Karel de Grote University College – Faculty of Management & Technology
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Bachelor of Business Management International Business
Fulltime Professional Bachelor Programme Academic year 2017-2018
CAMPUS LIFE MANUAL
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1 WELCOME TO IBS
You have made an important decision about your career and enrolled in the BM-IBS
programme. In the name of all the teaching and supporting staff of KdG and in particular of
IBS, I have the honor of welcoming you in Antwerp and in the KdG University-College.
Of course, you have carefully read on the website what IBS intends to offer you: courses,
seminars, experienced lecturers and a course programme that will lead you to excellence.
We will do our very best to live up to our promises.
But even more important than our expertise is your willingness to turn your study efforts into a
success and eventually into a degree. Although the IBS lecturers will guide and support you
wherever they can, a successful IBS student is someone who takes her/his destiny in her/his
own hands: works hard, never gives up, always wants to improve and do better. That is the
attitude of a fine international bachelor and will guarantee you future success in working life.
For the coming years you will be a student. The most important word for a student is:
curiosity for everything around you, especially for what you can learn. You will do what
students do: study independently, cooperate in teams, enjoy youth and for many of you try to
overcome this period of limited resources.
In this catalogue you will find information on all details of campus life.
Read them carefully and do not hesitate to consult KdG staff when necessary.
Best wishes!
Werner Boumans
Programme Manager BM-IBS
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Content CAMPUS LIFE MANUAL .................................................................................................... 1
1 Welcome to IBS ........................................................................................................ 2
2 WE speak English all the time ! ................................................................................... 5
3 WELCOMING DAYS AND ACADEMIC OPENING .............................................................. 6
Campus Life ................................................................................................................... 7
4 CAMPUSES ............................................................................................................... 8
5 Important locations : ................................................................................................. 8
6 IBS ADMINISTRATION ............................................................................................... 9
7 Academic calendar 2017-2018 .................................................................................... 9
8 Activation of personal ICT Account .............................................................................. 9
9 Laptop computer and software ................................................................................. 10
10 Service desk ........................................................................................................ 10
11 E-mail ACCOUNT .................................................................................................. 10
12 Blackboard Learning system .................................................................................. 11
13 E-studentservice .................................................................................................. 11
14 Student-ID card ................................................................................................... 11
15 residence card ..................................................................................................... 12
16 Schedules ........................................................................................................... 12
17 Course catalogue ................................................................................................. 13
18 ENROLL - UNENROLL courses ............................................................................... 14
19 Course materials .................................................................................................. 14
20 Rights and Rules .................................................................................................. 14
Notification of non-attendance class ............................................................................. 15
21 Services .............................................................................................................. 15
22 International office ............................................................................................... 15
23 Student Information Point (STIP) ........................................................................... 15
24 Student Affairs Office ............................................................................................ 16
25 Student counselors ............................................................................................... 16
26 Special services for special needs ........................................................................... 16
27 Study Career Counselor ....................................................................................... 17
28 Mediation / Ombudsman(women) .......................................................................... 17
29 Student participation ............................................................................................ 17
30 Sports and culture ................................................................................................ 18
31 Library ................................................................................................................ 18
32 Restaurant .......................................................................................................... 18
33 Working spots ...................................................................................................... 19
Floor (downstairs) ...................................................................................................... 19
Class rooms .............................................................................................................. 19
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Living in Antwerp.......................................................................................................... 20
35 Housing ................................................................................................................. 21
36 International students’ family ................................................................................ 22
37 Student jobs ........................................................................................................ 22
38 Banking .............................................................................................................. 22
39 Public transportation............................................................................................. 23
39.1 Train ............................................................................................................. 23
39.2 Bus, underground (metro), tram ...................................................................... 23
39.3 Rent a bike .................................................................................................... 23
39.3.1 Fietshaven ................................................................................................ 24
39.3.2 Velo ......................................................................................................... 24
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2 WE SPEAK ENGLISH ALL THE TIME !
English is both the language of instruction as well as the language of daily communication. Always communicate in English with lecturers, administrative staff and your fellow students. DO NOT TOLERATE EXCLUSION ! Always speak English among students. Switching to another language almost certainly will exclude one of your fellow students from the conversation. This is EXTREMELY RUDE and shameful for a student in International Business. Your IBS fellow students speak one or more languages as their mother tongue, i.e. German, Pashto, Bantu,
Italian, Flemish/Dutch, Vietnamese, Urdu, French. It is acceptable that you sometimes speak your native
language with country(wo)men.
BUT : as soon as a fellow student joins the conversation, immediately switch to English.
That is the only respectful way to act in IBS.
Avoid Tower of Babel (Pieter Bruegel, 1563) Speak English !
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3 WELCOMING DAYS AND ACADEMIC OPENING
ACADEMIC OPENING – JANUARY 26TH 2018
You are invited to the academic opening ceremony on Friday 26th at 10:00 o’clock, at campus
Groenplaats in room GR200 .
Don’t forget to bring your laptop with you.
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CAMPUS LIFE
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4 CAMPUSES
Main Campus Groenplaats
Campus Groenplaats is located in the very heart of historical Antwerp.
The campus is well connected via public transportation, is in the center of student and tourist
life, near the shopping streets and surrounded by bars and restaurants.
Faculty of Management and Technology
Nationalestraat 5
B – 2000 Antwerpen
Subsidiary campus Stadswaag
Campus Stadswaag
Predikerinnenstraat 18
2000 Antwerpen .
15 minutes walk from main campus or tramway line 7.
Subsidiary campus Pothoek
Campus Pothoek
Pothoekstraat 125
2060 ANTWERPEN
5 IMPORTANT LOCATIONS :
At campus Groenplaats
STIP: GR500
The Student Information Point is the main and first desk to address
IBS administration: GR412
Only during office hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 11-12.
Also see paragraph 24 of this manual.
the SHOP: GR010 (in between ground and first floor)
This is where you buy books, course syllabus and voucher
08.30 - 12.30 + 13.30 - 16.30
ICT helpdesk: GR009 (in between ground and first floor)
This is where you go with your laptop computer
09.00 - 12.00 + 13.00 - 16.00
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6 IBS ADMINISTRATION
Sofie Kokelenberg
IBS account officer
: +3235022192
Room GR412
Kiki Camps
IBS administrator : +3235022349
Room GR412
Werner Boumans
Programme manager IBS
: +32 3 613 16 85
Room GR412
Appointment: via desk
Tom Fleerackers
Director Business Management
7 ACADEMIC CALENDAR 2017-2018
You can find the academic calendar online when you log onto Intranet. https://intranet.student.kdg.be Login Switch to English Select Study Programme Business Management-International Business Here you will find announcement and general information on IBS. Add it to your personal schedule and find out when your exams, resits and holidays are scheduled.
8 ACTIVATION OF PERSONAL ICT ACCOUNT
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Once enrolled, you receive your personal KdG e-mail address and password (registration card).
Use them to access the KdG platform : KdG INTRANET
https://intranet.student.kdg.be
9 LAPTOP COMPUTER AND SOFTWARE
In many courses laptops are intensively used in class or for assignments.
Make sure you have your own devise before the start of the academic year.
Tip: We advise a Windows laptop over a Mac laptop, so as to avoid software compatibility
issues.
Laptop computers are NOT for sale or rent at campus. If you purchase a laptop computer in a
shop, always ask for student reductions.
Some good addresses:
http://www.academicshop.be/
http://www.campusshop.be/ http://www.academic-computhing.be
10 SERVICE DESK
You are responsible for your own laptop. So we recommend having it insured.
The campus has its own service desk to assist in KdG-related questions, such as problems with
connecting to the wireless network, software problems, problems using the onsite copy
machines etcetera.
Contact:
Service desk : room in staircase between levels 0 and 1
You will be served in English.
11 E-MAIL ACCOUNT
Direct link to your e-mail: https://webmail.student.kdg.be
Or use access via intranet (Student Portal).
Every student receives a KdG e-mail address. This e-mail grants you access to your personal
mailbox.
A lot of students create Facebook groups, and while we applaud the co-creation, please keep in
mind that the KdG e-mail and Blackboard are the only official communication channels.
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This means that lecturers and KdG staff will NOT respond to e-mail messages from your
Hotmail or other accounts.
Mark: sending an e-mail is as sending a letter.
Always start with: Dear Mr. Johnson, Dear Mrs. Greenfield, (mention the name!)
End with: Kind regards, Best regards, Many thanks! etc.
12 BLACKBOARD LEARNING SYSTEM
Direct link to our Blackboard: https://bb.kdg.be/
Or use access via intranet (Student Portal).
Before logging in, always select ENGLISH at the bottom of the homepage.
Blackboard is the KdG electronic learning environment.
In Bb you find:
- Course materials (slideshows, assignments, articles, exercises)
- Tests
- Plagiarism software
Every student and lecturer has automatic access to the appropriate courses and organizations
in Blackboard.
Note:
- the Blackboard environment for IBS students is mainly in English;
- KdG Blackboard is in a transition period from unilingual to bilingual Flemish/English;
- Some buttons however are in Flemish/Dutch. Please learn their meaning, this will help
you a lot;
- Messages in Flemish/Dutch are not important for IBS students. However, if you are
curious, drag the message to Google Translate.
13 E-STUDENTSERVICE
Direct link: https://e-studentservice.kdg.be
Or use access via intranet (Student Portal).
e-studentservice is your digital administrative platform. It shows your updated study contract,
personal data, a list of the course material, grades lists and documents you might need for
your residence permit.
Your grades will be published via e-studentservice.
All grades are available until 15th October of the next academic year. For future use: always
DOWNLOAD your grade lists.
14 STUDENT-ID CARD
Every student receives a student-ID card.
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You are invited to pick up your student-ID card in room 510 (on the 5th floor at campus
Groenplaats).
Note that international students will have to have their picture taken when collecting their
student card. Local students will have had their ID card scanned (and your ID picture
transferred) already.
With this card:
You will need to identify yourself as a KdG-student during exams
You can get student reduction in sport centerss, cinemas, cultural events, restaurants,
at parties, etc.
You will have access to printing and copying devices at campus.
15 RESIDENCE CARD
Legal obligation for non-Belgian citizens.
EU and non-EU students should register at the city hall as soon as possible.
Which is why you’ll see this on your checklist “how to get started at KDG”.
All information on how to go about this can be found in the powerpoint (link on your checklist).
16 SCHEDULES
Direct link to timetables:
https://mijnrooster.kdg.be/
click English
click Login and enter your personal username and password (=kdg account)
Or use access via intranet (Student Portal).
At the beginning of each academic year, the schedules for the entire year are published.
Once enrolled as a KdG student, you can login and see your personal schedule, based on the
courses you chose. For each course, the rooms and lecturers are shown and updated
frequently.
The starting time on your schedule is the starting hour of the class. So be on time. The
lecturers will very much appreciate your attendance and participation in class.
If you show up late, they can refuse you access to the class.
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Changes to the schedule always appear in the schedule or on blackboard.
Check your schedule at least once a week.
Class attendance is compulsory in the following cases:
- When there is an assessment;
- When you work in student teams.
In order to learn, attendance is strongly recommended in all lessons. Otherwise, you risk
failure.
17 COURSE CATALOGUE
Direct link:
http://ects.kdg.be
click for English
select Business Management – International Business
click To Prospectus
click IBS- Deeltraject 1 2 or 3 (curriculum 1st, 2nd, 3rd year)
select a course
click to see the details
Or use access via intranet (Student Portal).
The educational system in Belgium complies with the Bologna Treaty outlines. (www.ehea.info)
Business Management-International Business is EQF LEVEL 6 education, delivering a bachelor
degree. In Belgium this degree is called professional bachelor because it basically leads to
employment. However, in most countries the BM-IBS bachelor degree gives direct access to
master programmes.
KdG uses the European Community Course Credit Transfer System (ECTS) to express grades.
It is a credit system based on the students’ workload which involves lectures, seminars and
self-study. In other words it includes all the work needed to prepare for the assessment.
The basic allocation of the academic credit system is 60 credits per year of study, or 30
credits per semester.
Each credit represents a student’s workload of around 25 hours.
The ECTS course catalogue gives an overview of all the courses of a specific study programme.
It includes the goals, content, assessment of each course. The course description can be
considered a legal contract between KdG and the student. It is an essential part of the
University College Education and Examination Regulations.
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18 ENROLL - UNENROLL COURSES
Changes in your study contract and personal programme:
always consult your STUDY CAREER COUNSELOR Mrs Iris De Rijcker
Each study year normally entails 60 ECTS and you can graduate as soon as you have obtained
180 ECTS. You are not obliged to take up 60 ECTS per year, you can choose to spread the
study load. Unsubscribing from courses is also possible, but only before the deadline. This
deadline is always 2 weeks after the official starting moment of a course. You can find
this date in your studycontract (also on E-studentservice).
19 COURSE MATERIALS
Most of the course materials are available on blackboard (free to download).
Textbooks can be bought in ‘the Shop’.
At the Shop you can:
purchase books and courses. Some books are available electronically and can be
downloaded from oBlackboard, others you can purchase in the Shop
purchase transparent KdG covers and folders ...
purchase credit for your student-ID card to make copies.
receive assistance for exceptional cases, e.g. a sudden failure of your own laptop, you can
borrow a laptop in the shop for one day. You can borrow the laptop in exchange for your
ID card. The laptop must be returned the same day before 16h30.
purchase culture vouchers and swimming cards
bind portfolios, theses, ...
issue portfolios and theses under conditions (as agreed with lecturer)
20 RIGHTS AND RULES
As a student at our University-College you’re expected to know your rights and obligations.
We therefore ask you to carefully read the
University College Education and Examination Regulations.
These are available at:
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http://www.kdg.be/international/kdg-in-english/study/education-and-examination-regulations
The 2017-2018 update will be published in SeptemberNotification of non-
attendance class
Class attendance is compulsory every time an assessment is scheduled.
Class attendance in all other classes is highly recommended and mostly necessary because you
work in teams on assignments.
In case of a medical issue,
- you have to notify STIP on the day of absence via the E-Student Service portal
- to upload the original supporting documents (proof from a doctor) within 5 calendar
days (including Saturdays, Sundays and Public holidays) after the first day of absence.
Our STIP workers verify these every day. That way, your lecturer can check if you have
the right to request a catch-up assignment or test if necessary.
Many teachers are KdG -guests for one week. This could make it difficult to organize a catching
up assignment or test after 5 calendar days. Therefore we advise students to upload their
medical document and contact the teacher as soon as possible.
If you are absent during the exams, it is possible to catch up one exam under the condition
that your absence has been legitimized and accepted by STIP. Other exams can be retaken
during the retake period in August.
21 SERVICES
22 INTERNATIONAL OFFICE
KdG is an active player in the international scene. Since we cooperate with a considerable
number of prominent foreign institutions, we encourage both our staff members as well as our
students to go abroad and to take part in projects. For you as an IBS student, this means that
you will have an internship abroad, and also the opportunity to study for one semester at one
of our esteemed partner institutions in Europe.
On top of that, the faculty welcomes around 120 international Erasmus exchange students each
year in the Business 4 Exchange programme and 25 guest lecturers from around the world.
So now you will become a part of this international hub of knowledge.
23 STUDENT INFORMATION POINT (STIP)
The Student Information Point is the go-to place for any question you might have during your
stay (IT-related: see helpdesk). Our different services are represented here:
- Administration
- Student Affairs Office
- International Relations
- Planning
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24 STUDENT AFFAIRS OFFICE
The Students Affairs Office is responsible for everything that has to do with study advice and
study mediation. Our competent and discrete counselors offer professional guidance.
25 STUDENT COUNSELORS
‘KdG Stuvo’ (or the student services) includes a number of different counselling services whose
objective it is to promote the social, physical and mental well-being of all students. They help
our students to work and study in the best possible circumstances.
When something is bothering you…
I’m feeling lonely
Staying in a student house isn’t what I expected
I’m having trouble making new friends
My girl-/boyfriend is still at home and doesn’t understand my choice to go abroad
Did I make the right decision?
I panic when I see the huge amount of courses
I’m feeling home-sick
I just want to talk to someone who actually listens to my problems
Sport- & Working student (not compatible with IBS program) …
Please feel free to reach out to your student counselor if you are dealing with personal
circumstances or problems (for instance: family circumstances, illness, disabilities, dyslexia,…). We guarantee discretion and privacy.
26 SPECIAL SERVICES FOR SPECIAL NEEDS
Studying with dyslexia, ADHD/ADD, autism, chronic diseases, a handicap…? At KdG, it’s
possible. Your student counselor can give you advice on special rules and options for the
support you need.
Furthermore, there might be individual services available to help you follow the courses,
participate in exams and such, accommodating your specific situation.
Extra support?
You might be granted the right to special services which are linked to your specific situation.
These services will be documented in a ‘contract’.
All information can be acquired by contacting our student counselors (contact details in the
back of this brochure).
For what kind of situations can a student attain extra support?
Learning disorder (dyslexia, dyscalculia, NLD,…)
ADHD/ADD
Autism
Chronic illness
Mental health problem
Visual, auditory, or motor disability
Social status: employed (not applicable for IBS)
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Special social circumstances (family situation, pregnancy …)
Which steps do you need to take?
At the start of your stay you can contact the Student Information Point (STIP) to make an
appointment with a student councilor. They provide you with the necessary information and
discuss your individual needs and situation. The student counselor will discuss the possibilities
and then formalize the agreement (contract extra support). This contract applies to the entire
academic year. Changes during the course of this period can always be discussed.
27 STUDY CAREER COUNSELOR
Your ‘study career counselor’ who will help you with every study-related problem. He/she has
fixed timeslots for counseling. You can make an appointment to discuss your study plan or
study method, for example. Whenever you have doubts about your study choice, feel free to
contact the Study Career Counselor to take a look at your options and situation.
The study career counselor will also assist you with re-enrollment. Especially, if you did not
pass all exams in the first or second examination session, the advice of the study career
counselor is essential.
Your Counselor: Mrs Iris De Rijcker
For appointment: [email protected]
28 MEDIATION / OMBUDSMAN(WOMEN)
The mediators/ombudspersons are independent and objective professionals who treat
notifications, complaints and disputes.
They mediate in conflicts between:
- student - student
- student - teacher
- student - college
Besides mediating, they also guard the legal context, guidelines and regulations described in
our “Education and examination regulations”. Furthermore, they justify absences of students
with non-medical reasons.
29 STUDENT PARTICIPATION
To create a pleasant, student-centered study environment, we believe it is important to offer
our students the chance to participate. As a student representative you can help shape the
educational policy in IBS and in the university college as a whole.
Next: Student Council Elections : October 2018
Needless to say, this will also look good on your resume.
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30 SPORTS AND CULTURE
Apart from social services, KdG STUVO offers different social and other facilities for students.
You can find it all on Intranet.
https://intranet.student.kdg.be
Login
Switch to English
Select Studying
Select Student Advice
Do you want to organize a cultural trip, a sporting or a social event? We may financially
support your idea under certain circumstances.
Besides participating in these activities, you can also use culture cheques (10 euro buys you a
unique booklet with 7 vouchers. These allow you to appreciate high art in over 40 culture
houses, lets you devour books for free at the Public Library and provides an entrance ticket to a
museum for absolutely no charge at all).
On top of that, you can also buy sports stickers, which grant every student in Antwerp access
to a variety of sports activities at all possible levels: amateur or athlete, individual or team
player. Most of the sports are free of charge. If they’re not free, we provide student discounts.
More info on these offers can be found via Intranet.
Do you want to stay informed about Stuvo topics? Just take a look at the Facebook page for
international students: https://www.facebook.com/kdginternational or at the KdG Stuvo
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Kdgstuvo (in Dutch).
31 LIBRARY
Campus Groenplaats has its own library with a collection of books, magazines, electronic books,
journals and articles, all related to business-topics. You can do some quick research on the
available pc’s, or ask our librarians for help.
On Intranet, you can find lots of information in the A –net catalogue and on several databases
and dictionaries. What’s more, you can access the website at home as well.
Furthermore, KdG-students have access to all the libraries of the associated universities
(AUHA) with their student ID.
The other members of the AUHA are:
- University of Antwerp
- AP - university college
- Maritime Academy
32 RESTAURANT
We have two student restaurants at campus Groenplaats, one at Campus Zuid and one at
Campus Pothoek.
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. The restaurants offer sandwiches, salads, pasta, snacks, soups, fresh fruit, juices, ... all at
very affordable prices. As a KdG student, you can also enjoy hot meals at the students’ restaurants of the University
of Antwerp, which are located nearby at the ‘Stadscampus’ and offer the same attractive
prices. For more information:
https://www.uantwerp.be/en/campus-life/catering/student-restaurants/
With the KdG student-ID, you can get lots of discounts at restaurants in Antwerp as well!
33 WORKING SPOTS
Our campuses offerrooms where students can work in a group or individually. All rooms are
provided with WIFI. Here is a list of some of our most popular spots:
Floor (downstairs)
The Floor is the central working area of Campus Groenplaats. Lecturers give short instructions
in the theater. Afterwards, students are stimulated to work in group on projects while they are
coached by their teachers.
The Floor is open every day and offers the students a nice place to study in between lectures.
They can also work in groups in a separate room.
Class rooms
Each class room shows the schedule of that week. When no lecture is scheduled, students are
free to use the room to work or study.
If you need a beamer, to rehearse a presentation for instance, you can reserve a room (free of
charge of course) by sending an e-mail to [email protected].
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LIVING IN ANTWERP
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35 HOUSING
Belgian students can’t rent a room via KdG. Below, we will give you some tips and tricks to help
you find a room.
Students in Antwerpen usually rent single rooms in a student house and share the kitchen,
toilet and shower. One month’s rent will then cost an average of approximately 300 EUR +
utilities. If you want to rent a room with private toilet, bathroom and cooking facilities, price
will go up to € 400 or more. Landlords/ladies usually ask a guarantee of one (or two) month’s
rent, returned at the end of the contract.
Deposit: up to 3 months’ rent must be placed in a special bank account. Do not hand over
cash.
We advise students to contact ‘Kotweb’ to find a room: www.studentkotweb.be.
Besides available rooms, studios and apartments Studentkotweb also provides you with
detailed information on the housing facilities, the lease, garbage collection etc. Student
accommodation that complies with quality requirements with regards to living conditions and
fire safety and which does not involve serious infringements of town planning, is given a quality
label by Kotweb. This label can be found by students per property during their search for
accommodation.
Some other housing possibilities can be found in the following databases:
The database www.kotspotting.be also gives you a large overview of available student
accommodation in Antwerp. You don't need a login or password to enter this database.
As does the database of ITM who offer over 100 rooms in 3 houses: Karibu, Namasté and Napay. www.itg.be/itg/uploads/studentendienst/studentenlogementen.pdf This is ideal for single
students who would like to choose between having their own kitchen and bathroom, or sharing
these facilities with other students.
Another possibility is to rent a private apartment or studio. The database www.immoweb.be
offers a wide selection of furnished and non-furnished studios and apartments. The rent is
higher compared to a student-room but remains affordable if you can share it with other
students.
Students can find a roommate on these websites:
www.woningdelen.be
www.deeljehuis.be (information in Dutch only)
www.allesthuis.be (information in Dutch only)
We recommend you to reserve your room as soon as possible. Start searching for a room as
soon as your acceptance is confirmed, as this will increase your chances of finding
accommodation.
If you do not care to book a room in advance, you can come to Antwerp a week or two before
the semester starts and have a look around. If there is a room available, people stick a note on
the window.
In the meantime one of the following youth hostels can put you up for the night.
http://www.jeugdherbergen.be/nl/jeugdherbergen/in-de-stad/antwerpen-pulcinella
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Boogaardeplein 1, 2000 Antwerpen Tel. +32 3 234 03 14
https://www.hopper.be/nl/jeugdverblijf/scoutel
Stoomstraat 3, 2018 Antwerpen, T + 32 3 26 46 06
http://www.dutch.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Alias-Youthhostel/Antwerpen
Provinciestraat 256, 2018 Antwerpen, T +32 3 230 05 22
http://www.antwerpstudenthostel.com/
Italiëlei 237 – 239, 2000 Antwerp
For assistance for non EU citizens looking for accommodation, please contact
In case of emergency
KdG offers a few rooms for international students in the international House for Foreign
Students: http://www.itbsantwerpen.be/index.html
If you would like to rent one of these rooms you should contact: [email protected].
36 INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ FAMILY
It is not anticipated that spouses and dependents will accompany an international student.
Where such arrangement is proposed, all additional expenses and workload are the
responsibility of the international student.
37 STUDENT JOBS
Finding a student job can help you cover the costs you make during your stay, although we
know that it isn’t that easy to find a job as an international student.
Be advised that you might need a special working permit (more info in the PowerPoint
presentation “residence card”, available via Intranet).
Once you have your residence card, we recommend you to go to Randstad and ask them for
any English-speaking vacancies. More info: http://www.randstad.be/en/
Of course you can also look for a job by yourself. The website www.studentjobweb.be, collects
lots of vacancies for students. You will need to register order to take a look at the database.
For more information: [email protected].
38 BANKING
You will be able to open a Belgian bank account at one of the many financial institutions in
Belgium once you are registered as an Antwerp citizen on arrival. Ask your local bank at home
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for advice about which bank to choose here in Antwerp. That way you will have a bank account
in Antwerp connected to your bank account in your home country.
When you open an account you can ask for a cash (dispenser) card (Mister Cash or
Bancontact). Through cash dispensers you can then make some transactions also after office
hours. Moreover you can use it for direct payment in quite a lot of shops and shopping centers.
Of course you can also use one of the widely accepted credit cards (such as Visa or Eurocard),
but you will have to bring this card with you from home and bank charges will be higher if you
want to withdraw cash.
Students using the KdG Proof of Solvency procedure: make sure you have an active bank
account in Antwerp as soon as possible. Otherwise, KdG cannot transfer your monthly
allowance.
39 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
In Antwerp, most people use public transportation on a daily base. It isn’t only the easiest way
to get around the city, but also to get to know our entire country. Students can get big
discounts on the purchase of tickets and cards. In our E-studentservice portal, you can
download the necessary forms to request these student discounts for public transport
subscriptions.
39.1 Train
The Antwerp Central train station is located on a 15 minute walk from campus Groenplaats.
You can make trips across Belgium, or even take the TGV or Thalys to London or Paris. The
cheapest way to get around Belgium is by buying a Go-pass (€50 for 10 one-way trips to
anywhere in Belgium, so it’s ideal for sharing with a travel companion).
More information: http://www.belgianrail.be
39.2 Bus, underground (metro), tram
De Lijn is the Flemish agency, responsible for the buses, underground and tram.
You can purchase tickets in the De Lijn shops and newsagents. There are lots of cheap passes
for students (e.g. ask for a buzzy pazz if you’re under 25 years old). Tickets purchased in
advance are up to 50% cheaper than on bus or tram.
More information: www.delijn.be
39.3 Rent a bike
While staying in Antwerp, it can also be convenient to rent a bike. Here are several
organizations, but be sure to check their respective websites for the latest update on their
services and prices.
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39.3.1 Fietshaven
The ‘Fietshaven’ rents bikes to students of the Association of Universities & University Colleges
('Hogescholen') of Antwerp. If you are studying at the 'Karel de Grote University college', you
can hire a bike at the ‘Fietshaven’.
Prices1 for students thanks to the student facilities service (STUVO –status 2016):
10 months: 60€
6 months: 35€
3 months: 25€
1 month: 20€
Compulsory inspection and 2 locks are included.
During the summer period (June - August) students can't hire a bike.
Please read the bicycle rental agreement on the website and fill in the form with your personal
data when you want to make a reservation.
After getting a confirmation of your reservation, you can collect your bike at the agreed date
and time, at the rental office, Central Station Antwerpen at the metro- & bike-entrance beneath
the Astrid square (= Astridplein)
You must have in your possession an identity card/passport, a student card, a bank account
number of a Belgian Bank (or IBAN and SWIFT/BIC-code for EU-countries), the required
amount for hiring a bike and a deposit of € 50. Upon late return of the bicycle or late extension
of the contract, you will be fined.
More information [email protected] or www.fietshaven.be
39.3.2 Velo
Using the Velo system is as easy as riding a bike. You can take a bike in one station and ride to
any other station of your choice, closest to your destination. There are 135 Velo stations in
Antwerp.
You can easily obtain a year card, a day or a week pass through the website mentioned below.
Keep your ID- and credit card ready and go to the ‘Subscribe' menu.
Do you want to use Velo all year long, at every moment of the day? You can order a year card.
Within 10 days your electronic Velo card and more practical information will be send to your
home address.
Do you only need a day or week pass? You can purchase these passes via their website, their
customer service (in the Central Station of Antwerp, Diamond Gallery) or the wap-application
on your mobile phone. Users of a day or week pass do not get a card, but a code. You can
enter this code via the keyboard on the terminal. The screen will show you further instructions.
1 Prices of 2013-2014. Can be subject to change.
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Velo is a form of public transport, so it stimulates short bike rides. Therefore the first half an
hour of every ride is included in the price of your
year card, day or week pass. If you use the Velo
longer than half an hour, you will gradually pay
extra: the second half hour costs € 0,50, the third
half hour costs € 1 and after that you will pay € 5
for every next hour. You can use the Velo for
maximum four consecutive hours. You can use
them as often as you like.
The Velo service is operational 365 days a year
24/7.
More information: www.velo-antwerpen.be