Study in Flanders

Welcome to my takeover! I'm sharing my life as a International Business Management-Marketing () student in Leuven (.leuven) - my roles, my campus, and the spaces where everything happens. Swipe through, and feel free to send your questions anytime this week!

Here are some of the spots in Brussels that have become a favorite of mine during my studies at the 🫶🏻

Belgium is a very bike-friendly country. Most students use bicycles to get to the university or grocery store. Taking the bicycle is often faster than the bus. Thanks to the government’s well-developed bike lanes, cycling is safe and easy everywhere. When you visit Belgium, do not be surprised if your bike soon becomes your best friend!

Recently, I’ve joined the Marketing Department of Thomas More University of Applied Sciences as an intern to put into practice everything I’ve learned during the first year of my bachelor’s programme. While executing my tasks, I also had the chance to see the new campus, which is going to open this September in Mechelen – isn’t that cool? While they are finishing the last stages of reconstruction, I am creating content as part of my internship.

Strong brands speak with one voice - and that voice is built internally first.

At Thomas More, we want HEROES to grow into an even stronger brand. That’s why, on the 21st of August, our International Coordinators joined a session with Piet Van Hove,Secretary General, to dive deeper into the HEROES project - so they can actively carry out the mission and share it across our community. European Universities alliance uniting 9 core and 5 associated institutions to empower 120,000 students with resilience and innovation. Through EDUCATION4HEROES, HEROES4REGIONS, and HEROES4EVER, we’re tackling real-world challenges with joint programs, practice-oriented research, and flexible learning. Our colleague Ria Bruijn is connecting with partners like the University of Vlores to expand networks such as Albania . With the 2025 HEROES kick-off approaching, we’re building a strong brand through trust and collaboration.

These inspiring stories show how we work together across institutions to create meaningful opportunities for students and staff - tackling real-life challenges through collaboration and innovation.

✨ Here’s a quick guide to my favorite city in Flanders: Ghent ✨

🚲 Bike
If you’re planning to stay for a semester or more, getting a bike is a must. In Flanders, cycling is part of daily life, you’ll find high-quality bike lanes everywhere in the city. It’s not only the most convenient way to get around, but also the fastest (yes, faster than the tram 🚋).

👥 Locals
At first sight, Flemish people might seem a little reserved or “cold.” But that’s just the surface, once you break the ice, you’ll meet some of the warmest and kindest people. Thanks to them, I’ve discovered the “real” Ghent: hidden gems, secret spots, and local traditions you won’t find in a guidebook.

💼 Making friends
It’s not always easy to connect with locals right away. For me, my student job helped a lot. Working in a restaurant turned colleagues into friends and eventually into my closest circle here in Ghent.

Student life in Flanders = expensive 💸

Flanders is amazing, but let’s be honest — it’s not cheap.
That’s why having a student job can make a huge difference if you want to actually enjoy your time here.

I work as a dishwasher in a restaurant. It’s not glamorous, but it pays the bills and gives me the extra money to go out, travel, and make the most of my stay.

💡 Tip: You can find work as an international student, even if you don’t speak Dutch, especially in the HoReCa sector (Hotels, Restaurants & Catering).

💰 And yes… the pay is actually pretty good here 🤑

If you want to enjoy Flanders without constantly stressing about money, a student job is a big plus.

Hi everyone 👋
I’m Kazan from France 🇫🇷 I came to Flanders for my Erasmus exchange, and even though the academic year is over, I’m staying in Ghent until the end of August!
This week, l’ll show you my summer life here from my student job to my favorite spots in the city🌞🚲

3 apps that make my life much easier in Belgium.
Disclaimer: This is not a commercial, I am just sharing my experiences and what works best for me personally.