naamswstraat that I recommend. The best is to find them out on your own!

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Parks, old towns, the park in heverlee, the botanic garden. When the weather is good I suggest to take your bike and just go around town to discover the best hidden parts of it!

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

Enjoy Leuven, as a student and as a young person I think it's the place to be in!