STUDENT REPORT
Student Report
Name of the University:
Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB),
Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management
Exchange semester:
Fall, 2014
I. PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before leaving Norway
- When and how did you receive information from the exchange university, and
did you encounter any difficulties?
Before leaving I received two information packages and the coordinator from host
university contacted me. This information included information about the university
and the city.
The only difficulty I encounted is that the list of courses was not final, and due to
changes a couple of weeks into the start of the semester.
Applying for a visa (if applicable)
There was no need to apply for a visa.
Travel
- How did you travel to your destination?
I travelled from Gardemoen to Zaventem airport (just outside Brussels). Both SAS and
Brussel Airlines flight this route. From the airport you can easily take the train to
Brussels Central station (takes just a few minutes).
A cheaper alternative is to travel from Oslo-Rygge to Charleoi Airport with RyanAir.
Here you will need to take a Shuttle (bus) for 50 minutes to get to the center of
Brussels.
Housing
- Was housing provided by the university? If not, did you receive support from
the school?
Housing was not provided by the university, but you do recive information about
housing from the contact person at ULB.
Costs
- Approximately how much per month did you spend on rent, books, food,
transportation, and other personal expenses?
I lived outside of Brussels, in Leuven (for various reasons). If you live in Brussels, as I
suggest that you do, your cost of rent will be higher, but your transport cost will be
much less.
Rent
Books
Food
Transport
Other
2 200 NOK
150 NOK
3 000 NOK
1 200 NOK
1 500 NOK
STUDENT REPORT
Culture and language
- Did you have any language problems with the faculty or other students?
At the university both teachers and students speaks English, hence it is not necessary
to speak French.
-
How were the possibilities to experience the country and the culture?
Brussels is it self rich on culture by beautiful architecture (Grand-Place) and a range of
different events. For traveling I suggest to visit the Flamish part: Bruges, Leuven,
Antwerp, Ghent og Liege.
While you may encounter language problems in the French speaking part, you will
find that most people speak English quite well in the Flemihs region.
Belgium is also well connectd to Paris by speed train, 1 hour and 20 minutes from
Brussels.
II. ABOUT THE SCHOOL
Please describe:
- The school (location, size, study structure, special academic areas etc.)
The university is located south of the city center, well contected by bus and tram. The
university is huge, with over 24 000 students. While the business school is new the
rest of the campus is quite old. There are good luch opportunities both on campus and
outside. The biggest drawback compared to BI is the study locations. The library is
old, and is not big enough. You will find modern study hall at level two, but the rest of
the library are not constructed for studying purposes.
Course registration
- When and how did you register for courses?
You register your courses at the start of the semester, but this can be changed during
the first weeks. During the first weeks you are able to attend any lectures that you
want. You will get an academic coordinator to help you.
- When did the add/drop period end?
The deadline was 2-3 weeks after lectures started.
Academic calendar
Arrival date:
First day of the semester:
Last day of classes:
Examination period:
Any special events/holidays:
Other:
01/09/2014
15/09/2014
13/12/2014
05/01/2015-20/01/2015
First meeting 08/09/2015
Arrival
- Describe the introduction week
The week before semester start you will have two meeting where you will receive
general information for exchange students at ULB.
STUDENT REPORT
If you join the Express organisation you will be invited to parties and events every day
the first week, and several times during the semester. Great place to meet other
exchange students.
The International Office
- As an exchange student, did you receive sufficient and relevant information?
Yes, I receved all nececerry information.
Promoting BI and Norway
- What kind of activities were you involved in to promote exchange to Norway at
your exchange university?
There are “International dinner” events a couple times through the semester where one
is encourage to bring a dish that is typically for ones country.
Social activities
- How was the relationship with native students and that among exchange
students?
As long as one take part in the activities from the exchange organization one will
easily get to know other exchange students.
Also most of the courses at ULB include groupwork outside the classroom, this is an
excellent opportunity to get to know the Belgian students.
-
Are there any special activities, student organisations, and gatherings for
exchange students?
The Express organization is the best way to get to know other exchange students and
the city. They have parties, event and trips around Belgium.
III. ACADEMICS
In the classroom
- Describe the teaching style (practical, theoretical, cases/lectures, formal/informal
etc.)
The teaching style at ULB is similar to the one at BI. Mostly theoretical, with the use
of PowerPoint. Some courses had cases or problem sets outside the classroom that
counted for 30-50 % if the final grade. Classes ranged from 30 to 80 students.
- How is the level and workload compared to that at BI?
The workload is the same as at BI.
Course materials
- Describe the course materials used (books/literature, online articles, Powerpoint,
level of course material etc).
For most courses there is only the teachers PowerPoint which are mandatory material.
Some courses uses articles, and a few require buying books.
Exams
- Was the exam based on the course materials or on the lectures?
The exam was based on the lectures.
- How was the course evaluated (include all that apply)?
o Final exam (include form: written, oral, home assignment, presentation, etc.)
o In-class quizzes throughout semester
STUDENT REPORT
o Presentations
o Group work
o Class attendance
Library and technology
- Describe the facilities
The ULB librabry you can find all necessary literature needed, but it has limited place
for studying compare with the library at BI. The only part of the library comparable
with the facility of BI is the study hall at second floor (tends to fill up early).
The campus is covered by wi-fi connection, but can sometimes be unstable.
Description of courses
Course code &
name
ECON-S407
Applied
Econometrics
Master/
Bachelor
Master
GEST-S403
Advanced
Marketing
Master
GEST –S406
Strategy and
strategy
execution
Master
GEST-S408
Corporate
valuation and
financing
GEST-409
Advanced
accounting
Master
Master
Exam form
Prerequisites
Approved as
Comments
3 hour written
exam (70%)
and 4 problem
sets in Stata
(30%)
1,5 hour
multiple
choice exam
(50%) and
case in groups
of 8 (50%)
3 hour written
exam
Basic
econometrics
Elective
Perfect course if you
are doing a empirical
thesis.
None
Elective
Introduction course,
very easy.
None
Elective
3 hour written
exam (70%)
and group case
(30%)
3 hour written
exam (70%)
and attendece
and
presentation
(30%)
At least one
finance course.
Elective
Class dicussion and a
sice of 80 students
was not an good
combination. I would
not suggest this class.
Interesting class and a
great professor.
Accounting at
bachelor level.
Elective
On the IFRS
standard. Good class.
From 6-9 hours in
class a week. Very
demanding.