Well I don't live in Belgium anymore. And I come from Antwerp region, But my sister's husband is from Liege.
It's quite a dirty city, heavy industry town so take any big industry city of the western world and you get the idea!
Not the safest environment but you'll be shielded from most of that stuff on and around campus anyway (at least it's not Charleroi :p)
I hate to stereotype but I have to adhere to the majority... If you want a comfy time, it is highly recommended that you speak French. In that part of Belgium English isn't that well spoken nor do they feel the need to speak English (differs a lot with educated people and gamers tho).
Well something nice to say... the university has a nice reputation, Belgium is awesome to go out, no matter what you prefer plus if you don't mind driving an hour or two your options are huge (Benefit of being such a small country). Everything is close by. You can see some good football if you are into that.
With all those choices you have I would say: eliminate by quality of education first. It should be your primary goal. After that look which country suits best. If I could pick based on country I'd take France, Belgium and England over the rest. Living in Sweden really made me appreciate the high quality of life in Belgium.
Hope that helps a bit even though it is quite broad instead of specifics :)
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Thanks a lot for the answer. And the thing is that I don't really know what the quality on each place is as my tutor is not really helping me with that. Moreover I need a bunch of places to choose from because I don't have the best of the marks either so I don't really know where I'm going to end at and that.
Thanks a lot for your answers. I have basic knowledge of French (took 5 years of it at school) and I'm doing a course now to try and remember things and learn a bit more, so language won't be a real problem, I think.
Cheers!
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I remember being told on a few occasions in the past (like by a teacher for a school camp trip) that if you are in Wallonia, you would have to use French; they would more or less ignore you if you tried to communicate differently. He said that only in a state of emergency, would they suddenly understand something else than French ^^
I am not sure how accurate that is though, since I haven't been in Belgium (to stay) since I was a small Jurm, which is probably over 20 years ago =/
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i must tell you that in Czech Republic it's hard to communicate in english, most of the people i met there was barely able to speak english, England have great atmosphere and if you like to party you'll find yourself well there i think
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i was in Prague a couple of times and maybe i was unlucky but most of people i've met barely could speak english, maybe it's a bad luck and yeah i've met mostly people from 20-25 years old
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I visited a Prague LOTS of times and never had any problems. Even more - my very good friend worked there on IBM Helpdesk for almost a year - he lived there, co-worked with Czechs, spending time with Czechs, having Czech GF - he communicated in English only and during this year learned next to none Czech language cause he didn't need to (and for polish ppl it's not so hard to learn Czech ;p) - so yeah - you were unlucky ;p
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haha that's why i was communicating mostly with some kind of weird mixture of Czech,Polish and English to get the things straight :D
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I can speak about Czech Republic, as I live close by and visit Chech quite often (avg once a month ;P)
While I've been in Brno only twice I believe and cannot say much thou, I can speak a little bit about Czech in general ;p Czechs are a lot of fun and great to party with. They seem as friendly and open people. And they have the best freaking beer in the world. Prices in Czech Republic are much lower than in western europe so it's also a plus ;) While it's quite easy to communicate in English with younger Czechs, older population - not so much. They often don't speak English very good if at all. And you can forget about learning Czech language - it's the same family of languages as Polish, meaning it's really hard to learn ;p
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I see, I assumed I would have a bad time learning Czech but I do hope I can at least get familiar with the basics if I end up traveling there. I also was checking prices and they were pleasantly lower than what I'm used to in here.
Also thanks for your input!
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Person from Czech Republic reporting in. I don't live in Brno and I have only been here once but I know something about it. It's basically an university city so there is everything young person could need. There are many pubs, clubs, cafés , cinemas, theaters etc. About living costs here. About transport: tram (which is the most used mean of public transport; they call it 'shalina') costs 640 czk (about 33$) for quater of year. About language: young people generally speak english well (mostly A2 or B1 level) but most elder people don't speak english (they speak german or russian). Czech language is very hard (declension, inconsistent grammar and stuff) and if you don't know spanish or japanese you will have problems with pronounciation. I forgot to mention remarkable locations: Tugendhat Villa, Macocha Abyss, Capuchin Monastery and Vault (Klaster kapucinu), Spilberk Castle, Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul (Katedrala sv Petra a Pavla), and there is also thing called "cock clock" which is clock in shape of "bullet". Not sure where exactly it is. Sorry if it's a little bit chaotic, I will try to answer any questions you may have.
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Thank you very much for your feedback good man. I'm Spanish so I guess that pronunciation won't be a problem :p
Brno is my preferred destination on paper but I don't really think I'll get the scolarship to travel there as there's only one spot available. Glad to hear is an university city, that's the kind of atmosphere I'm looking for (if possible)
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I think Olomouc is nice destination too (it seems you don't want to visit Prague, idk why), it's a university city with a lot of historical monuments, pubs and shit like that. Google it.
And also you simply can't learn Czech, people say it's easier to learn Chinese :D
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It's not that I don't want to visit Prague but the only destination I'm offered is Brno, can't choose anything else.
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It might be a while till I can get on Steam, but we'll talk when I get to it. Thanks! :)
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I spent a little while in Norwich back in its days and it wasn't THAT bad.
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Yeah but Bradford.... mate you dont wanna live there!
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Hehe you'd be wise to! Bradford has had many problems with racism and crime in the last decade compared to other similarly sized cities. Reading isn't bad though, I was considering a move there recently myself.
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Yeah, the general consensus seems to be to stay as far from it as possible. Thanks guys.
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Well, in France, it's Bordeaux, and not Bourdeaux.
And if you come to France to speak English, just don't go to Marseille: They have a really pronounced accent that make them hard to get.
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My bad I'll correct it now. Anyways if I go to France I'll speak French there (which needs a little bit of improving on my side)
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Now that's my bad: I meant, if you come to France to speak French, don't go to Marseille.
Oh, and they have some Kalashnikovs there, there are places to avoid.
Still, Paris is a nice city to visit, except if it is during the french vacations as there are loads of people.
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But isn't Paris like horrible expensive to live in?
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It is. Really.
I went there once, and the prices were up to twice expensive as they are somewhere else. And the hotels are really expensive, as is the housing.
But there are plenty of things to see for free and the museums' entry fees are just ok (8€ for the Louvres I think, if you're a student, and even less if you are in group.)
So well, if you don't pay your food and bed, I think it's not that expensive for a student. Still, you'd better don't stay too long.
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If I finally went there I had to stay for like 6 months minimun, and, of course I'd have to pay for food and housing. I don't really think I can afford Paris prices. :-/
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Oh. Fat luck then :/
If you're a student, and are looking for a housing, Paris is clearly a pain in the ass: it's super hard to find and super expensive (Sometimes, it's 200€ per m^2).
Still, Bordeaux is a nice city, especially in fall, and I don't know much about the other, except that you'd better don't be chilly if you go to Rennes.
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Thanks a lot for all your answers. And I don't really mind the cold, I can live with that :p
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It was just a typo, sorry - I gotta be drunk - I meant, they have a terrible french accent.
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13:44 - beep: http://www.steamgifts.com/user/CursedNonos what happened to nonos
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I'm from France and am a student in the Aix-Marseille University, but first of all, it depends which studies you want to do.
The University is composed of 3 poles in which each of them is specialized in something. (Example: I'm studying Languages Applicated in Companies, it's in the pole of Languages, Art, Human Science, so if you want to study law or something else, it's not included in that pole so it will be in a different place than mine, but in the same town.)
However, if you want to join a specified course you need atleast the skill B2 (if I'm not wrong) in french, certified and approved by a french organization of your country. If you have it, you can ask ERASMUS that contributes for french and europeans to study in a foreign country of Europe.
And I think that's all. :D
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My level is that of lika an A2 or so and I was told in International Relationships here I can join the ERASMUS program with that knowledge of the language. I don't know if things are changing though.
Also I'm studying Pharmacy here, I'd do the Hospital Practicing thingies if I was granted the scholarship.
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If i must choose from this country i would definitely go study to czech republic. Its really nice country but maybe you will have some problems with english, because not everyone speak english i know lot about czech if you want know somethnig just ask me i´m form slovak republic but i study now in Sweden...
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Thanks a lot. Czech republic is my 1st option but I don't know if I will be granted a spot there. If I need to know something I'll let you know, thanks!
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I'd go with Malta. Good weather, friendly people, everyone speaks English, fairly cheap, easy to get around. It's just a great time.
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yeah im from malta, and aside from some assholes (especially some teenagers) everyone is nice and friendly,nearly everyone knows how to speak at least some basic english, everything is cheap except at some places where there go many tourists, as for nightlife, if you mean partying and stuff there's paceville it has some great clubs and drinks are a little high for the rest of malta but i think they are still very cheap, and we are just a small island so you won't get lost in here :P
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Right on. I've been to Malta twice and love it. I'm hoping to go again next year sometime. I've got nothing but praise for Malta with the odd exception (there seems to be a lot of car accidents, sometimes people are a little too relaxed (like when you need a toilet fixing for instance)). Also Cisk is brilliant and cheap. Pastizzi and Ħobż are delicious and you can always find a good meal for a small amount of money.
Also shop owners, even in tourist areas, aren't pushy like in some other countries (Turkey for example). I just wish they hadn't changed the buses as the new ones are boring.
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I heard Université de Rennes is great. Good luck!
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I live in Czech republic and currently studying in Brno. Most of the students (and young people in general) and teachers speak English, you don't have to speak English outside of school, just learn numbers and currency so you can buy stuff in supermarkets, restaurants, etc. There're many students from outside of Czech republic, I know a guy from Saudi Arabia who speaks Czech quite well. Today I saw two guys speaking in Spanish with each other at the college, they didn't even seem to know Czech. Speaking of the language, it's quite hard to learn, but not impossible.
Brno is great, there's always stuff to do. Actually, I'm going to play paintball with some friends later today. Every night is a party night, people are really nice here. Recommended.
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Can confirm that, as a university (actually a multi-university) city, Brno always has something to offer in terms of student/party/night life. Students and teachers are used to courses taught in English, and the young generation generally speaks English well. In mid- to high-level restaurants, there should be no problems with English either; you might encounter some problems in small shops, or when dealing with the administration.
As far as tourism, monuments and such are concerned, you're a bit better off taking a trip to Olomouc (100 km), or directly to Prague (a bit further), but even Brno is still realtively okay.
Also, paintball is barbaric and brutal. :-P hooray for laser tag arenas. :-)
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I'm not from Belgium (I'm from The Netherlands) but I have visited Liege a few times. I wouldn't want to live there. Belgium has loads of beautiful cities but Liege isnt one of them. It also felt unfriendly to me, uninviting, dirty.
I've been to Paris many times and its beautiful, the tourist part, the suburbs are dreadful.
Cant tell anything about your other options.
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Mimimimimimi :p
Also when I have enough time we'll talk, thanks for the help.
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Well, I'm obviously not going to learn Flemish. Also what's pointless?
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Probably a person whom only likes Flanders. Like in any country a lot of ignorance is around so I wouldn't pay too much attention to it :p
Each side of Belgium has it's positives and negatives, but the real treasure we as Belgians tend to forget is how this diversity enriches us. Some just want to think in a primitive way sadly :)
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That's what I assumed there's really no point in dealing in absolutes, only the Sith do that.
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Don't go to Bradford, you'll get stabbed. Probably. :D
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So I'm doing some arrangements for me to study abroad next year (It's more like an apprienticeship to be honest as I would have finished my degree by then but it doesn't really matter) and I'm presented with the following choices. So if you happen to know anything about these places or stuff like that it will be more than welcomed.
I'm interested mainly about how the city is like, the cost of living there, nightlife and leisure activities, remarkable locations nearby (monuments and stuff) and if it's a city that has a good universitary atmosphere (Such as maybe Salamanca, Granada, Cambridge, Bologna or cities like that might have)
Feel free to provide any other information that you might consider useful.
The available destinations I can choose from are the following:
-Liége (French is spoken there, right? because last time I spoke to some Belgians they were Flemish speakers and didn't really like me trying to communicate in French with them)
-Aix-Marseille University (I'm not really sure if I'd be on Aix-en-Provence or Marseille)
-Bordeaux
-Nantes
-Paris (It's on the XIe arrondissement I think, Université du Paris-Sud)
-Rennes (Université de Rennes 1)
-University of Malta (I think it's on Msida or something like that) (Do I have to know Maltese? Will English do?)
-Brno (To be honest this has the syllabus that interests me most, but I know nothing about the city besides it having a race circuit. Also the course is in English and I have not a freaking clue of Czech, would I be able to communicate in my daily routine in English? Is Czech difficult to learn?)
-Bradford
-Reading
Thanks for your time and efforts, please note, though, that I don't have access to the Internet in a regular basis so it might take a bit long for me to answer.
Wub u.
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