BELGIUM

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PROS

  • It's a welcoming country.
  • Antwerp is an easy and quick city to explore. It has a good location and is very well connected for traveling to other places, and there are plenty of things to do in the city itself. Something more personal is that the area has plenty of greenery and places to relax when you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the crowds. Another positive aspect is that there are many Erasmus students, so it won't be difficult to find a group of Spanish people. In terms of tourism, both the city and its surroundings are very attractive, have a lot of culture, and there are always very interesting guided tours to explore further.
  • A lively and beautiful city, it has everything, and the people are lovely.

CONS

  • Antwerp is a fairly bustling city.
  • The language is somewhat complex, so I recommend bringing something basic, especially for work. In everyday life, such as shopping, bars, etc., English is fine.
  • If you live far away and have to take the tram to get around, you should keep in mind that the schedule is a bit difficult for making plans at night, as they don't usually run from 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.
  • It's hard for people to open up, and it's difficult to socialize.

REGARDING ACCOMMODATION...

"In Antwerp, your partner will find you a company for free, but you have to find your own accommodation. In my case, it was through information provided by my Erasmus tutor. I saw an ad on Google Maps and contacted the accommodation via email. It cost me ±€400/month."

"I had help finding accommodation thanks to the partner who had a studio available to rent in his home. Accommodations usually range from €500/€600 per month, although if you find a shared room, it can be a bit cheaper. The family has been very nice to me; they helped me with everything I needed, and communication with them was very easy. The only negative thing I would say is that you have to adapt a bit to their schedule or lifestyle so as not to upset them."

"A girl who had previously stayed here recommended it to me; it cost me €395 all-inclusive."

IF YOU GO TO BELGIUM, YOU HAVE TO VISIT...

  • The central area of ​​Antwerp or where the Cathedral is located, because that's where most of the tourist sites and monuments are located.
  • I would recommend the most typical places in Antwerp itself, such as the Grote Markt, the main square, then any park like Stadtpark, the port area, etc. Antwerp also has very interesting museums to see, such as Chocolate Nation, Rubens' House...
  • Taking a train to the surrounding areas, I would recommend Bruges, Ghent, Brussels, Leuven, Gouda, Amsterdam, among others.
  • The Antwerp train station and the Museum aan de Stroom. The cathedral and all its streets are also beautiful.

A GOOD PLACE TO EAT / DRINK...

  • Het Elfde Gebod.
  • For a drink, such as a typical beer, go to the Zwan bar near the center or De Prof. For food, it depends on your taste, but there are a wide variety of options, including Italian, Asian (there are some delicious ones in Chinatown). For vegans, Plant B serves very good breakfasts and lunches. There are also many kebabs.
  • In the old town, near the cathedral. De Muze is a great place to have a drink.

TIPS IF YOU GO TO BELGIUM

  • Be confident.
  • If you're traveling alone, look for groups on social media because they'll be a great way to meet people, as it can be a bit difficult to adapt at first.
  • It's important to know a little bit of the language. Learning Dutch really well will help you socialize.
  • Don't forget that you'll be working, and some days may be harder than others, but there's always time to enjoy yourself. This experience will help you grow in many ways.

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