Belgium is one of the smallest countries in Europe, yet despite its size, it boasts a vast number of interesting and diverse spots to explore all around the country. Belgium is a country that can be found in Western Europe and shares its borders with the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, and France in addition to the North Sea. As a result, Belgium is home to both bustling cities and picturesque coastal areas. This is just a part of why you need to study in Belgium, continue reading to find out more.
In this post, we’ll look at why Belgium is such a popular study-abroad destination. International students will have a fantastic experience in Belgium for a variety of reasons, including the tourist attractions of Manneken Pis and the Atomium, as well as the famous quality of its beers and chocolates.
Its major city is regarded as the Capital of Europe, while its second-largest city is recognized as the Diamond Capital of the World. Using the great public transit system, you may easily explore surrounding cities such as Ghent, Bruges, Antwerp, and many others.
You could also travel to neighbouring countries such as France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg. Belgians are also known for their resourcefulness, as evidenced by the country’s thousands of castles and well-lit highways.
One of the most interesting things about Belgium is that the majority of people in the northern region speak Dutch, while the majority of people in the southern region speak French. There are two types of institutions that make up Belgium’s higher education system: universities and universities of applied sciences. The standard degree structure in the European Union consists of three tiers: the bachelor’s degree, the master’s degree, and the doctoral degree.
Currently, 81 institutions in Belgium offer higher education, with 30 of them being private. In 2018, there were close to 500,000 students signed up to study at one of Belgium’s universities. The study programs are typically organized according to the several academic years.
How can Belgium be dull when it has Bruges canals, Antwerp style, exquisite chocolate, mussels and chips, belfries and castles, zany carnivals, and Tintin? Not only is Belgium a wonderful destination to visit or live in, but its strong higher education system and numerous prestigious colleges make it an appealing option for international students.
Why You Need To Study In Belgium
International students choose to pursue their academic careers in Belgium for a variety of reasons that are not particularly personal. The question that you actually ought to be asking yourself is why you shouldn’t be attending school in Belgium.
There are a great many more things that bring people to this European nation, in addition to its stunning old buildings, castles, and architecture made of cobblestone, as well as its magnificent artwork, delectable food (especially chocolate), and festivals. The most important ones are listed and explained below:
- Standard Educational System
- You’ll Experience a Fascinating Culture
- Innovation
- Excellent Location To Study Medicine
- Learn New Language
- Friendly Environment
- Building An International Professional Career
- Positive Opinions From International Students In Belgium
1. Standard Educational System
In the first place, one of the primary reasons why many students decide to study in Belgium is because the standard of education in the country is exceptionally excellent. And it is well known that Belgian cities such as Brussels, Bruges, and Antwerp have made significant contributions to the country’s development in the sphere of academia.
The educational system utilized in the federal state of Belgium is unique. Belgium’s educational system is separated into three areas, one for each of the Flemish (Dutch), French, and German-speaking communities. The French and Flemish communities, on the other hand, our responsible for organizing the higher education system.
They are also the locations of some of the nation’s most prestigious educational institutions. Additionally, the educational system in Belgium is well-known for its multifaceted nature as well as its high level of competitiveness. Because of this factor, education in the country has advanced to the point where it is now, with degrees and certificates that have received international accreditation.
Additionally, a wide variety of English-language overseas study programs are provided by the universities. If you are considering a career in medicine, you should know that the University of Antwerp has the most prestigious medical school in the country. Belgium is also well-known for its excellence in the arts, management, politics, international relations, and diplomacy as fields of study.
According to CareerNews24.com, Belgium is a member of the Bologna System, which makes it possible to enhance the level of education provided while also making it simpler for students to transfer their credentials from one European nation to another.
2. You’ll Experience a Fascinating Culture
Belgium is home to some of the world’s most spectacular buildings and landscapes, as well as some of the world’s most exceptional cuisine. The country also hosts some of the world’s most dynamic and exciting festivals.
Culture Trip honours Belgium’s position on the worldwide art scene, its magnificent landmarks, and what they call “the Belgian sense of humour” by picking the country as a place to be featured on their bucket list.
However, according to TripZilla, “Belgium is truly an undervalued country in Western Europe.” There is a lot more to Belgium than just Brussels and Bruges, beer and chocolate, even if these places and tasty products are probably some of the most memorable parts of any trip to Belgium!
3. Innovation
In a wide variety of domains, Belgium is a centre of innovation. According to the Board of Innovation, a company that specializes in business design and creative strategy, “Belgium is a high magnetic forcefield when it comes to recruiting innovation talent.”
This small country in northern Europe is at the forefront of innovation in almost every industry, from the world-famous comic book movement to how we use the Internet of Things to quickly process large amounts of data in Antwerp, which is home to one of the largest ports in all of Europe.
It would appear that new ideas and products spring up spontaneously from the earth. Additionally, Belgium has been hailed as a pioneer in environmentally responsible online business practices. Even if some cities, like Brussels and Antwerp, may be better recognized than others, other cities in Belgium have made a name for themselves.
According to The Next Web, “Belgium is the perfect testing ground for multilingual firms wanting to thrive in Europe and it seems that venture capital investors agree,” because of the country’s international population and relatively small size.
Belgium’s membership in the Benelux Union, a politico-economic union and formal international governmental cooperation consisting of the neighbouring states of the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium, all of which are ranked among the most innovative countries in the world, also supports and strengthens the country’s innovative spirit. The Benelux Union was established in 1949 and is a formal form of international governmental cooperation.
4. Excellent Location To Study Medicine
The English language is used for instruction in a wide variety of programs, including degrees in the medical field. The diversity of the teaching staff of Belgium’s medical schools, as well as the extensive international collaboration that takes place there, exemplifies the country’s dedication to internationalization.
“I think that one of the key characteristics of the program is the diversity in the students,” says Arianne Zamora, a student from the Philippines who is pursuing a Master of Epidemiology at the University of Antwerp. My classmates (and friends) come from countries all over the world, and some of them are professionals in fields such as medicine, nursing, academia, and mathematics.
I pick up a lot of useful information from them, almost as much as I do from the classes themselves. […] The program places a significant emphasis on working together on projects, and it has extensive ties to both the academic and professional communities. These are also additional advantages of participating in the program.
5. Learn New Language
The fact that there are so many languages spoken in Belgium is one of the things that makes studying there so fascinating. Although English is a common language in Belgium, the country’s three official languages are Dutch, French, and German.
English is also commonly spoken throughout the country. It doesn’t matter if you want to work in Belgium or if you want to have a profession that takes you all over the world; Belgium is an excellent area to study or perfect a second or third language. Companies operating in today’s global economy place a high premium on employees who can communicate in not only two but also three or more languages.
6. Friendly Environment
Students from other countries will find that Belgium offers an exceptional level of acceptance, tolerance, and openness. This is because Belgium is a multicultural country that is known for its commitment to internationalization.
In point of fact, the Belgian government and a great number of other organizations make grants and other forms of financial assistance available to international students. In comparison to many other nations in Europe, tuition in Belgium is comparatively inexpensive, and the country’s overall cost of living is cheaper than that of many of its neighbours in western Europe. Given the relatively good quality of life there, this is an extremely enticing aspect.
Belgium is home to an abundance of attractions and activities, and the country’s public transit system, which is both well-organized and fast, makes getting around the country a breeze. Because of its strategic location in the middle of Europe, the country makes for a good home base from which to explore many other parts of the continent. Within a matter of a few hours, you can go to Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, or Luxembourg simply by hopping on a bus or rail.
7. Building An International Professional Career
The European Union (EU), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Eurozone, the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) all count Belgium as one of their founding members.
In addition, the city of Brussels, which serves as the nation’s capital, is home to the headquarters of a significant number of international organizations, giving it a central role on the global stage. Additionally, it is home to the press corps which is the world’s second-largest.
Throughout its history, Belgium has been one of the most outspoken advocates for a multilateral cooperation, an ideology that is “ingrained” in the country’s diplomatic makeup. This is at least in part owing to its central location and unprotected borders, which prompted it to adopt mediation, diplomacy, and neutrality as successful defensive methods. These factors combined make it possible for the country to achieve this result.
In a nutshell, Belgium is a country that exemplifies the spirit of globalization in its everyday life. Immersive studies in Belgium provide a vantage point that is quite helpful, regardless of whether you are interested in working for an international organization or just want to have a job that takes you all over the world.
8. Positive Opinions From International Students In Belgium
You could take our word for it, but why would you do that when you have the opportunity to hear it from other people in the same situation? According to QS, international students from all over the world have a favourable opinion of the educational opportunities available in Belgium.
“The city is the greatest spot for Erasmus students!” exclaimed one student who came from Austria and studied in Antwerp. It is both compact enough to navigate on two wheels and extensive enough to provide for all of your requirements.
Numerous cultural institutions may be found there, such as the Plantin Moretus Museum, the Rubenshuis, the Mayer van de Bergh Museum, the Fashion Museum, and the MAS Photo Museum, amongst others. During the summer, Antwerp comes alive with its summer festival, which has open-air theatres, music, readings, summer bars, and more!
It is possible to go shopping there because it is a fashion city filled with all of the major brand names. Enough to do. During the eight months that I resided there, I never once experienced feelings of boredom. In addition to this, they have a great deal of delicious chocolate and beer in their many establishments. It’s great!”
An additional student hailing from Spain chimes in with their opinion, “I believe it to be a highly international [place] where you can develop both your French and English.” Additionally, because of its location in the middle of Europe, it is near a great number of fascinating cities, such as Bruges, Amsterdam, Paris, London, and many others.
The university is fairly good, with a solid academic level, not too overcrowded, and providing wonderful opportunities for athletic participation.” In conclusion, Belgium may be a little country, but it has a huge appeal, particularly for students coming from other countries.
Conclusion
Studying in a different country is now more accessible than it has ever been in the past. Belgium is home to several universities that are ranked well internationally and are now welcoming students from other countries. This is your opportunity to study in Belgium, and in this post, we have compiled for you all the reasons why studying in Belgium is a very excellent decision. We hope that you will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.