Practical guide for Canadian students

Healthcare

Belgium is considered to have one of the best healthcare systems in Europe.

Students’ health: a priority for French-speaking higher education institutions in Belgium.

In the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, all French-speaking higher education institutions pay attention to their students’ health and quality of life. This is the reason why universities provide a medical service on campus (general practitioners and specialists).
Meanwhile, smaller institutions provide support for students who would like some help in their appointments making, for instance. In Belgium, it is compulsory to take out an individual health insurance. This includes international students.

Please note: in most cases, international students must also prove that they are covered by an international health insurance. Moreover, international visitors who stay in Belgium for less than three months cannot join a Belgian medical insurance plan.

Emergencies

In Belgium, you can dial 112 for free, day and night, for the fire department or an ambulance. For urgent police assistance, dial 101.

We enjoy winter sports

You like skiing? Enjoy winter sports in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation!

There is something magical about the Fagnes and the Eastern Cantons under the snow. A perfect atmosphere for downhill skiing, walking or snowshoeing in powder snow, with the secret hope of being the first one to leave a trace.

You can enjoy downhill skiing in the Baraque Fraiture, Elsenborn, or Ovifat, which are the most popular sites. Ski lovers also find slopes in Malmedy, Oignies-en-Thierache or Manderfeld.

When the snow is kept waiting, or to prepare for high altitude slopes, head for the indoor slopes, such as the Ice Mountain centre in Comines, with its 9000 m2 of real snow.

If you like skiing…
Our neighbours also have beautiful mountaintops which are easy to reach from Belgium:
the Alps, the Pyrenees, the Apennines, the Cévennes, etc.

We are not afraid of kilometers!

The 20 km of Brussels

You are an avid runner and want to take part in the most legendary marathons on earth? Before embarking on the world-famous races such as the marathons of Tokyo, New York, Boston, Berlin, London and Chicago, make the most of your stay in Belgium and focus on a Brussels event: the 20 km of Brussels, which take place every year in May!

The RAVeL and the cycle routes

The RAVeL is more than 1400 km of paths reserved for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and people with
disabilities!
The RAVeL (Réseau Autonome des Voies Lentes) is a comfortable and safe network of greenways, laid out mainly along towpaths and old railway lines. More than 45 signposted local routes allow you to do great walking, cycling and horse-riding trails throughout Wallonia. More than 2000 km to go in order to explore towns and cities, rural areas and natures reserves of Wallonia!

Wallonia’s nature Parks

These parks are territories known for their biological and geographical interests and are located in rural areas of Wallonia. The nature Parks reveal outstanding landscapes where nature takes its course and where biodiversity is protected. www.parcsnaturelsdewallonie.be

We live to the rhythm of festivals!

You like partying with friends?

During summer, Belgium and Europe become giant stages with festivals for all tastes and styles!

We have a real sense of hospitality!

Students are an integral part of the associative world of French-speaking Belgium through student associations, which allow them to meet up and share extra-curricular activities such as festivals, exhibitions, concerts, conferences, trips, hikes, parties, etc. These associations enable everyone to take part in various political, environmental, humanitarian, sporting, economic and cultural activities, while taking on several roles: president, treasurer, communications manager, etc.

There are many student associations in the higher education institutions of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation: the Bureaux des élèves ou des étudiants, the Fédérations d’étudiants (Federations of Students), the Fédération des étudiants francophones (FEF), the Cercles d’étudiants (student circles), the Régionales (regional circles).

The main goal of all these festive, political or students’ rights defending associations is to gather young people from different cultures and backgrounds.

To find out more www.studyrama.be

Living in Wallonia and in Brussels