Brussels - Student guide eng - KU Leuven
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Brussels
Facts and figures about Getting around
Brussels > p. 6 > p. 22
2021
2022
Student guide
eng
Your input is welcome! Please help us improve this guide for fellow international students. Let us know if this guide was helpful, inform us of mistakes or keep us up to date of fun facts. welcome@brik.be Thanks! for and in collaboration with 2
1. Welcome 4-10 2. Language 11 3. Registration 12-13 4. Finance 14-15 5. Mobile phones & internet 16 6. Housing & interior 17-18 7. Getting around 19-27 8. City life 28-31 9. Bank holidays & events 32-36 10. Leisure 37-40 11. Work 41 12. Interviews 42-43 13. Going home 44 14. Contact 45-47
1. Welcome
Introduction
Welkom in Brussel! / Bienvenue à Bruxelles! /
Willkommen in Brüssel! / Welcome to Brussels!
Feel at home as spoken, one of which is the
juicy Brussels dialect!
a student in this
metropolis Ready for the future
The home base of Manneken
Brussel Bruxelles Pis is a congress and
Brüssel Brussels business city of a global
level, the economic engine
Brussels is the capital city of Belgium and a centre for
of Belgium and Europe. pioneering research, inno-
The official languages of vation and development. In
Brussels are Dutch and addition, this multicultural
French, therefore, all gover- heart of Europe houses
nment institutions, banks, multiple EU institutions and
hospitals, etc. are bilingual. the NATO headquarters. In
However, people often speak other words, you are just
English as well, as Brussels at the right place to secure
is an international melting a work placement, an
pot: Brussels is home to the internship or even to start a
world’s second most diverse career.
population (Dubai is n°1!)
with around 108 languages
4
Welcome
Anytime, anywhere
If there is one thing we can tell you with
absolute certainty, it is that you will not be
bored for a second. Brussels. Has. Every-
thing. From megalomaniac pop concerts to
an active underground scene for hip birds,
from skateparks to escape rooms, shopping
centres or flea markets, football by Union
Saint Gilloise or the Memorial Van Damme…
Every day and behind every corner there is
something new to discover. That is why there
are so many parks and pubs (roughly 1,200),
so you can recover from your expeditions.
A new adventure begins!
This guide’s aim is to help you get started and
Who or what is
get the most out of your adventure in Brussels. Brik?
So, first of all: welcome! We’re happy you made
Brik is the service desk for
it all the way here…
students in Brussels and the
Dutch speaking Universities
and Universities of Applied
Sciences and Arts. We have a
very big heart for this city and
like to share the feeling. With
the support of the Flemish
government, we take care of
students in Brussels. And this
includes you!
If you don’t find an answer
here, feel free to contact us for
anything that has to do with
your student life in Brussels.
Come visit us (Zavelput 20,
1000 Brussels) or go to our
website brik.be/en.
This guide was written with
the help of our partners: VUB,
Erasmus Brussels University
of Applied Sciences and Arts
(EhB), Odisee, LUCA School of
Arts and KU Leuven.
5
Facts and figures about
Brussels
Brussels has 19 different communes. Like the
Parisian arrondissements and the London
boroughs, every Brussels commune is de-
signated by a specific postcode: 1060 for
St-Gilles, 1180 for Uccle, etc.
The conurbation covers a total
surface area of 16,179 ha.
The population has around
1.2 million inhabitants.
Roughly 30% of the city’s total
population is foreign-born.
Brussels is home to
182 different nationalities,
108 different languages are spoken.
The city’s green spaces
(parks - woods - forest)
account for 11.4% of the
region’s territory.
6
Student Guide Brussels - Facts & Figures
A motorway ring road (RING) has
been built roughly 6 km from the centre
of Brussels to make both transit and
entry into the city easier.
Brussels has a
The time is
temperate, GMT +1 in winter
maritime GMT + 2 in summer
climate.
The average temperature
in summer is ± 16°Celsius
(± 60° Fahrenheit).
The average winter temperature is
± 3°Celsius (± 37° Fahrenheit).
Brussels’ central boulevards are 15m above sea level, Place
Madou is 52m above sea level, and the area between Forest
and Duden park is 100m above sea level.
Higher education in Applied Sciences and Arts stitutions in Brussels. Those
Brussels: and 100 000 students. are: VUB, Erasmus Brussels
Universities and University of Applied Science
You may have chosen, or still
and Arts (EhB), Odisee,
Universities of have to choose an institution
LUCA School of Arts and KU
Applied Sciences and in Brussels.
Leuven.
Arts This guide will provide infor-
Brussels is home to 52 Uni- Youʼll find the contact
mation and contact details
versities and Universities of details on page 46.
for the Dutch speaking in-
7
The sound
of Brussels
“Music expresses that which
cannot be said and on which it is
impossible to be silent.” And more…
- Victor Hugo
by people from
Brussels or
A Brussels about Brussels
top 10
Warhaus
Bruxelles
Stromae Arno
1 Formidable Les yeux de ma mère
Toots Thielemans Johan Verminnen
2 Bluesette Brussel
Lost Frequencies
Jacques Brel
3 Bruxelles
Funky’n Brussels
Boulevard des airs
Stromae Bruxelles
4 Alors on danse
Damso
BruxellesVie
Raymond Van Het Groenewoud
5 Brussels by night Pitcho
Schaarbeek
Jacques Brel
6 Ne me quitte pas Stereoclip
Lost in Brussels
Roméo Elvis
7 Bruxelles arrive
Jaune Toujours
Ici Bruxelles
Plastic Bertrand Lange Jojo
8 Ca plane pour moi On a soif
Konoba
Zwangere Guy
9 BXL finest
On Our Knees
Le 77
Oscar & The Wolf Black Angus
10 Breathing
Black Blood
Avenue Louise
8
9
Want to be the first to
know about all the cool
events in Brussels?
Follow us
on Facebook
and Instagram!
@brikstudentinbrussel
Brik – Student in BrusselStudent Guide Brussels - Language
2. Language
Are you having trouble
finding your way around English Dutch French
Brussels? Do you want
to make small talk with Hi! How are you? Hallo! Hoe gaat het? Bonjour! Comment
someone? Do you want to ça va?
ask out that pretty girl/boy Where are you from? Van waar ben je? D’où venez-vous?
you just met? Or do you Can I have your Mag ik je nummer? Je peux avoir ton
just really need to use the number? numéro?
bathroom but don’t know
Would you like to go Wil je met mij op date Voudrais-tu sortir
how to ask someone where
on a date with me? gaan? avec moi?
it is in one of our languages?
Where can I find…? Waar kan ik … vinden? Où puis-je trouver…?
Don’t worry, we got you!
Where is the Waar is het toilet? Où se trouvent les
Here are some sentences
you can use: bathroom? toilettes?
113. Registration
Now that you have arrived in your origin this has to useful for work or health
Brussels, the first thing you be within 8 days or 3 insurance
should do is contact your months after arrival.
There are 19 different
receiving institution. They
• You will need (check with communes (municipalities)
will be able to assist you
the applicable commu- in the Brussels-Capital
with the following steps:
ne): identity document, Region.
Residence permit residence address, regis-
To avoid confusion: most
(obligatory in case of long tration document of your
stay (more than 3 months)) people talk about ‘Brussels’
study program, proof of
when they mean the Region
• First step is the notifi- sufficient means…
and will say ‘city of Brussels’
cation/registration at
• Even for short stay a to specify when they mean
the commune you are
residence permit can be the commune.
residing. Depending on
Dutch name French name postal code population area
Anderlecht Anderlecht 1070 118 241 17.7 km2 (6.8 sq mi)
Stad Brussel Bruxelles-Ville 1000,1020, 176 545 32.6 km2
1120, 1130 (12.6 sq mi)
Elsene Ixelles 1050 86 244 6.3 km² (2.4 sq mi)
Etterbeek Etterbeek 1040 47 414 3.1 km² (1.2 sq mi)
Evere Evere 1140 40 394 5.0 km² (1.9 sq mi)
Ganshoren Ganshoren 1083 24 596 2.5 km² (1.0 sq mi)
Jette Jette 1090 51 933 5.0 km² (1.9 sq mi)
Koekelberg Koekelberg 1081 21 609 1.2 km² (0.5 sq mi)
Oudergem Auderghem 1160 33 313 9.0 km2 (3.5 sq mi)
Schaarbeek Schaerbeek 1030 133 042 8.1 km² (3.1 sq mi)
Sint-Agatha-Berchem Berchem-Sainte-Agathe 1082 24 701 2.9 km² (1.1 sq mi)
Sint-Gillis Saint-Gilles 1060 50 471 2.5 km² (1.0 sq mi)
Sint-Jans-Molenbeek Molenbeek-Saint-Jean 1080 96 629 5.9 km² (2.3 sq mi)
Sint-Joost-ten-Node Saint-Josse-ten-Noode 1210 27 115 1.1 km² (0.4 sq mi)
Sint-Lambrechts Woluwe Woluwe-Saint-Lambert 1200 55 216 7.2 km² (2.8 sq mi)
Sint-Pieters Woluwe Woluwe-Saint-Pierre 1150 41 217 8.9 km² (3.4 sq mi)
Ukkel Uccle 1180 82 307 22.9 km² (8.8 sq mi)
Vorst Forest 1190 55 746 6.2 km² (2.4 sq mi)
Watermaal-Bosvoorde Watermael-Boitsfort 1070 24 871 12.9 km² (5.0 sq mi)
12Student Guide Brussels - Registration
134. Financial
Currency
As you probably know, the 50c, €1 and €2, as well as
currency used in Belgium banknotes in denominations
is the Euro (equal to 100 of €5, €10, €20, €50, €100,
eurocents), which replaced €200 and €500. Every note
the Belgian franc in the year has a particular color repre-
2002. senting artistic or architectu-
ral achievements in Europe.
We use coins in denomina-
tions of 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c,
EUR 1,0000 (= €1)
USD 1,19
GBP 0,86
AUD 1,55
CAD 1,51
CNY 7,72
JPY 129,26
DKK 7,43
ISK 153,08
HUF 366,51
SEK 10,17
CHF 1,10
MXN 25,8350
Set your budget
bread €2 - €3
beer €1,5 - €3
cocktail €7 - €13
pizza €6 - €15
train ride €6 - €17
hotel room €100
14Student Guide Brussels - Financial
Banks in Belgium and
opening your own bank account
Belgium provides citizens choose from, but which school or university. If you
and foreigners a wide range one should you choose for want to close your bank
of banking institutions and opening your own bank account before you go back
services. Banks are usually account? home, you will have to make
open from Monday to Friday another appointment at
A good bank account
from 9 a.m. to 4-5 p.m., and the same agency where you
options for Erasmus and
once a week until 6 p.m. opened your bank account.
international students in
(each bank has its own day).
Belgium is the ‘Hello4You’ Recently, some online bank
You can exchange money bank account by BNP Parabis solutions have popped up,
at any bank, airport or train Fortis, but ING also has that are linked to your bank
station, as well as in the good options. In general, in your home country. We
private exchange offices. documents needed to open heard good things about
Many currency exchange an account at any bank are Revolut for example. Make
offices are open until 9-10 valid ID documents (with sure to check which options
p.m., also on weekends. your student visa), a proof work best for you.
Argenta, Belfius, ING, KBC, … of your Belgian address
there are a lot of banks to and proof of enrolment in a
155. Mobile phones
& internet
Everybody knows it is notice that there are a lot data on your mobile phone
impossible (or at least of metro stations where while staying in Belgium or
very difficult) to last a you can scroll through your travelling outside your home
day without internet. Facebook or Instagram country in any EU member
Fortunately there are lots feed whilst waiting for the state.
of places where you can get metro. And off course, the
If you’re coming from a
free Wi-Fi, which can be first coffee shop without
country that is not a member
useful during your first days Wi-Fi still has to be opened
of the EU, then we advise
in Brussels. All the academic in Brussels, so these can be a
you to get a Belgian SIM
institutions provide Wi-Fi perfect solution too.
card. The main Belgian
on the campuses, but you
If you’re an EU-citizen, mobile operators are
need your official login to
consider yourself lucky! Proximus, Orange and Base.
access it. Apart from that,
Since a couple of years, To get a SIM card, you’ll
the website wifi.brussels
the ‘roam like at home’ need a valid ID, proof of
gives an overview of all the
rules mean that you don’t your Belgian address and an
public indoor and outdoor
have to pay any additional International Bank Account
free Wi-Fi places in Brussels.
roaming charges when using Number (IBAN).
Very convenient! You’ll
16Student Guide Brussels - Housing & interior
6. Housing & interior
Brussels has a lot to offer is the fact that it’s a great Renting with Brik
in student (and other) place to meet people from Brik manages around 400
accommodation. Brik all over the world. student rooms and is the
manages more than 400 landlord of these rooms.
This international student
student rooms, but you All arrangements happen
house consists of 26 single
can rent from one of the directly between Brik and
rooms and 37 double rooms
many private owners as the student: going from
(to share with a friend) and
well. Prices vary depending your contract to daily
several common areas where
on the size, location and maintenance.
students can meet and eat.
other factors. So don’t brik.be/en/long-stay
hesitate to spend sufficient Check out brik.be/vanorley
time on your search. In the for more information! Renting from a private
meantime, here’s some owner
advice to get you going. Other housing Most of the rooms in
options Brussels are rented out by
Van Orley private owners. You can find
Renting from your
International university
a large amount of privately
owned rooms on MyKot.
Student House Some universities have brik.mykot.be/en
Van Orley is an international their own student housing.
Be careful of rent scams
housing option, tailor-made Consult the student services
for exchange students who of your school to ask if there We're seeing an increase
will be staying in Brussels for are rooms available for you. in fake landlord profiles.
a short period of time (up to So always check if your
5 months). It’s biggest asset landlord is legit.
17Feather your nest Hema to one of the many second
Muntplein 21, 1000 Brussels hand stores in Brussels:
When the time has come (metro De Brouckère)
Marollen
to decorate or furnish their Low priced generic housewa-
Vossenplein, 1000 Brussels
rooms, Flemish students res in the city centre.
The most famous flea
can take most of their stuff Action market in Brussels in the last
from home with them. They Multiple locations, check genuine folksy neighbour-
just scurry up their folks www.action.com hood.
and turn it into a roadtrip. Discount-store where you can
International students Leger des Heils
find almost everything.
however probably can’t fit Ieperlaan 24, 1000 Brussels
all necessary items in one Rue de Brabant Second hand store with
suitcase. So if you’re looking Brabantstraat, 1030 Schaar- everything you need for your
for kitchen supplies, a new beek (metro Rogier) student room at small prices.
matrass, decoration,… you Atypical international
Giveaway Fair
name it, you can find them in shopping district with more
Second hand fair with small
Brussels at reasonable prices than 300 stores and very
furniture, kitchen utensils
at the following places: competitive prices.
and so much more for free
Ikea at Brik!
Bergensesteenweg Low on funds? Spullenhulp
1432, 1070 Anderlecht Amerikaansestraat
(metro Ceria/Coovi) Zero waste? Or just need
101, 1050 Elsene
Practical and affordable something unique? Scour the
A lot of second hand pieces
furniture and home accesso- countless flea markets or go
to decorate your room.
ries in a huge store.
18Student Guide Brussels - Getting around
7. Getting around
Getting around in Brussels
On Foot adaptation to ride a bike in Get a discount for a Villo!
a city, so you may want to bike by contacting Brik.
try it out with the help of
Distances in Brussels are
someone more experien-
often overestimated. You can fietsp
omp_pa
arsora
ced. For that reason, Brik
nje.pd
f 1 24/07/
easily see on our walking
2018
15:09
organises bicycle rides for
maps (next page) how long it
students.
takes to walk form one point
to the next. Prefer to ride your own bike?
Right you are! You can find
a bike on one of the second
Bicycle
hand fairs of CyCLO, in a bike
shop or on a second hand
Cycling is a very enjoyable
website.
way to move around in
Brussels. Bicycles are fast, Would you rather rent a
cheap, sportive and you can bike? There are several pos-
go anywhere at any moment sibilities as well: Villo!, Blue-
in the day. It takes some bike, Billy Bikes, Swapfiets…
19Public The practical MIVB app
indicates the real time
transport of arrival, so you know Collecto
perfectly at what time you Missed the last
First thing you need to know have to be at the station or Noctis? Donʼt feel
about the public transport platform. like walking or
in Brussels, is that students
If you want to use all public cycling home at
under 25 years old pay
transport in Brussels-Ca- night? Collecto is
only 50 euros for a season
pital Region, you can buy a collective taxi
ticket of an entire year for
a BRUPASS season ticket service that is
the MIVB (or STIB in French).
for 90 euros. It includes available every
The MIVB is omnipresent in
the entire network of MIVB day from 11pm to
Brussels with a big range
(except for the part Bour- 6am. For 6 euro per
and very good service. Every
get-Brussels Airport of lines person, the Collecto
person in Brussels takes the
12 and 21), all the bus stops will take you to
metro because of its speed
and comfort, but trams and from De Lijn and TEC, and all every place within
buses are popular as well. the train stations from NMBS the capital region.
At night there is a minimal (SNCB in French) within the Just download the
service with ‘Noctis’ buses. Brussels-Capital Region. Collecto app on
your smartphone
and you're ready
to go!
sncb
Studying
in Belgium ?
Hop on the train &
get the most out of your stay.
Discover Bruges, experience Antwerp,
get lost in the Ardennes,…
Start by checking out our tickets & railcards
for students on sncb.be or in the station.
20Student Guide Brussels - Getting around
21
BackToSchool_2019_Affiches.indd 6 28/08/2019 15:02:32>
B
PEDESTRIAN MAP
City of Brussels
M
A VUB - Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus
B Erasmushogeschool Brussel - Campus Jette 2’ 7’
VUB - Brussels Health Campus
4’
C Erasmushogeschool Brussel - Campus Kaai
D Erasmushogeschool Brussel - Campus Bloemenhof 5’
M
E Erasmushogeschool Brussel -
Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel
7’
F Erasmushogeschool Brussel - Campus RITCS
M
G Erasmushogeschool Brussel - Campus Bottelarij G
G
4’
H Erasmushogeschool Brussel - Campus Kanal
H
II Odisee - Campus Brussel - Terranova
J Odisee/KU Leuven - Campus Brussel
7’
K LUCA School of Arts - Campus Brussel (Narafi)
L LUCA School of Arts - Campus Brussel (Sint-Lukas)
M
M KU Leuven - Campus Brussel (Sint-Lucas) 5’
13’
7’
Intersection D
J
T Train 5’
M Metro 7’
0’ Walking distance
M
7’
5’
C
7’
M
6’ 7’
M
4’
6’
7’
4’
KK
22
>
Brussel-Zuid T MM
M
LL
T Brussel-Noord
5’
5’ 6’
6’
8’
6’
M
5’ 8’
3’
5’ M
II
4’ 8’
2’
M
7’
4’ 5’
5’
M
3’
2’ 3’
F 5’ 3’
5’ 4’
5’ J M
4’
4’
5’
M
5’
5’
5’ 4’
J M
5’
4’ 6’
M 6’
5’
T Brussel-Centraal M
10’
3’
M 4’ 7’ 8’
8’ 5’
7’
3’ 5’
4’
4’ 5’
3’
8’ M
7’
6’
E
N
5’
M
7’
6’
4’ A 23
>
M24
N
PEDESTRIAN MAP 10’
Etterbeek 4’ 10’
7’
M
6’ 6’
3’ 1’
4’ 3’
10’
3’
5’ 9’
8’ 5’
5’ 6’
A
4’ 2’
8’ T Etterbeek 2’ 3’
4’
9’ M
8’ 4’
4’
5’
Intersection M
8’
T Train
3’
M Metro 7’
9’
0’ Walking distance 7’ 2’
4’
A
A VUB - Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering CampusN
PEDESTRIAN MAP 8’
8’
Jette
9’
5’
5’
3’
B
6’
8’
6’
2’
4’ 6’
4’
4’
6’ 7’
8’
Intersection
1’
T Train 6’
M Metro 12’ 6’
0’ Walking distance T Jette
B Erasmushogeschool Brussel - Campus Jette - VUB - Brussels Health Campus
25
Student Guide Brussels - Getting aroundGetting around in
Belgium
Train To the airport
The train is one of the Brussels Airport is the inter-
fastest ways to travel national airport just outside
around Belgium. The central Brussels. By train from
location of Brussels, with Brussels North Station it will
three very big stations (Brus- only take you 10 minutes to
sels-South, Brussels-Central get to the airport, you’ll have
and Brussels-North), is to pay around € 9 one-way.
therefore an absolute plus You can also take buses
point if you want to travel from Brussels North Station
to Bruges, Antwerp, the (De Lijn) or from Schuman
seaside… The train company (MIVB).
in Belgium is called NMBS
Brussels South Charleroi
(or SNCB in French). If you’re
Airport is the low cost
under 26 years old, we
airport and quite far from
suggest that you buy a Youth
Brussels. You can take a train
Multi Pass, which lets you
to get there, but you still
make 10 trips for only €53.
have to catch a bus from the
For those of you over 26, the
train station of Charleroi.
best option is a Standard
The easiest and fastest
Multi Pass for € 83.
option is to take the Flibco
A return ticket in weekends bus (starting from € 5), that
‘Weekend Ticket’ (starting at leaves from the Brussels
7 p.m. on Friday nights) will South Station.
give you a 50% discount.
26Student Guide Brussels - Getting around
Getting around in Europe
Train Bus Airplane
By far the easiest (and most If you’re on a budget but still As you know, you can reach
ecological) way to travel to want to travel, you should all the European countries
big cities close to Belgium consider one of the long-dis- easily by airplane from
is the high-speed train, tance bus companies: Brussels Airport Zaventem.
always departing from Flixbus, Eurolines or Ouibus. Don’t forget that there’s a
Brussels-South: Paris in 1h21 Most of these companies big ecological impact when
(from €29 one-way), London depart from the Brussels you hop on an airplane every
in 2h01 (from €39 one-way), North Station. weekend to visit another
Cologne in 1h50 (from €19), country, and check the alter-
Amsterdam in 1h52 (from natives first!
€29).
Izy is the low-cost alterna-
tive to take a train to Paris,
starting from €15 one-way,
but it takes a little longer to
get there (at least 2h12).
278. City life
Jette
Green, quiet, cosy
Schaarbeek
Dynamic, versatile, diverse
Dansaert / Canal
Hip, lively, colorful
City Centre
Historic, touristic, impressive
Elsene / Etterbeek
Vorst Oudergem
Artsy, mediterranean, green Laid-back, international,
student friendly
Neighbourhoods to discover
The real Brussels is in- different bars and restau- Around the world:
vincible. More than ever rants. You can experience
before, the city is teeming this on foot from one district • European, Place Lux
with culture, gastronomy, (Elsene)
to another quarter.
hospitality, joviality and a • African, Matongé (Else-
laid-back attitude. Enjoy! Some hipster spots:
ne)
Brussels is the intersection • Dansaert (City of Brus-
• Turkish, Haachtsesteen-
between North and South, sels)
weg (Schaarbeek)
between Germanic and • St-Boniface (Elsene)
Roman culture and became • Latin, from Hallepoort to
throughout the years a • Flagey (Elsene) Bareel (Sint-Gillis)
multicultural melting pot. • Parvis (Sint-Gillis)
This results in a rich offer of
28Student Guide Brussels - City life
STU
DY
SPA
CES STUD
TOGE
Y
THER
IN
SELS
BRUS
info and locations on
brik.be/en
V.U.: Brik — Student in Brussel vzw, G.M. Rasson,
Zavelput 20, 1000 BrusselStudent Guide Brussels - City life
Brussels’ Shopping the study period, we have a
solution to study together:
Shopaholics can stroll
tips around in diverse clothing
Study Spaces.
stores located in the easy Every semester Brik
accessible Nieuwstraat (City organizes Study Spaces in
More specific tips of Brussels) or the more a number of community
Want to discover the sophisticated Louizalaan centres and libraries.
Brussels live for students? (Elsene).
with ‘The Brussels Bucketlist
for students’ you get 20 tips Cheap food for a good
cause STU
DY
of things you need to do in
the city before you leave Download the application
again. ‘Too Good To Go’ on your
SPA
CES
smartphone and order food
surpluses from restaurants STU
DY
TO
with a big discount. In the
GET
HER
IN
BR
USSE
meantime you reduce food LS
waste in your neighbour- info and locations on
brik.be/en
hood.
V.U.: Brik — Student in Brussel vzw, G.M. Rasson,
Zavelput 20, 1000 Brussel
Studying These are quiet places
where you can study
together so you can share
(the reason you’re the difficult and hard study
here, remember?) days with your peers. Aside
More and more students go from this, every campus
to public but quiet places usually prepares one or
Grab your ‘Bucketlist’ to study. Social control and more spaces where it is
booklet at Brik’s Open some help from a neighbour possible to study quietly
House: Zavelput 20, 1000 can do wonders. For those and in group. Find these
Brussels. who do not want to seclude spots on
themselves for weeks during brik.be/studyspaces.
319. Bank holidays
& events
Bank holidays in Belgium
New Year’s Day
January 1
Easter Monday
Monday after Easter
Labour Day
May 1
Ascension
39 days after Easter
Pentecost Monday
Monday after
Pentecost
Belgian National Day
July 21
Assumption of Mary
August 15
All Saints’ Day
November 1
Armistice Day
November 11
Christmas
December 25
32Student Guide Brussels -Bank holidays & events
Events December March
Winter Wonders Museum Night Fever
September Internationally known No, a museum in Brussels
Christmas market. Drink a is never boring. But just a
Dutch gin with friends or little less boring when you
Brussel Brost
take your parents for a ride can enjoy an evening full of
Brik organizes a free student on the Ferris wheel. music, dance, performances,
festival to kick-off the videos, guided tours and
academic year in Brussels. even a circus in 24 museums.
At Brussel Brost you’ll find January You end the night at the
various stages, a city market, afterparty!
food trucks, a sweetheart New Year in Brussels
and friends for life. No better way to start the Saint Patrick’s Day
(March 17)
year than in Brussels. Every
Theaterfestival Brussels
year there are the fireworks The well-known Irish
Go see the best plays of the and hundreds of people national festival is celebra-
year in the Kaaitheater. gather together to celebrate ted in Brussels as well. Put
the New Year. on your green suit, gather
Stoemp!
(September – November) your friends and sing a
merry song in one of the
Free performances of February many Irish pubs in Brussels.
promising bands in the best
cafés of Brussels. Sound of Sprouts
April
Musical contest for Brussels'
October students, from live acts to
Brussels International
DJ's. Fantastic Film Festival
Brussels’ Museums (BIFFF)
Nocturnes Carnival
The festival where you might
The museums open their You’ll find carnival activi-
run into, um, a zombie or
doors every Thursday ties in most communes,
chopped off heads. So,
evening! The choice is big, often with a link to its rich
anything but mainstream.
so make the most of (re)dis- tradition. Some a bit bigger
covering Brussels’ cultural and more over the top Les Nuits Botanique
treasures in a pleasant and than others. If you want to (April – May)
inexpensive way. join: you’ll find your ideal One place, dozens of
costume in shops such as concerts. Taste the spring
Picard Megafun Partysto- in the park of the Botanical
November re, Palais des Cotillons or Gardens and catch some
Maison Eldorado. performances of big names
Saint-Vé in the halls of the concert
Annual student-parade with (Orangerie, Rotonde or
decorated floats, equipped Chapiteau).
with music and drinks,
through the streets of the
centre of Brussels.
33Stoemp! (April – May) June
In spring as well, Stoemp!
is ready to brighten up your Out Loud!
week. From April till the end
Ideal study break at the
of May you can enjoy free
Beursschouwburg: a picnic
concerts in cafés.
on the rooftop terrace at
noon, concerts and film
May screenings in the evening.
Couleur Café
Zinneke Parade
Music festival in the city with
Biennial crazy parade more than 50 acts spread
through the Brussels’ city over three days. Good music,
centre. delicious food, designer
Iris Festival market, dancing lessons and
exhibitions. What more do
For two days, you can enjoy
you want?
free concerts and street art
in the beautiful Place des Roller Bike Parade
Palais during this Brussels Little/small wheels conquer
city festival. the streets of Brussels! In
Pride summer, appointment/
meeting in Place Poelaert
Every year, this parade
every Friday at seven p.m.
provides for an amazing
Join this parade with your
atmosphere in the streets
longboard, bicycle, roller
of Brussels. It starts at
skates or hoverboard! The
the Chapelle (Marolles)
DJ takes care of the beats.
and finishes at The Beurs/
Bourse. Plazey
20km of Brussels A festival in the Elisabeth
Park for young and old.
The name says it all. The
Here, you can enjoy music,
legendary running race that
workshops, good food and
takes you along the most
so much more.
beautiful monuments of the
city. As a student you can get BXL Tour
a discount on ‘The 20’ when
A 40 km cycle race through
you sign in via the sports
the capital's streets to (re)
service of your institution.
discover Brussels from a
Kunstenfestivaldesarts different angle.
Multidisciplinary art festival.
You can enjoy photography,
drama, performances and
so much more on different
locations in the city.
34Student Guide Brussels -Bank holidays & events
July Meetup
Midi fair It can be rough when you’re
Fair during the summer new in town. You don’t
holiday. Relive your carefree know anyone, nor speak the
childhood on the attracti- language. You always have to
ons, go ‘people watching’ search actively to get to know
and enjoy the unique people or find fun activities to
atmosphere. do. Meetup.com can help you
with that!
August You can use Meetup to find
groups of people with common
interests. Whether you want
Brussels Summer Festival
(BSF) August to learn how to speak a new
language, or if you’re looking
A ten-day music and culture
for an exercise group - it’s all
festival that takes place
there!
over the Place des
Palais and the Mont
des Arts. BSF was
already able to add
names like Iggy Pop
and Patti Smith to its
line-up.
Boterhammen In Het Park
/ Feeërieën
Free set of festivals in the
kiosk of the Royal Park, in
the heart of Brussels. You
can enjoy the best there
is in the Belgian and in-
ternational music scene
under the trees.
3536
Student Guide Brussels -Leisure
10. Leisure
Student clubs
and other unions
The fastest way to find con-
nection to your interests is
to join a group of students
with similar interest. Every
campus has its student
club(s): faculty-wise (per
programme), regional or the-
matically. Most universities
have a local section of the
Erasmus Student Network.
Alongside there are unions
around sports, culture,
politics… you name it!
Journalistic ambitions? Fix
a spot with your student’s
magazine or on the radio
station on your campus.
Culture Sports
Music, dance, theatre, A healthy mind in a healthy
museums, lectures… You’ll body…
find whatever you like in
Check your receiving in-
this city.
stitution for their sportive
Up to you if you want to activities or discounts on
prepare (check the links sport subscriptions.
further in this chapter) or if
Sign up for one of the
you just want to go out and
many sports events (20 km
let the city surprise you.
through Brussels, BXL Tour,
Don’t forget to check with FootaFive…)
your receiving institution for
You can often make use
their offers or tips.
of the facilities on other
campuses.
37Food
Belgian specialities:
• Frietjes
• Vol-au-vent
• Stoofvlees
• Chicon gratin
• Moules-frites
• Meatballs in tomato
sauce
• Shrimp croquettes
• Waffles
• Rabbit with prunes
• Stoemp saucisse
• Steak Tartare
• Sandwich Martino
• Asparagus Flemish style
• Mitrailette (sandwich)
And of course, all sorts of
beer and chocolate :)
Student restaurants:
VUB
student.vub.be/en/
food-and-drinks#restaurants
EhB
erasmushogeschool.be/
en/restaurants
Odisee & KU Leuven Brussels Campus
stuvoplus.be/en/brussel/food
LUCA School of Arts & KU Leuven
Sint-Lucas Brussels Campus
luca-arts.be/nl/student-
support-services#cafetaria_at_
the_campus
38Student Guide Brussels -Leisure
Useful info
and links Stuvo
(Student
Sorting waste in services)
Brussels Every institution
has a service for
As in most Belgian and even White for the remaining students
European cities, you have waste (studentenvoorzie-
to use specific rubbish bags
ningen or stuvo).
per type of waste and you
put them out on the street
As a student, you
for collection on specific
can visit them for
days. (see arp-gan.be/en/
social, medical and
or the Recycle!-app). Not
psychological aid,
doing this, might result in a
sports and culture,
fine. You can find the bags in
questions about
most supermarkets.
lodging, student
Green for garden waste cafeterias and
transport.
VUB
student.vub.be/en
(services)
EhB
www.ehb.be/en/stu-
dent-support-ser-
Yellow (or a paper box/bag) vices
for paper
Orange for food. Odisee & KU Leuven
In supermarkets and occasi- Brussels Campus
onally your campus you may http://stuvoplus.be/
find recycling collectors for en/brussel
batteries, printer cartridges, LUCA School of
mobile phones… Arts & KU Leuven
Sint-Lucas Brussels
Campus
www.luca-arts.be/
Blue for all sorts of plastic nl/student-
packaging (plastic bottles, support-services
toothpaste tubes, crisps
packaging, ...), metal
packaging and drink cartons
39Discounts
Studentcard
Your student card will give
you a discount in a lot of
places, so always check
before you pay! (e.g. the
cinema, clothing shops, hair-
dresser, IT shops, software,
museums, magazines,
second hand stores …)
ISIC card
www.isic.org/
The internationally accepted
student identity card which
can provide discounts, offers
and services.
Europass
europass.cedefop.europa.
eu/
Documents to make your
and museum map. Optional: lectures and festivals that
skills and qualifications
unlimited travel on public are free of charge.
clearly and easily under-
transport or unlimited
stood in Europe. And it's free Bruzz.be
access to the Hop on Hop off
of charge! (Mainly in Dutch but also
buses.
French and English) Here
MuseumPASSmusees
Paspartoe you’ll find the latest news
nl.shop.museumpassmu- on concerts, exhibitions,
Or the Brussels ‘Uitpass’, a
sees.be/ (Dutch and French) festivals and life in Brussels
benefits pass for culture,
This museum pass gives in general.
youth and sports. You can
you free access to, or a
save points with your card
discount on, all participating Campus cafés
and exchange them for
museums in Belgium. As
reduction or other benefits. Pilar
often as you want.
You can also use this
www.pilar.brussels
Brussels Card ‘Uitpass’ in other cities.
www.uitinbrussel.be/ RITCS café
visit.brussels/en/sites/brus-
paspartoe www.erasmushogeschool.
selscard/
This card will give you be/en/culture
For free
free entry to 49 Brussels
Het Clubke
museums, discounts to www.facebook.com/Grati-
tourist attractions, guided sinBrussel www.odisee.be/en/
tours, shops, restaurants, (In Dutch) Here you’ll find campuses/campus-brussels
bars & clubs and a free concerts, exhibitions,
information guide, city map
40Student Guide Brussels -Work
11. Work
Switzerland can work if
As an international student, Student jobs they:
you want to enjoy your stay
in Brussels to the fullest. But In Belgium it is allowed to • are registered in educa-
what to do when your bank work as an international tion with full curriculum
account says no? student although there is a in Belgium;
difference between students
• have a valid residence
who come from countries
Work as a that are members of the EEA
permit.
volunteer (European Economic Area) During the official school
or Switzerland and students holidays, you can work
In Brussels there are a lot of that come from other without a job permit but
non-profit organizations that countries. during the school year you
are looking for motivated need a work permit C and
If you are a student from
volunteers. Voluntary work then you are entitled to work
the EEA or Switzerland you
is besides fun also a great can work during your stay a maximum of 20 hours per
experience. As a volunteer, in Brussels under the same week.
you won’t get paid for your terms as a Belgian student.
voluntary work, but some • You are entitled to work
organizations pay a flat-rate
Work at Brik
475 hours per year at
expense allowance (+- 34 reduced social contribu-
Besides the fact that we are
euros). Also, Brik is always tions;
always looking for volun-
looking for students who
• You can earn a maximum teers, during the summer
want to contribute to a
of €12.842,85 per year. months we are looking for
project, handing out flyers or
students to prepare our
share their knowledge about Students who come from
rooms for the new rental
Brussels student life with countries from outside
the EEA distinction or season. Do you want to work
others. Something for you?
with us? Send us your CV.
Don’t hesitate to contact us!
41Interviews
Julian
Julian, 26, from Germany
6 months in Brussels
KU Leuven campus Brussel,
International Business
After studying in a quiet a mitrailette with andalouse: go-to place for cheap drinks
area in Sweden for a while, a big sandwich with meat, (happy hour until midnight,
I decided I really wanted fries and the spicy andalouse small beers for €1) and a lot
to live in the lively centre sauce. You won’t get hungry of happy people. If you’re
of the city when I came to very soon after having one of into singing, than I can
Brussels. The location of those… recommend NUA, a karaoke
my university is also very bar on the Boulevard
I rented a student bicycle
central, so it made sense to Anspach.
for 6 months, and used it
stay at Van Orley Internati-
to explore other areas of The weekends were perfect
onal Student House. With
Brussels. Since I am over 25 for trips to other cities. I
100 students of different na-
years old, it was also a very went to Ghent, Bruges and
tionalities, it is very easy to
budget friendly solution. Lille with ESN, and after-
meet new people. There is
Unfortunately the very wards we organised a lot of
always someone who wants
cheap ticket (€50!) for trips ourselves: Antwerp,
to explore the city or wants
public transport is only for Leuven, Paris and Cologne.
to have a drink. Anouar, the
students under 26. Cycling The central location of
concierge, is a really nice guy
in Brussels is fun, but be Brussels makes it very easy
and helps out as much as
careful when riding on cob- to travel to these cities
he can.
blestones: they can be very by train or bus. When I
In summer, we enjoyed slippery and you don’t want stayed in Brussels during
the beautiful Botanique to fall on them. On a sunny the weekend, I enjoyed the
park, which is right across day, we once cycled to Bois Sunday markets near the
the street. In that area it’s de la Cambre near the lake, Gare du Midi for groceries, or
easy to find good but cheap which was very nice! the Marolles flea market on
Turkish pizza restaurants, the Place du Jeu de Balle.
We would normally start our
for example Lale Pizzeria,
evening with some drinks at
where you can get a pizza
Van Orley, preferably on the
with salad for less than €8. All
roof terrace if the weather
residents of Van Orley would
would allow it. Celtica
go to Snack le Botanique for
close to la Bourse is the
42Student Guide Brussels -Interviews
Sidanth
Sidanth, 24, from India
2 years in Brussels
VUB, Marine Biology
Before arriving in Brussels, If you’re looking for a room, As an international student,
my experience wasn’t really it’s a good idea to try and you experience the city
good. Getting a visa took a get one close to the centre. differently. Belgians who
long time, and because of I have friends who used live here take it for granted
that I arrived 1 month later to live a bit further away and don’t feel the need to
than planned. On top of and they didn’t interact make new friends or explore
that, just before I arrived, really until they moved. To different cultures. When I’m
my landlord cancelled my get around, I use public bored I just walk around
reserved room and I couldn’t transport all the time. and discover new things.
reach him anymore. The very Sometimes I’m so lazy, that I like to make music and I
first days I had to stay in a I even take a bus for just 1 started to perform at open
B&B and heard about Brik stop. I’m planning to get a mics and experienced so
through my course teacher. bike for the summer, though. much growth personally.
I took one of the kottours I heard there are different I got out of my shell, and
with them and eventually options to rent one and it’s Brussels helped with that
found a decent room for a not too expensive. because the city encourages
good price. small artists. It’s a great
I like all the options you
place to grow as an artist.
Now, I love Brussels. I had to have in Brussels: culture,
get used to it, but as soon nature, sports, events…
as I started making friends My favourite parc is Ter
I felt comfortable. Although Kameren, it has that forest
I feel like people are not as vibe. Closer to the centre
open as I’m used to in India, the Cinquantenaire is really
there’s this vibe once you nice. I don’t really eat out,
get to know them. I have a but my friends tell me the
great class, it really feels like restaurants are great too.
a family. It is kind of mixed, I like to check out music
both Belgian and interna- related events that I find
tional students, but I get on Meetup or Facebook.
along with all of them. Always lots to do!
4313. Going home
We hope you had a great • Unregister from the com-
time in Brussels. Now you’re mune
going home, don’t forget to:
• Close your Belgian bank
• Inform your receiving in- account
stitution of your departure
• Terminate your Belgian
date
insurances
• Check all your contracts,
• ECTS credits
big and small, to see if
there’s a notive period • Say goodbye to all your
and terminate them in due friends!
time (e.g. tenancy agree-
ment, internet, sports
center… )
44Student Guide Brussels -Contact
14. Contact
Higher Education Erasmus Brussels RITCS Royal Institute for
Theatre, Cinema & Sound
institutions University of Applied
Campus Dansaert
Sciences and Arts - A. Dansaertstraat 70
VUB EhB 1000 Brussels
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Campus Bottelarij
Nijverheidskaai 170 Delaunoystraat 58
International Office
1070 Anderlecht 1080 Sint-Jans-Molenbeek
Karel Van Miert Building
+32 2 559 15 15
Pleinlaan 5
international.office@ehb.be Koninklijk conservatorium
1050 Elsene
Brussel (KCB)
+32 2 614 81 01
CAMPUS Campus Conservatorium
international.relations@vub.be
Design & Technology, Musical Regentschapsstraat 30 and
www.vub.be/en/international#
Kleine Zavel 5
home Campus Kaai
1000 Brussels
student.vub.be/en Nijverheidskaai 170
1070 Anderlecht
GENERAL CONTACT
CAMPUS
Management, Media & Society +32 2 523 37 37
Brussels Humanities, Sciences &
Campus Bloemenhof info@ehb.be
Engineering Campus
Zespenningenstraat 70 www.ehb.be
Pleinlaan 2
1000 Brussels
1050 Elsene
GENERAL STUDENT
Education & Pedagogy SERVICES
Brussels Health Campus
Campus Kanal Stuvo EhB
Laarbeeklaan 103
Slotstraat 28 Nijverheidskaai 170
1090 Jette
1000 Brussels 1070 Anderlecht
+32 2 559 15 77
GENERAL CONTACT Health Service/Care & stuvo@ehb.be
+32 2 629 20 10 Landscape Architecture
info@vub.be Campus Jette
www.vub.be Laarbeeklaan 121
1090 Jette
GENERAL STUDENT
SERVICES/INFO POINT STU-
DENTS
Building D room 1.02
Pleinlaan 2
1050 Elsene
+32 2 629 20 10
info@vub.ac.be
www.student.vub.be/en
45Odisee LUCA School of Arts KU Leuven
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
T’Serclaes building Admissions / International Brussels Campus
Admissions: room B01, Office internationaloffice.feb@
building B Paleizenstraat 70 kuleuven.be
International Office: 1030 Schaarbeek feb.kuleuven.be/international
mezzanine, building C
+32 2 250 11 14
Warmoesberg 26 international@luca-arts.be Sint-Lucas Architecture
1000 Brussels luca-arts.be/en/contact Campus
+32 2-609 81 00 international.arch@kuleuven.be
admissions@odisee.be or CAMPUS arch.kuleuven.be/international
incoming.exchange@odisee.be Campus Brussel (Sint-Lukas)
www.odisee.be/en/contact CAMPUS
Paleizenstraat 70
1030 Schaarbeek Brussels Campus
CAMPUS Warmoesberg 26
Campus Brussel Campus Brussel (Narafi) 1000 Brussels
Warmoesberg 26 Victor Rousseaulaan 75 +32 2 210 13 05
1000 Brussels 1190 Vorst info.campusbrussel
@kuleuven.be
Campus Brussel Terranova GENERAL CONTACT www.feb.kuleuven.be/eng/
Blekerijstraat 23-29 box 1 prospective-students
Paleizenstraat 70
1000 Brussels 1030 Schaarbeek Sint-Lucas Architecture
+32 2 447 10 00 Campus
info@luca-arts.be Paleizenstraat 65-67
Campus Dilbeek www.luca-arts.be/international 1030 Schaerbeek
Stationsstraat 301
1700 Dilbeek +32 2 447 19 00
GENERAL STUDENT international.arch
SERVICES @kuleuven.be
Campus Schaarbeek
Centre for Family Studies Stuvo LUCA www.arch.kuleuven.be/english
Lefrancqstraat 9
Huart Hamoirlaan 136 1030 Schaarbeek
GENERAL STUDENT
1030 Schaarbeek +32 2 250 11 13 SERVICES
stuvo.brussel@luca-arts.be
Stuvo+ (Brussels Campus)
GENERAL CONTACT www.luca-arts.be/nl/
student-support-services Warmoesberg 26
+32 2 210 12 11
1000 Brussels
info@odisee.be
www.odisee.be/en +32 2 210 13 19
brussel@stuvoplus.be
www.kuleuven.be/english/
GENERAL STUDENT
campuses/brussels-campus/
SERVICES
studying
Stuvo+
T’Serclaes building (1st floor) Stuvo LUCA (Sint-Lucas
Warmoesberg 26 Architecture Campus)
1000 Brussels
Lefrancqstraat 9
+32 2 210 13 19 1030 Schaerbeek
brussel@stuvoplus.be
+32 2 250 11 13
www.odisee.be/en/
stuvo.brussel@luca-arts.be
studyingodisee www.luca-arts.be/nl/
student-support-services
46Student Guide Brussels -Contact
Emergency Guard duties Pharmacies on duty
Tel. 0903 99 000
numbers Tel. 02 201 22 22 (24 hours a day and 7 days a
(in French and Dutch, 7 days a week) (1.50euros /min)
Fire department and week, 24 hours a day)
ambulance www.gbbw.be Tel. 070 660 160
100 (guard duties pharmacies of
Tel. 02 479 18 18 Brussels)
Police (in French, 7 days a week,
101 24 hours a day) Tel. 0900 40 090
www.medi-garde.be www.apotheek.be (in Dutch) or
European emergency number www.pharmacie.be (in French)
112 Tel. 02 513 02 02 These websites allow to obtain
(in French) information about the pharma-
Red Cross cies on duty with several search
www.sosmedecins.be
105 criteria (zip code, name of muni-
Tel. 02 242 43 44 cipality) as well as the location
CHS (Community Help Service) (in Dutch, only during the and a possible website. This
weekend) site also contains links towards
02 647 67 80
www.bhak.be health sites and useful numbers.
www.chsbelgium.org
This number allows to obtain the
Tele-Onthaal address and phone number of a
106 (in Dutch) doctor who is close to your place
of residence.
Télé-Accueil
Dentists on duty
107 (in French)
Tel. 02 426 10 26
Suicide line Tel. 0903 399 69
1813 (in Dutch) (in Dutch, on Saturday, Sunday
and holidays from 9 a.m. to 6
Poison Centre
p.m.) (1.50 euros/min)
070 245 245 This number supplies the list of
dentists on duty in the evening
Centre for burns
or during the weekend.
+32 2 268 62 00
(Military Hospital
Neder-Over-Heembeek)
Card Stop
070 344 344
Your input is welcome!
Please help us improve this guide for fellow
international students. Let us know if this
guide was helpful, inform us of mistakes or
keep us up to date of fun facts.
welcome@brik.be. Thanks!
47welcome / facts and figures
about brussels / the sound
of brussels / language /
registration / financial /
mobile phones & internet /
housing & interior / getting
around / city life / bank
holidays
& events /
leisure / work
/ interviews /
going home /
contact
VU: G.M. Rasson - Brik vzw - Zavelput 20 - 1000 BrusselYou can also read
