517 reviews
4.10 / 5 based on 517 reviews
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Isabel D
Student life
Describe host city:
Student life dominates the city
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Activities, Nightlife, Travel: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
The best places to go out at night are in the Oud Markt or go to Vila Ernesto (a cuban bar). My favourite cafe is Dwerf, to drink something warm and talk with friends. Do not miss the weekly market every saturday and the Christmas market, in December. Be informed about the events at STUK!
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Isabel D
Housing
Type of housing: A room exchange
Arranged by: Independently - I had no other choice
If returning, I would choose: A room exchange
Why?
I enjoyed very much my staying at the "kot" (which is how they call in Belgium to the students' houses). I had my own space and, at the same time, I could closely contact with people from other nationalities that were living in the same house.
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Personal comments
The International Housing Service belongs to the university and was very usefull in my searching. I had to arrange housing by myself, but that service gave me all the contacts I needed, advices about the contents of the contracts and temporary accomodation while I was looking for definitve housing. It is very efficient and well organized.
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Isabel D
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Family
Other sources of funding:
Personal savings
An ERASMUS grant
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
I spent more in traveling because I took advantage of the fact of being in center of Europe to travel in that region and to visit my Portuguese friends who were in Erasmus in the surrounding countries. I spent more in housing because in my home country I living in my own home.
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Housing, Travel:
was more expensive than at home.
Food, Telephone, Nightlife, Overall:
was the same price as at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
Before leaving your home country, be sure you have access to your bank accounts through the direct channels (internet and phone).
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Isabel D
Academic
My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
Do not miss the opportunity of working with students from other countries!
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My opinion of the university assessment
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course
Essays and/or projects throughout the course
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Isabel D
Overall
I wish I had known...
No, the university provided all the information I needed before leaving. The rest you only need to know when you arrive there. Don't plan too much...
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In my opinion:
Everybody loved it, you will too!
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
It is an excellent university, which provides very good conditions for students. I recomment it to everyone!
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
Rent a second-hand bycicle in Leuven. To travel in Belgium by train, buy the go-pass. To go abroad, travel in eurolines (bus) or in ryanair.
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Isabel D
Languages
Language of instruction: English
Was learning English a key decision factor?
No, it wasn't.
How much did you improve your English?
My level before: At ease in most situations
My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang)
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
Although I was already used to study in English books and to take classes in English in my home university, this experience largely contributed to improve my English, because everyboby could speak English there and it was the language I used to communicate in my day-to-day life. The fact that I was living with only Belgium students also helped.
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