Finding accommodation

Finding accomodation in Leuven is not a hard task on its own. There is a huge market of smaller flats, studio apartments and student residence halls, as a significant part of the city’s population consists of students, most of whom regularly commute between Leuven and their home. However, the more specific your needs are the harder it gets to find something suitable for you, especially if you start your search relatively late.

As an exchange student it is also important to take into account that many rooms are not available for rent for one semester periods, therefore it is quite crucial to inquire the potential landlords about which periods they rent out their apartements for. In my experience, however, the landlords are generally very nice and responsive, and most of the time they can find a flexible solution

Getting Settled

Getting settled in Leuven can seem like a challenge at first, but the process is significantly quicker and less painful than in many other places I have visited. The city is quite small, and its circular shape makes it so that every point of interest is within a 20 minute walking distance, so long as you live inside the circle. The layout of the city is really easy to get familiar with as well, and in case you get lost, most people speak very fluent english.

For how small of a city Leuven is, there is a surprisingly wide range of options for shopping essentials like groceries or home supplies as well. There are multiple big supermarkets with huge selections and relatively cheap prices, several smaller 0-24 stores, and even some specialised shops for different cultures (arabic store, polish supermarket), all within walking (and cycling) distance.

University Life

As a huge part of the populaton consists of students, university life both on and off campus is thriving in Leuven. Everyone is very welcoming and ready to help, and there is a myriad programmes organized throughout the semester. As an Erasmus student, it is quite rewarding to take part in event specifically organized for international students, as you can meet and interact with many people from very different backgrounds. However, there are many events organized for the local students as well, which can be interesting from an other standpoint: you can really see and experience what the longer term student life is like.

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