皇冠体育app

For the vast majority, this will be an amazing and life-changing experience.

However, every year our Consular staff are approached by students who are having a tough time. Unforeseen events happen all the time, of course, but prior planning can often make a real difference when problems crop up.

Brussels consular staff have used their experience with real-life difficulties and tragedies to put together tips for exchange students:

Our top tips

• Renting a flat? If you鈥檙e asked to pay a deposit by cash money transfer, be wary - does the flat actually exist? We talk to people every year who have been a victim of scams like this one.

• What about health cover? It鈥檚 not free in Belgium. You鈥檒l need your European Health Insurance Card and arrange health/travel insurance before you start your course. Talk to the human resources department of your Belgium University about this. 鈥淒on鈥檛 wait until it鈥檚 to late, as you may have to pay for your medical costs up front鈥� says Pro-Consul Gary Walsh.

• If things do go wrong, you may need to be medically repatriated back to the UK. Does your health/travel insurance cover this?

• Be safe when you go out! Back home, your friends would be there to make sure you get home safely 鈥搃s that the case here?

• Alcohol. We鈥檙e not going to tell you not to drink (that probably won鈥檛 work!) But do make sure that you drink sensibly. Never leave your glass unattended and always be alert if someone offers to buy you a drink that you don鈥檛 know.

• Watch out for misunderstandings 鈥� does that guy (or girl) understand what you鈥檙e saying? Does he (or she) understand that you鈥檝e said no?

• A big city is a big city! Remain vigilant and use common sense, just as you would at home. Keep a copy of your passport in your wallet and leave your passport in a safe place.

• Draw up a budget and stick to it. You may have more euros than pounds, but they鈥檒l go just as fast. Belgium has 3 official languages: Dutch, French and German. Why not try to learn one here!

• If you do run into trouble, your university should have a person who you could talk to about it.

Where can you find more?

• Follow us on and like us on we publish all sorts of helpful tips for Brits in Belgium.

• Here is a list of 鈥� put them on your phone!!!

• 皇冠体育app in the UK might be able to provide more information.

• is an anonymous and confidential 24-hour Crisis and Information telephone service.

• website has details of all sorts of English-speaking associations that may be of assistance (or that you might like to join!)

If things do go wrong

If you are in need of emergency assistance, call us on +32 (0)2 287 62 11 (24hrs a day, 7 days a week).