Reviews of Universiteit Gent (RUG) | Belgium

Useful | 1

Godheart S

Buea University, Buea, Cameroon
Management Science, Undergraduate, University Agreement

Overall

I wish I had known...

I wish i had known the local language and the culture.

In my opinion:

Most people loved it.

Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important

Academic reasons

4

Culture

2

Costs

3

Activities

2

Campus life

2

Party / people

3

Weather / location

4

Personal recommendation

That there be more staff at the foreign student registration desk especially at the beginning of the academic year. And that more courses be offered in English too and not only limited to dutch. It will make the University more international.

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

Became familiar with another culture

3

Traveled

3

Improved language skills

3

Met people from other countries

4

Became more independent

4

Partied a lot

4

Experienced a change in life

4

Advanced my studies & career

4

Final comments

It was a great experience studying in this University and in this Country. It has changed my life completely to what i never expected. I am very happy with these changes and hope to make good use of them. I advise new comers to learn the language immediately upon arrival otherwise they will be alsmost lost in this environment.

Useful | 2

Katarzyna P

Warsaw School of Economics, Warsaw, Poland
Marketing and Sales Management, Undergraduate, Erasmus

Expenses

Main source of funding:

Personal savings

Other sources of funding:

An ERASMUS grant

Work opportunities:

I didn't explore any work options

Personal spending habits

The prices concerning such categories as food, housing, nightlife and travel are much more higher in Belgium than in Poland.

Nightlife, Housing, Travel, Food, Overall:

was more expensive than at home.

Telephone:

was less expensive than at home.

Accessibility of student needs

Second-hand text books

Second-hand household items

Computers / Internet

Administrative

Money from home

Personal comments

I have to say I was not surprise as far as financial side of studying abroad is concerned. What is more, in my opinion being one year in Belgium is worth to use all opportunities provided in that country - not to try save money but earn it before or during staying here. However, if I was to indicate any cost-saving tips: students should bring as much food as possible from home; to rent a bike is cheaper than public transport; if only possible- live on campus instead of finding a room or house on private market.

Useful | 0

LouiseAdams

Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom
Communication and Information Sciences, Undergraduate, Erasmus

Overall

I wish I had known...

More information about the course content would have been better. Because the faculty's not used to having many Erasmus students (as the courses are only in Dutch), we weren't provided with much information about what would be expected of us upon arrival.

In my opinion:

Everybody loved it, you will too!

Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important

Academic reasons

3

Culture

3

Costs

3

Activities

4

Campus life

4

Party / people

4

Weather / location

3

Personal recommendation

I would definately recommend Gent University to anyone. I had an amazing time. The International Relations Office was really helpful and well organised. They were always promt to answer any questions I had prior to arriving and, when I arrived, there was an Erasmus Welcome Day which detailed everything we would need to know about our stay in Gent. The Erasmus Student Network (ESN) was really helpful and a brilliant organisation for socialising and meeting other Erasmus Students.

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

Became familiar with another culture

4

Traveled

4

Improved language skills

3

Met people from other countries

4

Became more independent

4

Partied a lot

4

Experienced a change in life

4

Advanced my studies & career

3

Final comments

Studying abroad is the best thing you could do to broaden your horizons. Not only does it further you acedemically, it enables you to meet people from a wide range of countries and cultures. You will end up with friends all over Europe!

Useful | 5

Katarzyna P

Warsaw School of Economics, Warsaw, Poland
Marketing and Sales Management, Undergraduate, Erasmus

Housing

Type of housing: On campus

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: On campus

Why?

Despite poor facilities on campus there are one main advantage: people. Most of the students are exchenge students that help both to find all needed information and to deal with a diverse international group of people every day.

Personal assessment

Cost

Facilities

Location

Cleanliness

Space

Personal comments

As I mentioned above, facilities here are rather poor: rooms are small, there is no laundry, kitchen is not sufficiently equiped for such a big group of students and campus itself is located at the very end of the city. However, there are also facilities like gym, student restaurant and common room at every floor that are definitely an advantage. What is more, the house is clean.

Useful | 0

“A place open for every opinion”

Bernd V

Belgium, Graduate
European Studies, 2022

Overall

The courses I take are very much linked to everything the European Union does, we learn the ins-and-outs of decision making, European diplomacy and rights.

Pros

A lot of interaction with the professors, always open for conversation

Cons

Campuses are scattered across town

Useful | 0