PECS : Beyond academics

Studying abroad is an intense personal and life-altering experience. It is important that international students find a balance between their academic and social life in a new and unfamiliar cultural environment. PECS has put together an extensive package of trips, events and activities and works closely together with KU Leuven in the organisation of larger events for all international guests.

Orientation and Cultural Package

The trips organised within our PECS orientation activities are open to programme participants (included in their tuition), and to other students, who pay a small participation fee. Belgian volunteer students assist the programme staff as your cultural guides. Participants will be offered the opportunity to visit places like Ghent, Brussels, Antwerp, Bruges, Bokrijk, Bouillon,... and last but not least a study abroad experience in Belgium will only be complete with a visit to a chocolate factory and one of the many breweries.

Buddy Programme

Programme participants that want to see more than just the classroom, favourite pub and this student town can sign up for KU Leuven's buddy programme. Through this hospitality programme students are offered the opportunity to meet a Belgian family, learn more about Belgian ways of life, values,...

Volunteering in the Leuven Community

Even if you only study abroad for a semester you can optimise your intercultural learning experience through getting involved in the Leuven community. This is your chance to interact with people from a culture other than your own and to work on those increasingly important intercultural skills! PECS students currently have the opportunity to volunteer at local high schools (tutoring, presentations, sports initiation,...) and in a retirement home (personal support, cafeteria,...). Other projects are being offered in cooperation with Serve the City Leuven: kindergartens (Sint Jan, Mater Dei), daycare centers for disabled people (Roerhuis, Oikonde), houses for lower income people (Poverello, crisiscenter), university childcare centers and many more projects where you can contribute your time for the good of humanity.

KU Leuven Orientation Days and Vesta activities

Detailed information and an overview of events is available here. The Vesta committee is dedicated to the integration of international guests at K.U.Leuven. The most important events coordinated by Vesta are the Orientation Days, the Hospitality Programme, and intercultural sessions for students and staff.