Experience in Leuven, Belgium by Mathilde

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

Leuven is a beautiful and very cosy city. It's the biggest student city in Belgium and you can tell. There are more students than actual inhabitants.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Leuven?

Because of the big amount of students, you can go party everyday, there'll always be people with the same thoughts. A lot of options to go out: there's the 'oude markt', the big square full of dance cafés. Next to that student joinings organise many things: parties, beer pongs, 'cantussen',.. Lots of options.

How much does it cost to live in Leuven?

Leuven is rather expensive but there are some good deals for students.

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

No, the offer is big. Your place is called a 'kot' in Leuven. Most common are houses with about 5 to 8 rooms and a shared kitchen and bathroom so you only rent a room, but there are also studios with your own sanitary. It's also possible to go on a 'residentie'. Those are houses with many more students, about a 100. Sometimes they include food.

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

Belgium has a great kitchen and you can find anything you want in Leuven. The supermarkets offer a great variety of food and you'll probably find restaurants of almost every nationality in Leuven.

What places would you recommend visiting in Leuven?

Leuven is so small you'll probably pass everything that's worth seeing just by passing. But if you aren't a science student, you won't come to Arenberg and then you should go there. It's the campus of all science and engineering studies and lies in a lovely park surrounded by woods. Only 10 minutes by bike from the center!

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

De Werf.

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

Oude Markt.

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What advice would you give future students heading to Leuven?

Rent/buy a bike! Everyone moves that way in Leuven, it's just the easiest. Just make sure that it's well locked cause lots of bikes are stolen.