Hi Crew,
I am presently going through the process of trying to find accomodations for next year. I have four options available to me:
1) University Residence
2) Private Accommodation AKA Kot
3) City Living Student Hotel
4) Self Initiative Search
The university residence isn't really an option. All the descriptions I've read and people I've talked to have said that although the price is attractive, the location is isolated and undesirable. It is located on the campus of Sart-Tilman which is actually outside of town. Buses stop running at about 11:00 pm which can make getting home difficult. No thank you.
The private accommodations option definitely shows some potential. ULg has what is called the "International Exchange Student Network" (ESN) which is a student association that among other things will locate and negotiate the terms of a lease for incoming international students. The average price of housing found through the ESN is 300€ monthly and the administration fee for finding a place and working out the details for you is relatively low at 20€. I have filled out the registration form and submitted it so hopefully I hear back relatively soon.
The City Living Student Hotel is a neat concept. It is a complex that house about 150 students and is 10 minutes away from the downtown ULg campus. A full time building manager is always floating around and the complex is extremely secure and is know for being a safe place. There are four different room types that range from basic to over abundance. The room I am considering is the most basic bedroom. Consisting of simple furniture and a bathroom with stand up shower, the cost for the "standard" level rooms are about 460€ a month with utilities not included. The more advanced rooms have more space, double beds, full bathrooms, and full kitchens if you are willing to pay for them. There is one common room and study area for the building but full kitchens on each floor. The kitchens have locking cupboards for each resident. I think that is a brilliant idea. Another nice thing about City Living, although again expensive, is that they sell basic linen and kitchen packages that have all the basics you need. It would be nice if these were provided but I can't imagine it would be too hard to buy a set of an outgoing student for relatively cheap. My only hesitation with City Living at this moment in time is one or two of the contract clauses. Before I apply I will definitely be consulting with someone who is wiser than I.
My last resort is trying to find something on my own. This may prove rather difficult from Canada but I'm sure I could dig something up.
Tomorrow I have a meeting set up with a former Liege exchange student named Eugene. He did a double semester 10 month exchange and lived one semester in residence and one semester in a Kot. Hopefully he will be able to provide some insight.
153ish days until take off!
- Jacqueline
Tuesday 29 March 2011
Sunday 27 March 2011
Up and Running
Hi Crew,
Although I don't leave for another five months, I figured it would be best to get the blog up and running before I leave. Besides taking the time to tinker away on small details like colour schemes, I will also post on what it takes to get set up for a trip like the one I am taking. For those who don't know, I am embarking on an international exchange through the University of Lethbridge's (U of L) Faculty of Management to Liege, Belgium from September 2011 - June 2012. During these 10 months, I will be studying at the University of Liege (ULg) at the HEC Management School. Although I will receive credit for the courses I take, let's be honest. I am Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science major going on an international management exchange. My actual goals are as follows:
1) Learn how to survive on my own in a foreign country
2) Become fluent in French
3) Travel as often and as broadly as possible
4) Seduce a handsome Belgian Prince and create a Canada/Belgium mega-nation
In actuality, I will serve as a convenient excuse for any friends and/or family that have always wanted to explore Europe to finally jump on a plane. That being said, you are all highly encouraged to come visit me.
In the mean time, I am going through the process of applications to ULg, acquiring a student visa, filling out all the fun liability forms the Faculty of Management requires, and attending information sessions and meetings. Last Friday we had a meeting that was Culture Shock and Risk Management. Instead of scaring me with all the things that could possibly go wrong, it only served to build my excitement as we talked about little customs that are intimate to the Belgian culture. For example, when invited to a house, bring flowers or fine chocolates for the hostess. If you bring flowers, they cannot be chrysanthemums (which symbolize death) and they must be in an odd number but not 13. Exposure to these culture differences, no matter how small and specific, is exactly why I'm going.
I am fortunate in that I have another student going on exchange with me to the same school for the fall semester. Her name is Chelsa. She is a third year management major and wants to travel as much as possible during her single semester exchange. We are extremely fortunate to be able to plan together for housing, flights, rail passes, etc. Unfortunately, as I mentioned, she is only going to be in Belgium from September to December. As such, I will be on my own for the second semester unless another handful of students from U of L arrive for the spring semester. Being on my own is a relative term though. ULg has an absolutely enormous international student population.
Cheers,
Jacqueline
PS: The name of this blog is a reference to a friend from Lethbridge. Having spent 7 months in Tanzania prior to when we met, he would often start his stories with, "This one time in Tanzania...". After I called him out on overusing that line, he told me my karma for teasing him would be finding myself constantly starting all my future stories with, "This one time in Belgium...".
Although I don't leave for another five months, I figured it would be best to get the blog up and running before I leave. Besides taking the time to tinker away on small details like colour schemes, I will also post on what it takes to get set up for a trip like the one I am taking. For those who don't know, I am embarking on an international exchange through the University of Lethbridge's (U of L) Faculty of Management to Liege, Belgium from September 2011 - June 2012. During these 10 months, I will be studying at the University of Liege (ULg) at the HEC Management School. Although I will receive credit for the courses I take, let's be honest. I am Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science major going on an international management exchange. My actual goals are as follows:
1) Learn how to survive on my own in a foreign country
2) Become fluent in French
3) Travel as often and as broadly as possible
4) Seduce a handsome Belgian Prince and create a Canada/Belgium mega-nation
In actuality, I will serve as a convenient excuse for any friends and/or family that have always wanted to explore Europe to finally jump on a plane. That being said, you are all highly encouraged to come visit me.
In the mean time, I am going through the process of applications to ULg, acquiring a student visa, filling out all the fun liability forms the Faculty of Management requires, and attending information sessions and meetings. Last Friday we had a meeting that was Culture Shock and Risk Management. Instead of scaring me with all the things that could possibly go wrong, it only served to build my excitement as we talked about little customs that are intimate to the Belgian culture. For example, when invited to a house, bring flowers or fine chocolates for the hostess. If you bring flowers, they cannot be chrysanthemums (which symbolize death) and they must be in an odd number but not 13. Exposure to these culture differences, no matter how small and specific, is exactly why I'm going.
I am fortunate in that I have another student going on exchange with me to the same school for the fall semester. Her name is Chelsa. She is a third year management major and wants to travel as much as possible during her single semester exchange. We are extremely fortunate to be able to plan together for housing, flights, rail passes, etc. Unfortunately, as I mentioned, she is only going to be in Belgium from September to December. As such, I will be on my own for the second semester unless another handful of students from U of L arrive for the spring semester. Being on my own is a relative term though. ULg has an absolutely enormous international student population.
Cheers,
Jacqueline
PS: The name of this blog is a reference to a friend from Lethbridge. Having spent 7 months in Tanzania prior to when we met, he would often start his stories with, "This one time in Tanzania...". After I called him out on overusing that line, he told me my karma for teasing him would be finding myself constantly starting all my future stories with, "This one time in Belgium...".
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