Erasmus in Ghent

Information and tips for Erasmus students in Ghent

Why do Erasmus in Ghent? If you are thinking about which city can be a good Erasmus destination, we assure you that Ghent is a very good option. Apart from the fact that its university is very prestigious in Europe, it also attracts students from all over the world. Ghent is a multicultural city with an incredible student atmosphere throughout the year. Stay with us to discover all that this city has to offer. Go for it!

Cost of living in Ghent, Belgium

How much does it cost to live in Ghent? Well, the answer to this question depends on the lifestyle that each student leads. Now, if we make an approximation taking into account accommodation, shopping and possible leisure activities, a student in Ghent can spend, on average, about € 800-850 per month.

One of your biggest expenses will be the rental of the accommodation. Ghent is not an overly large city, but it welcomes many students every year, therefore there is a high demand for accommodation. Our recommendation for students who decide to do their Erasmus in Ghent is to start looking for accommodation before going to the city. Once there it can be complicated and, if the process takes longer, you will have more expenses for the hostels or hotels where you stay.

As for the price of activities such as going out for a drink or eating in a restaurant, you will find everything. If you want to save a little, but you like to eat away from home one day, you will see that there are a lot of restaurants that offer food for about € 4-5.

Erasmus parties and leisure in Ghent, Belgium

You will be a little lost in the first weeks after arriving in a new city as Ghent. Making friends and having people with whom to make plans might seem difficult at first. However there is no need to panic, in a short period of time you start meeting people and you will have a lot of plans every week, it happens to all Erasmus students. There are more people like you in Ghent and it will be easy to get alone since you all share being international students in Ghent in common.

On days when you want to go out for a drink with your friends and have fun, one of the most popular streets in the city with students and young people is Overpoort. This part of the city is the normally centre, of university life, you have cafes as well as bars and clubs. You will meet many young people with the same desire as you to spend the best months of their life.

If you like doing varied activities, cultural visits, excursions to other cities and other plans, we recommend that you join one of the city's student associations. Most Erasmus students make this decision because they always make fun plans and, in addition, they often receive discounts on transport or restaurants.

Culture and food in Ghent, Belgium

If this is the first time you visit Ghent, you cannot miss the city centre and some of its most emblematic buildings such as the Cathedral of Saint Bavo or the Gravensteen or Castle of the Counts, built in the 13th century. Other very characteristic sites of the city are the Gasli and Korenlei docks, the St. Michael's Bridge or the Korenmarkt square, a point of the city that is always full of visitors and tourists. These are some obligatory stops the first times you visit the city, however, if you are going to live there for several months, you will surely discover incredible things that tourists seldom get to know. Take advantage of your stay in Ghent!

One way to discover the traditions of Ghent is also through its gastronomy. Some typical dishes of Belgian cuisine are waterzooi (a stew accompanied with a cream and vegetable cream), stoemp (puree accompanied by sausages), ganda ham or the famous Belgian chocolates. You may not go out to eat every day at a restaurant, but when you do, we recommend that you try the most typical recipes of Belgian cuisine.

Advantages of doing your Erasmus in Ghent, Belgium

If you decide to do your Erasmus in Ghent, you will experience one of the best years of your life for different reasons, among them:

• The character of the local people will make you feel comfortable whenever you speak with them.
• Although it may not be the best-known city in Belgium, it is one of the most popular Erasmus destinations for students.
• It is a multicultural city, you will meet people from all over the world and, even if you do not know the official language, you will be able to interact with almost everyone in English.
• It is one of the Belgian cities with the most historical and cultural buildings. You will be able to visit them whenever you want.
• The University of Ghent is very prestigious in Europe, therefore you have the opportunity to learn a lot.

Cheap student apartments in Ghent, Belgium 

Do you need accommodation in Ghent and don't know how to get it? On Erasmus Play you can find the best student flats, rooms and apartments in Ghent for free and easily. You have the opportunity to compare prices and areas to choose the one that best suits your preferences.

Frequently asked questions from students doing Erasmus in Ghent

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