The school here is quite different from what I’m used to. The third-year courses are quite interactive and require a lot of presenting in front of the class. Most of the work is done in groups meaning the group can either make or break your course experience. I’ve been fortunate enough to experience good group dynamics, but some of my friends have had some fallouts with the groups. Teachers are quite strict, and there is no such thing as retaking an exam. You’d simply have to retake the whole course next year again.
Ghent itself felt safe and cozy from the get-go. The university arranged accommodation, and while the idea of a shared dorm was scary at first, it quickly turned into one of the best parts of my stay. Living in a building full of friends and acquaintances means there’s always someone to hang out with, plus the dorm hosts fun events that make it feel like a real community.
Despite a fair amount of coursework, I’ve managed to travel a lot not just around Belgium, but also to cities like Paris, London, Amsterdam, and Lille. These cities are only a few hours away by train or bus, so I’ve been able to do multiple weekend trips. Nevertheless, Ghent is also a wonderful city. I live right in the city centre, so everything is within walking distance, even though cycling is clearly the local favorite. Every time I’m bored or walking home from school, I like to pop in some retail stores or thrift shops down the street. During the weekends, there are a lot of outdoor markets with everything from food and flowers to clothes and jewellery. With friends, we often study together either in cafés or at the Krook library. I’ve also heard that in summer Ghent hosts a two-week festival across the city, but even in autumn and during the Christmas season, there’s plenty to do.
One thing that stands out here is the social culture. After work or school, people gather for dinner, beer or coffee almost every day. Even though my Belgian friends describe the culture as reserved, I’ve found people here more easy-going than in Finland. Socializing feels like a hobby as it seems to be far more common than gym sessions or individual activities. I’ve embraced this lifestyle wholeheartedly, swapping personal hobbies for social gatherings, and I love it. At the end of the day, it’s the people who make an experience memorable, not just the destination. I can return to my own routines once I go home, since friends and fries never killed nobody.
(French fries are actually from Belgium)
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