Reviews of Mercator, Hogeschool Provincie Oost-Vlaanderen | Belgium

Useful | 0

Belén G

Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Translation/Interpretation, Graduate, Erasmus

Student life

Describe host city:

Student life dominates the city

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

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

Personal social experience

Activities

Nightlife

Travel

Overall

Personal comments

There are lots of nice bars and cafes all around Gent. In the old town you could find quiet places, such as traditional breweries, chocolate shops and cafes. And there's also a more student area with bars and night clubs.

Useful | 0

Belén G

Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Translation/Interpretation, Graduate, Erasmus

Housing

Type of housing: On campus

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: On campus

Why?

You have the chance to meet lots of people from all over Europe.

Personal assessment

Cost

Facilities

Location

Cleanliness

Space

Personal comments

I had no problems at all to get a room at the studenthome. The building was quite old but I had everything I needed.

Useful | 0

Belén G

Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Translation/Interpretation, 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: No problems in any areas (including slang)
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 found no problems at all as everyone speaks English and French in Belgium

Useful | 2

Belén G

Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Translation/Interpretation, Graduate, Erasmus

Overall

I wish I had known...

Nothing

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

3

Activities

4

Campus life

4

Party / people

3

Weather / location

3

Personal recommendation

The atmosphere is great, and I found belgium a very interesting country.

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

Became familiar with another culture

4

Traveled

4

Improved language skills

4

Met people from other countries

4

Became more independent

3

Partied a lot

4

Experienced a change in life

4

Advanced my studies & career

4

Final comments

Join the ESN weekend trips or any other cultural or sports activities in town. Try to meet local students and become a little bit Belgian

Useful | 0

Belén G

Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Translation/Interpretation, Graduate, Erasmus

Expenses

Main source of funding:

A private grant

Other sources of funding:

Government assistance<br> An ERASMUS grant<br> A private grant

Work opportunities:

I worked during my study abroad experience

Personal spending habits

Housing, telephone and nightlife were cheaper than in Spain, althought I spent quite a lot on traveling as I took advantage of being in the heart of Europe

Travel:

was more expensive than at home.

Overall, Food:

was the same price as at home.

Housing, Telephone, Nightlife:

was less expensive than at home.

Accessibility of student needs

Second-hand text books