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Tuesday, September 28, 2010

I have a student visa; can I enter Belgium before the valid date?

I have a student visa; can I enter Belgium *before* the valid date?
I'm an American citizen and have a student visa approved for studying in Belgium. However, I was planning on going in July to find a place to stay and learn some of the language, and my student visa says it's only valid starting on August 1st. I know that normally as an American I don't *have* to have a visa to stay less than 3 months or to enter the country. So can I still enter the country before my student visa takes effect, working off the "no visa necessary for Americans" rule, or does my new student visa override that and now I can't enter the country until August?
Belgium - 5 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
I don't think it should be a problem, but you might want to double check with the Belgian embassy first just to be sure.
2 :
I agree with Phat Rabitt
3 :
As the others said...first check with your embassy or take a look at this link...http://belgium.usembassy.gov/service.html
4 :
Hi ! Where are you going to Study in Belgium ? I'm a Belgian Student so maybe I can help you with a few things to know... So here's my mail adress if you like : yphridon@hotmail.com And have a nice time in Belgium.
5 :
americans can spend up to three month in europe without any visa. my friend did the same thing. Also what language are you going to learn?? havent you heard, we have 8490674986 languages.

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Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Best bank for international students in Belgium?

Best bank for international students in Belgium?
Hi, I am in Belgium for six months as an international student and I would like to know what is the best bank for students (e.g. are there no monthly fees options, etc.) Could you share your experience?
Belgium - 1 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Considering your a foreigner and not permanently residing there, I believe any bank should waive the monthly fees, now then, I'm an intern and got a document from my work proving the length of my stay etc. and I do not have to pay anything extra. Im in BNP Paribas, you could do what I did, and it would probably work. Good luck

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Tuesday, September 7, 2010

foreign exchange student from Belgium Flanders?

foreign exchange student from Belgium Flanders?
okay- so my family and I are getting a foreign exchange student from Belgium Flanders. She's a girl and she's 17. We have gone through the process of getting checked and accepted into the program and we now have her email address. They told us to feel free to email her and introduce ourselves and such. What should I say? and what should we do to make her feel welcome as soon as she gets here (in August)? and what should we not do (I don't know the customs and everything)? Thanks in advance! :)
Studying Abroad - 2 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Well, Belgium is a modern Western European country, so most customs are similar to the ones in the U.S. If she is still in Belgium it could be fun to send her pictures of your house and the room where she will be sleeping. Also everyone in your house could send her a little bio of themselves with what you love to do and stuff like that. When she arrives, the coolest thing you can do is to take her to a local favorite spot. This varies city to city, but everyplace has one. Also, if you are in a Southern state that has a coastal area you should take her to the beach. The beaches in Belgium are quite cold most of the year and I can bet she will appreciate it. Avoid jokes about Belgian waffles XD.
2 :
Things you must not talk about: 1) Belgian Politics: It might ruin the whole exchange, if she's a Flemish nationalist and separatist you can expect a boring rant about how the Walloons (in reality French speaking Flemish) oppressed the Flemish, how still today they live of Flemish money and give nothing in return (while the Walloons pay for Flemish pensions and the Belgian infrastructure and harbors are enlarged with Walloon money). If she's a modal Belgian you'll get something like: 'they're all idiots' and if she is a Belgicist you can expect a rant about the stupid Flemish nationalists. And there are mixed forms of all of the above, but the majority are just Belgian and Flemish. 2) Belgian Stereotypes: the waffle and chocolate kind of thing. Yes, many Belgians like these things, but they are just a small part of Belgian gastronomy and thus are only a small part of Belgian day to day culture. 3) Don't say that Belgium is a fictional country, it has about 700 years of history.

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Wednesday, September 1, 2010

advice on student exchange to Belgium?

advice on student exchange to Belgium?
I am applying to go on a student exchange to Belgium for 5 months next year. One of the reasons I am going is to improve my French, but the lady at the program said that there is big possibility that I might get a Flemmish (dutch) host family. I am willing to learn Flemmish as well as French, but will my French improve if I have a Flemmish family (they can speak both languages, but the schooling would be in Flemmish)? The other option is France, but I am not too keen on that.
Studying Abroad - 4 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
what is flemmish? that is the dutch language? www.joyce_travieza@yahoo.com
2 :
why do you want to learn french if you don't like france? i bet whatever family you live with will speak english anyway. i recommend studying abroad if you have the chance to do so. flemmish or no flemmish. :)
3 :
I am not too sure why you want to learn French when you dont want to go to France. Anyways, it is true that the first language in Belgium is Flemish but there are certain pockets where you will find French speaking families. Though these two sections generally prefer to stay in their 'own' colonies. I am sure you can easily find a French speaking family if you look for it .. Needless to say Belgium is a great place and yes not everyone understand English as someone commented and you may need to learn little bit of Flemish to survive there :)
4 :
When applying, specifically request a French-first speaking family. Most of these families live in 'Wallony', the French speaking part of Belgium, as opposed to 'Flanders', the Dutch or Flemish speaking part. I'm pretty sure they can accomodate you. Keep in mind that Wallony is considered the 'poorer' part, so you could request for a family living in Brussels, about 65% of people have French as their first language.

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Saturday, August 28, 2010

what should I take on my student exchange trip to belgium?

what should I take on my student exchange trip to belgium?
I mean...other than the obvious (toiletries, clothes, soap, make up, money, camera, laptop etc) I'll be there for at least 6 months. What should I bring? For fun and for school and just in general?
Belgium - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Nothing special, you can buy everything in Belgium like in each other country. I should suggest to bring your interest in culture and history, your social skills to meet a lot of new people and be open for another culture and society. Maybe you better contact your exchange organisation or the school/university where you will follow lessons. They can bring you in contact with other students. You will get rainy weather so make sure you have a rainjacket and good shoes :-) A lot of students use a bike but also public transport is well organised.
2 :
Bring adequate clothes for the weather. It rains often in Belgium but not necessarily hard. Mostly overcast. Umbrella is a must and good shoes. Other than that, you can pretty much get anything in Belgium that you can get in the US. Once you get there you may want to go to the consulate to see if you can get an ID that is not your passport so that you can carry it around with you. They used to have international ID's but I don't know if they do anymore. I would exchange my money before getting to Belgium, you will get a favorable exchange rate here vs. there. Everything there is 220 volts. Most laptop AC adapters can handle 220volts but they need an adapter (which is not expensive) that you will be better off buying in the US. If you use electronics that aren't equipped to handle 220volts, you will need a transformer. Calls and text messages can be expensive from Europe. I would suggest calling your carrier before to see what you will be charged. Maps, and willingness to converse in another language and you're good to go. I hope you like waffles. :)
3 :
French-English dictionary unless you speak french. Most people do not speak english unless you are in Brussels. Bring an umbrella as well. I would also suggest you bring a guide book such as Lonely Planet or Frommers to give you the best places to go and background Information on the places you will see. You will need a fair bit of money as Belgium is expensive, especially the bigger cities.

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Saturday, August 14, 2010

If i am a belgium citizen can i apply for student visa i20 in canada?

If i am a belgium citizen can i apply for student visa i20 in canada?
im a Belgium citizen (now i am in the u.s.) and want to apply for student visa (to study in the us) but i have to leave the u.s. to be able to apply for one, because i entered with VWP - visa waiver program, now my question is: if i can go to Canada and to get a student visa from there, or the council is going to ask me why am i applying from Canada? please answer me
Immigration - 1 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Going to Canada will not change your VWP status; a visa application from Canada will more less be rejected since U.S. consular officers stationed in Canada are able to assess your personal and economical ties to Canada (which you don't have) and to assess the genuineness of Canadian documents provided for the visa application. They are not able to assess your ties to Belgium or to check the genuineness of your Belgian documents..

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Saturday, August 7, 2010

Where would you go as a exchange student; Antwerp, Belgium OR Prague, Czech Republic?

Where would you go as a exchange student; Antwerp, Belgium OR Prague, Czech Republic?
I'm planning on going as an exchange student to one of these countries for one semester, but I don't know which one yet? what are the advantages of each city? languages they speak?, average cost?, attractions?, friendly people?, nightlife?, anything else you want to share?.. thanks!
Other - Europe - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Belgium for sure!! Im going there hopefully next October :). Though, Prague would be very nice too! Have a great time!
2 :
I would go to Prague, as I am very interested in the Czech culture and I would like to immerse myself in the Czech culture
3 :
I would go with Belgium. Its location is ideal for travel, particularly since it sounds like you'll be in school and likely will only have weekends to go places. From Belgium you can easily make quick trips to Paris, London, Amsterdam, Munich, Berlin, etc. Belgium has wonderful, easy-to-use public transportation and offers student discounts on travel, among other things. Many, many Belgians speak English. Antwerp is an interesting city, with the diamonds and the zoo it has good touristy sites, but there are many other neat places to visit in Belgium & because it's such a small country none of them are too far away. When would you be going? At Christmas there are great markets and festivals in many of cities, including Brussels, Liege, and Brugge. Oh, don't get me started on Brugge! Belgium is also a good choice because there are many international students (high school, gap year, and uni) and it's very easy to find them, so you would have the opportunity to meet not only Belgians or people from your school/university, but from all over the place. Belgian food is quite tasty (I recommend the waterzooi, frites, and of course the waffles - I'm not much of a chocolate person). I've visited Prague and it's beautiful, but I would go with Belgium for sure.

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