Belgium
Medieval towns, EU policy hubs, and world-famous chocolate.
Living in Belgium
Confirm the fundamentals before you book a flight: monthly costs, neighborhoods to live in, academic culture, and weekend escapes.
Monthly budget
€1,000–€1,300
Language
Dutch & French
Visa
Residence permit required for stays over 90 days. Registration handled locally.
Program lengths
Semester • Year
Neighborhood Vibe Check
Where our contributors actually lived and why it worked for classes, cafés, and late-night snacks.
- • Ixelles (Brussels)
- • Patershol (Ghent)
- • Antwerp Zuid
Weekend Essentials
48-hour itineraries and day trips that fit between classes.
- • Amsterdam culture sprint
- • Luxembourg microstate day trip
- • Ardennes hiking loop
Academic Notes
What the syllabi look like, grading culture, and campus resources.
- • EU studies, political science, and business programs flourish here.
Must-do experiences
The moments that made our contributors feel like locals. Drop these into your first-week bucket list.
- • Ghent canal nights
- • Brussels comic strip walk
- • Antwerp fashion museum
Guides & stories
Dispatches from Belgium
7 min read • Oct 2025
Weekend Trips from Belgium: A Student’s Guide to Exploring Europe on a Budget
One of the biggest perks of studying in Belgium is easy access to other European countries. Here are the best weekend trips for students.
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7 min read • Oct 2025
Belgium on a Budget: A Student’s Guide to Living and Traveling Cheap
Yes, Belgium can be affordable! Here’s how students can eat, travel, and explore without draining their study abroad budget.
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8 min read • Sep 2025
Top Belgian Universities with Study Abroad Programs for International Students
Belgium is a hub for global education. Here are the best universities that welcome international students and partner with study abroad programs.
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9 min read • Sep 2025
Brussels Study Abroad Survival Guide: How Students Can Thrive in the EU Capital
From navigating public transport to finding affordable frites, here’s the complete student survival guide to Brussels.
Read guide →
6 min read • Sep 2025
What It’s Like to Study in Ghent: Belgium’s Coolest Student City
Ghent combines medieval charm with modern student life. Here’s what it’s like to study abroad in Belgium’s most vibrant college town.
Read guide →Coffee budget
€30/mo
Transit pass
€49/mo