Should I Go To Belgium

Where should I go in Gent (Belgium)?

Ghent is a very beautiful town with plenty of interesting things to do and see! If you don’t just want to visit the typical tourist highlights there are so many other spots you can explore. A few local recommendations I picked out for you:Friday Night Live is a glass blowing show held every Friday at GentGlas. This cool concept allows you to enjoy a nice drink while watching the amazing gents at work creating beautiful glass sculptures!Ghent by Light may sound a bit weird as a tourist tip, but when you take one look at this beautiful sight you’ll understand straight away! Take a stroll at your own leisure or get a map at the tourist office and follow the Illuminated Walk.is not just any cocktail bar, in fact, they have won several awards for their crafty and innovative cocktails! They change their menu every week and don’t expect to order a simple mojito, instead, let them surprise you with their bold flavors and amazing flavor combo’s!Pasta La Vista started out as a food truck but decided to open a little pasta bar. You can pick between four types of pasta and fourteen types of sauce! This place is perfect for pasta lovers!In Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat you can spend your day enjoying the beautiful buildings while sipping from your espresso. If that gets boring just browse around all the great shops you can find in this area!If you liked these recommendations check out SpottedbyLocals for more cool places in Ghent!Disclaimer: I’m co-founder of Spotted by Locals

What are the things you should NOT do in Belgium?

Belgians are usually rather unpatriotic and rather negative about their own country. We lack unity (except during football) and usually seem rather uninterested in improving our country & government. However, it’s best you refrain from commenting on this too much as a foreigner. It’s something only natives are allowed to do.But we don’t take ourselves too serious, and we got used to the rest of the world not taking us too serious either.Avoid touristic chocolate places. Even we Belgians seem to be heading more and more to these commercial places. There are plenty of hidden gems if you look around.Belgium is bigger than Brussels. Brussels is more than a transit country to London, Paris or Amsterdam.Don’t assume Belgians from the seaside are similar than those living in Brussels. As a small country we have very very different cultures (and languages) from city to city. And Brussels has tons of expats. It has one of the most diverse cultures in Europe packed in a tiny space.Don’t waste food. We’re quite “Bourgondisch”. Food is something we’re proud of.We’re quite sarcastic and snideness is thought in school here. Don’t be offended too easily or we’ll take you as an easy prey.Don’t assume you know us, or how this country works.We, Belgians, are very flexible and easily integrate in other cultures or countries, and we’re trying as hard not to be noticed (too much). However don’t impose your way of living or culture on us too much either.We’ve accomplished invented, and create more than you might realise. Don’t assume we’re an useless bunch.Definitely don’t underestimate our public transport. It’s not half as easy and punctual as you might expect (especially if you’re an asian tourist).Don’t follow the path too much, go wander around, challenge us, find the gems hidden in plain sight. We’ve got a rich history — we’ve been involved in a lot turmoil in the past, and this results in both a minority complex and a very very very rich history. Don’t be afraid to ask the native and genuine “Brusseleir” in the shady dark pubs around the corner in a dark alley.We’re still very proud to be Belgian, even if (we believe) we’re broken.

Where should I go in Belgium if I have four days left?

Spend a day and a  night in Brussels or Antwerpen for a taste of a larger cosmopolitan Belgian city. Sample beer, chocolates and great food. Then either head out to Bruges/Ghent for a day and a night in a more historical city. Use either of these cities as a base to explore the World War One sights at Ypres. Sample beer, chocolates and great food. This should have Flanders and Brussels covered. Off course, you should also have a look at Wallonia. Mons is the cultural capital of Europe in 2015 and this might warrant a visit. I personally like the Ardennes in smaller towns like Durbuy or Spa but they may be a bit far to visit, though not impossible for the remainder of the four days. Don't forget to sample beer, chocolates and great food here as well.

Belgium, Germany, Hungary, or Poland. Where should I go for my exchange semester in undergraduate?

I can understand your confusion - there is a lot to weigh. In all honesty, the only place that I have been to is Augsburg and it is a very cool - if small city. However, since it is in Bavaria it is close to the great cities there - Munich and Nuremberg for example - but there are many others: Bamburg for example is amazing.That being said, I have to admit I have never been to either Poland or Hungary - although my wife has been to Poland and my son has gone to Hungary.Belgium - I think is pretty expensive, depending where you are in the country, Brussels being the most expensive.Of course, I am pretty biased towards Germany since I am living here for the last four years.However, I think I would suggest Hungary as the best bet. It was the co-capital with Austria for the Austrian Hungarian Empire and the Holy Roman Empire (Germany) for centuries and I understand that Budapest is amazingly beautiful, the food is great and that it is a fantastic experience and not as expensive as Western Europe. To me the best compromise between the Western Europe you enjoy the best of Eastern Europe. (I have been told Kraków is beautiful and Warsaw is fascinating. But Budapest has lately captured my imagination.)One word of caution - which school will give you the best education for your major? That would be a major factor if I were in your shoes. You have to think beyond the next academic year and where you will get the most for your time and effort.