Table of Content

Welcome to Thomas More 5 Studying as an exchange student 30 1 Academic year and public holidays 30 University College 5 2 Public holidays 31

Thomas More - expect more 6 Words and phrases in Dutch 34 1 ASKING FOR HELP AND DIRECTIONS 34 Thomas More campuses 8 2 How to introduce yourself 34 3 WISH SOMEONE SOMETHING 35 Antwerp 8 4 SOLVING A MISUNDERSTANDING 35 Mechelen 9 5 EXPRESSIONS AND WORDS 36 Sint-Katelijne-Waver 10 Turnhout 11 Facilities 38 Vorselaar 12 1 International office 38 Geel 13 2 Student services (STIP) 38 Lier 14 3 Buddy programme 39 4 Network facilities 40 Belgium & Flanders 16 5 Student union 40 1 BELGIUM 16 6 Student card 41 2 Flanders 18 3 Higher education in Flanders 19

Practical information 22 1 Climate and clothing 22 2 Crime 22 3 Time 22 4 Using the phone 22 5 Mobile phone 22 6 Sockets 23 7 How to pay 23 8 Important phone numbers 23 9 Belgian cuisine 23 10 Transport 25 11 Health & insurance 28 12 Postal system in Belgium 28 Welcome to Thomas More University College

Thomas More offers an exciting and diverse study environment where students can obtain international and intercultural competencies.

We are happy to welcome you to in our university college. Our international office and student services (STIP) will ensure that your time at Thomas More is an unforgettable experience. It will be a pleasure for us to provide you with whatever assistance you need.

We will not only provide practical assistance but also try to offer you a wide variety of fun and relaxing activities such as sight-seeing tours, sports and cultural activities. Also the student unions will make sure you enjoy different leisure and party activites.

We hope that you will make the most of your stay in Belgium and that you will enjoy your international experience in this exciting environment. Thomas More - expect more About KU Leuven Association

K.H. Kempen and Lessius Colleges recently Thomas More is a member of the K.U. Leuven joined forces and became more, Thomas More. Association.

Thomas More is the university college for those The K.U. Leuven Association is based on a who expect more from their future: more structured cooperation between the K.U. opportunities, more ideas, more challenges. Leuven and twelve other institutions of higher Every day, Thomas More inspires over 14.000 education (“hogescholen”). students on 12 locations in the heart of Europe. and hosts over 3000 students of KU Leuven. Its members have a total of 70.000 students in campuses in 23 towns and cities across We also gladly welcome international students Flanders, i.e. 44 percent of the total number from all around the world. Your internship of Flemish students in higher education. abroad is an excellent way to broaden your academic horizon, discover new points of view The challenges higher education in Flanders and immerse yourself in other cultures and faces, are very demanding. In order to ensure languages. a long-term effect for their efforts, the members of the K.U. Leuven Association have opted in favour of a strong decision-making and executive structure.

The primary aims of the K.U. Leuven Association are: - To offer a wide range of study and training - To improve the quality of education - To improve the quality of research by concentration and intensive cooperation

6 7 Thomas More campuses

ANTWERP MECHELEN Host of the Carolus campus, Sanderus Host of De Ham, Kruidtuin, De Vest campus and Sint-Andries campus and the Lucas Faydherbe campus

A CITY FULL OF SURPRISES AUTHENTIC AND SENSATIONAL

Antwerp is a trendy and vibrant city, that’s Mechelen is situated in the heart of Flanders - for sure. The many cafés, squares, beautiful halfway between Antwerp and Brussels. buildings and the good atmosphere make Mechelen offers some wonderful examples of Antwerp a modern metropolis. historical heritage such as the imposing Saint If you’re looking for a city that is lively and Rumbold’s Cathedral, the large beguinage, cosmopolitan you’re at the right place. Maybe eight historical churches, the belfry which is we can sum up a couple of reasons why you now part of the town hall and many museums. should definitely visit this marvelous city: As a Nature lovers will enjoy a stroll through the big city Antwerp is the capital of the Antwerp parks and scenic areas in and around the city. region. Thanks to the stores of its world famous Walk along the floating footpath on the river designers it is a dream for fashionistas – if you Dyle which lights look for a place to go shopping and discover a up at night or make a magnificent boat trip. lot of cultural places, that is the place to go! Antwerp has quite some eye-catching For more info visit: architecture, both historical and modern. The www.toerisme.mechelen.be city has one of the largest seaports in Europe and its train station is considered as one of the most beautiful of the world!

For more info visit: www.visitantwerpen.be

8 9 SINT-KATELIJNE-WAVER TURNHOUT Host of the Nayer campus Host of the Turnhout Campus

HORTICULTURE WORLD CENTER OF THE PLAYING CARDS

Sint-Katelijne-Waver is a small village located Turnhout is a vibrant town with lots of things in the province of Antwerp. to see and to do. This village has 4 areas: the centre, Onze- Lieve-Vrouw-Waver, Elzestraat and Pasbrug- Every two years the town hosts the comic Nieuwendijk. Sint-Katelijne-Waver has festival ‘Strip Turnhout’. It is the oldest comic about 20,000 inhabitants or ‘kadodders’, the festival in Belgium and also one of the largest nickname of its inhabitants. which hosts artists from all over the world.

Sint-Katelijne-Waver is known for its The ten-day film festival called ‘Mooov’ takes horticulture. Farmers cultivate around 40 kinds place in spring. of vegetables. And they also have Europe’s largest co-operative auction (vegetables, fruit Turnhout’s cultural centre also organizes & biological products). concerts, exhibitions, theatre performances This village really is the heart of the local and workshops throughout the year. vegetable cultivation. For more info visit: But Sint-Katelijne-Waver is more than only http://www.visitturnhout.be horticulture, they also have some cultural heritage. Roosendael Domain, which used to be an abbey, and the botanical garden of the Ursulinen Institute are some examples.

For more info visit: www.toerismeskw.be

10 11 VORSELAAR GEEL Host of the Vorselaar campus Host of the Geel Campus

SURPRISINGLY NATURAL ONCE YOU VISIT, YOU WILL STAY

Vorselaar is a small village, situated in the heart Geel is a small town but it covers a fairly large of the Kempen region. There is no industry to area. be found, only nature and green open space. Geel is well world-wide known for the early The village was built around a triangular adoption of deinstitutionalization in psychiatric market square in the centre. The centre used care. This practice is based on the positive to consist only of the church, the castle and effects that placement in a host family gives the convent which were constructed centuries the patient, most importantly access to family ago and still carry many stories with them. life that would otherwise have been denied. The rural area around Geel offers a lot for There are numerous cultural associations that nature lovers: woods, sand dunes, a bird set up events throughout the year for you to sanctuary and many walk and bicycle paths. experience. For more info visit: www.geel.be All in all, Vorselaar is a typical rural village with its traditions, active student life and a thriving food service industry and a yearly folk festival “Na Fir Bolg”.

For more info visit: www.vorselaar.be

12 13 LIER Host of the Lier Campus

CHARMING AND FUN

Lier is a charming small town in the Antwerp province. It is known for its “Beguinage”( semi-monastic community of women called “Beguines“), which is one of the oldest in Flanders. Other landmarks in the city centre are the City Hall and the Gummarus church.

The Zimmer Tower is a famous curiosity in Lier. Here you can see Louis Zimmer’s world- famous Centenary Clock, the Astronomical Studio and the Astronomical Clock.

For more info visit: www.toerismelier.be

14 15 Belgium & Flanders

1 BELGIUM Capital: Brussels Official languages: Dutch, French, German The Kingdom of Belgium (Dutch: België; French: Government: Parliamentary democracy and Belgique; German: Belgien) is a country in northwest Constitutional monarchy Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union King: Filip I and hosts its headquarters, as well as those of other Independence declared: 04.10.1830 major international organizations, including NATO. Currency: EURO Time Zone: UTC + 1 Belgium covers an area of 30,528 square kilometers Summer Time Zone: UTC + 2 (11,787 square miles) and has a population of about Internet code: .be 10.5 million. Calling code: +32

Belgium’s two largest regions are the Dutchspeaking Before you come to Belgium it is a must to read about region of Flanders in the north, and the French-speaking the country and its inhabitants. The internet is a rich southern region of Wallonia. A small German-speaking source of information. Community exists in eastern Belgium. Brussels (the capital) is officially bilingual but is a mostly Below you will find some websites. On these websites French-speaking enclave within the Flemish Region. you will not only find interesting facts about Belgium but also tips for the Traveler (visa, health risks, money, Belgium’s linguistic diversity and related political and transport,…) cultural conflicts are reflected in the political history and a complex system of government. www.visitbelgium.com www.visitbelgium.be Historically, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg www.belgium.be/en were known as the Low Countries, which used to cover www.belgium.fgov.be a somewhat larger area than the current Benelux group www.cia.gov/library/publications/theworld-factbook/ of states. index.html www.undp.org/ Roman Catholicism is traditionally Belgium’s majority www.geographia.com/belgium/ religion with 75% of the population. Others are Muslims www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/europe/belgium/ (1,5%), Jews (0,3%) and Protestants. printable.htm

16 17 2 Flanders 3 Higher education in Flanders

Flanders is the northern, Dutch speaking region of BACHELOR AND MASTER STRUCTURE Belgium. After signing the Bologna Declaration the Flemish Minister of Education started a process to reform For many centuries Flanders has been an important the Flemish higher education system. The Flemish commercial crossroads. This is reflected in the Parliament adopted a new Higher Education Act on architecture and atmosphere of cities like Antwerp, the 4th of April 2003. The degree structure based on Bruges, Ghent, Leuven and Mechelen. three main cycles constitutes the core of the Act, which introduced this new structure for all programmes in the The historical cities of Flanders (Antwerp, Bruges, 2004/2005 academic year. Brussels, Ghent, etc.) share a historical and cultural For longer programmes, it may last until 2010. heritage that includes historical market places, magnificent guild houses, beautiful cathedrals and many The higher educational system consists of professional other monuments that display proud witness of a rich Bachelor’s degrees and two-tier academic Bachelor’s and influential past. The numerous smaller squares, and Master’s degrees. cobbled streets, churches and beguinages all contribute to their typically old and charming atmosphere. DEGREE STRUCTURE Bachelor’s degrees One of the advantages of Flanders is that everything is - professional bachelor’s programmes close at hand: even on a short break, you can visit a lot - advanced bachelor’s programmes of places throughout the region. - academic bachelor’s programmes

For more info visit: www.visitflanders.com and www. Master’s degrees fansofflanders.be and www.flanders.be - master’s programmes - advanced master’s programmes

Flanders is an internationally oriented centre of high Through the mechanism of bridging programmes, technology. The Flemish economic network contains a holders of professional Bachelor’s degrees may have web of innumerable small and medium-sized enterprises access to Master’s programmes. and many multinational industries have branches in the Flemish region.

Flanders also has gateways to the larger ports of Antwerp, Ghent, Zeebrugge and Ostend.

The airports in Brussels, Antwerp and Ostend carry passengers and goods to all continents.

18 19 DEGREES PH D DEGREE BACHELOR’S DEGREE ‘Doctor’ is the highest level of specialisation in scientific After successfully completing at least 180 ECTS-credits research. It is based on an original research project students obtain a Bachelor’s degree. that takes at least two years, resulting in the public presentation of a doctoral thesis. This degree is only Professional Bachelor’s degrees prepare students for awarded by universities. specific professions in industry, education, commerce, agriculture, health and rehabilitation, social work, informatics, applied arts or the media.

Courses are therefore practice-oriented and include periods of work placement. These degrees are only awarded by the university colleges. Some university colleges offer profession-oriented specialisation programmes for holders of a professional bachelor’s degree. These subsequent bachelor’s programmes cover at least 60 ECTS credits.

Academic Bachelor’s degrees prepare students for studies at Master’s level. These degrees are awarded by universities and some university colleges.

MASTER’S DEGREE Master programmes are characterised by the integration of education and research and a Master’s dissertation. DIPLOMA SUPPLEMENT The Flemish Diploma Supplement is made up They cover at least 60 ECTS credits. Depending on according to the recommendations of the Council the field of study some programmes last longer (e.g. of Europe, UNESCO and the European Commission. medicine, law, psychology, engineering,…). It is an important tool to improve the international transparency and fair recognition of qualifications in Advanced Master programmes are organised at the European Higher Education Area in 2010. universities, at university colleges as part of an association and at postgraduate training institutions. A A Diploma Supplement is awarded to all students Master’s degree is required for admittance. regardless their programme. It is free of charge and delivered in Dutch and English.

20 21 Practical information

1 Climate and clothing There is as well a provider which offers a good price for The climate is changeable but moderate, with mild winters international calls: www.lycamobile.be/en/ and good summers. Clouds and wind are common. The annual rainfall is moderate but unpredictable. Do not 6 Sockets forget to bring appropriate clothing. If you want to use Belgian sockets, it is best to bring an international plug with you. These sockets require 220 2 Crime volts, 50 Hz AC and standard two-pin round continental Although Belgian cities are among the safest in Europe, plugs. crimes do occur. Bicycle thieves in particular are very common, which is why we advise you to lock your bike 7 How to pay securely when leaving it unattended. The currency in Belgium is the euro. Commonly accepted credit cards are Visa, MasterCard, 3 Time Diners Club and American Express. These cards can also Belgium uses Central European time (GMT+1) and be used in cash machines like ‘Bancontact’ or ‘Mister (GMT+2) from the end of March to the end of October. Cash’.

4 Using the phone Calling Belgium from abroad you have to dial the 8 Important phone numbers international and the country code (Belgium= 0032), Medical urgencies and fire brigade 100 followed by the area code (omit the 0) and finally the Police 101 subscriber’s number. Pan-European emergency number 112 Red Cross ambulance (not urgent) 105 If you want to make a call to a foreign country from Anti-Poison Centre 070 245 245 Belgium, dial 00 (the international code), followed by Card Stop Central service to block bank and credit cards the country code, the area code (omit the 0) and the (24h/24) 070 344 344 subscriber’s number.

Telephone cards, which are necessary when making a 9 Belgian cuisine call from a telephone booth, can be purchased in post Belgian cuisine offers a wide variety of regional dishes offices, supermarkets, railway stations, book shops or while also reflecting the cuisines of neighbouring France, telephone shops. Germany and the Netherlands. Outside the country, Belgium is best known for its chocolate, waffles, fries 5 Mobile phone and beer. If you consider to get a Belgian SIM-card there are many mobile phone providers in Belgium – the four main ones There are hundreds of different beer types with are: Proximus, Mobistar, Base and Mobile Vikings. As it distinctive tastes, all served in their own specially made depends on your usage of the phone have a look on the glasses. But be careful as good as they are, they might be following website to consider which provider is best for stronger then in your home country! you: www.mobile-belgium.be Wherever you are in Belgium you find fast-food 22 23 restaurants called “frituur/frietkot” – there you can get 10 Transport fries with a big variety of sauces, snacks and burgers. In Belgium there are several ways to go from one place A speciality of Belgium is the Bicky Burger! to another - you can take the bus, tram, bike, train or metro to travel within one city. In Flanders, people usually have three meals a day: • Breakfast: sandwiches, slices of bread or cereals, AIRPORTS coffee or tea The two main international airports in Belgium are • Lunch: sandwiches/bread with coffee or tea the International Airport of Brussels (Brussels Airport • Dinner: 3-course hot meal (served around 6 pm) Zaventem) and the Charleroi Airport in Brussels south. • Soup This airport mainly caters for cheap flights offered by • Main dish with meat or fish and potatoes airlines such as Ryanair. • Desserts For more info visit: www.brusselsairport.be/en/ or Typical Flemish dishes are: www.charleroi-airport.com • Steak and French fries • Mussels Another alternative is the Eindhoven airport in the • Rabbit in “Trappist” beer Netherlands. This airport also mainly caters for cheap • “Gentse Waterzooi” flights offered by airlines such as Ryanair. • Stoofvlees (Beef stew) For more info visit: www.eindhovenairport.com

TRAIN Belgium has the densest rail network in the world. Trains run regularly between 06:00 and 20:00, only a selection of trains runs until about 23:00. Trains run less frequently during weekends.

There are first and second class coaches and a standard return (round-trip) fare is double the price of a single (one way) fare. Keep in mind that this ticket is only valid for one day. Tickets can be bought online, in the railway station or if you had no time to buy one in advance, you can also buy a ticket on the train by informing the train conductor before you get on the train or as soon as possible after departure.

The cheapest ways to get around are either week-end- tickets or the Go-Pass. Go-Pass-Tickets can be used by everybody under 26 years. Just get either online or at the

24 25 train station a Go-Pass 1 (7,80€ for one way) or a Go-Pass METRO 10 (51,00€ for 10 ways) and travel to any destination in The metro can be used in Brussels and Antwerp. Tickets Belgium. are available in the station at the counter or the ticket dispenser. In many metro stations you have to pass the For more info visit: www.b-rail.be entrance gates to take the metro. Hold your ticket against the scanner and the gates will open. Don’t forget to scan Check out the free “NMBS/SNCB” app for your your ticket while leaving the metro station. Please take smartphone! into account that the ticket you bought in Antwerp can’t be used in Brussels and vice versa. BUS AND TRAM The busses and trams are operated by ‘De Lijn’ company. RENT A BIKE You can find their yellow bus/tram signs to wait and take At the different campuses of Thomas More you can rent the bus to find information about the service in many a bike via Student services on good terms for your whole streets. stay.

When you get on the bus or tram, validate your ticket If you only want to exercise or if you need to travel a by putting it in the yellow box with the arrow pointing short distance, you can rent a bike at “Fietspunt” for a downwards. You can find these yellow boxes either at day or for several months (including maintenance costs). the front of or in the middle of the vehicle. When you You can find them at the main entrance to the railway have nearly arrived at your destination, press the blue station in Mechelen, Geel, Antwerp, and most medium- button so the driver knows where to drop you off. Watch sized towns. out for the red buttons, they are only used in case of emergency. In many other cities you can rent a ’Blue-bike’ in the railway station. After registering online or at one of the You can buy a ticket meeting points you receive a card with which you can • Either online on the website: www.delijn.be independently rent bikes at the nearest cycle point. • At the selling points • With the driver. For more info visit: www.fietsenwerk.be or • By sending a text message to 4884 (text “DL” for a 60 www.blue-bike.be/en minute drive for 1,55€ or text “DL120” for a 120 minute drive for 2,35€ according to www.discobal.delijn.be/en/ verkooppunten/sms_ticketing_copy.htm

If you plan on using the bus and tram on a daily base, it is better to buy a Buzzy Pazz (under the age of 24) or an Omnipas (if you are over 24) for a period of a week, a month, three months or a year.

Check out the free “De Lijn” app for your smartphone!

26 27 11 Health & insurance If you are an EU citizen insured in your country by your National Health Service, you will be covered by the Belgian health service as well; in that case you will have to obtain a European Health Insurance Card from the health service in your country and bring it with you. We strongly advise you to carry adequate medical insurance with you.

Please check with your home institute and insurance company which costs are covered in case of an accident or any other inconvenience. Make sure you are insured against third party liability.

12 Postal system in Belgium

POST CARDS AND LETTERS In Belgium you use Bpost, the national postal service, to send a letter, a post card, a package, etc. You can buy post stamps at the post office and in some newsstands. To send your post, you can put it in the red letter box of Bpost or hand it to the employee at the counter.

PACKAGES If you want to send a parcel, you can buy special boxes at the post office.

For more info and current rates visit: www.bpost.be/en/ or www.bpostinternational.com

28 29 Studying as an exchange student

1 Academic year and public holidays In this month you will have exams based on the material Throughout an academic year at one of the Thomas you have handled from February up until May. Once More campuses you will get to enjoy quite a few days you’ve finished these exams you will get to enjoy off. There are 42 holiday-days to be precise (excluding your Summer holidays. weekends). A full academic year counts 26 weeks of actual classes. Week 1 starts, just like in most countries, mid-September and the academic year ends 2 Public holidays in June, after the final exams. • 1 January: New Year’s Day • 1 May: Labour Day Your first week off won’t be long after classes have • 21 July: National Holiday started in September. At the end of October/beginning • 15 August: Assumption Day of November there is the so called ‘Herfstvakantie’ • 1 November: All Saint’s Day (Autumn break). • 11 November: Armistice Day • 25 December: Christmas At the end of December, you will get 2 weeks off to celebrate Christmas and New Year. It is important you Changeable days include Easter Monday, Ascension and know, though, that as soon as the Christmas holidays are Whit Monday. over, exams will take place. This is why you should use those two weeks to prepare the exams and study all the During public holidays shops are usually closed. material you have handled since the beginning of the school year.

To know the exact date of your exams you have to check your exam schedule which will be given to you in the first week of December.

After your exams, in February, you will be given another full week off to recover from all that hard work and studying.

In April you will get 2 weeks off for the Paasvakantie (Easter Holidays).

Just like the Christmas Holidays and the Autumn break these dates change every year. At the end of May, your 2nd semester will come to an end and the study leave will start. This is another week that you get to prepare for the exams that take place in June. June is your last month at Thomas More.

30 31 4 ECTS It is up to the participating institution to subdivide the credits for the different courses. Credits are awarded WHAT IS ECTS? only when the course has been completed and all The recognition of studies and diplomas is a required examinations have been successfully taken. prerequisite for the creation of an open European area of education and training where students and teachers More information can be found in the course guide. can move without obstacles. ECTS, the European Credit For more info visit: Transfer System, was developed by the Commission of http://www.thomasmore.be/welcome the European Community in order to provide common procedures to guarantee academic recognition of ECTS LEARNING AGREEMENT studies The ECTS Learning Agreement is a form which is to be abroad. It provides a way of measuring and comparing used when you choose among the different courses learning achievements, and transferring them from from the host institution. The courses have to be agreed one institution to another. by you, the ECTS coordinator at your home university, and the coordinator from Thomas More Mechelen. After The ECTS system is based on the principles of mutual you have finished your study abroad period, the agreed trust and confidence between the participating courses should be fully recognized by your university. institutions of higher education. The few rules of the More information about the ECTS system can be found at ECTS system, concerning Information on Courses http://ec.europa.eu/education/programmes/socrates/ Available, Agreement between the home and host ects/index_en.html. institutions, and the Use of Credit Points (to indicate the student’s workload) are set out to reinforce this 5 BASIC LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS mutual trust and confidence. Each ECTS department will describe the courses it offers not only in terms of The instruction language of all bachelor degree content but also indicating credits for each course. programmes is Dutch. Sufficient knowledge of the Dutch language is an admission requirement for all our THE ECTS CREDITS bachelor degree programmes. ECTS credits are a value (between 1 and 60) allocated to course units to describe the student workload required For exchange students following the international to complete them. They reflect the quantity of work programme, a good knowledge of English is required. each course requires in relation to the total quantity The international programme is offered in the first and of work required to complete a full year of academic second semester. study at the host institution. Going abroad on an exchange programme requires a ECTS credits express a relative rather than an absolute lot of preparation and administration. You have to think measure of student workload. In ECTS, 60 credits about all the documents to regulate your credits, but represent the workload of an academic year of study. also insurance, taking money along, passport and visa Normally, 30 credits represent a semester and 20 requirements must be considered. credits a term.

32 33 Words and phrases in Dutch

1 ASKING FOR HELP AND DIRECTIONS

I’m lost Ik ben verloren. I’m (twenty, thirty...) years old. Ik ben twintig, dertig jaar. Can I help you? Kan ik je helpen? I have to go. Ik moet gaan. Can you help me? Kan je mij helpen? I will be right back! Ik ben straks terug. Where is the (bathroom / pharmacy)? Waar is (het toilet / de apotheker)? Go straight! Ga rechtdoor! Then turn left / right! Dan draai naar links / rechts! I’m looking for John. . Ik ben op zoek naar John 3 WISH SOMEONE SOMETHING One moment please! Een momentje alsjeblieft. Hold on please! (phone) Blijf aan de lijn. Good luck! Succes! How much is this? Hoeveel kost dit? Happy birthday! Gelukkige verjaardag Excuse me ...! (to ask for something) Excuseer mij...! Happy new year! Gelukkig Nieuwjaar Excuse me! (to pass by) Excuseer mij! Merry Christmas! Zalig Kerstmis Come with me! Kom met mij mee! Congratulations! Proficiat! Enjoy! (for meals...) Eet smakelijk! I’d like to visit Belgium one day Ik zou eens graag België bezoeken. 2 HOW TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF Bless you (when sneezing) Gezondheid! Good night and sweet dreams! Goeie nacht en droom zacht Do you speak (English / Dutch)? Spreek jij Engels / Nederlands? Just a little. Een beetje. What’s your name? Wat is je naam? 4 SOLVING A MISUNDERSTANDING My name is ... Mijn naam is ... Mr.../ Mrs.…/ Miss… Mijnheer / mevrouw / juffrouw I’m sorry! (if you don’t hear something) Sorry, ik versta u niet. Nice to meet you! Blij je te ontmoeten Sorry (for a mistake) Sorry You’re very kind! Je bent zeer vriendelijk No problem! Geen probleem Where are you from? Vanwaar ben je? Can you say it again? Kan je het herhalen? I’m from (the U.S/ Belgium) Ik ben van de USA / België Can you speak slowly? Kan je ietsje trager spreken? I’m (American) Ik ben een Amerikaan Write it down please! Schrijf het neer, alsjeblieft Where do you live? Waar woon je? I don’t understand! Ik versta het niet I live in (the U.S/ Belgium) Ik woon in de USA / België I don’t know! Ik weet het niet Do you like it here? Vind je het plezant hier ? I have no idea. Ik heb geen idee Belgium is a wonderful country België is een zeer mooi land. What’s that called in Dutch? Hoe heet dit in het Nederlands? What do you do for a living? Wat doe je als beroep? What does “…” mean in English? Hoe heet dit woord in het Engels? I work as a (translator / businessman) Ik werk als een vertaler / zakenman. How do you say “please” in Dutch? Hoe zeg je “please” in het Nederlands? I like Dutch Ik vind Nederlands leuk. What is this? Wat is dit? I’ve been learning Dutch for 1 month Ik leer Nederlands nu al een maand My Dutch is bad. Mijn Nederlands is niet zo goed. Oh! That’s good! Oh! Dat is goed! I need to practice my Dutch Ik moet Nederlands oefenen How old are you? Hoe oud ben je? Don’t worry! Geen paniek! 34 35 5 EXPRESSIONS AND WORDS

Good / Bad / So-So. Goed / slecht / zo en zo Big / Small Groot / klein Today / Now Vandaag / nu Tomorrow / Yesterday Morgen / gisteren Yes / No Ja / nee Here you go! (when giving something) Alsjeblieft Do you like it? Vind je het leuk? I really like it! Ik vind het tof. I’m hungry / thirsty. Ik heb honger / dorst In the morning / evening. At Night. ‘s ochtends / ’s avonds / ‘s nachts This / that. Here / there Dit / dat. Hier / daar Me / you. Him / her. Ik / jou. Hij / zij Really! Echt waar! Look! Kijk! Hurry up! Haast je! What? Where? Wat? Waar? What time is it? Hoe laat is het? It’s 10 o’clock. 07:30pm. Het is tien uur. 7:30 pm Give me this! Geef me dit! I love you! Ik hou van je ! I feel sick. Ik voel me ziek! I need a doctor. Ik heb een dokter nodig. One, Two, Three Een, twee, drie Four, Five, Six Vier, vijf, zes Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten Zeven, acht, negen, tien

36 37 Facilities

1 International office SPORTS The international office provides services to all Student services organizes several sport events during international exchange students at Thomas more. It the year. For the campuses of Geel, Lier, Vorselaar, cooperates together with the international coordinators Turnhout, Mechelen and De Nayer you can buy a of the study programs. SportsCard for 15 euro and work out in different local It’s believing that each exchange student who comes sport centers. to Thomas More for a semester or a full year, makes a valuable contribution to our university and our student SOCIAL SERVICE community. The social service counsels and informs students about scholarships, social welfare etc. Students may also The aim of the international office is to provide the consult the social service in case of personal, social or information, help and support that will make your visit practical problems. into a rewarding international experience. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITY Student Services helps to find assisted living 2 Student services (former STIP) accommodation and gives guidance and advice in Every student at Thomas More has the right to access financial support and educational matters as well as the student service which is funded and regulated by psychosocial support. the Flemish government. Feel free to contact student services via e-mail or stop by one of the offices which are MOBILITY based in every campus. Student services offers services Student services raises awareness about environmental in the following categories: transport through activities such as car-pooling and bike- happenings. You can also rent a bike through student CULTURE services for an affordable price! The aim of student services is to enthuse students for culture. Student service will provide discounts to CATERING different cultural activities and provides (financial) help Each location of our campuses has their own restaurant for students who want to organise a cultural activity for and offers healthy and sustainable food for reduced other students. student prices.

ACCOMMODATION Student services will try to help you find suitable 3 Buddy programme accommodation. You can select a room based on rent An important aspect of your exchange is the price, surface of the room or location in a prices range communication with students of Thomas More. For this, in between 180 to 400€/month. Should you have student services will organize a buddy system. Through any dispute with the landlord they can also provide this buddy system we try to link incoming students with assistance and mediation. students of Thomas More.

38 39 Several students offered to support the exchange sports activities, a cantus, etc. students during their stay. They can give you many useful A cantus is an activity that mainly involves singing information on all sorts of academic, and non-academic traditional songs and drinking beer. Each student has a matters, student life and daily life in Belgium. book, a codex, which contains the club anthems of most Are you up for this ? Please let us know so that we can student organizations and hundreds of songs in various link you to a student. He or she will contact you and languages. They usually have easy and familiar melodies. will support you as much as possible during those first There is a lot more to discover and the best way to do difficult weeks and the rest of your stay. this is to join a student union!

4 Network facilities 6 Student card Thomas More is using a Digital Student Platform As an incoming international student, you will be (blackboard) called Toledo. Toledo is the official registered at the student administration. publication channel on which you have access to your A digital picture will be taken from you in order to issue university courses. Also the international Office and the your Thomas More student card/badge. student services will post messages for you on Toledo. The use of Toledo will be explained to you during the It is important that you carry this student card with you introduction week at an information session. at all times. It gives you access to all campus buildings, classrooms, the central library and with this badge you You will get your own e-mail address from Thomas More. can buy lunch in the university cafeteria at the lowest With this e-mail address you will be able to communicate price and make copies and prints. with other students and personnel of the school without using your private e-mail address.

5 Student union A student union is an organization operated by students and present in many university colleges and universities. In Flanders, student unions play a unique role in student life. A student union in Flanders is led by a praesidium. The head of the praesidium and the union is the praeses. During the school year they organize a great number of activities. These can be TDs (= thé dansant, a party),

40 41 We hope you have an amazing and educational stay!

Don’t forget to join us on facebook! www.facebook.be/stipkempen (Geel, Turnhout, Lier & Vorselaar) www.facebook.be/stipantwerpen www.facebook.be/stipmechelen (Mechelen & sint-Katelijne-Waver)

Questions? You can send an e-mail to: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]