Sanne(26)

In Nijmegen I studied psychology at Radboud University. For my master's I wanted something different — KU Leuven was in the global top 50 and offered a research master's that Radboud didn't have. Tuition was comparable (€1,100 per year, slightly lower than the Netherlands at the time), and the city sounded amazing. I applied and was accepted.

As a student in Leuven you register with the Student Administration service and at the municipality. You receive an annex 19 (temporary residence certificate) which you renew annually. Student life in Leuven is incredible: the Oude Markt — the longest bar in Europe — is the epicenter. I lived in a kot (student room) on Naamsestraat for €450 per month, inclusive.

During my master's I did an internship with a research group at UZ Leuven (the university hospital). That internship led to a job as research associate after graduation. UZ Leuven is one of Europe's best hospitals, and the research culture is stimulating. My contract entitled me to a residence permit as an employee — the annex 19 became an annex 8.

The transition from student to employee in Belgium requires some administration. You need to enroll in a mutualiteit (as a student I was still on Dutch student insurance), open a Belgian bank account for your salary, and join a trade union — in Belgium this is much more common than in the Netherlands and it provides benefits in case of unemployment. I chose ACV.

What I appreciate most about Belgian life is the balance. Belgians work hard, but the lunch break is sacred, public holidays are plentiful (November 11, July 21, Whit Monday...), and there's a culture of enjoyment. Every Thursday there's a market on Ladeuzeplein, Saturdays I cycle to Heverlee Bos, and in the evening I drink a Stella Artois on the Oude Markt — it's brewed here, so it's always fresh.

My advice to Dutch students considering studying in Belgium: do it, and keep the possibility of staying open. The Belgian job market highly values KU Leuven degrees, the network you build during your studies is worth gold, and the quality of life is high. I sometimes miss Nijmegen — the Waal river, the pubs in Benedenstad — but Leuven is my home now.