Erasmus Experience in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium by David

Why did you choose to go to Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium?

It's the centre of Europe, the best place if you want to travel around. It's a big campus town, you have everything you need really close. And of course, a high number of foreign students that means parties everywhere.

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

I've been there for a whole year and the money I received was around 5K Euros.

What is the student lifestyle like in Louvain-la-Neuve?

The student life is basically 4 days a week (from Monday to Thursday) parties in the several bars owned by the students' brotherhoods called cercles. On weekends the Belgians use to leave to their parents' houses which use to be outside the town, so basically, the foreign students are who stay in the town.

One month before the exams these cercles close and everybody "study" for the finals.

Would you recommend the city and the University of Louvain-la-Neuve to other students?

I highly recommend unless you're an engineer with more than 6 subjects!

What is the food like?

Fried stuff. I hope you know how to cook or find somebody who knows!

Their typical dish is fries, mussels and hot dogs.

There are some places around the university where you can eat but nothing special.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Louvain-la-Neuve?

Yes. This should be your main objective before arriving! There are some flats called kots managed by the university, those are the cheaper. Watch out and be ready to live in pretty dirty places! You've been warned.

How much does it cost to live in Louvain-la-Neuve?

Per month

Lodging: from 350€ to 500€

Food: from 200

Add your trips!

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

The main language is French. If you are studying a master the courses are in English. However, not so many people speak English.

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Louvain-la-Neuve from your city?

I used to take a plane to Charleroi and always a train to get to LLN.

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Louvain-la-Neuve?

You can go to every place in one night. Salsa lovers go to the irish called Beckets on Fridays. If you want to get easily drunk and dirty go to the cercles! (La casa and Cesec the best ones).

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And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Louvain-la-Neuve?

Not really... The average ones are expensive.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Hervé museum if you like Tintin... A nice cinema in the Grand Place, and the parties organized by the "kots a projet" (shared flats which follows a project like Latin culture, manga stuff or cooking projects, etc). Find more info on the university website.

Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Louvain-la-Neuve in the future?

If you are a guy, learn French fast! Belgians are really cute!

Travel a lot!

Take advantage of the free courses from the gym (Blocry) Martial arts, dances and many more.