School
The first class starts at 8:30 and the last class ends at 18:00. Some classes are held until 21:00. Be aware that daylight hours are short in winter, and mornings and evenings can be dark and cold. Each class lasts two hours. Basically, the classes are student-led and students have many opportunities to speak up. There are many activities outside of the school, so students can enjoy their studies while having fun!
Transportation
I walked to school because it was close to my house, but many people who live far away from school use bicycles. There are many people riding bicycles, and there are paths for bicycles only, so if you need one, you can rent at the school.
When going to supermarkets or internships a little further away, I used the bus. It is good to have a student card when traveling around Hasselt, but you can buy a 10-trip ticket when going further afield. You can easily go to the Netherlands without changing trains.
When traveling within the country, I used the train. Like buses, you can buy a 10-trip ticket and use it to get around cheaply.
Shopping
The center of the city is flourishing with fashionable clothing stores and bars. There are also various events going on, which are fun. However, opening hours are limited. Many stores are closed on Sundays, so be careful. Also, the opening hours of restaurants vary greatly depending on whether they are open only for lunch or for dinner. I recommend that you do your research before visiting restaurants. Supermarkets may require coins to use carts. Be careful when you plan to buy a lot of things.
Foods
Fries are very famous and can be found in many restaurants. Freshly made fries are very tasty! Hot chocolate is a must during the cold Belgian winter. You can buy hot chocolate in supermarkets, cafes and street stalls. Some stores accept electronic payment, and you can order in English, but some stores may only have menus in Dutch, so we recommend that you do your research if you find a store you want to go to. You can also order from home as there is a thriving home delivery culture. This is convenient since there are many rainy days.
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