Faculty of Architecture and Arts

The sound of my exchange

If my Erasmus was a song it would certainly be "La strada" by the Modena City Ramblers: a journey full of uncertainties, but above all of discoveries and growth. At first, leaving home, friends and dealing with a language I didn’t know seemed like an impossible challenge, but every step brought me closer to a better version of myself.

Hasselt, with its central location, allowed me to explore Belgium and other nearby places, learning about different cultures and enriching myself with stories and encounters. This experience was a profound journey, which transformed me. Now I come back with a treasure of emotions and memories that I never imagined to find.

The color of my exchange

My Erasmus in Belgium would be a blue intense. A colour that encapsulates both the call of quiet salis between Brussels and Hasselt, and the strength of the initial challenges in adapting to a different
culture. Blue is the color of reflection, of the moments when I stopped to think, but also of the growth that has come with time. It’s the distance that turns into deep connection. A blue that reminds me of the beauty of every discovery, big and small.

New places, new cultures

Safety

Since I moved here; city itself, the locals, professors and of course my classmates have created such an atmosphere that I feel so safe in every aspect. Wherever the place is, I can stroll around comfortably.

Whoever I need their help, people are so kind and friendly. Whichever subject I'd like to ask and/or discuss; professors are present and passionate to talk. And last but not the least; whatever time it is, I can always find a friend to spend time together!

Grateful

For me the most important emotion out of all is appreciation. The environment here is very different from everything that I’m used to, but I am really grateful for everything I get to experience here, starting from the very welcoming people and town to the ability to travel and participate in the academic life of the faculty.

Gratifying

Hasselt is a town where you feel good, where you come across discovery around every corner. This town on a human scale is very pleasant. The university is always a very interesting place to
exchange ideas and meet friends.

Excitement

I believe the most important feeling for me during this experience is eagerness to get to know new places and people. It's a great opportunity to grow in every possible way. As well as socially but also academically. Just learning that every person can have a completely different view of life.

Serenity

It's the feeling I feel every day when I ride my bike to university. It's also the feeling that I've had of meeting other international Erasmus and Belgian students. Hasselt is a really pretty little town where life is peaceful.

I can only recommend this destination, where the welcome, unlike the climate, is very warm!

Melancholy

That’s the feeling I was experiencing every day while coming back from university on my bike, next to the steam. Since the first day I realised that six months would have been slow when things would have been difficult, and at the same will be extremely fast when things would have been be nice. That peace, that silence, was creating in me the idea of wanting to go home, and at the same time of not wanting to, in order to don’t leave the people I met.

The city itself is small and there is almost nothing to do; maybe this is the reason for which people become more important than usual. Probably in the end I would not recommend the destination, but just the experience.