K'U Leuven Belgium

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K.U Leuven- Belgium
K. U Leuven BELGIUM
PECS PROGRAM

• PECS Program 2005

Spring 2005
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WHY?

• Belgium is the capital of Western Europe
• Central location, which provides easy access to
  popular travel destinations

• Wanted to explore a culture I knew little about
• Very inexpensive program

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Whats Belgium Famous For?

• Beer
• Chocolate
• Fries
• Waffles
• Mussels

This chocolate factory produces 600, 000
chocolate bars a day.
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Preparing for the trip

• A very long visa process with many requirement.
• Bought ticket at Travel Cuts, good price, and
  locations all over the world

• Had all potential classes pre-approved before
  trip
• Saved a lot of money, and tried to prepare a
  budget

5
Arriving.

• Many field trips were offered throughout Belgium
• I lived at an International house, with 25 other
  students.

• Classes were very different from what we were
  used to, no attendance required and usually only
  had one oral exam for the final grade.
• No special classes for international students,
  same classes everyone else took.

6
People in Leuven

• Leuven is a very international town, with
  students from around the world.
• Belgians were very friendly, but I didnt
  establish close relationships because there were
  so many Americans in our program and I actually
  made friends with people from England, Ireland
  and Australia.

• People often wanted to discuss political issues
  about America.
• Many showed disapproval of President Bush, but
  were still friendly.

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Back Home.

• It was very difficult working with the U of I to
  plan Fall semester classes.
• Class transfers were very complicated and
  unclear.

• I would recommend planning schedule for following
  semester before departure.
• ASK, ASK and ASK. Just because KU says something,
  U of I has different policies.