NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm moving to Belgium in September to study for 4months at Louvain before going to study or work in Heidelberg, Germany. I was wondering if anyone has any tips or advice for moving abroad, these regions, or similar experiences, as I'm getting all confused and worked up about it. :confused:

Try the beers

Get a map of the city or region.

Try the beers
I can second that.

I'm moving to Belgium in September to study for 4months at Louvain before going to study or work in Heidelberg, Germany. I was wondering if anyone has any tips or advice for moving abroad, these regions, or similar experiences, as I'm getting all confused and worked up about it. :confused:
DON'T MENTION ZE WAR!!


sorry i had to:p

Well, what exactly do you want to know?
I take it you've never been abroad for a longer time so far? Don't worry, people aren't so different, no matter where you go

I'm moving to Belgium in September to study for 4months at Louvain before going to study or work in Heidelberg, Germany. I was wondering if anyone has any tips or advice for moving abroad, these regions, or similar experiences, as I'm getting all confused and worked up about it. :confused:

Ok, i'm on my year out for uni this year, hehe, currently writing this at my desk at work :D

Anyways, make a checklist, always a good idea, of everything you can think of that you will need to take and do once your there.

You'll need your E111 or the newer version. Passport obviously and insurence (endsleigh are pretty reasonable and its tailored for students).

Bank details of course, you'll need to get an account whilst your there maybe, or take a whole load of cash with you to begin with and ration it (but you'll have to be very careful if you do that).

First day, get a map :) Simple as, if you see something interesting when you walk about, mark it on your map.

Talk to the locals or the locals tourist information office and get all the free stuff you can lay your hands on.

Do your research too, you can get maps, history, locations of shops all sorts. Google is God :)

Use public transport, compared to home its easy and cheap, plus it saves on car insurence, which it would be fair to say you won't get unless your 25.

Thats all i can think of right now...

oh yeah, try the beer :D

Well, what exactly do you want to know?
I take it you've never been abroad for a longer time so far? Don't worry, people aren't so different, no matter where you go

I was wondering if anyone has any info on these places, for example, good places to see, what the towns are like, etc.

Ok, i'm on my year out for uni this year, hehe, currently writing this at my desk at work :D

Anyways, make a checklist, always a good idea, of everything you can think of that you will need to take and do once your there.

You'll need your E111 or the newer version. Passport obviously and insurence (endsleigh are pretty reasonable and its tailored for students).

Bank details of course, you'll need to get an account whilst your there maybe, or take a whole load of cash with you to begin with and ration it (but you'll have to be very careful if you do that).

First day, get a map :) Simple as, if you see something interesting when you walk about, mark it on your map.

Talk to the locals or the locals tourist information office and get all the free stuff you can lay your hands on.

Do your research too, you can get maps, history, locations of shops all sorts. Google is God :)

Use public transport, compared to home its easy and cheap, plus it saves on car insurence, which it would be fair to say you won't get unless your 25.

Thats all i can think of right now...

oh yeah, try the beer :D

Thanks very much, where are you?

Hopefully, you speak an additional language other than English.

Thanks very much, where are you?

I'm on the Bodensee in Germany :)

Oh, and when you get to germany, just be aware they are a complete arse for forms and registering, or at least thats so in my experience. But its great living here, i loathe my job, but the place is great :)

Well, if you're coming to Belgium, and especially Louvain, you shouldn't have to much problems if you can speak English.
Also, try to make some contact early during your stay. We Belgians are quite social people and us students in particular ;). If you ask for help, you'll probably get help and chances are you just made yourself a new friend as well.
In Louvain, a map is a necessety the first few weeks, but there are café's and bars in abundance to try the beers. Especially 'De Blauwe Kater', it has over 100 beers (all Belgian).
If you need any more help, I'm a Begian student in Louvain (as you've probably guessed by now), just let me know. (Although an answer might take a while, the exams are coming very close now..)

I was wondering if anyone has any info on these places, for example, good places to see, what the towns are like, etc.

Heidleberg is nice, pretty castle, river, etc. I have relatives that live there (they're nice too, if a little crazy). Are you doing a course in German while you're there? Will you be staying with a host family?

Heidleberg is nice, pretty castle, river, etc. I have relatives that live there (they're nice too, if a little crazy). Are you doing a course in German while you're there? Will you be staying with a host family?
Heidleberg? Isn't that where they have all those uncertainties with whether the cats are dead or alive?

Well, if you're coming to Belgium, and especially Louvain, you shouldn't have to much problems if you can speak English.
Also, try to make some contact early during your stay. We Belgians are quite social people and us students in particular ;). If you ask for help, you'll probably get help and chances are you just made yourself a new friend as well.
In Louvain, a map is a necessety the first few weeks, but there are café's and bars in abundance to try the beers. Especially 'De Blauwe Kater', it has over 100 beers (all Belgian).
If you need any more help, I'm a Begian student in Louvain (as you've probably guessed by now), just let me know. (Although an answer might take a while, the exams are coming very close now..)

It's nice to know you are very sociable, as the reason I chose Belgium over France to study is because I'd heard horror stories about French universities. I speak French and so want to get as much out of being in a French speaking university as I can but the thought that many people speak English is comforting. Good luck in your exams!

Heidleberg is nice, pretty castle, river, etc. I have relatives that live there (they're nice too, if a little crazy). Are you doing a course in German while you're there? Will you be staying with a host family?

I will study German at Heidelberg university if I go there but it's a little uncertain at the moment. I hope to stay in university accomodation, however a German speaking host family would be ideal!