MASTERS PROGRAMMES INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE BRUSSELS 2014-2015 CONTENT OF THIS GUIDE 1. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 4 2. BELGIUM: A FEW FACTS ........................................................................................................... 5 3. BRUSSELS: THE CAPITAL OF EUROPE..................................................................................... 8 4. CLIMATE AND CLOTHING .......................................................................................................... 9 5. PRE-ARRIVAL ARRANGEMENTS ............................................................................................... 10 1. APPLYING FOR A VISA ......................................................................................................... 10 2. BRINGING YOUR FAMILY TO BELGIUM ............................................................................... 12 3. ADDITIONAL VISA INFORMATION ...................................................................................... 12 6. UPON ARRIVAL: GETTING TO THE BRUSSELS CAMPUS ........................................................ 12 7. HOUSING AND RESIDENCE PERMIT ........................................................................................ 15 1. TEMPORARY HOUSING ......................................................................................................... 15 2. LOOKING FOR A STUDENT ROOM ....................................................................................... 15 3. RESIDENCE PERMIT ............................................................................................................. 17 8. BANKING .............................................................................................................................. 18 9. HEALTH CARE INSURANCE ................................................................................................. 21 10. ADDITIONAL INSURANCE .................................................................................................... 25 8. SETTLING IN ............................................................................................................................. 26 1. ELECTRICITY, GAS AND WATER .......................................................................................... 26 2. WATER .................................................................................................................................. 28 3. MOBILE PHONES .................................................................................................................. 29 4. USING THE TELEPHONE ....................................................................................................... 30 5. INTERNET.............................................................................................................................. 30 6. COST OF LIVING .................................................................................................................. 32 9. OTHER PRACTICAL INFORMATION .......................................................................................... 34 1. CULTURAL LIFE .................................................................................................................... 34 2. CYCLING ............................................................................................................................... 37 3. DOCTORS, DENTISTS AND HOSPITALS .............................................................................. 39 4. FOOD AND DINING .............................................................................................................. 41 5. LANGUAGE STUDIES ............................................................................................................ 42 6. LIBRARY .................................................................................................................................... 43 7. MAIL ...................................................................................................................................... 43 8. NEWSPAPER, RADIO AND TELEVISION .............................................................................. 45 Source: http://brussels.angloinfo.com/ Page 2 9. PUBLIC HOLIDAYS ................................................................................................................ 45 10. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN BRUSSELS .......................................................................... 45 11. SHOPPING AND MARKETS ................................................................................................... 47 12. SPORTS FACILITIES ............................................................................................................. 51 13. TRAVEL WHILE IN BELGIUM ................................................................................................ 53 10. IMPORTANT WEBSITES AND PHONE NUMBERS...................................................................... 54 Source: http://brussels.angloinfo.com/ Page 3 1. INTRODUCTION We would like to welcome you to Belgium and to the Vlerick Business School. This guide has been compiled to provide you with some practical information on formalities and procedures you should consider prior to coming to Belgium. The guide also covers some aspects of daily life in Belgium. If you have any questions that are not addressed in this guide, please direct them to the International office (not programme related) or to your Programme Manager (programme related): International Office Ms. Anke Cosijns [email protected] [email protected] Ms. Tanja Vercruysse [email protected] Programme Manager Masters in Financial Management Ms. Sara Teuwen [email protected] Source: http://brussels.angloinfo.com/ Page 4 2. BELGIUM: A FEW FACTS Belgium is one of the smallest countries in Europe. Its number of inhabitants makes it one of the most densely populated countries in the world and even second highest in Europe (after The Netherlands). The country's population is concentrated around the main urban areas of Antwerp, Brussels and Ghent. Belgium gained its independence from Holland in 1830. Initially a republic, the country was quickly established as a constitutional monarchy when Prince Leopold I of Saxe-Coburg was elected king on July 21, 1831. Albert II is the present and sixth king in the Coburg line. He began his reign in 1993 following the sudden death at age 62 of his brother Baudoiun I who had ruled since 1951. Belgium is situated in the west of Europe, bordered to the north by the Netherlands, to the east by Germany and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and to the south and the west by France. As a number of international treaties led to the formation of Belgium its borders are extremely irregular and include few natural boundaries. “Belgium, heart of Europe” is not just a catch phrase: the geographical centre of the 15 countries of the European Union (before it was enlarged to 25 countries) was actually in Belgium, and more precisely in Oignies-en-Thiérache (Viroinval), in the province of Namur. Belgium is both a kingdom and a federal state. There are four administrative regions: Flanders, Wallonia, Oostkantons (East Cantons) and Brussels. Belgium has three official languages: Flemish, French and German, but English is widely spoken throughout the country. Belgium has two distinct geographical regions, each with its own characteristics: a level fertile farmland area to the north and west (Flanders) and the hilly wooded region (the Ardennes), to the south and east. Two main rivers cross the country, the Schelde and the Meuse. Both rivers begin in France and empty into the North Sea. A network of navigable canals adds to the country's scenic beauty. The capital, Brussels, is the headquarter for the institutions of the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treat Organisation (NATO) including NATO’s military arm SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Powers Europe) located near the city of Mons in the south. Brussels is also the European home base of numerous multinational corporations. Belgium’s openness and central location in Europe has led it to become one of Europe's most prosperous industrialised nations, and one of the most important trading countries in the World. Major industries include automobile assembly, biotechnology, chemicals, diamond cutting, firearms, food and beverages, glass, steel, transportation and high value-added manufacturing. Major agricultural products are barley, sugar beet, oats, potatoes, rye and wheat. Source: http://brussels.angloinfo.com/ Page 7 3. BRUSSELS: THE CAPITAL OF EUROPE You may know all the clichés, but life in Brussels isn’t all about comic strips, beer, waffles, and French fries. The Brussels- Capital Region is a melting pot of different cultures. There are two official languages (French and Dutch), but English is understood and spoken in many places. The many international institutions in Brussels attract various foreign communities, so you will also find a wide range of products, media, schools and culture from abroad. On average, people living in Brussels are younger than those in the rest of the country as the dynamic city center houses around 74.000 students. The residents of Brussels are blessed with an urban architecture, comprising various styles, from medieval to postmodern. Flemish townhouses stand side by side with impressive Art Nouveau buildings and postmodern edifices dominate