Overall Reviews
3.90 / 5 based on 339 reviews
Useful |
3
“Good university and opportunities of exchanges abroad”
Sharon C
Belgium, Graduate
International Relations, 2018
OverallI found the political science courses very interesting and useful for my future career ambitions. Good quality of teaching and studying methods. Teachers encourage both individual research and team work. The strength of seminars at ULB is that they stimulate a critical and analytical attitude towards a number of global issues.
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Pros
Analytical skills / opportunities abroad / self independence
Cons
Disorganised / highly bureaucratic and messy / luck of support from the personnel and teachers
Useful |
4
“Worth trying”
Joanna K
Poland, Graduate
Language, 2019
Overall
I liked the campus and university overall but teachers tend to treat students from other countries in a harsh manner. I was enrolled at the university as a full time student, but I'm not from Belgium, and even though I speak French fluently, I'm not a native speaker. Professors weren't very helpful and welcoming, so don't be surprised by their racist attitude.
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Pros
Multicultural environment and good atmosphere, student's circles
Cons
Racist professors
Useful |
3
loula
,
Philosophy, Undergraduate, Independent
Overall
I wish I had known...
That the only way you can get close to locals is by either by being one yourself (not possible) or by downing as many bottles of beers as possible to get their respect (grow up??!!)
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In my opinion:
Stay home.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
I did not seek the opportunity to go to Brussels, the opportunity came to me. I shortened my stay there because it lacked interest... The courses are not great, you don't get to interact much with students unless you go through all sort of rituals called the "baptism" (baptême) in the beginning of the year... It's ridiculous: you have to drink until you're sick, eat things without knowing what they are, and do things you don't necessarily want to do... It's worse if you're female (which I am). All this grossed me out right from the start and even if I made friends with other international students (who were just as disgusted as I was!!), the whole point of being in a foreign country is to get to know the locals and interact with them. It's not at the university that you get to do this.
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
Brussels is great for travelling. You can go nearly anywhere in Europe for the weekend. Beware of the Belgian bureaucracy, it's absolutely hopeless! It's a priority to be fluent in French or you can easily get into a mess. My example: I never received my student visa, only a student card. So, I had problems with the police who had lost my file records. They said they would send my residence/visa card but they never did, so I was an illegal resident of Belgium for my entire stay there!!! It's ok if you are a European Union student (you don't need a visa) but if you're not - - good luck!!! Luckily I speak French and had my ULB student card to prove I was allowed to be there, but I don't think such a thing would happen in another country... Working is supposed to be illegal for students but you can easily find jobs anyway. There's a good English community in Brussels so you can easily get to know English people. Although you have to make the effort to interact with people or else you'll get lonely. Brussels is a highly cultural city, the beer is good and so are the chocolates, and it really is the heart of Europe. However, it's more of a quiet place therefore not a great student city and the weather is absolutely horrible.
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Useful |
0
“Good school for an international student”
Rylan S
Belgium, Graduate
Geography, 2023
Overall
I'm in a joint program with the ULB and the VUB. It's been a good set-up so far, there's lots going on at the ULB to participate in. The school administration is sometimes opaque and unhelpful, unfortunately. They offer free French classes to students, which is really helpful!
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Pros
Affordable, Lots going on
Cons
Frustrating bureaucracy
Useful |
2
Donal B
Overall
I wish I had known...
Nightlife aint that great. Belgian natives not the most jovial in the world.
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In my opinion:
I loved it but I'm not sure everybody would.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
Good not great
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
Had a great time in the much underated city of brussels. It is a very beautiful city despite all the rumours you hear. Weather in summer time is surprisingly nice, while winter was even more wet and colder than Ireland.
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Useful |
0
Christina W
Overall
I wish I had known...
If I had known before,I would have applied for a year and not just for one term.
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In my opinion:
Most people loved it.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
University offers especially marketing and finance courses, it's hard to find other ones!
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
It's quite a good possibility to travel around, not only in Belgium (it's not really a beautiful country in my opinion!)but also in the neighbour contries (if you take the EUROLINES-Bus, it's not that expensive). Enjoy every moment, it's a great possibility to get in contact with people from all over the world!
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