Exchange Report

Preparing for a semester abroad in Louvain-la-Neuve can be chaotic. Communication and information from UCLouvain is sparse, and you basically have to find everything yourself (on an unclear website) and don't get much help, but it's definitely doable (with a little time and effort). Above all, you are limited in your choice of courses at the Belgian university if you only want to attend English-language courses – knowledge of French is definitely an advantage. Fortunately, I had the help of former exchange students, and I can really recommend everyone to network there. I am also happy to help. However, Virginie is very helpful and ready to answer any questions. The smartest and fastest way to get there is by plane, and I definitely recommend Brussels Zaventem Airport. Charleroi is also possible, but the onward journey to Louvain-la-Neuve is more complicated. Louvain-la-Neuve can be reached from Brussels Zaventem by train in an hour. Taxis from the airport are expensive and no faster. We took one when we arrived because of our luggage, but I wouldn't do it again.

The search for accommodation is also mixed. There is a list of external landlords at UClouvain where some apartments, shared apartments, and studios are offered. I wrote to many of them and received very few responses. Actually, only one, and that's where I moved in. My studio apartment for one person was perfect. It is about a 15-minute walk from the university and is located in a quiet part of town, which I really enjoyed after a long and sometimes exhausting day. My landlady, Madeleine, was lovely and always happy to have students she could speak English with. She speaks perfect English, French, and Flemish. I found her on the list of external landlords and the address was Cr. de Troisfontaines 18, so it should be easy to find on the list mentioned above. All in all, Louvain la Neuve is a really cute and unique city. You can only understand its charm when you're there, especially at the beginning of the semester when it's really lively. The student fraternities and their initiation rituals, which seem to be on every corner, are impossible to miss. It is a safe student town that has everything you need for the few months you are there, and you quickly find your way around, even if everything looks very similar. You don't need to be afraid to walk home at night; the people are friendly and open-hearted. Another option is, of course, to move into a kot, a type of student residence or shared student apartment. I have visited a few, and you can expect dirt, possibly mold, and sometimes prison-like vibes. Since allocation to the kot is arbitrary, it is possible that a girl could end up living in accommodation with eight boys. There's always a party going on in the Kots. The thing is, (almost) no one studies there during the semester and everyone just locks themselves away for about a month at the end of the semester (Blocus). There are no midterm exams, no participation that counts towards your grade, and no real attendance requirements. I would only recommend a kot if you are comfortable with people, lack of cleanliness, and 24/7 partying. Nevertheless, the housing situation in Louvain la Neuve can be pleasant and a good experience.

The UClouvain campus extends across the entire city. Everything is within walking distance or can be reached by bike if necessary. For studying/preparing, I can recommend the law library or the Learning Center at the Grand-Place. There are power outlets everywhere, plenty of light, and space. I would take a charged laptop to lectures, as power outlets are in short supply there. Some rooms had several, others had just one. In my opinion, the campus is equipped with everything you need. What made my stay in Louvain-la-Neuve even more enjoyable was the great range of sports on offer. At the beginning of the semester, you have the option of purchasing a kind of sports pass for € 60, comparable to our Usi courses, except that you don't have to commit to one course but can try something different every week. This was a very nice change of pace, where you can also meet new people. As already mentioned, life there is very party-oriented, with lots of bars that are full every day. I would definitely take advantage of the Welcome Week, as everything is new for everyone at the beginning and it's easy to make friends and acquaintances. After the first few weeks, most groups have already formed, but I still made new friends in the last month. The teaching style in some courses is comparable to that at WU.

Overall, I really enjoyed living in Belgium. The train connections are very good, so even if you decide to live in Brussels, you are well connected to Louvain-la-Neuve. The train journey takes between 50 minutes and an hour. The train is also a great way to visit Belgium's other major cities. The Train+ subscription is new and has been available for a few months. It costs between € 3 and € 5 (I think) per month and pays for itself from the very first trip from the airport to Louvain-la-Neuve. Thanks to Belgium's central location, you can also quickly reach the neighboring countries. I've been to Paris in 1.5 hours and Amsterdam in 2.5 hours. Belgium isn't really that big, so you can get from one end to the other in about 3 hours by train. As already mentioned, you can feel very safe in Louvain-la-Neuve; as far as I've heard, nothing bad has ever really happened there. In Brussels, you have to be more careful, but nothing has ever happened to me or anyone I know. Pickpockets are particularly dangerous in tourist areas or in the evening when you are near Delirium Village, for instance. I would like to reiterate my support for the € 60 sports pass and for the Welcome Week offers to be made available. Every week, there are several events in various bars that are worth checking out. One thing you definitely have to see is the headquarters of the student fraternities (circles), which is right next to the Dude Bar and is well worth a visit. “La Casa” is a very unique kind of party and should only be visited during Welcome Week or at least during the first few weeks, as it develops a terrible smell in the “Casa” afterwards. Belgians are dirty and this is very evident there. You can get everything you need in the shopping center in the middle of Louvain la Neuve; the supermarket there was my favorite. The cinema is also worth a visit; it's huge and shows films in their original language.

In a nutshell, I would travel to Louvain-la-Neuve again for my semester abroad. The Belgian cosiness and joie de vivre are contagious. It is small and charming, and everything you need is close at hand. The varied weather should not be underestimated, and my umbrella was my constant companion for many weeks.