Reviews of Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (UNIVERSITY OF LEUVEN) | Belgium

Useful | 1

Isabel D

Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
Economics, Undergraduate, Erasmus

Student life

Describe host city:

Student life dominates the city

Activities, Nightlife, Travel: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment

Personal social experience

Activities

Nightlife

Travel

Overall

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!

Useful | 0

Isabel D

Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
Economics, Undergraduate, Erasmus

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.

Personal assessment

Cost

Facilities

Location

Cleanliness

Space

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.

Useful | 2

Isabel D

Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
Economics, Undergraduate, Erasmus

Expenses

Main source of funding:

Family

Other sources of funding:

Personal savings<br> 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.

Travel, Housing:

was more expensive than at home.

Food, Nightlife, Overall, Telephone:

was the same price as at home.

Accessibility of student needs

Second-hand text books

Second-hand household items

Computers / Internet

Administrative

Money from home

Personal comments

Before leaving your home country, be sure you have access to your bank accounts through the direct channels (internet and phone).

Useful | 0

Isabel D

Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
Economics, Undergraduate, Erasmus

Academic

Course recommendations

My academic experiences

Quality of courses

Variety of courses

Access to resources

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!

My opinion of the university assessment

Exams at end of course

Exams throughout the course

Essays and/or projects at the end of course

Essays and/or projects throughout the course

Overall

Useful | 1

Isabel D

Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
Economics, Undergraduate, Erasmus

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...

In my opinion:

Everybody loved it, you will too!

Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important

Academic reasons

4

Culture

4

Costs

4

Activities

3

Campus life

4

Party / people

3

Weather / location

3

Personal recommendation

It is an excellent university, which provides very good conditions for students. I recomment it to everyone!

During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot

Became familiar with another culture

4

Traveled

3

Improved language skills

4

Met people from other countries

4

Became more independent

4

Partied a lot

4

Experienced a change in life

4

Advanced my studies & career

3

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.

Useful | 0

Isabel D

Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
Economics, Undergraduate, Erasmus

Languages

Language of instruction: English

Local language was: Different than language of instruction

Was learning English a key decision factor?

Yes, I wanted to improve my English

Was learning the local language a key decision factor?

Yes, I wanted to improve my the local language

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)

How much did you improve your the local language?

My level before: Did not speak it
My level after: Basic phrases

Language difficulties

Social

Educational

Administrative / Institutional

Overall

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.

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (UNIVERSITY OF LEUVEN)

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