Belgium: Provinciale Hogeschool Limburg

Hasselt, Belgium

University: Provinciale Hogeschool Limburg

Exchange Program: Magellan Exchange

Application Deadline: March 10 for Fall Semester & October 10 for Spring Semester

VISA Application Information: Embassy of Belgium (Note: Finger prints and Nation wide Criminal History Record required)

Belgium: Ecole de Gestion de L'Universitè de Liège

Liège, Belgium

University: Ecole de Gestion de L'Universitè de Liège

Exchange Program: Magellan Exchange

Application Deadline: March 10 for Fall Semester & October 10 for Spring Semester

VISA Application Information: Embassy of Belgium (Note: Finger prints and Nation wide Criminal History Record required)

General Information:

Location: Belgium is located between Britain, Germany and France. Hautes Etudes Commerciales Liège is located in Liège, Belgium, and Provinciale Hogeschool Limburg in Hasselt, Belgium. Belgium is the original capital of the European Common Market, of the European Steel and Coal Community, of EURAtom, NATO, and of today's powerful European Union, headquartered in Brussels. Liège is a city of 200,000 inhabitants, and is at the crossroads of many European highways and railways between Paris, London, Amsterdam, Cologne, and Luxembourg. It is located on the eastern coast, southeast of Brussels. There are three languages spoken in Belgium: French, Dutch (Flemish) and German to some extent. Many people in the cities are able to speak English as well.

Climate: Belgium is located in a temperate zone with precipitation throughout the year. Average temperatures in January range from 20 to 45 Fahrenheit, and in July between 68 and 90 Fahrenheit.

Currency: The basic unit of currency in Belgium is the Euro.

Transportation in Liège and Hasselt: The public transportation company in Hasselt is reliable. When traveling to other cities,
transportation is available by bus or train. Railway links throughout Belgium link travelers to neighboring countries (The Netherlands, Germany, France, and Luxembourg. The system allows students under 26 years of age to purchase a "Go Pass" which is the most economical and easy way to travel. This is a 10 trip pass inside Belgium without distance limits for about $50 (departure after 9:01 a.m., no limit in the evening, on bank holidays, and in July and August). Rental cars are also available but not as useful as in the U.S. The only requirement is a license from the student's home country.

Living Arrangements: There is no "on-campus" housing available. Students within the network are very willing to assist incoming students to find housing. The cost of housing can range anywhere from $175 to $350 per month, depending where the student chooses to live. It is very important to send materials early in order to begin the housing search through the school.

Food: Belgium is famous for its fine cuisine, especially its chocolate! In Belgian restaurants, the prices include both service charge and tax, and there is no obligation to leave other than a modest tip. For students in Belgium there are restaurants open from 11:00 a.m. to dawn, charging reasonable prices (approximately $2 to $6 for dishes like spaghetti, lasagne, and sandwiches). There are many sandwich shops throughout the city that offer affordable meals during the day and evening hours. Students may also cook in their residences.

Social Activities: Liège and Hasselt both have many theaters, museums, restaurants and cafes, and offer various concerts as well as sport and social activities. Both cities are accessible to many of Europe's larger cities by train. Brussels, Aachen and Cologne are a short train ride from Liège; even Paris is only 2-1/2 hours from Liège and only slightly farther from Hasselt. Because of its proximity
to these and other European cities, Belgium offers the student many opportunities to attend the various festivals and events throughout the year.

Student Services: HEC-Liège has an International Relations Office on campus staffed by 3 full-time individuals. This staff will help students as they arrive on campus to help you find your rooms and communicate the necessary information to assist you in your transition at HEC-Liège. The office hosts many extra-curricular activities such as sports, travels, etc. Provinciale Hogeschool
Limburg also has an excellent staff to assist the international student population. There are many parties, trips, and activities planned for the international students through these offices.