BA Languages student, Urszula Osobka-Leszczynska, reflects on the impact her first semester at UCLouvain has had on her life and what things were more important than language preparation!

When I first arrived in Louvain-la-Neuve, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I was excited, a little nervous, and very aware that I was about to start a completely new chapter of my studies and my life. Looking back on my first semester here, I can honestly say that it has been one of the most formative and valuable experiences of my time at university so far. 

Preparing Before Departure 

Before leaving, I tried to prepare as much as I could. I spent time exploring UCLouvain’s website, reading advice from former exchange students, and researching the city itself. I checked where my accommodation was in relation to campus, looked into transport options, and tried to imagine what daily life might look like once I arrived. 

Looking back, however, I realise there is one thing I would do differently. I would focus less on perfecting my French beforehand and more on sorting out practical aspects of daily life. While language preparation is useful, I quickly realised that things like understanding how accommodation works, how to manage admin tasks and how to organise my routine once I arrived mattered far more in the first few weeks. These are the things that really shape your experience when you first settle in. 

My First Weeks: Settling In 

The first weeks in Louvain-la-Neuve were full of small but meaningful moments. I remember my first trip to the supermarket, carefully reading labels and trying to work out what was familiar. I got lost on campus more that once, even though it isn’t particularly large. Yet each of these moments felt like a step forward : small signs that I was slowly learning how to live in a new place. 

What made the transition much easier was how welcoming people were. University staff and local students were incredibly kind and patient, and that sense of openness helped me feel at ease very quickly. Louvain-la-Neuve is a city designed around student life, and that shows: everywhere you go, you see students walking to class, meeting friends for coffee, or studying together. 

Over time, I developed routines that made the city feel like home. I found cafés where I liked to study, discovered quiet paths I enjoyed walking, and learned the rhythm of daily life here – calm mornings by the lake, busy afternoons on campus, and the lively atmosphere of students nights. Of course, there were difficult moments too: occasional homesickness, adjusting to a new academic system, and the normal uncertainty that comes with living abroad. But each challenge taught me resilience, often without me even realising it at the time. 

Academic and Cultural Experiences 

Academically, studying at UCLouvain has been both challenging and rewarding. The workload is heavier than at Queen Mary, with more contact hours and more regular assessments. At first, this was difficult to adjust to, and there were moments when I felt overwhelmed. Over time, however, I came to appreciate how much this system encouraged me to stay organised, focused and actively engaged with my studies. 

Culturally, Louvain-la-Neuve has been a pleasant surprise. Despite its small size, it is an incredibly lively place. There is always something going on : film screenings, comedy nights, concerts in small venues, and countless student-led events. I also loved discovering Belgian specialities (especially the fries, which really are better here) and taking short trips to cities like Brussels, Namur and Leuven, all easily accessible by train. These experiences helped me understand Belgian culture beyond the university environment. 

What I Love Most About Louvain-la-Neuve 

What I love most about Louvain-la-Neuve is how quickly it came to feel like home. I love how compact the city is, how everything is within walking distance, and how easy it is to run into friends just by stepping outside. I love the calm atmosphere around the lake, which became one of my favourite places to relax and reflect. Above all, I value how much this year abroad has helped me grow. Living in a new country, adapting to a different academic system, and becoming part of a close-knit student community has made me more independent, adaptable, and confident. Louvain-la-Neuve may be a small city, but it is full of warmth, energy, and opportunity — and after just one semester, I genuinely cannot imagine having chosen anywhere else for my year abroad.