A 'Town' within a University:
K.U.Leuven
and its International Students
The Catholic University of Leuven (K.U.Leuven) is by far one of the oldest Catholic universities in the world. In the past, its hospitality and academic reputation attracted students and scientists who made numerous and valuable contributions to the European culture. Erasmus lectured here. And so did Mercator, Dodoens and Vesalius among many others.
Nowadays, the name and reputation of the university continue to attract students from all over the world. K.U.Leuven welcomes them and continues to engage itself in projects having to do with education and scientific research projects. That is one of the reasons why it has been involved in the Erasmus student exchange programme since its launch in Europe in the late eighties. The success of this programme has contributed to the launch of the Socrates programme. As a result, each year around 600 international Erasmus students spend part of their study programme in Leuven, while about 500 of our Belgian students share the same European experience at a foreign university.
In addition to these exchange programmes, K.U.Leuven has also set up a number of international academic programmes aimed both at Belgian and International students. Unlike the regular Dutch-language programmes, these academic programmes are taught in English.
Presently, K.U.Leuven caters for around 30.000 students. 10% of whom are international students (from at least 120 different nations).
It would take too long to go into detail concerning the academic training, the varieties of academic programmes and the different categories of student status.
Information related to admission and language requirements for international students is available at the site of the university (i.e., http://www.kuleuven.ac.be) as well as at the Office for International Students & Scholars.
The Office for International Students & Scholars
Eager to know more about this particular group of students, VIW contacted The office for International Students & Scholars. We were cordially invited by Ms. Trees Deloddere, Head of the Office, to pay a visit to the office and, once there, Jesus Castillo-Coronado, Coordinator of the Orientation Days organised a meeting with a few international students. While Koen Van der Schaeghe interviewed the youngsters, I had an interesting conversation with Mr. Castillo-Coronado himself.
Can you clarify the Purpose of the Office for International Students and Scholars? What Precisely does your Office do?
Jesus Coronado: First of all, there are several services! You have the office for international students & scholars, which takes care of all administration. They ensure that foreign students are well informed throughout their academic ventures.
It all starts with the administration formalities prior to departure such as visa application. Upon their arrival in Leuven the office takes care of the administrative formalities and the required insurance. Important items like medical services, money and banking system are not forgotten! Supporting this office is the social service for International students. This service is mainly concerned with helping international students integrate with ease into Belgian society during the course of their studies. A special feature of their service involves the search for volunteers among the Belgian students who help their international 'classmates' with practical problems.
These offices work closely together. You can call it a unique situation!
In close collaboration with other offices & services of the university, the Office for International Students and Scholars organises a series of Days of Orientation, necessary fot each new foreign student to participate in.
How does one interpret those 'Orientation Days'?
Coronado: They are held twice during the academic year, the first series takes place in September, and the second in January. Activities normally included in the programme comprise these: a guided tour around Leuven, introductory lectures on Belgium, Flanders, Leuven and the university, an excursion to one of the historical cities of Flanders, a Belgian Film, and other social activities that include the participation of old international and Belgian students. During these days, the new students are introduced to the various services for students in the university and in the city of Leuven. The Days of Orientation are an excellent opportunity to meet new people as well as to get to know better people already known to the old international and Belgian students.
Are there Students who do their Studies in Dutch?
Coronado: Yes there are. Of course, in order to avoid disappointments, the university requires the non-Dutch speaking candidates to learn Dutch. Candidates who have no background at all in this language must therefore take a preparatory language-year at the Institute for Modern Languages (K.U.Leuven). Students with an elementary knowledge will be given the opportunity of improving their Dutch in the summer courses. All students must reach a given level and to prove their proficiency they must pass a proficiency test. In short, after a full year of intense Dutch courses, all candidates are supposed to acquire a high proficiency level in the Dutch language. However, most of our international students follow study programmes in English. And all faculties accept English-speaking international students into their doctoral programmes.
Can you say that most of these Students go back to their Home Countries after they Finish their Studies?
Coronado: Yes. They do. They go back home. But their re-integration is not always easy for them. As they are back, they still have to learn to adapt and apply all the newly acquired knowledge and experiences to the situation back in their countries. In so doing, they still need to overcome a number of challenges as well as to face a number of practical problems.
Out of necessity (time is up!) I have to end this inspiring conversation with Jesus Castillo-Coronado.
I am aware of the lack of detail in the text. Consider it as a taster, a starting point, an introduction to the different, more personal impressions of the students themselves.
More detailed information about studying in Leuven can be found at: http://www.kuleuven.ac.be
I thank Mr. Castillo-Coronado for his time and kindness.
On the photo you see four international students, whose experiences you can read here, Jesus Castillo Coronado and editor Koen Van der Schaeghe.
The Catholic University of Leuven (K.U.Leuven) is by far one of the oldest Catholic universities in the world. In the past, its hospitality and academic reputation attracted students and scientists who made numerous and valuable contributions to the European culture. Erasmus lectured here. And so did Mercator, Dodoens and Vesalius among many others.
Eager to know more about this particular group of students, VIW contacted The office for International Students & Scholars. We were cordially invited by Ms. Trees Deloddere, Head of the Office, to pay a visit to the office and, once there, Jesus Castillo-Coronado, Coordinator of the Orientation Days organised a meeting with a few international students. While Koen Van der Schaeghe interviewed the youngsters, I had an interesting conversation with Mr. Castillo-Coronado himself.
all candidates are supposed to acquire a high proficiency level in the Dutch language. However, most of our international students follow study programmes in English. And all faculties accept English-speaking international students into their doctoral programmes.