howest

Transcription

howest
2012-2013
Practical Information
Package
for incoming students
International Office
howest.be
Index
1.
Welcome to Howest ............................................................................................................ 3
2.
Belgium, Flanders and the two Howest towns ................................................................... 4
BELGIUM ............................................................................................................................. 4
Belgium, a small but complex country! .......................................................................... 4
Belgium’s trumps ............................................................................................................ 4
Chauvinism is not a part of Belgium’s nature ................................................................ 5
Typical characteristics .................................................................................................... 5
FLANDERS ............................................................................................................................ 5
Flanders, in the heart of Europe..................................................................................... 5
Flanders’ beautiful art cities ........................................................................................... 6
Flanders: hospitable, trendy and full of quality ............................................................. 6
BRUGGE AND KORTRIJK, THE TWO HOWEST TOWNS ........................................................ 6
Brugge ............................................................................................................................. 6
Kortrijk ........................................................................................................................... 7
3.
Howest ................................................................................................................................ 8
Intro ................................................................................................................................ 8
Howest departments and course offer .......................................................................... 9
More classes available through AUGent-mobility! ...................................................... 11
Intensive language courses .......................................................................................... 11
Howest applied research .............................................................................................. 11
4.
Academic calendar 2012 - 2013 ........................................................................................ 13
5.
How to reach the Howest campuses? .............................................................................. 15
Howest Brugge - Campus Rijselstraat 5........................................................................ 15
Howest Brugge - Campus Sint-Jorisstraat 71 ............................................................... 15
Howest Kortrijk - Campus R. de Rudderlaan 6 ............................................................. 15
Howest Kortrijk - Campus Graaf Karel de Goedelaan 5 .............................................. 15
6.
Transport in Belgium and the two Howest towns ............................................................ 16
Transport in Belgium .................................................................................................... 16
Transport in Kortrijk ..................................................................................................... 16
Transport in Brugge ...................................................................................................... 16
7.
Erasmus and exchange students: application and registration procedure ...................... 17
1
8.
Accommodation ................................................................................................................ 19
Brugge ........................................................................................................................... 19
Kortrijk .......................................................................................................................... 19
9.
Insurance ........................................................................................................................... 20
School insurance: physical injuries and third party liability ......................................... 20
Regularly enrolled students ....................................................................................... 20
Exchange students ..................................................................................................... 20
Third party liability ....................................................................................................... 20
Medical insurance ........................................................................................................ 20
Travel insurance ........................................................................................................... 21
Health Care and Social Work students ......................................................................... 21
10. Costs of living .................................................................................................................... 22
11. Meals ................................................................................................................................. 22
12. Student grants ................................................................................................................... 23
Student grants of the Flemish Community .................................................................. 23
Student grant of your own government ...................................................................... 23
The European Union ..................................................................................................... 23
Other............................................................................................................................. 24
Stuvo Howest Student Services .................................................................................... 24
13. Student facilities................................................................................................................ 25
14. Stuvo Howest Student Services ........................................................................................ 26
15. Student counselling ........................................................................................................... 27
16. Medical facilities................................................................................................................ 28
17. Facilities for students with a functional impairment ........................................................ 28
18. Banking in Belgium for foreign students ........................................................................... 29
19. Sports accommodation ..................................................................................................... 30
Brugge ........................................................................................................................... 30
Kortrijk .......................................................................................................................... 30
20. Student life ........................................................................................................................ 32
Student clubs ................................................................................................................ 32
Are incoming students allowed to work during their study period at Howest? .......... 33
21. Howest emergency number .............................................................................................. 34
2
1.
Welcome to Howest
Dear exchange student
We wish to extend you a warm welcome to Belgium, Flanders and Howest, de Hogeschool
West-Vlaanderen (University College West Flanders).
The International Office staff as well as all international coordinators within the study
departments and Stuvo Howest, the Student Services will do their utmost in order to create
the optimal conditions for you to spend a successful and pleasant study period at our
University College.
We are confident you will experience Howest as an exciting, challenging study environment,
the right place to further develop your competencies and extend your knowledge. We
sincerely hope you will quickly mingle with other Erasmus and of course local students, and
urge you to explore the vibrant student life in the Howest town where you stay, to join the
Howest student club of your department, to test the Flemish hospitality, and to discover the
Flemish cultural and historic heritage.
Do not hesitate to contact us in case we can do anything to make your Howest stay meet
your expectations.
We are looking forward to welcoming you at Howest.
Isabelle Pertry
International Mobility Officer Howest
International Office
Marksesteenweg 58, B-8500 Kortrijk
T + 32(0)56.24.12.90
F + 32(0)56.24.12.92
Mob + 32(0)486.95.10.97
international.office@howest.be
3
2.
Belgium, Flanders and the two Howest towns
BELGIUM
BELGIUM, A SMALL BUT COMPLEX COUNTRY!
Belgium is a small (30, 528 sq. km), densely populated (11 million
inhabitants; 355,1 inhabitants/sq. km), but very varied country. It is
divided into three (language) communities. The Flemish Community,
where Dutch is the official language, has 6,6 million inhabitants. 4,4
million people speak French in the French Community. The Germanspeaking Community with its 74,000 inhabitants is located in the
southeast of Belgium.
Both Dutch and French have been granted an official status in Brussels. Situated in the heart
of Europe, Brussels is not only the capital of Belgium, but also of the European Union. From a
geographical point of view, Belgium has three regions, Flanders (in the north), Wallonia (in
the south) and Brussels. Clearly, Belgium has a unique and complex institutional and political
structure. This unique complexity can also be found in the Belgian landscapes. Polder and
costal areas, open fields, hills and mountainous forests in the Ardennes suit the taste of
every nature lover.
BELGIUM’S TRUMPS
Belgians have earned a worldwide gastronomic reputation.
Our country is a real culinary paradise for gourmets. Chips
with mayonnaise, chocolate, Belgian endive, beer, waffles,
gin … the list with delicacies is endless!
Belgium can pride itself on a rich, colourful history and a
lively culture. It is often identified with surrealism. After all,
who doesn’t know Magritte’s famous painting “Ceci n´est
pas une pipe”? Numerous other contemporary and historic
masterpieces can be found in one of our many art cities.
Through the centuries, several foreign powers have ruled
our territory, until Belgium became an independent
constitutional monarchy in 1830.
Belgium was one of the first countries to join the industrial
revolution. Nowadays, the economy is largely based on the
services sector (almost 70% of the GDP in 2009) and is characterised by its openness. For
example, the export of goods and services amounted to 82 % of the GDP in 2010, whereas
the import totalled to almost 78 %. The Belgian foreign trade focuses above all on the
European continent (represents 78% of all Belgian export in 2010).
Foto Howest
4
CHAUVINISM IS NOT A PART OF BELGIUM’S NATURE
Foreign students will often be corroborated by Belgians, if they express their amazement at
the country and its institutions, habits and political life. The Belgians themselves are often
the most ardent critics in conversations about Belgium. Nevertheless, our country holds
some excellent trump cards. The standard of living ranks among the best in the world, and
every citizen has access to our high-quality and almost free education system. Many
countries envy us for our social security system that finances up-to-date medical care.
Furthermore, Belgium is known for its high productivity and high average income per
employee.
Our moderate maritime climate, however, may give cause for some grumbling every now
and then: it guarantees mild temperatures, but it sometimes rains more than we care to
count.
TYPICAL CHARACTERISTICS
At first sight, Belgians may seem rather introverted and reserved. Once you get to know
them, however, this impression will fade sooner than you think. Guests are given a warm
welcome with abundant quantities of delicious food and drink. The average Belgian also
feels at ease when he can enjoy a gastronomic meal with his friends or family. Family ties
and friendship bonds play an important role in the life of Belgians. In this respect, foreign
students are often
surprised to notice that their autochthonous fellow students leave their digs at the weekend
and go home to visit their family members and friends. Friendship bonds last very long in
Belgium. A Belgian friend is a friend for life!
More information: http://www.belgium.be
FLANDERS
FLANDERS, IN THE HEART OF EUROPE
Flanders is the northern, Dutch-speaking part of Belgium that
borders on the North Sea. It represents 60% of the Belgian
population, and has its own parliament and regional
government with ample powers, including education. Flanders
consists of 5 provinces: Flemish Brabant, Antwerp, Limburg,
East Flanders and West Flanders. The strategic location and the
extensive transport possibilities have contributed to Flanders’
strong position as a logistic centre and ideal gateway to the
5
FLANDERS’ BEAUTIFUL ART CITIES
Already in the Middle Ages, Flanders
was at the crossroads of the most
important European trade routes.
Flemish merchants swarmed to all
corners of the world, whereas foreign
merchants and artists boosted trade
and cultural life in cities as Brussels,
Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges.
FLANDERS: HOSPITABLE, TRENDY AND FULL OF QUALITY
Flanders is a flourishing region with a very dazzling and contemporary culture. An
international travel magazine recently even acclaimed the city of Antwerp one of the ten
trendiest places in the world. Because its doors are always open for the world, Flanders is
often in the international spotlights.
Every year, highly qualified professionals and top researchers complete their studies at one
of the higher education institutes. Thanks to these graduates, Flanders holds a firm top
position in fields as biotechnology, pharmacy, multimedia, information technology and
microelectronics.
Interesting websites: http://www.vlaanderen.be
http://www.visitflanders.com/
BRUGGE AND KORTRIJK, THE TWO HOWEST TOWNS
Brugge and Kortrijk, the two towns with Howest campuses, are all situated in West Flanders
www.west-vlaanderen.be
BRUGGE
Brugge, known in English and French as Bruges, is the chief town of West Flanders (ca
150,000 inhabitants). It is also known as the “Venice of the North”, thanks to the numerous
canals that criss-cross the historic centre.
©
Brugge
6
Toerisme
"Toerisme Vlaanderen, D.de Kievith".
European market with its 500 million consumers. Increasingly more companies are
establishing their European headquarters or distribution centres in Flanders, where they can
engage highly qualified, multilingual
and productive workers.
The impressive art-historical and cultural
©
Patrick
value of the town centre convinced
UNESCO in 2000 to include it in its
prestigious World Heritage List. Brugge
was the most important North European
trade centre in the Middle Ages. Apart
from tourists, Brugge also attracts many
students nowadays. The annual Student
Welcome Party in October, as well as the
free Stuvo Howest culture cheques (see
‘student facilities Howest’) are only a few
examples of the many initiatives for students to get a taste of the local cultural agenda! On
top of the student discounts, those cheques give you an additional reduction for
performances, concerts and shows in the Cinema Lumiere, Cultuurcentrum, Cactus
Muziekcentrum, Het Net, De Werf, Concertgebouw and In&Uit.
More information can be found on http://www.brugge.be./
KORTRIJK
Kortrijk, known in French as Courtrai, is a
very dynamic town with almost 80,000
inhabitants, attracting shoppers from the
wide surrounding areas to its cosy centre.
Since 11 March 2010 Kortrijk has a new
shopping centre called K in Kortrijk. The
shopping mall comprises 35,000 sqm of
shopping space, 90 shops and a tower with
apartments. It is one of the biggest
downtown shopping centres in Belgium.
Kortrijk has tourist trumps galore: the belfry,
the Broel towers, the town hall, but above
all the many references to the famous Battle of the Golden Spurs that was fought there in
1302. Kortrijk is the pounding heart of the flourishing region of
Southwest Flanders, pampering the students of the 3 institutions of
higher education with free public transport, free night buses, and a
free Student Welcome Concert in October.
Don’t forget to use the free Stuvo Howest culture cheques (see
‘student facilities Howest’) to explore and enjoy the cultural
activities in Kortrijk! On top of the student discounts, those
cheques give you an additional reduction for performances,
concerts and shows in Budascoop, Theater Antigone, De Kreun,
Cultuurcentrum Kortrijk.
More information:
www.kortrijk.be, www.kortrijkstudentenstad.be
7
3.
Howest
INTRO
Howest consists of three departments spread
over four campuses in Brugge and Kortrijk.
Today about 6000 full-time students are enrolled at Howest pursuing 24 Bachelors and 7
Masters covering a wide range of disciplines.
Howest is also actively conducting applied research for the industry: several research groups
run R&D projects with industrial companies, at the national and European level.
Students will find an open, vibrant, cosmopolitan and friendly environment here offering a
wealth of educational opportunities, with emphasis on high quality and practice-oriented
courses.
8
All Bachelor and Master courses are conducted in Dutch, but Howest offers a Bachelor of
Digital Arts and Entertainment in English, and also offers six international semesters in
English:
International Business Management I & II (Fall & Spring-Brugge), Applied Computer
Sciences (Fall & Spring-Brugge), Tourism Management (Fall-Kortrijk) and Multimedia &
Communication Management (Spring-Kortrijk). Detailed information about these
programmes can be found in the English section of www.howest.be/internationalsemesters.
Moreover, some courses including much laboratory or project based work can host nonDutch speaking exchange students on a tailor made basis.
HOWEST DEPARTMENTS AND COURSE OFFER
Howest - Department Professional Bachelors Brugge
The green marked courses are organised at Campus Rijselstraat 5
The blue marked courses are organised at Campus Sint-Jorisstraat 71
BA of Applied Computer Sciences
BA of Applied Architecture (unique in Flanders)
BA of Biomedical Laboratory Technology
Option Bio-informatics (unique in Flanders)
BA of Business Management
Option Accountancy and Tax law
Option Finance and Insurance
Option Logistics Management
Option Marketing
Entertainment Marketing (unique in Flanders)
Digital Marketing
International Marketing
BA of Network Economics (unique in Flanders)
BA of Office Management
Option Management Assistant
Option Medical Management Assistant
BA of Nursing
BA of Teacher Training: Nursery education
BA of Teacher Training: Primary education
BA of Teacher Training: Secondary education
Option Adventure Coach (unique in Flanders)
Option Health and Fitness Coach (unique in Flanders)
BA of Applied Psychology
BA of Social Work
BA Sports and Movement
International semesters in English - BA level courses:
Applied Computer Sciences (Fall)
Applied Computer Sciences (Spring)
International Business Management I (Fall)
International Business Management II (Spring)
9
Howest - Department Professional Bachelors Kortrijk
The yellow marked courses are organised at Campus Graaf Karel de Goedelaan 5
The red marked courses are organised at Campus R. De Rudderlaan 6
BA of Multimedia & Communication Technology (MCT)
Option nMCT (new Media and Communication Technology)
Option Devine: Digital Design and Media (unique in Flanders)
Option Digital Arts and Entertainment (unique in Flanders)
BA of Industrial Product Design (unique in Flanders)
Research groups:
Multimedia and Communication Technology research group
BA of Communications Management
Option Commercial Communication (Sales or Advertising)
Option Public Relations and Information (PR, Spokesperson, NEW: Events & Projects)
BA of Journalism
BA of Occupational Therapy
Option Wellnesscoaching (unique in Flanders)
BA of Office Management
Option Management Assistant
Option Medical Management Assistant
BA of Social Work
Option Social work
Option Social counseling
Option Socio-cultural work
BA of Tourism and Leisure Management
International semesters in English - BA level courses:
Tourism Management (Fall) and Multimedia & Communication Management (Spring)
Howest - Department Academic Bachelors and Masters Kortrijk
BA and MA of Biochemistry
BA and MA of Chemistry
BA and MA of Electronics, ICT + MA of Multimedia
BA and MA of Electromechanics
BA and MA of Electrotechnology
BA and MA of Environmental Sciences (unique in Flanders)
BA and MA of Industrial Design (unique in Flanders)
Research groups:
Biochemistry, chemistry and environmental sciences research group
Electro – mechanics research group
Industrial design research group
Electronics research group
10
MORE CLASSES AVAILABLE THROUGH AUGENT-MOBILITY!
As an international student staying at our institution, you wish to make the most of your
studies abroad. Howest is one of the 4 partners of Ghent University Association (AUG),
which consists of Ghent University, University College Ghent, University College
Arteveldehogeschool and Howest - University College West Flanders.
Ghent University association offers the possibility to take up classes in each of its
institutions, free of charge.
Three conditions must be fulfilled:
- the course(s) may not appear on any programme of your AUGent-institution. In case
of doubt, the educational commission will decide
- the course(s) must be part of the integral curriculum you take and will be accepted
as official. Any extra-curricular courses are not taken into account and must be taken
up with a credit contract.
- the agreement of both AUGent-institutions is required. Without agreement of all
parties, the contract is ineligible.
Interested?
Please have a look at www.augent.be or contact international.office@howest.be for more
details.
INTENSIVE LANGUAGE COURSES
Dutch is the main language of instruction. Howest is therefore offering incoming foreign
students a 3-week introduction course in September and February, recognised as an
Erasmus EILC. It consists of an intensive Dutch course and an introduced to the social,
economic and cultural aspects of Belgium.
The programme is mixed with informal moments such as visits to major Belgian cities.
http://ec.europa.eu/education/erasmus/doc902_en.htm
Besides this intensive language course, there are several opportunities to follow Dutch
language courses. In order to take a Dutch language course as a preparation, students who
are accepted by a Flemish University College, may be granted a Temporary Residence Permit
of maximum one year before the start of their programme. All courses of this kind organised
by the various institutions are taken into account for such a stay.
During your study period at Howest, you can also attend evening lessons in order to further
improve your Dutch language skills.
The three international semesters in English also include a 'survival' course in Dutch.
HOWEST APPLIED RESEARCH
The research groups, mainly within Howest-Department Academic Bachelors and Masters
(Kortrijk), focus on the industry and conduct R&D projects with both large enterprises and
SMEs at the European, national and Flemish level.
The commitment to joining education with the creation of knowledge provides a fertile
setting for research that has spawned a host of innovation breakthroughs in applications. All
R&D projects emerge from corporate innovation objectives. The approach differs depending
on the focus of the project: the R&D is either for the benefit of one company or a group of
companies.
11
Howest-Department Academic Bachelors and Masters (Kortrijk) is not only collaborating in
research with Belgian universities but also with several universities and R&D institutes
outside Belgium. It participates in European research programmes and has created an
academic research network with partners worldwide. Howest-Department Academic
Bachelors and Masters (Kortrijk) supports product innovation requested by companies, with
the possibility of an integrated approach:










SME-Innovation studies
SME-Innovation projects
Industrial basic research
Prototype development
TETRA (Technology Transfer) projects
Strategic Research Projects
Flemish innovation co-operation projects
PhD-research
Federal research programmes
European Research Area, including Interreg projects, Framework Program projects, …
The R&D activities create a leverage towards innovation in the industry: since 1997,
Howest-Department Academic Bachelors and Masters (Kortrijk) has raised more than €32m
of innovation grants for corporate research.
12
4.
Academic calendar 2012 - 2013
Please check carefully the ending dates of the exam periods before you book your return
tickets. And do keep in mind that the second chance exams take place in what we call the
“third exam period” (August-September).
WEEK
15/09-27/01
15/09-27/01
24/09-01/02
17/9-23/9
1
2
3
4
5
24/9-30/09
01/10 -07/10
8/10-14/10
15/10-21/10
22/10-28/10
6
29/10-04/11
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
05/11-11/11
12/11-18/11
19/11-25/11
26/11-02/12
03/12-09/12
10/12-16/12
17/12-23/12
24/12-30/12
15 31/12-06/01
16 07/01-13/01
17
18
19
20
21
14/01-20/01
21/01-27/01
28/01-03/02
04/02-10/02
11/02-17/02
11/02-30/06
11/02-30/06
11/02-05/07
22 18/02-24/02
23 25/02-03/03
Activities Academic year 2012-2013
International Semester "International Business Management"
(Bruges)
International Semester "Applied Computer Sciences" (Bruges)
International Semester "Tourism Management" (Kortrijk)
18/09/2012 (afternoon): Official opening ceremony of the
academic year
Introduction and welcome actvities
Start 1st semester/ academic activities/ permanent evaluation
Academic activities/ (permanent) evaluation
Academic activities/ (permanent) evaluation
Academic activities/ (permanent) evaluation
Academic activities/ (permanent) evaluation
AUTUMN HOLIDAY PBA academic activities/(permanent)
evaluation
Holidays
01/11: All
Saints 02/11:
Holiday
Academic activities/ (permanent) evaluation
Academic activities/ (permanent) evaluation
Academic activities/ (permanent) evaluation
Academic activities/ (permanent) evaluation
Academic activities/ (permanent) evaluation
Academic activities/ (permanent) evaluation
Academic activities/ (permanent) evaluation
WINTER HOLIDAYS
WINTER HOLIDAYS
1st exam period
Academic activities /(permanent) evaluation
1st exam period / Academic activities /(permanent) evaluation
1st exam period / Academic activities /(permanent) evaluation
1st exam period / Academic activities /(permanent) evaluation
INTERSEMESTRIAL HOLIDAY/ Work placement
Start 2nd semester / Academic activities /(permanent)
evaluation / feedback
International Semester "International Business Management"
(Bruges)
International Semester "Applied Computer Sciences" (Bruges)
International Semester "Multimedia & Communication
Management" (Kortrijk)
Academic activities/ (permanent) evaluation / feedback
Academic activities/ (permanent) evaluation
13
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
04/03-10/03
11/03-17/03
18/03-24/03
25/03-31/03
01/04-07/04
08/04-14/04
15/04-21/04
22/04-28/04
29/04-05/05
Academic activities/ (permanent) evaluation
Academic activities/ (permanent) evaluation
Academic activities/ (permanent) evaluation
Academic activities/ (permanent) evaluation
Easter Holidays / Work placement
Easter Holidays / Work placement
Academic activities/ (permanent) evaluation
Academic activities/ (permanent) evaluation
Academic activities/ (permanent) evaluation
33 06/05-12/05
Academic activities/ (permanent) evaluation
34 13/05-19/05
35 20/05-26/05
Academic activities/ (permanent) evaluation
Academic activities/ (permanent) evaluation
36
37
38
39
40
48 19/08-25/08
2nd exam period Academic activities /(permanent) evaluation
2nd exam period Academic activities /(permanent) evaluation
2nd exam period Academic activities /(permanent) evaluation
2nd exam period Academic activities /(permanent) evaluation
2nd exam period Academic activities /(permanent) evaluation
Deliberation, proclamation feedback
SUMMER HOLIDAYS for students
SUMMER HOLIDAYS for students
SUMMER HOLIDAYS for students
SUMMER HOLIDAYS for students
SUMMER HOLIDAYS for students
SUMMER HOLIDAYS for students -August 16th: 3rd Exam period
3rd Exam period
49 26/08-01/09
3rd Exam period
27/05-02/06
03/06-09/06
10/06-16/06
17/06-23/06
24/06-30/06
41 01/07-07/07
42 08/07-14/07
43
44
45
46
47
15/07-21/07
22/07-28/07
29/07-04/08
05/08-11/08
12/08-18/08
50 02/09-08/09
51 09/09-15/09
52 16/09-22/09
3rd Exam period
Deliberation, proclamation feedback
Late summer period/ Introduction and welcome actvities 201314
24-sep-2013 Start of the academic year 2013-14
14
01/04: Easter
Monday
01/05: Labour
Day
09/05:
Ascension
Day - 10/05:
Holiday
20/05: Whit
Monday
5.
How to reach the Howest campuses?
HOWEST BRUGGE - CAMPUS RIJSELSTRAAT 5
The campus is at 5 minutes walk from the railway station of
Brugge. Take the exit that leads to the back of the railway
station of Brugge (Sint-Michiels). The Rijselstraat is now
right in front of you. The campus can be found 200 metres
further at the left side. Also check the street plan per
campus on www.howest.be.
HOWEST BRUGGE - CAMPUS SINT-JORISSTRAAT 71
Take the number 3 or number 13 bus in front of the railway station. Alight
from the bus at the bus stop “Normaalschool”, right next to the entrance of
the campus. Also check the street plan per campus on www.howest.be.
HOWEST KORTRIJK - CAMPUS R. DE RUDDERLAAN 6
The campus is at 20 minutes walk from the railway station of
Kortrijk. You can also take the bus at the railway station
(numbers 91, 92 or 93). Alight from the bus at the bus stop
“VTI”. The campus is on the other side of the street. Also
check the street plan per campus on www.howest.be.
HOWEST KORTRIJK - CAMPUS GRAAF KAREL DE GOEDELAAN 5
The campus is at circa 15 minutes walk from the railway station
of Kortrijk. You can also take the bus at the railway station
(number 80 or 81). Alight from the bus at the bus stop
“Markesteenweg”. Walk back a little and take the Graaf Karel de
Goedelaan. Also check the street plan per campus on
www.howest.be.
15
6.
Transport in Belgium and the two Howest towns
Web: http://www.stuvo-howest.be/foreign-students/transport
TRANSPORT IN BELGIUM
Belgium is equipped with an extensive road and railway
network. Public transport is organised very well. People under
26 can take the train with a cheap Go Pass 10 (€50 for 10 single
2nd class trips between two Belgian stations of your choice).
More information can be found on http://www.brail.be/main/index.html
Public bus transport is organised by De Lijn. Bus tickets can be
bought on the bus, but they are cheaper in outlets (shops of De
Lijn, supermarkets, newspaper stores, etc.) More information can be found on
www.delijn.be/en or in the shops of De Lijn, which are mostly situated near the railway
stations.
TRANSPORT IN KORTRIJK
The most efficient way to go around in Kortrijk is by bike. The nonprofit organisation Mobiel rents bikes to Howest students for only
€5 per month. You have to pay a guarantee of €40. More
information: http://www.mobiel.be/en. vzw Mobiel - Min. P.
Tacklaan 57 - 8500 Kortrijk - tel +32(0)56.24.99.10 - fax
+32(0)56.24.99.19 – info@mobiel.be.
Furthermore, all Howest students are entitled to free bus transport
of De Lijn in the whole of Kortrijk. As an Erasmus student you will receive your Buzzy Pazz or
bus pass for free travelling within Kortrijk during your Welcome session at your Howest
Kortrijk campus, together with your Howest Student Card.
TRANSPORT IN BRUGGE
The best way to explore Brugge is by bike. Motorised vehicles are kept out of the historic
centre as much as possible. Stuvo Howest Student Services in Brugge lets bikes to Howest
students for €5 per month. You have to pay a guarantee of €40, which only will be used to
do the repairs of the bike. Contact Stuvo Howest for more information about bike renting for
students
(tel. +32(0)50.34.97.83 or stuvo@howest.be).
More information about public bus transport in Brugge can be found on www.delijn.be/en
or in the Lijn store near the railway station.
16
7.
Erasmus and exchange students: application and registration
procedure

After you have been selected by your home school for a study period at Howest, you
have to send the Howest Application Form to the Howest International Office. If you
wish to attend our courses in English, you also have to send the necessary documents
confirming that you meet the linguistic and educational requirements. The same
applies for Dutch if you wish to attend Dutch taught classes and you are not a native
speaker.

Howest will inform you about the approval of your application and refer you to the
departmental internationalisation coordinator for your course programme.

In consultation with the departmental coordinator and your own school, you draw up
and sign an Erasmus Learning Agreement.

if you wish assistance to find approriate accommodation, please indicate so on the
application form. After approval Stuvo Howest (Student Services) will contact you
and assign you a student room.

don’t forget to accomplish the necessary formalities before you leave! Make sure
that you are properly (medically) insured; ask your home school for an official
document stating that you are insured against physical injuries and covered by a third
party liability insurance during school activities. A model form of this document is
available on demand at the Howest International Office.

go to the internationalisation coordinator of your Howest department on the agreed
day and time. The coordinator will help you with your registration at the student
administration office.

formalities to be accomplished:
o student card application (don’t forget a passport photo!)
o filling in of the “Emergency” document
o handing in of the statement that you are insured by your home school
(in case this document hadn’t been sent yet)
o preparation of your registration at the local register office
o practical arrangements such as log-in data, electronic learning platform,
schedule etc.

all Howest and exchange students should bring their own laptop, with all
necessary and officially licenced software. The course overview mentions the specific
software (if any) necessary for the course unit.
17

within the first 8 days of your stay you have to present yourself at the City register
office, if you are staying longer than three months in Belgium
Formalities to be accomplished:
 your identity card/passport + visum
 your address during your study period at
Howest
 3 to 4 passport photos, depending on the
town you will be staying in
 for non-EU citizens: “D studies visa”.
€3 to €7, depending on the town you will
be staying in.
After you have been registered, the policeman on the beat will come around to check
whether you really live at the given address. The town services will invite you then for a
second visit. After completing all these formalities you will receive your residence permit.
Students who needed a Visa to enter Belgium, are usually not allowed to enter Belgium a
second time without having received their residence permit first! For more information you
can contact the Howest International Office.
Don’t forget to deregister at the same register office about one week before you leave!
18
8.
Accommodation
Web: www.stuvo-howest.be/foreign-students/housing
Some Howest campuses have their own student hostels. All rooms are furnished and
equipped with basic cooking facilities. In some residences the dining room, library, bar,
recreation rooms and sports facilities have to be shared. In one residence
(Studax Howest, Brugge) kitchen and shower is in the room.
These rooms are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Those who want to rent a room on the private market can always take a look
at www.kotwest.be. All rooms mentioned on this website get a quality
inspection of the City Council services. The website is also available in
English, and Stuvo Howest Student Services (stuvo@howest.be) will gladly help you in your
search for an appropriate room. The rent of student rooms can differ widely, depending on
the comfort. The average rent of a decent student room fluctuates between €250 and €350
per month.
BRUGGE
Stuvo Howest Student Services will gladly assist you in your search for a room in their own
room offers or through their contacts with private student room owners.
KORTRIJK
In Kortrijk, Howest lets rooms in the proximity of the campus in Graaf Karel de Goedelaan.
Stuvo Howest Student Services will also here gladly assist you in your search for a room by
consulting www.kotwest.be or through their contacts with private student room owners.
Laundry?
-
Brugge:
o Near Campus Rijselstraat: Laundrette ‘t Zeepbelletje’, Rijselstraat 118, 8200
Sint-Michiels (Brugge)
o Near Campus Sint-Jorisstraat: Laundrette ‘Belfort’, Ezelstraat 51, 8000 Brugge
(next to youth hostel ‘De Snuffel’)
-
Kortrijk:
o Oude Vestingsstraat 3, 8500 Kortrijk
19
9.
Insurance
SCHOOL INSURANCE: PHYSICAL INJURIES AND THIRD PARTY LIABILITY
Regularly enrolled students
Foreign students that enrol at Howest are insured against physical injuries and third party
liability during educational activities, field trips and work placements for the duration of one
academic year. More details can be found in the Education and examination Code (see
www.howest.be/english).
Exchange students
Erasmus exchange students are not insured by the Howest school insurance, since they are
officially enrolled at their home college, and therefore are covered by the insurance of this
school. Before you leave, make sure that you are officially enrolled at your home college,
and that you are covered against physical injuries and third party liability during educational
activities and work placements. If this is not the case, then you MUST inform Howest of this
before your arrival. If you are insured (standard situation), then Howest must have an
official certificate of this, and not later than the day of your arrival.
THIRD PARTY LIABILITY
Make sure that your personal third party insurance covers the damage suffered abroad. You
might need this coverage in case something happens outside the scope of educational
activities and work placements.
MEDICAL INSURANCE
Irrespective of your nationality, everybody living in Belgium
must have a health insurance, since medical costs (especially
hospitalisations) can be very high.
Before you leave, make sure that you are sufficiently insured.
Don’t forget to have an European Health Insurance card. This
blue card guarantees that all medical costs, including certain
costs for medication, are covered by your health insurance. It
is important to know that all medical authorities need a copy
of this card before they can draw up an invoice. Hospitals will
settle financial matters directly with your insurance office,
whereas ready money is needed to pay a doctor’s visit. Go to
a Belgian mutual benefit society with your doctor’s
certificate and blue card to get a refund afterwards.
20
Non-EEA (European Economic Area) students that don’t obtain a European health insurance
card from their home country, are absolutely obliged to take out an insurance. This is
possible by concluding a (temporary) private health insurance in your home country. The
insurance package must include hospitalisation, dental care and repatriation. Non-EEA
students can also register at a Belgian mutual benefit society, though.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We strongly advise all foreign students to conclude a personal travel insurance covering
repatriation in case of a serious accident or sickness. Please check whether your travel
insurance also covers longer stays abroad. It is possible that this is already included in your
health insurance.
HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS
Health Care students at Howest must contact the internationalisation coordinator about
vaccines and other specific requirements beforehand. Students following nursing or
occupational therapy classes, as well as social work students with a specific work placement,
need a certificate proving vaccinations against:
 Rubella (only necessary for girls)
 Hepatitis A
 Hepatitis B
 Diphtheria – tetanus
 a certificate proving that you have got a tuberculin injection OR that your lungs have
been X-rayed within the past 12 months.
Don’t forget your hospital uniform!
21
10. Costs of living
Below you find a few prices of some current food products to give you an idea of the costs of
living in Belgium:










small loaf of bread (400 g): €1.50
big loaf of bread (800 g): €2.10
1 litre of milk: €1.14
1,5 l of Coca Cola: €1.49
1 kg of potatoes: €1
1 kg of oranges: €2.30
ham/kg: €16.90
cheese/kg: €7,59
1 pint of beer (in a pub): €2.00
1 coke (in a pub): €1.80 à €2.00
You can keep a lid on these costs by shopping in cheap supermarkets and visiting studentfriendly places. Moreover, students enjoy reductions on many sports events, culture and
leisure activities, and in some shops.
Accommodation and transport prices can be found in the respective sections.
11. Meals
Each Howest campus has a restaurant, a cafeteria
or a bar where you can buy a hot midday meal,
snacks, soup, bread rolls and drinks at very
democratic prices. Of course, each campus has all
necessary facilities to eat your own packed lunch.
The cafeteria is the place to be for meeting other
students and participating in social campus life.
Here are some prices to give you an idea: fresh soup
costs €0,70, a hot plat du jour can be bought at
€4,10 and warm snacks cost €1,80 to €2,50.
22
12. Student grants
Most foreign students apply for a student grant. The following outline gives general
information about organizations awarding scholarships.
STUDENT GRANTS OF THE FLEMISH COMMUNITY
Certain categories of students staying in Belgium can be entitled to a student grant of the
Flemish Community, provided that they fulfil the pedagogic en financial conditions as
stipulated in the legislation:
 children of citizens of a member state of the European Union
who are working in Belgium or who have worked here and who are
under art.12 of the E.E.C. Regulation 1612/68 of the Council of 15
October 1968 regarding the free movement of workers within the
European Union
 students with a foreign nationality having a permanent
residence permit
 refugees and their children, whose request for asylum has
been declared admissible.
More information:
Ministerie van de Vlaamse Gemeenschap - Administratie Algemene Onderwijsdiensten
Afdeling Studietoelagen
http://www.ond.vlaanderen.be/studietoelagen
Hendrik Consciencegebouw
Koning Albert II-laan 15
1210 Brussel
STUDENT GRANT OF YOUR OWN GOVERNMENT
Student grants are also awarded by the student's own government. The appropriate
authorities in the student's country should be contacted by the
student himself.
THE EUROPEAN UNION
The European Union grants scholarships to students from EU
member states (and certain non-member states) who wish to
undertake a study period within a university of another member
state (or in some countries outside the European Union). Student
mobility grants are not full grants, but are intended to cover the
mobility costs of studying abroad (travel expenses, language
preparation costs, etc.).
Erasmus seeks to improve the European dimension of higher education in the EU as well as
in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Turkey.
23
ERASMUS student grants may only be awarded to students who:
 have full academic recognition testified by an appropriate
formal certificate from their home university or college for the
studies they have undertaken in another member state, and this in
line with the study contract
 are exempt from the payment of enrolment fees in the host
university or college
 continue to receive during their stay abroad any grants or
loans awarded by their government or national authority
 spend at least a three months' term and at most a year in
another member state and are not in their first year of higher
studies.
Students wishing to benefit from an Erasmus grant must apply to their home
university or college.
More information:
http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-programme/doc80_en.htm
OTHER
A survey of student grants and other financial assistance can be found in the publications of
UNESCO: "Study abroad - Etudes à l'étranger - Estudios en el extranjero".
STUVO HOWEST STUDENT SERVICES
Certain categories of foreign students enrolling for a regular study at Howest can apply for
(non-) reclaimable financial aid on the basis of an individual file. This application has to be
made at the Stuvo Howest Student Services (stuvo@howest.be).
Regularly enrolled foreign students (not for Erasmus students) can also submit a request for
a laptop via Stuvo Howest Student Services. Assignment of the laptops is done on the basis
of a social file, and under the conditions stipulated by Stuvo Howest Student Services.
24
13. Student facilities
All Howest campuses:
dispose of a modern, dynamic and up-to-date
library, or rather multimedia information centre.
Apart from specialised books and press, you will find
PCs, printers, scanners, software, places for
individual study or teamwork. All Howest students
have access to multiple electronic databases, which
lead you in some clicks to thousands of newspapers,
magazines, specialist journals and scientific
publications: http://bib.howest.be

dispose of wireless internet connection

have their own network administrator, which will arrange a mail account and
internet access for all students

use the electronic Howest learning platform Leho

dispose of a course service, for the distribution of the print course materials

put copy machines and different kinds of dispensing machines at the students´
disposal.
All operational information about these facilities will be given to you at the moment of
registration or at the welcome event in the Howest department where you will study.

Be aware that all computer keyboards in Belgium have the “AZERTY” layout (not
QUERTY or QUERTZ). We requiere our exchange and regular students to bring their
own laptop to the campus, with all necessary and officially licenced software.
25
14. Stuvo Howest Student Services
Our Stuvo Howest Student Services is responsible for many Howest student facilities. This
service is referred to several times in this guide. Howest students can appeal to Stuvo
Howest Student Services for help and guidance with:
Individual guidance

student grants

laptop service, after approval of a social file

accommodation:
Stuvo Howest Student Services helps you with accommodation, housing tips and
model contracts. They also help you in work and deed, if problems should arise with
the owner of your “digs”

self care:
Stuvo Howest Student Services offers psychosocial counselling, renders assistance to
disabled students, and organises sensitising campaigns

student jobs:
Stuvo Howest Student Services informs students about the financial and fiscal
aspects of student jobs, and provides them with useful links and model contracts
Vibrant campuses

organisation of social, cultural and sports events and activities:
Stuvo Howest Student Services is the moving force behind student-friendly initiatives
such as renting out of bicycles to students for practically nothing, free bus transport
(only in Kortrijk), and student events and benefits in the two Howest towns.
Stuvo Howest Student Services is also the place to be for students with questions
about student participation and advisory associations for students
The Stuvo Howest Student Services staff members are always at your service. Call or mail
them for an appointment, or visit them during their office hours. More information can be
found on www.stuvo-howest.be/foreign-students, or just ask one of the Howest employees.
26
15. Student counselling
For students who need study counselling, Howest offers support through:
 international coordinator:
the international coordinator of the department or the study area where you study is your
first contact person when you have problems or when you simply need someone to talk to.
He or she welcomes you upon your arrival at the university college, and often has been your
mail correspondent for quite some time. He or she is your closest coach during your studies
here at Howest
 tutorship:
for each Howest student, a tutor is assigned. Here conversations are placed in the
foreground: how is your integration in Flanders, in Howest, in your group; you do not feel
comfortable, you are looking for faith person…
 monitoring:
each lecturer is monitor for his or her study area. Each lecturer can provide you with
additional explanation on the study material, the assignments,…
 ombudsservice:
guarantees your rights as a student with regards to exams, exemptions…and acts as a
mediator in conflicts. There is an ombudsperson for each study field in Howest. Please
inform in your department who it is for your course, and contact him/her when you feel it is
necessary
 Stuvo Howest Student services - student facilities:
organises student facilities such as housing, student job service, laptop rental, sponsorship of
student events, psychosocial counselling, trainings on personality and relationships… You
can find more information on the functioning of Stuvo Howest in the item “Stuvo Howest
Student services”
 student administration:
helps you through your administration: enrolment or
registration procedure, sickness notes, certificates…
 study service:
you can get help on methods for studying and good study
planning, exam tips, dealing with fear of failure,
concentration difficulties…
27
16. Medical facilities
All Howest campuses have fully-equipped first aid rooms. A permanent staff member in each
campus vouches for first aid administration. Howest doesn’t have its own medical service,
though.
When you have medical problems, it is common practice in Belgium to consult a general
practitioner first. Most general practitioners give consultations in the morning and early
evening. Sometimes only consultation by appointment is possible. In urgent and serious
medical cases, dial the emergency number 112, or immediately go to the emergency
department of the nearest hospital. Read the section on ‘insurance’ for more information
about the financial matters of medical assistance.
Contact a General Practitioner:
- Brugge: 078/15.15.90
- Kortrijk: 056/25.39.99
Chemist’s shops have the same opening hours as other retail shops on weekdays. In larger
towns, most of them are also open on Saturday mornings. More details about the chemist
on night duty can be found on the facade of most chemist’s shops (open 24 h/24).
Information can be found on www.apotheek.be/index.cfm?cat_id=4&lang=nl (in Dutch and
French).
17. Facilities for students with a functional impairment
Within the scope of the diversity policy it pursues, Howest is receptive to students with a
functional impairment and gives them all the help they need during their studies. After all
possible obstacles for each individual student have been listed, Howest examines how it can
solve these difficulties. This is done by our Diversity Department.
Contact: Mr Chris Mestdagh, co-ordinator, chris.mestdagh@howest.be, +32(0)476.21.95.45.
All Howest campuses are accessible for wheelchair users.
Howest will also provide intense guidance for these students during the search for
appropriate lodging.
28
18. Banking in Belgium for foreign students
When you want to open, as a foreign student, a free bank account in Belgium, you need to
fulfil the following conditions:
Account for young persons (+18y) (account free of charge)
Conditions:
- to be of age and younger than 25 years (minimum 17 years and 10 months and
maximum 24 years and 9 months)
- being competent
- not married
- have a domicile address in a EU member country other than Belgium or a candidate
country for EU membership (in the country where the identity card was issued).
Documents needed:
- foreign identity card/passport AND
- certificate of domicile (if not mentioned on the identity card or passport)
- holding a valid Application Form of a Belgian University or University College AND
- holding a valid, complete rental agreement of a student residence in Belgium, signed
by all parties.
The account cannot be opened if the student:
- is minor or incompetent
- does not hold a foreign identity card/passport
- has no foreign domicile address.
If other conditions are not fulfilled (eg. older than 25 years, married, no Application Form or
rental agreement of a student residence in Belgium), only a regular bank account can be
opened (with costs).
29
19. Sports accommodation
Interested in what Howest ahs to offer? Send a mail to Brecht Laleman: sport@howest.be.
BRUGGE
Brugge has 15 outdoor sports centres. The following are within easy reach:
 sports centre ‘Olympiapark’ (Kon. Leopold III-laan 50, 8200 Brugge: 13 football
pitches, 1 roller-skating rink)
 sports centre ‘Koude Keuken’ (Zandstraat 284, 8200 Brugge: 1 football pitch, 1
grassplot, 1 fit-o-meter track (in the woods), 3 tennis courts, 10 boule courts, 1
basketball court)
 sports centre ‘Male’ (Brieversweg, 8310 Brugge: 2 football
pitches)
 athletes can practise on the athletics track of the sports centre
Julien Saelens. You can also join a lot of other indoor (fitness
training, tennis, badminton,…) and outdoor sports
(basketball,football,…).
Address: Speelpleinlaan 1, 8310 Brugge Assebroek.
http://www.bloso.be/Centra/Brugge/Pages/default.aspx
Brugge also has three swimming pools:
 municipal swimming pool ‘Jan Guilini’ (Keizer Karelstraat 41, 8000 Brugge)
 provincial swimming pool ‘Olympiabad’ (Doornstraat 110, 8200 St-Andries)
 interurban swimming pool ‘Interbad’ (Veltemweg 83, 8310 Brugge)
More info and opening hours can be found on
http://www.brugge.be/internet/nl/cultuur_sport_jeugd/Sport/Infrastructuur/Zwembaden/i
ndex.htm
An overview of the many Brugge-based sports clubs can be found on
http://www.brugge.be/internet/nl/cultuur_sport_jeugd/Sport/Verenigingen/Sportclubs.htm.
This website also mentions the numerous sports events organized by the municipal sports
department.
Tip: The Roller Parade in spring is a must for all skaters, skeelers and longboarders!
KORTRIJK
Kortrijk has several public sports centres and swimming pools:
 sports centre Mimosa
 sports campus De Lange Munte (with an outdoor athletics
track)
 sports centre Wembley (with an outdoor athletics track)
 sports centre Olympiadeplein (with an outdoor athletics
track)
30
Each campus has a swimming pool in its immediate vicinity:
 swimming pool Mimosa is located near the R. De Rudderlaan 6 (Mimosalaan)
 swimming pool Magdalena is right next to the Graaf Karel de Goedelaan 5
 outdoor swimming pool Abdijkaai, with a large sunbathing area (open from 1/5 until
31/8)
More information and opening hours can be found on http://www.kortrijk.be/sport
(Municipal Sports Department / Bad Godesberglaan 22, 8500 Kortrijk, tel +32(0)56.27.88.00/
sportdienst@kortrijk.be).
This website also provides information on
- the activities and classes organized by the non-profit organisation Sportplus
- private sports centres, including the Blueberry-Hill climbing centre (close to R. De
Rudderlaan 6) and several fitness and dance centres
- sports clubs in Kortrijk.
Skate fanactics can try out their new tricks and
stunts in the skatebowl, which is one of the largest
in the Benelux (Skatebowl Albertpark, 8500 Kortrijk).
The recreation park “De Warande” (Heirweg 132,
8501 Kortrijk) also has a huge spine ramp.
Before you are allowed to use the public skate parks
© Lieve De Becker
in Kortrijk, you first have to sign the skate code of
order.
By doing so, you agree with the user conditions. You are also jointly responsible for the
safety and maintenance of the skate parks. You can find the user code of order and sign it on
the website http://www.kortrijk.be/vrije-tijd/jeugd/ruimte .
31
20. Student life
Most Howest campuses have their own prominent
student club. Their contact addresses can be found
below. Student-like and cultural activities or sports
events: you name it, they organize it.
Besides giving student reductions for numerous
cultural events, Stuvo Howest Student Services
also plays an active role in various kinds of
activities for students. Stuvo Howest Student
Services has a voice in the initiatives taken by the
two Howest towns, such as the organisation of the Student Welcome Concerts.
 Kortrijk http://www.kortrijkstudentenstad.be/
 Brugge: http://www.brugge.be/internet/nl/studentenstad/index.htm
STUDENT CLUBS
Erasmus Student Network Ghent
http://www.ugent.be/nl/onderwijs/internationalisering/buitenland/erasmus/esn.htm
email: esn.gent@gmail.com
ESN Ghent is the closest local division of the European Erasmus Student Network. They
organize several activities during the academic year (city-trips, sports, movies, parties,…).
Since Ghent is close to the two Howest towns, you can join those and meet other Erasmus
and Flemish students.
Student Clubs in Brugge
Brihos
www.brihos.be
Student Club at Campus R. De Rudderlaan 6 (Kortrijk)
Turistas
facebook: Turistas Kortrijk
Student organization in the Tourism and Leisure management programme
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Turistas/255646707809815
Mail: turistas@hotmail.com
MAD
mad@howest.be
Student organization in the Social Work (Advising) programme
Journos
Student organization in the Journalism programme
32
Student Clubs at Campus Graaf Karel de Goeddelaan 5 (Kortrijk)
Centaura
www.centaura.be
Moeder EM
http://www.moederem.be
MCT community
www.mctcommunity.com
Ecliptica
www.ecliptica.be
Leonardo
www.daleonardo.be
clubleonardo@gmail.com
This student club especially addresses incoming Erasmus students.
So if you study at the departments located in Kortrijk, contact them!
ARE INCOMING STUDENTS ALLOWED TO WORK DURING THEIR STUDY PERIOD AT HOWEST?
Students are allowed to work during their study period at Howest. You have to apply for
your work permit once you arrive, because you need your residence permit to do the
registration.
How to apply?
- apply for the work permit at the work migration office in Brugge (tel 050/24.74.70).
You are not allowed to work more than 20 hours/week and not during school time.
- it will take 1 to 2 weeks before you’ll receive your work permit
- final step: once you have received this work permit, you go, together with your
residence permit, to the immigration office in the Town Hall of Kortrijk or Brugge to
do the registration.
More information:
Dienst Arbeidsmigratie West-Vlaanderen
Jacob van Maerlantgebouw
Koning Albert I laan 1.2, bus 62
8200 Brugge (Sint Michiels)
Monday-Friday: 9u - 12u
tel. 050 24 74 70- fax 050 24 74 75
33
21. Howest emergency number
In case there is an emergency situation during your stay at Howest, you can call the Howest
emergency number + 32(0)486.95.10.97. This number is not meant for situations which
require immediate medical assistance. In that case you should call 112.
ENJOY YOUR STUDY AT HOWEST!!!!
34