Brussels - Student guide 2020 2021 - LUCA | School of Arts
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Brussels
Facts and figures about Getting around
Brussels > p. 6 > p. 34
2020
2021
Student guide
eng
1
1. Welcome
4-10
Your input is welcome!
2. Language
Please help us improve this guide for
11
fellow international students. Let us
know if this guide was helpful, inform
us of mistakes or keep us up to date 3. Registration
of fun facts. 12-13
welcome@brik.be
4. Finance
Thanks! 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
for and in collaboration with 13. Going home
44
14. Contact
45-47
2
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.
1. Welcome A new adventure begins!
This guide’s aim is to help you get started and
Who or what is
Brik?
Introduction get the most out of your adventure in Brussels.
So, first of all: welcome! We’re happy you made
Brik is the service desk for
it all the way here…
Welkom in Brussel! / Bienvenue à Bruxelles! / students in Brussels and the
Dutch speaking Universities
Willkommen in Brüssel! / Welcome to Brussels!
and Universities of Applied
Sciences and Arts. We have a
Feel at home as spoken, one of which is the
very big heart for this city and
juicy Brussels dialect!
a student in this like to share the feeling. With
the support of the Flemish
metropolis Ready for the future
government, we take care of
The home base of Manneken students in Brussels. And this
Brussel Bruxelles Pis is a congress and includes you!
Brüssel Brussels business city of a global
If you don’t find an answer
level, the economic engine
Brussels is the capital city here, feel free to contact us for
of Belgium and a centre for
of Belgium and Europe. anything that has to do with
pioneering research, inno-
The official languages of your student life in Brussels.
vation and development. In
Brussels are Dutch and Come visit us (Zavelput 20,
addition, this multicultural
French, therefore, all gover- 1000 Brussels) or go to our
heart of Europe houses
nment institutions, banks, website brik.be/en.
multiple EU institutions and
hospitals, etc. are bilingual. the NATO headquarters. In This guide was written with
However, people often speak other words, you are just the help of our partners: VUB,
English as well, as Brussels at the right place to secure Erasmus Brussels University
is an international melting a work placement, an of Applied Sciences and Arts
pot: Brussels is home to the internship or even to start a (EhB), Odisee, LUCA School of
world’s second most diverse career. Arts and KU Leuven.
population (Dubai is n°1!)
with around 108 languages
4 5
Student Guide Brussels - Facts & Figures
Facts and figures about A motorway ring road (RING) has
been built roughly 6 km from the centre
Brussels of Brussels to make both transit and
entry into the city easier.
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.
Brussels has a
The time is
temperate, GMT +1 in winter
maritime GMT + 2 in summer
The conurbation covers a total climate.
surface area of 16,179 ha.
The average temperature
in summer is ± 16°Celsius
(± 60° Fahrenheit).
The average winter temperature is
± 3°Celsius (± 37° Fahrenheit).
The population has around
1.2 million inhabitants.
Roughly 30% of the city’s total
Brussels’ central boulevards are 15m above sea level, Place
population is foreign-born.
Madou is 52m above sea level, and the area between Forest
and Duden park is 100m above sea level.
Brussels is home to
182 different nationalities,
108 different languages are spoken.
Higher education in Applied Sciences and Arts stitutions in Brussels. Those
The city’s green spaces Brussels: and 100 000 students. are: VUB, Erasmus Brussels
Universities and University of Applied Science
(parks - woods - forest) You may have chosen, or still
and Arts (EhB), Odisee,
account for 11.4% of the Universities of have to choose an institution
LUCA School of Arts and KU
region’s territory. Applied Sciences and in Brussels.
Leuven.
Arts This guide will provide infor-
Brussels is home to 52 Uni- You’ll find the contact
mation and contact details
versities and Universities of details on page 46.
for the Dutch speaking in-
6 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
Student Guide Brussels - Language
2. Language
Want to be the first to Are you having trouble
finding your way around English Dutch French
know about all the cool Brussels? Do you want
to make small talk with Hi! How are you? Hallo! Hoe gaat het? Bonjour! Comment
events in Brussels? someone? Do you want to
ask out that pretty girl/boy Where are you from? Van waar ben je?
ça va?
D’où venez-vous?
you just met? Or do you Can I have your Mag ik je nummer? Je peux avoir ton
Follow us
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…?
on Facebook
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?
and Instagram!
@brikstudentinbrussel
Brik – Student in Brussel
11
Student Guide Brussels - Registration
3. Registration
Now that you have arrived in origin this has to be within useful for work or health
Brussels, the first thing you 8 days or 3 months after insurance
should do is contact your 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 resi-
residence permit can be the commune.
ding. Depending on your
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)
12 13
Student Guide Brussels - Financial
4. 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 1,0839
GBP 0,8708
AUD 1,6806
CAD 1,5222
CNY
JPY
7,6553
115,485
Banks in Belgium and
DKK 7,4626 opening your own bank account
ISK 159,351
Belgium provides citizens choose from, but which school or university. If you
HUF 349,984
and foreigners a wide range one should you choose for want to close your bank
SEK 10,6599 of banking institutions and opening your own bank account before you go back
CHF 1,0537 services. Banks are usually account? home, you will have to make
MXN 25,8350
open from Monday to Friday another appointment at
A good bank account
from 9:00 to 16:00-17:00, the same agency where you
options for Erasmus and
and once a week until 18:00 opened your bank account.
international students in
(each bank has its own day).
Belgium is the ‘Hello4You’ Recently, some online bank
Set your budget
You can exchange money bank account by BNP Parabis solutions have popped up,
bread €2 - €3 at any bank, airport or train Fortis, but ING also has that are linked to your bank
beer €1,5 - €3
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
cocktail €7 - €13
Many currency exchange an account at any bank are Revolut for example. Make
pizza €6 - €15 offices are open until 21:00- valid ID documents (with sure to check which options
train ride €6 - €17 22:00, also on weekends. your student visa), a proof work best for you.
Argenta, Belfius, ING, KBC, … of your Belgian address
hotel room €100
there are a lot of banks to and proof of enrolment in a
14 15
Student Guide Brussels - Housing & interior
6. Housing & interior
5. Mobile phones
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.
& internet
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
Everybody knows it is notice that there are a lot data on your mobile phone well. Prices vary depending your contract to daily
several common areas where
impossible (or at least of metro stations where while staying in Belgium or on the size, location and maintenance.
students can meet and eat.
very difficult) to last a you can scroll through your travelling outside your home other factors. So don’t brik.be/en/long-stay
day without internet. Facebook or Instagram country in any EU member hesitate to spend sufficient Check out brik.be/vanorley
time on your search. In the for more information! Renting from a private
Fortunately there are lots feed whilst waiting for the state.
meantime, here’s some owner
of places where you can get metro. And off course, the
free Wi-Fi, which can be first coffee shop without
If you’re coming from a advice to get you going. Other housing Most of the rooms in
country that is not a member
useful during your first days Wi-Fi still has to be opened options Brussels are rented out by
in Brussels. All the academic in Brussels, so these can be a
of the EU, then we advise Van Orley private owners. You can find
you to get a Belgian SIM Renting from your
institutions provide Wi-Fi perfect solution too.
card. The main Belgian
International university
a large amount of privately
on the campuses, but you owned rooms on MyKot.
If you’re an EU-citizen, mobile operators are Student House Some universities have The contract and practical
need your official login to
consider yourself lucky! Proximus, Orange and Base. their own student housing. matters are arranged
access it. Apart from that, Van Orley is an international
Since a couple of years, To get a SIM card, you’ll Consult the student services privately with the landlord.
the website wifi.brussels housing option, tailor-made
the ‘roam like at home’ need a valid ID, proof of of your school to ask if there brik.mykot.be/en
gives an overview of all the for exchange students who
rules mean that you don’t your Belgian address and an are rooms available for you.
public indoor and outdoor will be staying in Brussels for
have to pay any additional International Bank Account
free Wi-Fi places in Brussels. a short period of time (up to
roaming charges when using Number (IBAN).
Very convenient! You’ll 5 months). It’s biggest asset
16 17
Student Guide Brussels - Getting around
7. Getting around
Getting around in Brussels
On Foot adaptation to ride a bike in
a city, so you may want to
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
Feather your nest Hema to one of the many second
website.
Muntplein 21, 1000 Brussels hand stores in Brussels: way to move around in
(metro De Brouckère) Brussels. Bicycles are fast, Would you rather rent a
When the time has come The Marolles
Low priced generic housewa- cheap, sportive and you can bike? There are several pos-
to decorate or furnish their Vossenplein, 1000 Brussels
res in the city centre. go anywhere at any moment sibilities as well: Villo!, Blue-
rooms, Flemish students The most famous flea in the day. It takes some bike, Billy Bikes, Swapfiets…
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 Brocante Westland
find almost everything
however probably can’t fit Sylvain Dupuislaan 433, 1070
all necessary items in one Rue de Brabant Brabant- Anderlecht
suitcase. So if you’re looking straat, 1030 Schaarbeek Huge flea market every
for kitchen supplies, a new Brabantstraat, 1030 Schaar- Sunday morning at the
matrass, decoration,… you beek (metro Rogier) Westland shopping mall.
name it, you can find them in Atypical international
L’Armée du Salut
Brussels at reasonable prices shopping district with more
Ieperlaan 24, 1000 Brussels
at the following places: than 300 stores and very
Second hand store with
competitive prices.
Ikea everything you need for your
Bergensesteenweg student room at small prices.
1432, 1070 Anderlecht Low on funds? Giveaway Fair
(metro Ceria/Coovi) Second hand fair with small
Practical and affordable Zero waste? Or just need
furniture, kitchen utensils
furniture and home accesso- something unique? Scour the
and so much more for free
ries in a huge store. countless flea markets or go
at Brik!
18 19Student Guide Brussels - Getting around
Public but trams and busses are
popular as well. At night
transport there is a minimal service Collecto
with ‘Noctis’ buses. The Missed the last
First thing you need to know practical MIVB app indicates Noctis? Don’t feel
about the public transport the real time of arrival, so like walking or
in Brussels, is that students you know perfectly at what cycling home at
under 25 years old pay only time you have to be at the night? Collecto is
50 euros for a season ticket station or platform. a collective taxi
of an entire year for the
Brussels is also served service that is
MIVB. The MIVB is omnipre-
by two other public available every
sent in Brussels with a big
transport companies: day from 11pm to
range and very good service.
De Lijn (Flanders) and TEC 6am. For 6 euro per
Every person in Brussels
(Wallonia) person, the Collecto
takes the metro because
will take you to
of its speed and comfort,
every place within
the capital region.
Just download the
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.
20 21
BackToSchool_2019_Affiches.indd 6 28/08/2019 15:02:32M
M
> LL
B
T Brussel-Noord
5’
PEDESTRIAN MAP
City of Brussels
5’ 6’
6’
M
A VUB - Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus 8’
B Erasmushogeschool Brussel - Campus Jette 2’ 7’
VUB - Brussels Health Campus 6’
4’
C Erasmushogeschool Brussel - Campus Kaai M
5’ 8’
D Erasmushogeschool Brussel - Campus Bloemenhof 5’
M
E Erasmushogeschool Brussel - 3’
Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel
7’
5’ M
F Erasmushogeschool Brussel - Campus RITCS II
4’ 8’
M
G Erasmushogeschool Brussel - Campus Bottelarij 2’
G
G
4’ M
H Erasmushogeschool Brussel - Campus Kanal 7’
H 4’ 5’
II 5’
Odisee - Campus Brussel - Terranova
M
J Odisee/KU Leuven - Campus Brussel
7’ 3’
2’ 3’
K LUCA School of Arts - Campus Brussel (Narafi)
F 5’ 3’
L LUCA School of Arts - Campus Brussel (Sint-Lukas) 5’ 4’
M
M KU Leuven - Campus Brussel (Sint-Lucas) 5’ 5’ J M
4’
4’
5’
13’ M
5’
7’ 5’
Intersection D 5’ 4’
J M
T Train 5’
4’ 6’ 6’
M Metro 7’
5’
M
0’ Walking distance T Brussel-Centraal M
M
10’
3’
M 4’ 7’ 8’
7’ 5’
5’ 8’
7’
3’ 5’
C 4’
7’ 4’ 5’
M
3’
7’ 8’ M
6’ 7’
M 6’
4’ E
N
5’
6’
M
7’ 7’
6’
4’
KK
22 4’ A 23
>
Brussel-Zuid T M
>
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 Campus
N
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 aroundStudent Guide Brussels - Getting around
Getting 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
sels-South, Brussels-Central to get to the airport, you’ll
and Brussels-North), is have to pay around 9 euro
therefore an absolute plus one-way. You can also take
point if you want to travel buses from Brussels North
to Bruges, Antwerp, the Station (De Lijn) or from
seaside… If you’re under 26 Schuman (MIVB).
years old, we suggest that
Brussels South Charleroi
you buy a Youth Multi Pass,
Airport is the low cost
which lets you make 10 trips
airport and quite far from
for only 53 euros. For those
of you over 26, the best
Brussels. You can take a train
to get there, but you still
Getting around in Europe
option is a Standard Multi
have to catch a bus from the
Pass for 83 euros.
train station of Charleroi.
A return ticket in weekends The easiest and fastest Train Bus Airplane
‘Weekend Ticket’ (starting option is to take the Flibco
at 19h on Friday nights) will bus (starting from €5), that By far the easiest (and most If you’re on a budget but still As you know, you can reach
give you a 50% discount. leaves from the Brussels ecological) way to travel to want to travel, you should all the European countries
South Station. 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).
26 27Student Guide Brussels - City life
8. City life
STU
Jette
Green, quiet, cosy
DY
Schaerbeek
Dynamic, versatile, diverse
Dansaert / Canal
Hip, lively, colorful
Brussels Central
Historic, touristic, impressive
SPA
CES
Ixelles / Etterbeek
Forest Auderghem
Artsy, mediterranean, green Laid-back, international,
student friendly
Y
STUD
THER
Neighbourhoods to discover TOGE
IN
The real Brussels is in- different bars and restau- Around the world: SELS
vincible. More than ever rants. You can experience BRUS
before, the city is teeming this on foot from one district • European, Place Lux
with culture, gastronomy, (Ixelles)
to another quarter.
hospitality, joviality and a • African, Matongé (Ixelles)
laid-back attitude. Enjoy! Some hipster spots:
• Turkish, Chaussée de
Brussels is the intersection • Dansaert (City of Brussels)
Haecht (Schaerbeek)
between North and South, • St-Boniface (Ixelles)
between Germanic and • Latin, from Porte de Hal to info and locations on
Barrière (St-Gilles)
Roman culture and became • Flagey (Ixelles)
brik.be/en
throughout the years a • Parvis (St-Gilles) V.U.: Brik — Student in Brussel vzw, G.M. Rasson,
multicultural melting pot. Zavelput 20, 1000 Brussel
This results in a rich offer of
28Student 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 Rue Neuve (City organizes Study Spaces in
More specific tips of Brussels) or the more a number of community
Want to discover the sophisticated Avenue Louise centres and libraries.
Brussels live for students? (Ixelles).
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 ‘Bucket List’ 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
Brussel. who do not want to seclude spots on
themselves for weeks during brik.be/studyspaces.
31Student Guide Brussels -Bank holidays & events
9. Bank holidays Events December March
& events
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
Bank holidays in Belgium festival to kick-off the
on the Ferris wheel. music, dance, performances,
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,
New Year’s Day afterparty!
food trucks, a sweetheart New Year in Brussels
January 1 and friends for life. Saint Patrick’s Day
No better way to start the
(March 17)
Easter Monday Theaterfestival Brussels
year than in Brussels. Every
year there are the fireworks The well-known Irish
Monday after Easter Go see the best plays of the national festival is celebra-
and hundreds of people
year in the Kaaitheater. ted in Brussels as well. Put
Labour Day gather together to celebrate
on your green suit, gather
the New Year.
May 1 STOEMP!
your friends and sing a
(September – November)
merry song in one of the
Ascension Free performances of February many Irish pubs in Brussels.
39 days after Easter promising bands in the best
cafés of Brussels. Sound of Sprouts
Pentecost Monday April
Musical contest for Brussels'
Monday after October students, from live acts to
Brussels International
Pentecost DJ's. Fantastic Film Festival
Brussels’ Museums (BIFFF)
Belgian National Day Nocturnes Carnival
The festival where you might
July 21 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,
Assumption of Mary evening! The choice is big, often with a link to its rich
anything but mainstream.
August 15 so make the most of (re)dis- tradition. Some a bit bigger
covering Brussels’ cultural and more over the top Les Nuits Botanique
All Saints’ Day treasures in a pleasant and than others. If you want to (April – May)
join: you’ll find your ideal
November 1 inexpensive way. One place, dozens of
costume in shops such as concerts. Taste the spring
Picard Megafun Partysto-
Armistice Day November
in the park of the Botanical
re, Palais des Cotillons or Gardens and catch some
November 11 Maison Eldorado. performances of big names
SAINT VÉ November
Christmas in the halls of the concert
Annual student-parade with (Orangerie, Rotonde or
December 25 decorated floats, equipped Chapiteau).
with music and drinks,
through the streets of the
centre of Brussels.
32 33Student Guide Brussels -Bank holidays & events
Stoemp! (April – May) June July Meetup
In spring as well, Stoemp!
is ready to brighten up your Out Loud! Midi fair It can be rough when you’re
week. From April till the end Ideal study break at the Fair during the summer new in town. You don’t
of May you can enjoy free Beursschouwburg: a picnic holiday. Relive your carefree know anyone, nor speak the
concerts in cafés. on the rooftop terrace at childhood on the attracti- language. You always have to
noon, concerts and film ons, go ‘people watching’ search actively to get to know
people or find fun activities to
May screenings in the evening. and enjoy the unique
do. Meetup.com can help you
atmosphere.
Couleur Café with that!
Zinneke Parade
Music festival in the city with
Biennial crazy parade more than 50 acts spread August You can use Meetup to find
groups of people with common
through the Brussels’ city over three days. Good music, interests. Whether you want
centre. delicious food, designer Brussels Summer Festival
(BSF) August to learn how to speak a new
market, dancing lessons and language, or if you’re looking
Iris Festival
exhibitions. What more do A ten-day music and culture
for an exercise group - it’s all
For two days, you can enjoy you want? festival that takes place
there!
free concerts and street art over the Place des
in the beautiful Place des Roller Bike Parade Palais and the Mont
Palais during this Brussels Little/small wheels conquer des Arts. BSF was
city festival. the streets of Brussels! In already able to add
summer, appointment/ names like Iggy Pop
Pride
meeting in Place Poelaert and Patti Smith to its
Every year, this parade every Friday at seven p.m. line-up.
provides for an amazing Join this parade with your
atmosphere in the streets Boterhammen In Het Park
longboard, bicycle, roller
of Brussels. It starts at / Feeërieën
skates or hoverboard! The
the Chapelle (Marolles) DJ takes care of the beats. Free set of festivals in the
and finishes at The Beurs/ kiosk of the Royal Park, in
Bourse. Plazey the heart of Brussels. You
A festival in the Elisabeth can enjoy the best there
20km of Brussels
Park for young and old. is in the Belgian and in-
The name says it all. The Here, you can enjoy music, ternational music scene
legendary running race that workshops, good food and under the trees.
takes you along the most so much more.
beautiful monuments of the
city. As a student you can get
a discount on ‘The 20’ when
you sign in via the sports
service of your institution.
Kunstenfestivaldesarts
Multidisciplinary art festival.
You can enjoy photography,
drama, performances and
so much more on different
locations in the city.
34 35Student 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.
36 37Student Guide Brussels -Leisure
Food Useful info
and links Stuvo
Belgian specialities: (Student
Sorting waste in services)
• Frietjes
Brussels Every institution
• Vol-au-vent
has a service for
As in most Belgian and even White for the remaining
• Stoofvlees students
European cities, you have waste (studentenvoorzie-
• Chicon gratin to use specific rubbish bags
ningen or stuvo).
per type of waste and you
• Moules-frites
put them out on the street
As a student, you
• Meatballs in tomato sauce for collection on specific
can visit them for
days. (see arp-gan.be/en/
• Shrimp croquettes social, medical and
or the Recycle!-app). Not
psychological aid,
• Waffles doing this, might result in a
sports and culture,
fine. You can find the bags in
• Rabbit with prunes questions about
most supermarkets.
lodging, student
• Stoemp saucisse cafeterias and
Green for garden waste
• Steak Tartare transport.
• Sandwich Martino VUB
• Asparagus Flemish style student.vub.be/en
(services)
• Mitrailette (sandwich)
EhB
And of course, all sorts of www.ehb.be/en/stu-
beer and chocolate :) dent-support-ser-
Yellow (or a paper box/bag) vices
for paper
Orange for food. Odisee & KU Leuven
Student restaurants: Brussels Campus
In supermarkets and occasi-
VUB http://stuvoplus.be/
onally your campus you may
student.vub.be/en/ en/brussel
find recycling collectors for
food-and-drinks#restaurants
batteries, printer cartridges, LUCA School of
EhB mobile phones… Arts & KU Leuven
erasmushogeschool.be/ Sint-Lucas Brussels
en/restaurants Campus
www.luca-arts.be/
Odisee & KU Leuven Brussels
Blue for plastic bottles, nl/student-
Campus stuvoplus.be/en/brussel/food
metal packaging and drink support-services
LUCA School of Arts & KU Leuven cartons
Sint-Lucas Brussels Campus
luca-arts.be/nl/student-
support-services#cafetaria_at_
the_campus
38 39Student Guide Brussels -Work
Discounts
Studentcard
11. Work
Your student card will give
you a discount in a lot of
Switzerland can work if
places, so always check As an international student, Student jobs they:
before you pay! (e.g. the you want to enjoy your stay
cinema, clothing shops, hair- in Brussels to the fullest. But In Belgium it is allowed to • are registered in educati-
dresser, IT shops, software, what to do when your bank work as an international on with full curriculum in
museums, magazines, account says no? student although there is a Belgium;
second hand stores …) difference between students
• have a valid residence
who come from countries
ISIC card Work as a that are members of the EEA
permit.
www.isic.org/ volunteer (European Economic Area) During the official school
The internationally accepted or Switzerland and students holidays, you can work
student identity card which In Brussels there are a lot of that come from other without a job permit but
can provide discounts, offers non-profit organizations that countries. during the school year you
and services. 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
Europass the EEA or Switzerland you
is besides fun also a great can work during your stay a maximum of 20 hours per
europass.cedefop.europa. experience. As a volunteer, in Brussels under the same week.
eu/ you won’t get paid for your terms as a Belgian student.
Five documents to make voluntary work, but some • You are entitled to work
your skills and qualifications
unlimited travel on public Bruzz.be and their free
organizations pay a flat-rate
Work at Brik
transport or unlimited magazine 475 hours per year at
clearly and easily under- expense allowance (+- 34 reduced social contribu-
access to the Hop on Hop off (In Dutch) Here you’ll find Besides the fact that we are
stood in Europe: euros). Also, Brik is always tions;
buses. concerts, exhibitions, always looking for volun-
lectures and festivals that looking for students who
MuseumPASSmusees • You can earn a maximum teers, during the summer
Paspartoe want to contribute to a
are free of charge. of €12.657,14 per year. months we are looking for
nl.shop.museumpassmu- project, handing out flyers or
Or the Brussels ‘Uitpass’, a
sees.be/ (Dutch and French) students to prepare our
benefits pass for culture, Campus cafés share their knowledge about Students who come from
rooms for the new rental
This museum pass gives Brussels student life with countries from outside
youth and sports. You can
you free access to, or a Pilar the EEA distinction or season. Do you want to work
save points with your card others. Something for you?
discount on, all participating with us? Send us your CV.
and exchange them for www.pilar.brussels Don’t hesitate to contact us!
museums in Belgium. As
reduction or other benefits.
often as you want. RITCS café
You can also use this
‘uitpass’ in other cities. www.erasmushogeschool.
Brussels Card
www.uitinbrussel.be/ be/en/culture
visit.brussels/en/sites/brus-
paspartoe Het Clubke
selscard/
This card will give you http://stuvoplus.be/brussel/
For free
free entry to 40 Brussels sandwich-bar-t-clubke
museums, discounts to www.facebook.com/Grati-
tourist attractions, guided sinBrussel:
tours, shops, restaurants, (In Dutch) Here you’ll find
bars & clubs and a free concerts, exhibitions,
information guide, city map lectures and festivals that
and museum map. Optional: are free of charge.
40 41Student Guide Brussels -Interviews
Interviews
Julian Sidanth
Julian, 26, from Germany Sidanth, 24, from India
6 months in Brussels 2 years in Brussels
KU Leuven campus Brussel, VUB, Marine Biology
International Business
After studying in a quiet a mitrailette with andalouse: go-to place for cheap drinks Before arriving in Brussels, If you’re looking for a room, As an international student,
area in Sweden for a while, a big sandwich with meat, (happy hour until midnight, my experience wasn’t really it’s a good idea to try and you experience the city
I decided I really wanted fries and the spicy andalouse small beers for €1) and a lot good. Getting a visa took a get one close to the centre. differently. Belgians who
to live in the lively centre sauce. You won’t get hungry of happy people. If you’re long time, and because of I have friends who used live here take it for granted
of the city when I came to very soon after having one of into singing, than I can that I arrived 1 month later to live a bit further away and don’t feel the need to
Brussels. The location of those… recommend NUA, a karaoke than planned. On top of and they didn’t interact make new friends or explore
my university is also very bar on the Boulevard that, just before I arrived, really until they moved. To different cultures. When I’m
I rented a student bicycle
central, so it made sense to Anspach. my landlord cancelled my get around, I use public bored I just walk around
for 6 months, and used it
stay at Van Orley Internati- reserved room and I couldn’t transport all the time. and discover new things.
to explore other areas of The weekends were perfect
onal Student House. With reach him anymore. The very Sometimes I’m so lazy, that I like to make music and I
Brussels. Since I am over 25 for trips to other cities. I
100 students of different na- first days I had to stay in a I even take a bus for just 1 started to perform at open
years old, it was also a very went to Ghent, Bruges and
tionalities, it is very easy to B&B and heard about Brik stop. I’m planning to get a mics and experienced so
budget friendly solution. Lille with ESN, and after-
meet new people. There is through my course teacher. bike for the summer, though. much growth personally.
Unfortunately the very wards we organised a lot of
always someone who wants I took one of the kottours I heard there are different I got out of my shell, and
cheap ticket (€50!) for trips ourselves: Antwerp,
to explore the city or wants with them and eventually options to rent one and it’s Brussels helped with that
public transport is only for Leuven, Paris and Cologne.
to have a drink. Anouar, the found a decent room for a not too expensive. because the city encourages
students under 26. Cycling The central location of
concierge, is a really nice guy good price. small artists. It’s a great
in Brussels is fun, but be Brussels makes it very easy I like all the options you
and helps out as much as place to grow as an artist.
careful when riding on cob- to travel to these cities Now, I love Brussels. I had to have in Brussels: culture,
he can.
blestones: they can be very by train or bus. When I get used to it, but as soon nature, sports, events…
In summer, we enjoyed slippery and you don’t want stayed in Brussels during as I started making friends My favourite parc is Ter
the beautiful Botanique to fall on them. On a sunny the weekend, I enjoyed the I felt comfortable. Although Kameren, it has that forest
park, which is right across day, we once cycled to Bois Sunday markets near the I feel like people are not as vibe. Closer to the centre
the street. In that area it’s de la Cambre near the lake, Gare du Midi for groceries, or open as I’m used to in India, the Cinquantenaire is really
easy to find good but cheap which was very nice! the Marolles flea market on there’s this vibe once you nice. I don’t really eat out,
Turkish pizza restaurants, the Place du Jeu de Balle. get to know them. I have a but my friends tell me the
We would normally start our
for example Lale Pizzeria, great class, it really feels like restaurants are great too.
evening with some drinks at
where you can get a pizza a family. It is kind of mixed, I like to check out music
Van Orley, preferably on the
with salad for less than €8. All both Belgian and interna- related events that I find
roof terrace if the weather
residents of Van Orley would tional students, but I get on Meetup or Facebook.
would allow it. Celtica
go to Snack le Botanique for along with all of them. Always lots to do!
close to la Bourse is the
42 43Student Guide Brussels -Contact
14. Contact
Higher Education Erasmus Brussels RITCS Royal Institute for
University of Applied Theatre, Cinema & Sound
institutions Campus Dansaert
Sciences and Arts -
A. Dansaertstraat 70
VUB EhB 1000 Brussels
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Campus Bottelarij
Nijverheidskaai 170
International Office Delaunoystraat 58
1070 Anderlecht
Karel Van Miert Building 1080 Sint-Jans-Molenbeek
+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
www.vub.be/en/international# Design & Technology, Musical Regentschapsstraat 30 and
home Campus Kaai Kleine Zavel 5
student.vub.be/en Nijverheidskaai 170 1000 Brussels
1070 Anderlecht
CAMPUS GENERAL CONTACT
Management, Media & Society +32 2 523 37 37
Brussels Humanities, Sciences &
Engineering Campus Campus Bloemenhof info@ehb.be
Zespenningenstraat 70 www.ehb.be
Pleinlaan 2
1000 Brussels
1050 Elsene
GENERAL STUDENT
Education & Pedagogy SERVICES
Brussels Health Campus
13. Going home
Campus Kanal Stuvo EhB
Laarbeeklaan 103
Slotstraat 28 Nijverheidskaai 170
1090 Jette
1000 Brussels 1070 Anderlecht
GENERAL CONTACT +32 2 559 15 77
Health Service/Care &
stuvo@ehb.be
+32 2 629 20 10 Landscape Architecture
info@vub.be Campus Jette
We hope you had a great • Unregister from the com-
www.vub.be Laarbeeklaan 121
time in Brussels. Now you’re mune
1090 Jette
going home, don’t forget to: GENERAL STUDENT
• Close your Belgian bank
SERVICES/INFO POINT STU-
• Inform your receiving in- account DENTS
stitution of your departure
• Terminate your Belgian Building D room 1.02
date Pleinlaan 2
insurances
1050 Elsene
• Check all your contracts,
• ECTS credits +32 2 629 20 10
big and small, to see if
info@vub.ac.be
there’s a notive period • Say goodbye to all your www.student.vub.be/en
and terminate them in due friends!
time (e.g. tenancy agree-
ment, internet, sports
center… )
44 45Student Guide Brussels -Contact
Odisee LUCA School of Arts KU Leuven Emergency Guard duties Pharmacies on duty
Tel. 0903 99 000
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS numbers Tel. 02 201 22 22 (24 hours a day and 7 days a
T’Serclaes building Admissions / International Brussels Campus (in French and Dutch, 7 days a week) (1.50euros /min)
Admissions: room B01, Office Fire department and week, 24 hours a day)
internationaloffice.feb@
building B ambulance www.gbbw.be Tel. 070 660 160
Paleizenstraat 70 kuleuven.be
International Office: 1030 Schaerbeek feb.kuleuven.be/international 100 (guard duties pharmacies of
mezzanine, building C Tel. 02 479 18 18 Brussels)
+32 2 250 11 14 Police
Warmoesberg 26 Sint-Lucas Architecture (in French, 7 days a week,
international@luca-arts.be
Campus 101 24 hours a day) Tel. 0900 40 090
1000 Brussels luca-arts.be/en/contact
www.medi-garde.be www.apotheek.be (in Dutch) or
+32 2-609 81 00 international.arch@kuleuven.be European emergency number www.pharmacie.be (in French)
admissions@odisee.be or CAMPUS arch.kuleuven.be/international
112 Tel. 02 513 02 02 These websites allows to obtain
incoming.exchange@odisee.be Campus Brussel (Sint-Lukas) (in French) information about the pharma-
www.odisee.be/en/ CAMPUS Red Cross cies on duty with several search
Paleizenstraat 70 www.sosmedecins.be
international-office Brussels Campus 105 criteria (zip code, name of muni-
1030 Schaerbeek
Tel. 02 242 43 44 cipality) as well as the location
Warmoesberg 26
CAMPUS CHS (Community Help Service) (in Dutch, only during the and a possible website. This
Campus Brussel (Narafi) 1000 Brussels
02 647 67 80 weekend) site also contains links towards
Campus Brussel Victor Rousseaulaan 75 +32 2 210 13 05
www.chsbelgium.org www.bhak.be
Warmoesberg 26 1190 Forest info.campusbrussel
1000 Brussels @kuleuven.be This number allows to obtain the
Tele-Onthaal address and phone number of a
GENERAL CONTACT www.feb.kuleuven.be/eng/
Campus Brussel Terranova prospective-students 106 (in Dutch) doctor who is close to your place
Paleizenstraat 70 of residence.
Blekerijstraat 23-29 box 1 1030 Schaerbeek Télé-Accueil
1000 Brussels Sint-Lucas Brussels Campus
Dentists on duty
+32 2 447 10 00 Paleizenstraat 65-67 107 (in French)
info@luca-arts.be 1030 Schaerbeek Tel. 02 426 10 26
www.luca-arts.be/international Suicide line Tel. 0903 399 69
Campus Dilbeek +32 2 447 19 00 1813 (in Dutch) (in Dutch, on Saturday, Sunday
Stationsstraat 301 arch.brussel@kuleuven.be
GENERAL STUDENT and holidays from 9 am to 6 pm)
1700 Dilbeek www.arch.kuleuven.be/english/ Poison Centre
SERVICES (1.50 euros/min)
campus-sintlucas-brussels 070 245 245 This number supplies the list of
Campus Schaarbeek Stuvo LUCA
dentists on duty in the evening
Lefrancqstraat 9 Centre for burns
Higher Institute for Family GENERAL STUDENT or during the weekend.
1030 Schaerbeek
Sciences SERVICES +32 2 268 62 00
Huart Hamoirlaan 136 +32 2 250 11 13 (Military Hospital
Stuvo+ (for students from KU
stuvo.brussel@luca-arts.be Neder-Over-Heembeek)
1030 Schaerbeek Leuven)
www.luca-arts.be/nl/
Brussels Campus Card Stop
student-support-services
GENERAL CONTACT Warmoesberg 26 070 344 344
1000 Brussels
+32 2 210 12 11
info@odisee.be +32 2 210 13 19
www.odisee.be/en brussel@stuvoplus.be
www.stuvoplus.be/en
GENERAL STUDENT
Your input is welcome!
Stuvo LUCA (for students from
SERVICES
Sint-Lucas Brussels Campus)
Stuvo+ Please help us improve this guide for fellow
Lefrancqstraat 9 international students. Let us know if this
T’Serclaes building (1st floor)
1030 Schaerbeek
Warmoesberg 26 guide was helpful, inform us of mistakes or
1000 Brussels +32 2 250 11 13
keep us up to date of fun facts.
stuvo.brussel@luca-arts.be
+32 2 210 13 19
www.luca-arts.be/nl/
brussel@stuvoplus.be
student-support-services
www.stuvoplus.be/en/brussel welcome@brik.be. Thanks!
46 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 Brussel
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