SURVIVAL GUIDE: STUDENTS FOR STUDENTS

Content

1. Welcome to the VUB!

Student Council

International Student Platform

Erasmus Student Network

Student associations

2. Get a Buddy!

3. First activities on campus

4. Day in the life of a VUB student - Morning

Timetables

Coffee and breakfast

5. Day in the life of a VUB student - Afternoon

Lunch

Study spaces

Sport facilities on campus

Sport facilities nearby campus

6. Day in the life of a VUB Student - Evening

Where to eat

Partying on campus

Cafés around campus and in

Public transport

7. Weekends

8. Benefits for a VUB student

Your VUB Student Card

Student Information Hub

9. What not to do in Brussels

10. TD’s and To Do’s

11. Maps of Campus and Campus Jette

3 1. Welcome to the VUB!

STUDENT COUNCIL Our Focus Hello there, welcome to the VUB! The ISP discusses the topics on the agenda of the Student Council and The Student Council is the official advises the Student Council on any student representation at the Vrije issue of concern to international Universiteit Brussel. It defends students, which can range from students’ interests and advises the serious matters like the availability of university on educational matters and language courses, housing and sports general policy issues. facilities, to the fun stuff such as the opening of the lounge bar on campus. The student representatives are The ISP takes the initiative to discuss elected annually by the entire an issue when members believe it is of Student Council Team university community. However, due to concern to students, and subsequently legal language barriers, it is difficult for propose their findings on the matter to international students to participate the Student Council. in the Student Council itself. So to make sure international students, Ultimately, the ISP is here to improve like yourself, can participate in the your student life and enhance your decision and policy making process, university experience, so don’t hesitate we launched the International Student to get in touch! Platform (ISP). è [email protected] If you have problems or issues please contact us and we’ll see how we can Erasmus Student Network help you. We hope you’ll have a good ESN is the biggest non-profit student time here in Brussels! association in Europe. They are present in more than 800 higher /StudentenraadVUB education institutions in 40 countries, with over 15,000 volunteers. Our aim è [email protected] is to support and develop student exchange and to provide intercultural experience. We would like to motivate students to experience and enjoy INTERNATIONAL cultural diversity. STUDENT PLATFORM The ISP is an advisory committee to ESN VUB EhB Brussels the Student Council of the VUB. They Our branch takes care of the represent the interests of international international students of the Vrije students and take on any issues they Universiteit Brussel and Erasmus may face. Hogeschool Brussel. We help students integrate by providing information This is the ISP team!

4 linked to their stay, and by organising a STUDENT may never be washed, you can tell various range of activities. ORGANISATIONS how many baptism cycles such pieces Here you can find a brief and general have undergone by the amount of dirt introduction about the student pasted on them. organisations of the VUB. As most of Baptisms are rather peculiar at these the fraternity members are Dutch- fraternities as they involve...nudity. speaking, we will translate some All baptised members of a fraternity specific words that you might come gather in the tent (more on that later) across, such as fraternity (kring) or to watch a theater performed by naked association (vereniging). Let’s get freshmen. There is so much more that started! can be said about baptisms but one What can you expect? The fraternities are divided into 3 large thing is true: they are experiences of a Several trips to Belgian cities, parties categories: faculty, regional and other. lifetime. and cultural events, organised by our They are indispensable and forge the motivated volunteers. To keep yourself VUB into the extraordinary place it is up-to-date, like our Facebook page and now: an open campus where one can subscribe to our events, so you won’t study, make friends, have fun and learn miss any of the fun! If you purchase an some important life skills! A summary ESNcard, you will get a free SIM card, of all student organisations can be and receive discounts on our events found on MY.VUB. In this guide we will and from several partners. focus mainly on the faculty fraternities (facultaire kringen). Stay in touch The freshmen of a faculty fraternity Our Facebook page: https:// take part in some activities during the www.facebook.com/esn.brussels first semester, for example the ‘Game Our Facebook group: Erasmus Without Borders’, a massive food- Brussels 2016/2017 - ESN VUB EhB fight between all faculty fraternities. Brussels Therefore, groups of dirty, singing and Our email address: perhaps drunk students are a common [email protected] sight during the months of September Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have to November. (Note: actually, groups of any questions! drunk students are a common sight all around the year). Following these activities are the The map on the left shows some Want to become a volunteer? student baptisms (doop), traditionally of the locations where you can find You can join our network even always during the first half of faculty fraternities (in blue), as well as if you only plan to stay for one November. You can recognise a some points of interest (in red) The semester. We are always looking for baptised member of a faculty fraternity Lounge Bar 1050 is run by the Student enthusiastic volunteers who would by their remarkable hat (klak) and Council and is home to a wide variety like to help out in organising different lab coat (labojas). Once baptised, the of activities. All students can use this activities. If you want to be part of freshmen roam the campus dressed location for their events. an amazing experience with a bunch in white lab coats until the following of international friends, just send an year’s baptisms by which time the The BSG is an underground party e-mail to coats feature a distinguishable mix of venue where parties are held 2-3 [email protected]! colours. As clothing of the baptised times a week (except during the exam period, of course). All students should

5 2. Get a Buddy!

Moving to an unknown city in a new country can be an exciting, yet daunting prospect. You may not know anyone there and you may fear that it will be difficult understanding and navigating the customs of the country. experience partying at that venue at If you feel like joining the fraternity least once in their careerl (Tip: don’t of your faculty or just want more In order to make our international wear your brand new sneakers). The information, ask some classmates students’ stay in Brussels as good as party tent is for larger-scale parties (up whom you can contact, they’ll gladly possible, the VUB, in association with to 1800 visitors) and is definitely worth assist you. Not interested in this whole ESN VUB EhB Brussels, has set up a going to with some friends. Parties are fraternity-stuff? No problem! There buddy system. held here once every 1-2 weeks. The is a wide variety of other student party calendar can be found here: associations which are listed on How does it work? url: reservaties.bsggtgv.be. Please url: https://my.vub.ac.be/. Most of A buddy is someone who wants note: in Flemish, a party on campus is these ‘other’ student associations to help international students feel called a ‘TD’! don’t require a baptism and are open welcome and get settled in their new to everybody who is interested. These environment. Through the buddy The regional fraternities are somewhat range from political, to economic, system, international students can different, though they do serve the game-related or even beer-related sign up to get a buddy even before same purpose: to have fun, make associations… their arrival in Brussels. Once here, friends, discover new things and you will meet your buddies and the perhaps even discover yourself. In other international students in your contrast to the faculty fraternities, buddy group. The buddies can help their baptism is not performed you feel at home in Brussels and at the naked in the tent. Consequently, their VUB, they can participate in various members don’t wear the hat (klak) or activities with you, and help you settle lab coat (labojas) and are most easily and build a social network. recognised by the sweater of their fraternity. Can I still sign up? Buddies will be delegated on a first come first serve basis. In the second semester, buddy groups are often small which makes it possible to join an existing group at the beginning of the semester. Interested to make a lot of friends? Get in touch with the Buddy Coordinator!

Contact: [email protected]

6 3. First activities on campus

Traditionally, in Etterbeek the second Traditionally, the Week of semester starts with the opening Enlightenment takes place in the last activities of the Brussels Student week of March.The purpose of this Association (In Dutch: Brussels event is to think about the core values Studentengenootschap). On Monday of our university: critical thinking 13 February there is a free cantus in and free research through several the BSG Zaal. Then on Valentine’s Day, activities. This year’s theme is about 14 February, you can search for true borders. There will be an exhibition love (or one night stand if you prefer) about walls acting as borders, with at the (Re-) Opening party, also at a collage of famous walls around the same venue. You can check the the world: the wall in Gaza, the different events and parties in this demilitarised zone in Korea, Mexico- calendar: url: reservaties.bsggtgv.be. USA, …. In Jette the first party is on 15 February at the BOJ (in Dutch : It’s not only about the physical borders, Bewoners Ontmoetingscentrum Jette). but also other sorts of borders: mental borders. What ‘should’ we think? What Following the opening week is the ‘should’ we say? Should we tolerate ‘Week of the Student’, an event intolerance? Such questions underlie organised by the Student Council. the heart of our democracy. Karl During this week, there are a lot Popper described the problem as early activities going on, from a bubble as 1945 as “the paradox of tolerance”. soccer tournament, to a meet and He argued that a tolerant society greet with the professors and rector needs to defend tolerance or it will and, of course, free beer giveaways. have no future. A debate surrounding The biggest event during the ‘Week of the idea of unlimited freedom of the Student’ is on the 21st of February. speech has been planned. It starts with a city game in the historical centre of Brussels. After the During the same week a speaker from game there will be a food market, and the Club of Rome will give a lecture we conclude the evening programme on the themes “Limits to growth” with a party at the Beursschouwburg. and “bankrupting nature: denying our You don’t have to worry about getting planetary boundaries”. The lecture back safely on campus - there are will be followed by an interactive party buses arranged to l take you session with the audience focused on back. Stay updated on all events by the theme of ethical boundaries and checking out the Facebook pages of possible solutions to current problems. the Student Council: http://www.wvdv.be/ url: www.facebook.com/ StudentenraadVUB/

7 4. Day in the life of a VUB student - Morning

COFFEE AND Quotidien (Chaussée de Boondael BREAKFAST 479, 1050 Bruxelles), located in the On campus student quarter known as Cimetière Ran out of fresh eggs and coffee to d’, is perfect for breakfast/ start the day? Don’t worry! There are coffee, as is the Exki nearby (Avenue a lot of options to grab a quick coffee de l’Université 22,1050 Bruxelles). or enjoy a (small) breakfast before Another famous hotspot is the Café TIMETABLES going to class. The most popular place de la Presse Léopold located on What is the first thing you do when you is the Opinio café situated on the square Montgomery, not so far away wake up? Find out where at uni you Esplanade between buildings E and from campus (Avenue de Tervueren need to be, of course! Which course D, it’s perfect to sit down and relax for 107, 1040 Etterbeek). Next to coffee, will take place, where and when. a minute. Warning: it has a tendency tea and hot chocolate, they also serve On MY.VUB you can find all class to get crowded during lunch. If you’re freshly squeezed juices and lots of schedules under this orange icon. heading towards station Etterbeek, you delicious food. Yum! Are you often Choose your faculty, study field and will come across two mobile trucks strolling through the city centre? Then the week or semester for which you where you can buy a coffee: one just don’t forget to check out Peck 47 want to see the classes. You will get outside of campus, and one next to the (Rue du Marché aux Poulets 47, 1000 a new screen with the schedule of all entrance of the station. Another option Bruxelles). It is a fun place offering the classes but there will still be some close to VUB that we can recommend tasty breakfast (do check out their apparent random numbers in there. is the Breakfast Club (412 Av. de la Belgian take on a classic favourite: Let’s look at the example below:. Couronne, 1050 Elsene). poached eggs and bacon served on a This class is given by professor Koen waffle!) and a nice atmosphere. Lombaerts. It will take place from Around campus week 3 to week 8 so make sure you If you have the time why not enjoy a sit know which week you are in! The class down breakfast outside the campus! will take place in room E.0.11. This Nothing more ‘Bruxellois’ than enjoying is in Building E, (under)ground floor a freshly made breakfast while and classroom 11. You will get lost reading (inter)national newspapers on campus during the first weeks but or chit-chatting your way through don’t worry, all students do. the morning with a friend! Le Pain

8 5. Day in the life of a VUB student - Afternoon

LUNCH STUDY SPACES is known for its Burgundian Below we will try to familiarise you culture, so eating should be one of with the available study spaces in the more pleasant parts of your stay Brussels and, more specifically, here. On Campus Etterbeek there on campus where you can study is the VUB restaurant -or student throughout the year and during resto- where you can choose from 6 exams. An important word to different menus daily. You can enjoy remember in Dutch here is the ‘blok’, local specialties like steak with fries the period following the end of all in addition to the more international classes when students study for their dishes. Around 20% of all dishes exams. Here you find is a map of served are vegetarian including a Campus Etterbeek, showing all study vegan dish. This is our way of reducing spaces. All study facilities are fully the ecological footprint, as well as equipped with chairs, tables, power catering for different tastes. If you outlets and Wi-Fi. don’t feel like eating a hot meal the Areas in blue are open to study all year; VUB offers freshly made sandwiches areas in red are only accessible for in the cafeteria upstairs of the resto. studying during the blok; and the green There is also the Complex above the area is open as a pic-nic place during VUB gym (building L) where you can the blok. Number between brackets have a good quality hot meal. In winter stands for ‘level’. they offer seasonal specialities like game meat and poultry. The resto on Campus Jette offers a choice of 3 Study Space Opening days Opening hours Remarks meals daily, also equally tasty. If you Study Guidance Monday – 09:00 – 18:00 Silent, crave a fancier (though somewhat Center Thursday 09:00 – 17:00 comfortable, pricier) sandwich or pasta-on-the- Friday open space. go, you can visit again the Opinio Central Library Monday – 09:00 – 21:00 Silent area with café. Off campus VUB you can buy Thursday 09:00 – 19:00 classrooms for Friday 10:00 – 16:00 group projects. delicious, freshly made sandwiches Saturday at the Breakfast Club (412 Av. de la Cafeteria Monday – Friday 07:30 – 16:00 Not a silent room. Couronne, 1050 Elsene) and Pain Noisy between de Soleil (Avenue de la Couronne 11h30 and 14h. 372, 1050 Ixelles). Both are definitely recommended! Over the years, group study (massablok) on campus has become increasingly more popular, gathering hundreds of students daily to support each other through times of stress. If you prefer company to studying by yourself, you should certainly give our group study a go with your friends. Please note that some massablok locations are only open during the blok!

9 Location name Purpose Opening hours Remarks watersports at low prices. Finally, we are able to offer students a sports STOA Group study All week Check the news 08:00 – 23:00 items on ‘my. card which gives access to a number of sporting activities from football to Pleinlaan 9 Group study All week vub.ac.be/en’ for 09:00 – 23:00 official opening dancing the rumba. The fit-o-meter is days! a 500 meter long walking or hiking trail Study Guidance Group study Same opening hours around the university athletics track with 8 exercise stations. We strive to Central Library Group study Same opening hours be a ‘healthy’ university and therefore Loungebar 1050 Pic-nic Weekends encourage our students to benefit 09:00 - 21:00 from exercise. For that reason, the use of the fit-o-meter is free. There are free study spaces throughout Brussels as well, provided by “Br(ik” and equipped with free Wi-Fi, coffee and water. A full list of all their Study Spaces can be found on this website: http://patziotervuren.be/studeren/waar-studeren//. SPORT FACILITIES The website is in Dutch, so the picture below is a screenshot of the site with NEAR CAMPUS some explanations that will help you figure it out. Still full of energy or just eager to learn a new sport? The itself offers many possibilities to do sport, either individually or as part of a group! These range from the Agora spaces (http://www.sportinbrussel. be/en/node/616) where you can play football with friends, to a number of easily accessible public swimming pools, and even circus clubs. There is unfortunately no website that gives an overview of all this in English. You can try to practice your Dutch while looking for a place or club to get fit: just surf to the website of the which gives an overview of the Brussels sport infrastructure. Their welcome pages are in English! (http:// www.sportinbrussel.be/en/) The city of Brussels offers a less complete SPORT FACILITIES ON courts and squash courts. You can overview of fitness options in Brussels CAMPUS hire any of these facilities at student but their pages are also in English: Our campus offers plenty of prices - check with the sports service (https://www.brussels.be/artdet. opportunities to do sport. For a start, desk located at the ground floor in cfm/4109). there is a Basic Fit gym on both the building L. Close to building L there is If you prefer a lower paced but fun Etterbeek and Jette campuses! Many a large grass oval surrounded by an sport, there are a number of other students spend their entire day getting athletics track. Our swimming pool options available to you! Close to fit. Building L on campus Etterbeek is currently closed for renovation and campus Etterbeek is the ‘Brussels hosts a number of other facilities expansion but will re-open later in Bowling’ and near Campus Jetter you such as 6 sport courts, 3 tennis the year offering students laps and can find the ‘Bowling Stone Brussel’.

10 6. Day in the life of a VUB student - Evening

WHERE TO EAT IN THE Dinner with friends Fries having a bad effect on your EVENING It seems like a mission impossible: waistline? Time for a healthy salad. Planning a romantic dinner? Or just finding a good restaurant where you In Le Palais de Balkis you will find want to grab some pizza with your can eat with all your friends who the best waiter in town who can help Erasmus buddies? Here is a list of only eat vegan. The vegan restaurant you choose between all the wonderful what we think are the best eating Moonfood offers you all the yummy salads on offer. All dishes and drinks spots in Brussels. TIP: do not always vegan food you can eat per kilo. served are organic and halal, as the stay on and around campus, every The place features a warm, woody restaurant owner believes: “to look neighborhood has its own secret interior which makes it a cosy place good on the outside, you should eat spots. to enjoy a wholesome vegan dish. good for the inside!” (Gentsesteenweg (Koloniënstraat 58, 1000 Brussel, 163, Molenbeek, Metro stop: Zwarte Romantic dinner Metro stop: Central Station or Park) Vijvers) Do you want to impress your date with your refined taste? Then you Yes we know, you are all waiting for should try Resto Henri. A Belgian some more fries! So much choice, so PARTYING ON kitchen that is so damn tasty, you little time is all we can say. One of our CAMPUS can’t go wrong. The restaurant is personal favourites is Maison Antoine Student life isn’t complete without the located on the Vlaamsesteenweg/Rue in the Schuman area. A stone’s throw parties. Both VUB campuses offer you de Flandre where you can find many from the buildings of the European the possibility to enjoy student life at other good restaurants as well as bars Commission is a family making the its best. Traditionally, Thursday night to entertain your date after dinner. best fries of Brussels. (Jourdanplein is party night, although there is a party (Vlaamsesteenweg 113, 1000 Brussel , 1, 1040 Etterbeek, Metro stop: on somewhere on almost every night, Metro stop: Sint Kathelijne) Schumann) Other good alternatives be it on campus or elsewhere. are Fritt Flagey, Friterie de la Barière Tip number two might sound a bit and Tabora. Campus Etterbeek weird but... bring your date to a friture The BSG Zaal is the main party (a.k.a hot fries take-away). Friture World cuisine venue on campus Etterbeek. There René is not a regular snack bar. This Brussels has a very large African you can sneak a preview of the classic restaurant can be found in community. Matonge area in Elsene Brussels student life. The BSG Zaal the centre of Sint-Guido () is the melting pot where all African is located behind the student resto. and has a vintage Belgian interior Belgians meet to shop in the many The opening TD (The Dansant) of the reminiscent of the old days. All classic African shops, get their hair done by second semester will take place on Belgian dishes are served with the Afro specialised stylists or hang out 14 February and it’s organised by the best fries and homemade sauce. in the local café’s. You can find some Brussels Student Association. There is After dinner you can take a stroll in of these African restaurants along the at least one TD at the BSG every week. the nearby Astrid Parc. (Verzetsplein Lang-Levenstraat (literally meaning You are also invited to party at the 14-15, 1070 Anderlecht, Metro stop: ‘the long life street’) where you can white tent. The tent is located near Sint-Guido) eat outside when it’s nice. If you are entry 13 of the campus, just beside after a top notch quality meal, go to auditorium Aula Q. The tent hosts L’Horloge Du Sud on Troonstraat 141, about ten big parties a year, and it is 1050 Elsene. also the venue of the aforementioned

11 student ‘baptisms’ that take place in Cocq and Merlo. These bars have at ‘Cinq Quatre’ (local name for the November. There are many themed better beer prices. Not far from Merlo Saint-Catherine Square) and choose parties such as Retro Night, Duvel TD, (on the Baksteenkaai, better known a chilled spot in front of the gothic House of Love , … as the Fishmarket, metrostation Sint church. If you want a quieter evening, you can Katelijne) a new venue – the ViaVia always go to ‘Lounge Bar 1050’. It’s café – recently opened its doors.. Around VUB: the bar beside the student resto and Many international travellers visit this Close to Etterbeek train station on it’s run by the student associations, bar. the corner of “Kroonlaan” is Luigi’s so there will be plenty of activities to If you want a more classy experience café, a second home to many VUB keep you entertained. The Lounge Bar head to the Art Deco Jazz bar Students. This cosy café is often used opens at 16:00. Archiduc close to ‘La Bourse’. With for student association activities free jazz concerts to enjoy every with bartender Mark who may be Campus Jette Saturday evening (starting from considered the true personification of ‘Yes-Maandag’ takes place at the 5pm), the higher prices are more than the student life Tempus on campus Jette. Every justified. Not to be confused with For more student friendly options, just Monday there is a party with a the aforementioned bar, Archipel take a walk in the Cimetière district different theme but they are small and is another gem that offers an old located in between the VUB and ULB considered a classic among students. school jazzy ambiance with affordable Solbosch campus. You’ll find there is a Larger campus parties are held at the drinking prices. rich student life going on there, despite BOJ Zaal including Halloween TDs, the creepy fact the quarter is named cocktail, half-time TD, and many more. Bonnefooi stays open until 6am. This after the local graveyard it surrounds. These parties are generally held on is the kind of bar where you can walk Nonetheless, with lots of cool bars and Wednesdays. in randomly to discover there’s a cool nice little restaurants, you are bound to band playing on the night for free. This find something that fits to your taste. Brussels Center is rather no coincidence when you Brussels surely has a wide range of figure it’s located right behind the exit nightclubs. Unfortunately, the prices of the legendary concert hall Ancienne PUBLIC TRANSPORT aren’t always student friendly so Belgique. AT NIGHT best to do some research before you In the small Idyllic streets of the city If you are enjoying a night out in head out! This website shows you centre there is a true treasury hidden Brussels and want to get back home many events taking place in Brussels: amongst all the “mussels and fries” after 1am, you might have a problem. https://agenda.brussels/en/ restaurants. The Delirium Village has Night public transport is not as a cellar with more than 2000 different advanced in Brussels but here are beers. From a deep sour Geuze, a some options! CAFÉS heavy bitter Trappist or just a simple City centre: Pils, the choice is up to you. A unique Public transport Given the daily struggles of student place to discover our proud Belgian The last regular public transport to go life, you might want to avoid the high beer heritage! to Etterbeek is either Bus 95 (leaving drinking prices of Brussels’ typical Time stands still at the Irish pub from Grote Markt/ at terraces in the centre. However, there Celtica with happy hours all day long, 00:05), Bus 71 (De Brouckere - 0:25) or are many excellent alternatives to the cheapest beer and parties in town, Metro 5 (De Brouckere - 1:03). satisfy your thirst cravings. this all-time classic is a favourite For Jette you have busses 13 from An old school Brussels bar is called a amongst local students. Simonis metro station, 14 and 15 from ‘Brown’ bar, you can recognise them Of course, if you look for something North train station (both also passing by its authentic retro interior. Some really low-budget, you can always Simonis) and 84 from metro station examples are: Monk, Roskam, Le just grab a beer at the night shop Beekkant in direction of Heizel and 53

12 from the train station Jette, direction BrikBike Dieleghem. Do you want to ride your very own bike, day and night? Then BrikBike is Noctis the best option for you! You can rent a On Friday and Saturday night there student bike for €45 per semester, with are night busses – the Noctis. These maintenance and bike lock included. buses cover limited lines but can More information and reservation on generally get you everywhere. To get www.brik.be. back to Etterbeek you take Nr 8 or Nr 9 at the Bourse. The last one leaves at 2h30. If you miss the last one you need to wait for the first bus or metro. Unfortunately, no Noctis service is 7. Weekends available near campus Jette.

Collecto Hello weekend! Time to forget about ships for playing on the water near Missed the last Noctis, want to stay your studies and explore Brussels. Saint Catherine square while at the out a bit longer or you are out during We will take you along the best place Noordzee (Brussels centre and Place a weeknight? Then Collecto can save to visit and nicest things to do in Luxembourg) you can eat some of the you. It is a shared cab service. You Brussels. best seafood straight from the North can either call them on 0800 94 001 sea. or reserve one via their app. You Coffee can be picked up from every MIVB/ Start the day with a coffee. Like in any Take a stroll in the park STIB station. The cost is €5 to get to other city, new coffee shops pop up In need of some green in your life? You your destination, wherever that is in regularly in town, making the choice may not realise it at first but Brussels Brussels’ region between two MIVB/ difficult but here are some examples:: is one of the greener cities in Europe. STIB stations. You might need to wait OR, Kaffabar (best hot chocolate), Close to campus Etterbeek you will some time before you get picked up Café Velvet (nice terrace), Aksum find the Ter Kamerbos and next to and you will most certainly be sharing coffee, JAT, Le Cafe du Sablon and campus Jette is the Koning Boudewijn the cab, so the driver will not take the FIKA (for the Swedes amongst you Park. If you like straight lines or a fastest route but… you do get home for who are missing their pastry). flat surface you should head to the a fairly cheap price. Jubelpark or Warandepark. Vorst Water fun park has a really nice café where you Villo! Let’s be honest: if it really is too hot in can buy organic drinks and food, and Villo! is a public bicycle rental town, Brusseleirs go to the seaside to is also right next to the Dudenpark. programme in Brussels. Pick up a cool down. However, we do have some You can also walk to “Hoogte 100” bike at one station and drop it off at alternatives in Brussels. Pool Is Cool from where you can enjoy a splendid another. It is an easy-to-use system is a public initiative which organises view of Brussels. If you prefer available 24/7. You pay €1,60 for a day swimming activities during the exploring the outskirts of Brussels, and €33,60 for a semester. You can summer to raise awareness to the fact visit the Scheutbos. Finally, end your use the bike as much as you want for that there are no open air swimming promenade with a drink at the Café less than 30 minutes. If you go over pools in Brussels. They do so by De Linde, an old, authentic café run by the 30 minutes you will pay €0,5 to inviting people to swim in open water locals. €2 extra depending on the extra time. city areas around Brussels, choosing More information can be found on a different location every time. Saint http://en.villo.be/. Cath sur mer lends out small sails

13 8. Benefits for a VUB student

YOUR VUB STUDENT EUR for combi, student card: 2 EUR CARD or 3 EUR for combi). Finally you have your nice VUB student Your student card will also feature card! But what is it actually useful for? the EYCA logo. This gives you right First and foremost: you will need it for to discounts all around Europe, so be every exam you sit in for. It is extremely sure to check their website! important to always have your student www.eyca.org card with you when you go to an exam, both oral and written. And in general, it is always a good idea to take it with STUDENT you. Holders of a Belgian student card INFORMATION HUB can benefit from many discounts and The Student Information Hub is special deals. Here are some: located in building D and is open every - Food! Firstly, you pay around €5 for day from 9:00 to 18:00 (telephone info a complete/three-course meal at the from 9:00 – 17:00). You can ask them student restaurant. However, you get anything (well, almost anything) discounts also off campus. Many you want to know about VUB big chains offer student-specials administration, your courses and (Pizza Hut, for example,offers tuition fees, practicals and logistics on students a medium take-away pizza campus, etc. . If you don’t have time for 7 euro, Quick has a double burger to visit in person, you can find most of meal for the price of one, etc.). Even the information online on the My.VUB smaller restaurants or snack bars pages: https://my.vub.ac.be/en/, on in the neighbourhood that have the Frequantly asked Questions page normally no fixed specials will have http://www.vub.ac.be/en/faq or for something on offer when you show more specific questions, send them an your card. email: [email protected] - Drinks! Several bars have special happy hours for students, for In addition, if you happen to have a instance, at Bonnefooi you can get great idea or useful information for a one euro beer between 16:00 other students, you can run it by them and 22:00. Just head to Cimitière and they will do their best to help you d’Ixelles and have a look at what accomplish your goal. The Student bars and café’s have to offer, ask the Information Hub team also have tips bartender and be surprised! and tricks to help you promote your - Culture! There is no museum in small-medium size event on campus – Belgium that hasn’t got a special be it selling waffles for a good cause, entrance fee for students. Be sure to handing out fliers or organising drinks, check out student special prices at they will help you get the visibility you the Belgium Museum for Fine Arts need! ! All esplanade activities will (https://www.fine-arts-museum. need to be approved by them. be/en) (normal price: is 8 EUR or 13

14 9. What not to do in Brussels

If you’ve been here longer than a few beaten track and explore! If you are days, then you’ve probably already paid under 26 years you can get a GoPas a visit to the city centre.. If you haven’t, which gives you 10 journeys by train perhaps you picked this booklet up (anywhere) in Belgium for €51. If on your first day in Belgium: smart you’re over 26 years you can get a choice, congratulations! This section RailPass for €71. will explain what you really shouldn’t - Even though we’re not Germany, we do if you’re looking for the ‘Belgian’ still like things to be (reasonably) experience (though being a classic neat and tidy. Belgians expect ‘tourist’ can be fun sometimes…). people to be on time even if public - The gravest sin a visitor can make is transport or other forces of nature come to Brussels and never go out don’t seem to comply. If you happen drinking outside of the Delirium bar! to be late, just apologize politely and The centre of Brussels alone has if it is a lecture / class you are late more than 440 cafes, not to mention for, take the closest seat to where those located just outside. By the you enter. end of your stay, this list might even be dated as old ones close while new ones pop up. (Visit Cafeplan.be or pick up your cafe/bar/resto map for an overview. Better still, ask any Brusseleir - they will happily point you towards their favourite watering hole) - Waffles! Yes, waffles! If you’re in Belgium, be Belgian and eat waffles. HOWEVER… eat them ‘natuur’ or with plain sugar sprinkled on top. Like most of the Belgian ‘cuisine’, waffles are a food of the common people, and common people do not like fancy toppings on their waffles. - Bruges is impressive but there’s more to Belgium than just Bruges and the VUB.The country offers so much more than the known tourist traps. Even if you want to stay ‘mainstream’, there are places like Ypres or Bastogne for the World War One buffs, the port of Antwerp, the citadel of Dinant, … So get off the

15 10. TD’s and To Do’s

- Go to at least 1 TD! Just try it out. Campus Etterbeek Get a feel of what VUB student parties are like and judge for yourself.. We don’t dress up nicely for TD’s so don’t even bother. - Learn some Dutch! - Find your favourite beer and your favourite fries place! We know you will need to try many, so please don’t blame us if you gain some weight in the process.. - Use your free printing credit! Each student gets 100 pages that they can print for free. Use the computer rooms in Building B on campus Etterbeek, ground floor.. Do not forget to confirm your print order in the little room where the printer is. Engineering students can use their printing credit in building K. - Fancy tasting something totally different and typically Brussels? Campus Jette At the Anspachlaan you will find small trucks with old ladies selling Karakollen and Chestnuts. (Karakollen are small sea snails). - When the sun is there you need to enjoy the sun as much as you can. The cheapest way is to join the local ‘ketjes’ (youngsters of Brussels) and have a seat on the square Saint Catherine also known as 54.

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