Reviews of Lessius Hogeschool | Belgium

Useful | 0

Adriana M

Universidade do Minho, Braga, Portugal
Translation/Interpretation, 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

I wanted to learn dutch when I went to Belgium, and though I'm not a fluent spoker, I acquire some basic knowledge. In Antwerp people have three languages: Dutch, french and english. So, i had a chance to improve my english. Both with the local and the students, the language I used to communicate was english. That's why I only had some basic knowledge of dutch: there was no need for me to try.

Useful | 0

Adriana M

Universidade do Minho, Braga, Portugal
Translation/Interpretation, Undergraduate, Erasmus

Expenses

Main source of funding:

Family

Other sources of funding:

An ERASMUS grant

Work opportunities:

Personal spending habits

Food, Housing, Overall, Travel:

was more expensive than at home.

Nightlife:

was the same price as at home.

Telephone:

was less expensive than at home.

Accessibility of student needs

Second-hand text books

Second-hand household items

Computers / Internet

Administrative

Money from home

Personal comments

none

Useful | 2

Adriana M

Universidade do Minho, Braga, Portugal
Translation/Interpretation, Undergraduate, Erasmus

Overall

I wish I had known...

the local language. It would had improve my language skills.

In my opinion:

Everybody loved it, you will too!

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

Academic reasons

4

Culture

3

Costs

2

Activities

2

Campus life

2

Party / people

2

Weather / location

3

Personal recommendation

It's a good university, with a good programme for international students. The university itself allows freedom of movements between departmens, which means that the students can choose courses from other departments. it's great to experience different courses and study different subjects. And at the when it's a great way to meet more people. the university provides the use of computers, there's a great cafeteria and the people are extremely friendly. overall, it is a good university.

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

Became familiar with another culture

4

Traveled

4

Improved language skills

3

Met people from other countries

4

Became more independent

4

Partied a lot

4

Experienced a change in life

3

Advanced my studies & career

4

Final comments

It was a great experience and I recomend it to everyone. It was a bit scary at first, but as soon as you start making friends, the fun never stops. The best advice I can provide is pay attention to the railway website. They are constantly offering promotions to other countries, which is the best way to visit other places with a low budget.

Useful | 0

Adriana M

Universidade do Minho, Braga, Portugal
Translation/Interpretation, 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

none

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 | 0

Adriana M

Universidade do Minho, Braga, Portugal
Translation/Interpretation, 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?

It's the best way to meet other people, specially other students.

Personal assessment

Cost

Facilities

Location

Cleanliness

Space

Personal comments

Since the university itself, is in the city, housing would have to be also. So, I found a place in a building, which coincidently was a students buildins from my department. The outside appeareance of the building is extremely discouraging, but the inside is perfectly acceptable. The stairs are extremely narrow (which is a problem when one has to carry a big suitcase all the way to the fith floor) and there's no elevator. The room was spacious, the kitchen was enourmous, the bathroom had weating... It was great to live in such a building, because usually all the students would get together in the kitchen to socialize, which was a great way to start meeting people.I would have to say that the only bad thing about housing was the price, since it was twice as higher than I normally pay in POrtugal.

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