Details

• Belgium
• MAMgmt-14
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

Prepare by researching the University and the city to get a feeling if you would like it as a place for your exchange and why. Consider insurance (I did not get any additional), phone plan (I sticked with my Austrian one), bank account (I just used my regular one), courses...

2. Accommodation

I just applied to the Kot Merckx, the student housing on the university website that is closest to campus, because I feared private market would be too complicated and expensive. What's good about the accommodation is that it's so close to campus and also to the city center, I never used public transport, it's relatively cheap and communication with the landlord is really good BUT the house is old and run down, especially the kitchen is not made for 15 people and it gets really messy, there's also no common area to just hang out which makes connecting a bit harder. I had friends staying in the Eclipse one and it is a bit further away but it is more made for students and especially for exchange students. I feel very safe in the city, ofc there are areas that seem a bit more sketchy but not worse than any other city.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus is a city campus but in terms of separate buildings similar to WU, classes and teaching styles are similar too, for my classes attendence wasn't strict. There could have been more program for the orientation week, but there is just one day for overall and one day for business and economics so make sure to connect there because it's the easiest way. For exam season there's study 360 which enables you to study at lots of different locations for free coffee and whatever, the library isn't that big and you can or during exam season have to reserve seats.

5. Every day life in the host country

I traveled a lot to other cities by train, which is really easy. Other than that did not use public transport, I walked or took a city bike "Velo Antwerpen" which costs 5€ for 24h. I went to lots of cafés and museums, if you get the A Card you can visit museums for free on every first Tuesday of the month. I got the Sportsticker for 15€ and you can just attend sports classes at different campuses. The ESN events weren't that crazy but still nice to check out.

6. Testimonial

It's a lovely city and a good university. I really enjoyed it, made great friends and got to learn new things about others but also about myself. I can only recommend it.