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

Useful | 0

lirdal

Universidad de Deusto, Bilbao, Spain
Law, European Community/EU, Graduate, 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: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)
My level after: At ease in most situations

How much did you improve your the local language?

My level before: Did not speak it
My level after: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)

Language difficulties

Social

Educational

Administrative / Institutional

Overall

Personal comments

Almost all Belgian students can speak Dutch, French, English and German. Spanish is quite popular as well, so there are no communication problems. In Leuven, given its difficult past with the French speaking community, French is almost never heard in public places. Leuven offers an incredibly good opportunity for foreigners to learn Dutch (the first course is free for Erasmus students!!!).

Useful | 1

lirdal

Universidad de Deusto, Bilbao, Spain
Law, European Community/EU, Graduate, Erasmus

Expenses

Main source of funding:

An ERASMUS grant

Other sources of funding:

Family<br> Personal savings

Work opportunities:

I worked during my study abroad experience

Personal spending habits

I travelled much more and my nightlife was much busier.

Travel, Nightlife:

was more expensive than at home.

Telephone, Food, Overall, Housing:

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

Fortis Bank is the most suitable bank for foreign students, since they provide ALL financial information in English if you cannot speak Dutch.

Useful | 0

lirdal

Universidad de Deusto, Bilbao, Spain
Law, European Community/EU, Graduate, Erasmus

Overall

I wish I had known...

Nothing, since there were no unpleasant surprises during my stay.

In my opinion:

Everybody loved it, you will too!

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

Academic reasons

3

Culture

2

Costs

3

Activities

4

Campus life

4

Party / people

4

Weather / location

2

Personal recommendation

If you're really interested in European Union Law, Leuven is the place to be! And if you're more interested in having fun and make friends, Leuven is also the place to be!!!

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

Became familiar with another culture

3

Traveled

4

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

4

Final comments

When it comes to travelling, ask for a "Go-pass" at any railway station: it's the cheapest way to travel inside Belgium. If you want to take part in organised travels outside Belgium, no doubt you shoul become a member of Pangaea.

Useful | 0

lirdal

Universidad de Deusto, Bilbao, Spain
Law, European Community/EU, Graduate, Erasmus

Academic

Course recommendations

As an Erasmus student, it's you who decides how tough the courses will be: it's easy to pass, but really hard to get a very good result.

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

Some of the courses were a bit overcrowded.

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 | 2

lirdal

Universidad de Deusto, Bilbao, Spain
Law, European Community/EU, Graduate, Erasmus

Student life

Describe host city:

Student life dominates the city

Activities, Nightlife: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment

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

Personal social experience

Activities

Nightlife

Travel

Overall

Personal comments

There are some pubs for international students like "Wink" and "Geckoos". However, I recommend trying "Dutch places" like "Het vliegend varken" or "De Verbeelding". The visit to the Stella Artois factory in the very Leuven is highly recommended. If you really like beer, then make Belgian friends and ask them about the "cantus". This traditional ritual from the middleages is something no student should miss!

Useful | 1

lirdal

Universidad de Deusto, Bilbao, Spain
Law, European Community/EU, Graduate, Erasmus

Housing

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why?

As you live with Belgian students, you can get to know Belgium and its language.

Personal assessment

Cost

Facilities

Location

Cleanliness

Space

Personal comments

Leuven has a very good system for accomodation based on the compilation of private offers in a database open to the public without any charge. The accomodation is mainly arranged directly with the owner of the place, avoiding the intervention of expensive real state agencies.

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (UNIVERSITY OF LEUVEN)

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