LEUVEN .../media/masters/... · Leuven is home to the KU Leuven, the oldest and largest University...
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1 2020 - 2021 INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE LEUVEN
Transcript of LEUVEN .../media/masters/... · Leuven is home to the KU Leuven, the oldest and largest University...
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2020 - 2021
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE
LEUVEN
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CONTENT OF THIS GUIDE
1. WELCOME ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
2. LEUVEN: A UNIVERSITY CITY ....................................................................................................................... 4
3. PRE-ARRIVAL ARRANGEMENTS ................................................................................................................... 5
3.1. Applying for a Student Visa ................................................................................................................................................................................ 5
4. ARRIVING IN BELGIUM .................................................................................................................................. 7
4.1. Getting to Leuven ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
4.2. Getting to the Leuven Campus ....................................................................................................................................................................... 7
5. LIVING IN LEUVEN ........................................................................................................................................ 8
5.1. Looking for Accommodation............................................................................................................................................................................ 8
5.2. Registering at the City Hall – Residence Permit ................................................................................ 10
6. HEALTHCARE SYSTEM ................................................................................................................................ 12
6.1. Health Care Insurance ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 12
a.) Why sign up for a Belgian Insurance ..................................................................................................... 12
b.) Organisations........................................................................................................................................ 12
c.) Procedure ............................................................................................................................................ 13
d.) Reimbursements ................................................................................................................................... 13
6.2. Where to go if you need Medical Assistance ..................................................................................................................................... 14
a.) General Practitioner ............................................................................................................................. 14
b.) Student Doctor .................................................................................................................................... 15
c.) Dentist ................................................................................................................................................. 15
d.) Hospitals .............................................................................................................................................. 15
e.) Mental Well-being ................................................................................................................................ 16
6.3. Coronavirus Information in Belgium ......................................................................................................................................................... 17
7. OTHER PRACTICAL INFORMATION .......................................................................................................... 18
7.1. Opening a Bank Account.................................................................................................................................................................................. 18
7.2. Public Transportation .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 18
7.3. Cycling ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 19
7.4. Student Restaurants ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 19
7.5. Sports Facilities ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 20
7.6. Travel while in Belgium ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 21
7.7. Climate and Clothing ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 21
8. PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN BELGIUM IN 2020/21................................................................................................................................ 22
9. USEFUL CONTACT INFORMATION .................................................................................................................................................. 23
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1. WELCOME
We would like to welcome you to Belgium and give you some practical information about life in Leuven.
As a student at the Vlerick Business School (Leuven Campus) you will be eligible to benefit from some of
the student services offered by Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL student card). These benefits include
a.o. sport facilities, cultural events, student restaurants and much more. 1
If you have any questions that are not addressed in this guide, please direct them to the International Office.
For programme related questions, please contact your Programme Manager.
International Office
Programme Management Leuven
1 You can purchase a Sports Card, a Culture Card (https://www.kuleuven.be/english/culture/culturecard) and a Bus Pass when signing up for a
student card at the KU Leuven. The Sports Card is an extra 23 Euro, the Culture Card is 20 Euro and the Bus Pass is 20-25 Euro.
Kimberly Pauwels
International Office Ghent
Nina Peters
International Office Leuven
Anniina Kuronen
International Office Brussels
Tanja Vercruysse
Visa related questions
Nina Peters
Programme Manager
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2. LEUVEN: A UNIVERSITY CITY
Leuven is home to the KU Leuven, the oldest and largest
University in the Low Countries, and its student population
counts with 40,000 students. Cosy corners alternate with
pleasant and busy shopping streets. Situated at the
intersection of the European traffic arteries, Leuven is very
easy to reach by road as well as by train and by plane. The
city is also a cultural attraction pole with important beer,
music and film festivals, as well as a varied theatre and
performance scene. The campus of the town’s University
is spread over the heart of the city, which enlivens the
atmosphere.
Find out what to see, where to eat, and what is going on in Leuven on the Tourist Office website2.
2 Website: http://www.visitleuven.be/en.
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3. PRE-ARRIVAL ARRANGEMENTS
3.1. Applying for a Student Visa
If you are not a European citizen, you will need to apply for a Student Visa to come to Belgium. For
further information about the procedure, please consult your local Belgian Embassy or Consulate.
We recommend that you apply for a student visa type D with multiple entries and with a validity for the
entire duration of the programme. Please take into account that it can take up to two months to process
a student visa application once a complete application is submitted with the Belgian embassy. The Belgian
embassy or consulate in your country will provide you with all information on the documents and
procedures required to obtain this visa. Please enquire at your local embassy or consulate as soon as you
receive your proof of registration from the admissions office.
Since Vlerick Business School is a higher education establishment organized, recognized and subsidized by
the public authorities (Article 58), there is no need to provide information on course curriculum.
Visa fees: The administrative fee, to be paid to the embassy, equals to €200 as Vlerick Business School is a
public university institution. This fee is to be paid on top of the handling fee/consular taxes of the long
stay visa (equivalent of €180 in local currency). You are exempted of paying the administrative fee in case
you received a scholarship.
To apply for the visa, you will also have to prove solvency3:
• via “pledge of financial support”, also called Annex 32
A pledge of financial support is specific proof of means of subsistence. Through this pledge of
financial support, parents or relatives act as a guarantor for your period of residence, your return
journey and your medical costs.
• via blocked account
You can transfer €9.600 into the account of Vlerick Business School and get a Financial
Certificate to prove solvency to the embassy in return. (i.e. we will pay back 12 times €800 into
your Belgian bank account from September 2019 up and including August 2020).
3 Website: https://dofi.ibz.be/sites/dvzoe/EN/Application-guides/Pages/Sufficient_means_of_subsistence_Students.aspx.
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Extra step for Chinese students: APS
In case you have a Chinese degree certificate, you will have to obtain the APS certificate in order to get a
student visa at the Belgian embassy or Consulates General in PR China. Please contact the APS
administration in Beijing at [email protected].
The APS screening consists of two parts:
• they will check the authenticity of your degree certificate and will therefore contact your
university or the Chinese Ministry of Education.
• in addition there is an interview testing your language skills.
Note: If you fail to obtain the correct visa, Vlerick Business School cannot be held responsible for the
resulting consequences.
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4. ARRIVING IN BELGIUM
4.1. Getting to Leuven
There are two airports in Brussels. Brussels International airport (Zaventem) and Brussels-South Charleroi.
Both airports are connected by public transport to the city. Please consult the following websites for further
information:
• www.brusselsairport.be/en/
• www.charleroi-airport.com/en
The easiest way to reach the city centre from Zaventem airport is by train (around 15 minutes). There
are several trains every hour. Note that in order to use the trains connecting the airport and the city you
need to purchase a ticket with the Diabolo fee (€ 5.25 on the top of the ticket). For more information
check out the website of the Belgian rail: https://www.belgiantrain.be/en
Keep in mind that the use of face masks on busses, in Belgian train stations as well as on trains themselves
is currently mandatory for all travellers older than 12 years (status July 10th 2020).
4.2. Getting to the Leuven Campus
The Leuven campus is located in the hear of the city - at Vlamingenstraat 83, 3000 Leuven. A detailed
route description is available here4.
4 Website: https://www.vlerick.com/en/about-vlerick/our-campuses/campus-leuven
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5. LIVING IN LEUVEN
The Vlerick Business School does not offer on-campus accommodation. We advise our students to come
to Leuven and book a room at a hostel, Airbnb or similar whilst they look for permanent housing. Previously
students have stayed in the following hostels:
5.1. Looking for Accommodation
The best way to look for a room or an apartment is simply by walking
around the vicinity of the School, looking for orange signs saying ‘te huur’
(= for rent). To visit a room, you have to call the landlord and schedule an
appointment. Most landlords in Leuven speak English.
You can also use the following websites to find accommodation:
• Student Housing: www.globiss.be/en/
• Student Housing: https://www.xior.be/en/
• Student Room Search Engine: www.student-rooms.com/
• Student Room Search Engine: www.housinganywhere.com
• Student Room Search Engine: www.zimmo.be
• Search Engine: www.immoweb.be/
• Search Engine: https://immo.vlan.be/en
• Real Estate Agency: www.century21.be/
• KUL Housing Service - Kotwijs:
https://www.kuleuven.be/english/studentservices/housing-leuven
• Student Housing: https://housinganywhere.com/
Sign-up here to receive a Verified profile and priority access to all listings
available. For more information check the how it works page or send an email to
Leuven City Hostel
Ravenstraat 37, Leuven
Youth Hostel 'De Blauwput'
Martelarenlaan 11A, Leuven
[email protected]/leuven
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Do not hesitate to also check the following Facebook groups:
• Te huur in Leuven:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/357365197757461/about/
• Leuven Junk Shop:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/leuvenjunkshop/
• International students in Leuven:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Student.PhD.KULeuven/
• Accommodation in Leuven:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/928926160490769/
• Room Information Leuven:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/RoomInfo/
Or get in touch with the KU Leuven Housing Service:
• HOUSING SERVICE KU LEUVEN, Naamsestraat 80, 3000 Leuven
[email protected]; www.kuleuven.be/accommodation
Before you can move into your room or apartment, you can expect to pay a security of 2 or 3 months
rent. Please note that you should only rent a room or appartment where “domiciliation” is possible. This
is required for the Residence Permit and registration at the local authorities. Without this you will not be
able to register which is mandatory as an international student.
Tips & tricks when renting a room/studio
• Read the contract and ask all questions before signing an agreement. Normally Belgian
contracts are in French/Dutch, but you can check a standard English contract from the
housing organisation Kotagent
(https://stad.gent/sites/default/files/page/documents/20170329_DO_Modelhuurovereen
komst%20Engelstalig.pdf).
• To be able to register in the city hall (= stadskantoor) to get your resident card, you
must be able to use the address of the room/apartment. Make sure to check whether
that is possible with the landlord.
• A deposit of 2 to 3 months of rent is usually asked to cover possible damages and
cleaning upon your departure. If you leave everything clean and without damages, you
will be fully refunded. Never pay the deposit directly to the landlord, but always arrange
the deposit through a bank to a rental guarantee account.
• Make sure you know what is included in the costs (water, electricity, heating, etc.), what
the extra costs per month will imply and how they are calculated.
• Check if the room/studio is furnished/unfurnished so you can calculate what you need
to foresee extra.
• Make an inventory of possible damages to the property together with the landlord as
soon as you are in. If you have individual counters for water/electricity, it is good to take
note of the meter reader when you move in.
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5.2. Registering at the City Hall – Residence Permit
All foreign students staying in Belgium have to register at the “Foreigners Registration Office” of the City
of Leuven within 8 working days after arrival. Once registered, a police officer will pass by your “kot”/
apartment to check the address given.
Foreigners’ Office Leuven - City Hall
Professor Van Overstraetenplein 1
3000 Leuven
Open: Mo, Tue, Wed, Fri - 9am – 5.30pm
Open: Thursday - 12pm – 8pm
+ 32 16 27 21 70
Please note that the registration process might vary due to different corona measurements in place. Any
changes will be mentioned on the website below.
Keep in mind that it is mandatory to make an appointment at the City Hall before going there.
To do so, visit this website: https://afspraak.leuven.be/services#
Follow these steps when making the appointment online:
Step 1: Selecting the reason of your visit > FOREIGNER registration long-term residence (more than 3
months) and also indicate for how many persons you are making the appointment.
Step 2: Selecting the date > please check your schedule prior to making the appointment. You usually
have a long lunch break (12.30pm until 2.00pm) and the afternoon session is over at 5:30pm.
Step 3: Entering personal details
Step 4: Finalizing your appointment
Documents to prepare for the appointment are (may vary):
- Valid passport
- 3 ID-photographs
- Proof of registration as a student
- Proof of solvency
- Rental contract
- VISA documentation (if applicable)
If you have any questions about this process or face problems, please feel free to contact us –
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Note: After a police-officer has checked your residence you will receive a return mail from the foreign
office in which you are asked to come to the municipality and collect your residence permit. Make sure to
put your name on the mailbox and bell of your building as soon as you move in to facilitate the check by
the police.
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6. HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
6.1. Health Care Insurance
For temporary stays Health Care Insurance is not mandatory in Belgium, but we strongly recommend
signing up for a local health insurance.
In case you need to apply for an extension to your existing residence permit, you might be asked to
provide a proof of health insurance.
a.) Why sign up for a Belgian Insurance
Compared to a typical private travel insurance, the Belgian health insurance provides you with a lot more
coverage in a case of illness. Whereas a private travel insurance normally covers only for unforeseen
medical costs, the Belgian insurance will also cover foreseen medical costs, e.g. visits for a doctor for
normal check-ups or reimbursements for medication. Typically, the Belgian health insurance can also
provide you more support in case of hospitalization.
You can sign up to a Health Care Insurance company as a student and typically pay a monthly fee + a
quarterly fee.
Once you have received your residence permit ID card, you can switch your status to ‘resident’ and only
pay the monthly fee.
For more information on the process and practicalities, check with your Belgian Health Care Insurance
company.
b.) Organisations
Below you can find a couple of examples of Health Care Insurance companies that we have worked
with:
• CM5
• Partena6
Since there’s no real difference between the different organizations, we advise you to choose the one
closest to your house or the Vlerick campus.
5 CM: https://www.cm.be/international-website/index.jsp 6 Partena: http://www.partena-ziekenfonds.be/
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c.) Procedure
The registration procedure and the cost depend on your citizenship.
• Students from the EU
Bring along your European Health Insurance Card.
We recommend that you register with one of the mutualities
(free of charge) to get the stickers and facilitate the
reimbursement process. You just need to present a copy of your
ID and a copy of your EHIC.
Please note that the card must be valid for the duration of your stay in Belgium.
• Countries with which Belgium has an International Agreement
Belgium has an international agreement with the following countries: Algeria, Tunis, Croatia, Turkey, Ex-
Yugoslavia, Australia and Quebec.
If you’re a citizen of one of these countries, you’ll only pay per quarter as from the beginning. The fee
entitles you to all benefits from the first day of that quarter and may vary from the fees for citizens of
other countries. You may need documents from your home country to register, therefore please check
beforehand from your local health insurance providers.
• “Other” countries
For ‘other’ students, there’s a separate procedure when it comes to health care insurance. Please note
that you’ll have the status ‘student’ until you receive your residence permit. As from then, your status will
change to ‘resident’, what also has an influence on your health care insurance.
How to proceed?
a) Register as a “student” at a health care insurance
You will 60 – 65 Euro/quarter
b) Wait until you receive your residence card
c) Go back to the health care insurance and change to the ‘Resident’ status. As from then, you
will pay a reduced fee.
d.) Reimbursements
Because of your health care insurance, you will benefit from reimbursements when:
Visiting a doctor, dentist or physiotherapist
Buying medicine
Going to the hospital
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You will be reimbursed with 75% for general care and with 100% for critical medical expenses.
Reimbursement is provided based on submission of the original medical attestations.
While visiting a doctor, please follow the steps mentioned below in order to get reimbursed for your
visit:
a) Consult a GP and pay the full consultation fee
The GP will then give you a ‘medical attestation’ (picture)
b) Affix a white sticker on top of the attestation
c) Send it to your health care insurance
d) You will be reimbursed for 75% of the legal price
Note: As of January 2020, all the GP’s should charge you for the remaining fee,
as the reimbursements should happen automatically.
When going to a pharmacist, please follow the these steps:
a) Go to the pharmacist to get your medicine
b) Pay the full amount and ask the mutuel invoice
c) Affix an identification sticker
d) Send it to your health care insurance
e) Your health care insurance will reimburse the legal % of the legal price
In case of hospitalization, please keep the following things in mind:
a) The cost of your hospitalization will be influenced by the hospital as well as the type of room. If you
don’t have a hospitalization insurance on top of your health care insurance, we advise you to take a
common room and to ask to be treated by a committed doctor.
b) Your invoice will be sent several weeks after the hospitalization itself.
6.2. Where to go if you need Medical Assistance
a.) General Practitioner
In case of illness or need of medical assistance, you can consult a General Practitioner. You can consult
several GPs during the day, as well as a permanent GP during evenings and weekends.
Please note that a permanent GP is more expensive than a GP during the day.
You can also search for doctors and book appointments on different webpages such as
https://en.doctena.be/.
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b.) Student Doctor
We always advise our students to go to a student doctor in case of illness. There’s a student doctor close
by the school (KU Leuven Health Center):
On working days (between 8.30am and 6pm), you can easily make an appointment in order to avoid
long waiting times. To do so, follow the steps indicated on the website of the KU Leuven7, our partener
university.
In case you need urgent medical assistance outside working hours (evening, holiday…), you can call the
general number +32 70 25 70 25.
c.) Dentist
A list of all dentists in Leuven can be found in the section ‘Tandartsen’ of the golden pages
(www.goldenpages.be) or at www.tandarts.be.
d.) Hospitals
Some of the biggest hospitals in the city are the following:
7 https://www.kuleuven.be/english/studentservices/health/gp/appointment
KU Leuven Health Centre
Address: Naamsestraat 80/5415
3000 LeuvenPhone: +32 16 32 44 20
UZ Leuven
Herestraat 493000 Leuven
Phone: +32 16 33 22 11
Regional Hospital Heilig Hart
Naamsestraat 1053000 Leuven
Phone: +32 16 20 92 11
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e.) Mental Well-being
KU Leuven
Our affiliation to the KU Leuven enables you to make use of the KUL’s Student Health Care Centre
which refers to psychotherapy, counselling and medical treatment. Students dealing with psychological or
personal problems can get in touch with the experienced psychiatrists and psychotherapists of the KUL.
More information can be found here.
UGent
Our affiliation to the UGent enables you to make use of their counselling services. Students dealing with
psychological or personal problems can get in touch with the experienced psychiatrists and
psychotherapists of the UGent. More information can be found here8.
To make an appointment, you can either give them a call or send an email.
Community Help Services Centre
The Community Help Services Centre offers their help to anyone in need of therapeutic support in
times of stress. Their psychologists, psychotherapists and psychiatrists have a wide range of professional
experience and come from different disciplines. More information can be found on their website9.
They also provide two phone numbers, one you can call in order to make an appointment, and a
confidential & anonymous hotline through which you can reach help 24/7.
8 https://www.ugent.be/student/en/study-support/counselling/counsellingoffice.htm
9 https://www.chsbelgium.org/en/
KU LeuvenPhone: +32 16 32 43 43Email: [email protected]
Make an appointment!
UGent
Phone: +32 9 331 00 31Email: [email protected]
CHS
Mental Health Service Centre: +32 2 647 67 80Helpline: +32 2 648 40 14
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6.3. Coronavirus Information in Belgium
Only follow official advice and information sources. The official information website of the Belgian
government can be found here: https://www.info-coronavirus.be/en/
Updates regarding the latest measures taken by the government can also be found here:
https://www.belgium.be/en/highlights/coronavirus
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7. OTHER PRACTICAL INFORMATION
7.1. Opening a Bank Account
After having secured a permanent address, registered at the city hall and possibly having started an
affiliation with a health insurance, you can also open a bank account in one of the branches of the
principal Belgian and international banks. The best know Belgian banks are the following:
• ING
• KBC
• Belfius
• BNP Paribas Fortis
• Argenta
• Citibank
Note that a bank account can only be opened after your arrival in Belgium. Please check the procedure
with the Leuven branch since it differs from bank to bank.
7.2. Public Transportation
Several bus routes allow you to travel through Leuven or through one of the neighbouring towns (Bruges,
Antwerp, etc.). To determine the fare of a bus ride, Leuven and its surroundings have been divided into
zones. The price that you have to pay for a ticket depends on the number of zones that you travel through.
You can choose between 4 different ways of paying for your ride.
• For a single journey in the city centre on a city bus or tram, you can buy a ticket for 1 hour from the
driverr (price: € 3,00), which you should stamp in the machine on the opposite side of the entry door.
A sms-ticket costs only about € 2,00. This ticket remains valid for 1 hour’s journey in town, including
changes of bus/tram without restriction.
• A day ticket costs € 6 (€ 5 at a vending machine) and allows you to travel through Leuven on any
tram or bus you like during the whole day.
• Probably you will be using city buses or trams more regularly. Then you are better off buying a
‘Lijnkaart’ (price: €15 – 10 rides) which you stamp each time you make a journey.
• If you will be using the buses and trams for longer period, it might be a lot cheaper to buy a ‘season
ticket’. Depending on your age, you can buy a ‘Buzzy Pazz’ or an ‘Omnipas’. Both tickets are valid
always and everywhere on buses and trams of ‘De Lijn’. You can also use these season tickets in other
Flemish cities.
PERIOD BUZZY PAZZ (-24 YEAR) OMNIPAS (25-59 YEAR)
1 MONTH € 31 € 47
3 MONTHS € 77 € 117
12 MONTHS € 204 € 306
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Always check latest updates as the prices indicated may vary.
More information can be obtained at the shops of ‘De Lijn’ (‘Lijnwinkels’):
7.3. Cycling
Rental bikes
Having a bike in Leuven is the best option to reach your wished destination. There are two bike rental
services that we would recommend:
Rent price: 15,00 Euro per month
Termination Period: 1 month
You need to bring the following documents:
• Student card or proof of subscription
• Valid passport
• Account number
7.4. Student Restaurants
KU Leuven has a wide array of student restaurants at its disposal. They are all situated in the vicinity of the
various teaching quarters. The service they offer is based on the 3 mainstays of low prices, diversity and
quality. The prices are the cheapest in town. Dieticians make sure that menus are varied, healthy and above
all balanced. The quality of meals is checked daily in university labs. Website: www.alma.be
• Alma 1 - Tiensestraat 115, Leuven
• Alma 2 - Van Evenstraat 2C, Leuven
• Alma 3 - Steengroevenlaan 3, Studentenwijk Arenberg 1, Heverlee
• Pauscollege - Hogeschoolplein 3, Leuven
• Gasthuisberg - Herestraat 49, Leuven
De Lijn
Martelarenplein 193000 Leuven
Tel: +32 70/220.200
www.delijn.be
Swapfiets Leuven
Tiensestraat 613000 Leuven
website: https://swapfiets.be/en/offer/leuven
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7.5. Sports Facilities
With your KU Leuven student card (which you can receive after
registration at Vlerick and upon request), you can make use of all sports
facilities of the KU Leuven for an annual fee of €20. The University Sports
Centre offers a range of 55 sports. In addition, the Sports Centre features
a state-of-the-art fitness room for which you pay supplementary.
To book a tennis court, soccer field, or any other facility call or drop by
the sports secretariat. If you and your team mates have a sports card, everything is free. The only thing you
pay extra for is indoor tennis. The Sports Centre yearly organizes the following events: Bike&Run, Indoor
Athletics Meeting, the Flemish University Competition, the Belgian University Competition, Sports Camps
for kids, Badminton Competition, the fence competition ‘Challenge Maître Minnen’.
If you have any questions regarding sports, you can contact:
KU Leuven Sports Centre
Tervuursevest 1013000 Leuven
Tel: +32 16 32 91 [email protected]
www.kuleuven.be/sports
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7.6. Travel while in Belgium
Many European countries are within easy reach of Brussels by train, plane or car. You can get interesting
deals on the Thalys10 trains to France, Germany and the Netherlands or the Eurostar to London.
We recommend that you also take the time to discover other cities in Belgium which are accesible by train
from Brussels such as Ghent, Leuven, Brugges, Antwerp, Namur, Liege, Mons, etc. For 99 reasons why
Belgium is uniquely phenomenal, please see the website www.uniquelyphenomenal.be/en.
There are often special deals on train tickets at weekends when tickets are half price (valid on Fridays after
7pm)
You can also buy a ticket which is valid for 10 journeys throughout Belgium. One or more people can use
this ticket at the same time. For students under 26, this costs about €53 (Go pass). For those over 26, the
cost is €83 (Rail pass). Note that prices may vary.
We recommend you to buy single tickets with SNCB mobile app and present them to the train conductor
directly from your screen.
7.7. Climate and Clothing
Belgium has a temperate climate and its reputation as a rainy country is not unfounded. Although there
will be sunny days, we recommend to carry an umbrella! You can expect to see all four seasons in
Belgium with a cold winter and warm summer. Therefore be prepared to bring winter and summer
clothes
10 http://www.thalys.com/
Over 26 and travelling in Belgium?
If you are over 26 and are not eligible for a student rate, you can go through a process with
your mutuelle and receive a status that qualifies you for ‘supplemented refunds’, such as
discounted train and bus passes. If you study and have no income while in Belgium, you
typically are entitled to receive supplemented refunds.
Once you have arrived in Belgium and signed up with a health care provider, ask them for
more information.
Another good reason to sign up for the Belgian health insurance!
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8. PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN BELGIUM IN 2020/21
November 1 – All Saints Day
November 11 – Armistice Day
December 25 – Christmas Day
January 1 – New Year’s Day
April 05 – Easter Monday
May 1 – Labour Day
May 13 – Ascension Day
May 24 – Whit Monday
July 21 – Belgian National Holiday
August 15 – Assumption of Mary
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9. USEFUL CONTACT INFORMATION
Fire
100
Ambulance
100
Police
101
Police in Leuven: 016 21 06 10
European Emergency
Call 112
Doctor after Hours
+32 70 25 70 25
Card Stop
+32 70 344 344
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LOOKING FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU!
