Advantages and disadvantages of sharing a flat in Charleroi
Below, we list some pros and cons of living in shared flats in this Belgian city:
Advantages of sharing a flat in Charleroi
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You can take advantage of the extra available budget to travel around Belgium and other countries since Charleroi airport offers numerous low costs to other places in Europe.
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There are shared apartments in different locations, so you can choose the ideal one for you. Keep in mind that some neighbourhoods preferred by young people are Ville-Haute, Ville-Basse and Gosselies.
Disadvantages of sharing a flat in Charleroi
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Look at the description of each accommodation, because in many cases you have to add an extra to cover utility bills.
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Sometimes bedding is not included, so you will have to bring it from home or buy it when you arrive in the city.
Erasmus App for your exchange programme in Charleroi
There are different apps that you can use before, during and after your Erasmus in Charleroi, such as the European Commission's Erasmus+ app. These applications provide facilities to exchange students, such as instructions to carry out various procedures, tips and news about the city they are going to. You will also find experiences from students from previous years, who usually give advice such as taking advantage of the proximity of Charleroi to Brussels to explore the Belgian capital to the fullest. You can connect the two cities in just under an hour.
How to meet people in Charleroi?
There are different ways to meet people when you arrive in this Belgian city. One is to share moments with your flatmates, who will surely be some of your closest friends during the exchange. You can also consider the following options:
Student associations in Charleroi
Some universities have cultural societies and clubs. For example, the Free University of Brussels has more than 80 associations of different interests, such as different nationalities, socio-cultural interests, political affiliations, sports, music, and video games, among others.
Facebook groups for Erasmus in Charleroi
You can join the Facebook group of the Erasmus Student Network in Belgium to find out about the different things that happen in the country in general. Surely you will also find groups on this platform of the different societies of the university.
Whatsapp groups for Erasmus in Charleroi
Join the WhatsApp groups that you find, as it is an opportunity for you to introduce yourself and discuss your interests, so you meet people who are related to you. In them, you will also be able to join plans and propose the ones you want, such as visiting one of the city's museums, tasting craft beers and even visiting Brussels.
Tips for living in a shared student apartment in Charleroi
Some keys to keep in mind when sharing a flat in the Belgian city:
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If you will rent a room in a student residence, pay attention to what is included in the price. In some cases, they may include half or full board, access to gyms, gardens, etc. All this can highlight the difference between one and the other.
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During your stay in this city, you can surely enjoy some of the events that take place together with your roommates. For example, you can enjoy the Charleroi Carnival in February, the Christmas Village in November and December or the August Fair with a big Ferris wheel, fun games and typical cuisine.