Tips and Tricks for your exchange experience!

Hi! If you are reading this, you might be getting ready for your Erasmus Exchange experience at PXL in Hasselt. If that is the case, here you will find some "tips" to make your life easier.

Money

If you are not from a European countrie, one of the problems that you could face is the opening of a bank account. It doesn't mean that the process is difficult, but it takes time. For me, it took about two months.

Tips:

* Start your registration at the City Hall as soon as possible (don't forget to bring 3 pictures).

* Bring cash with you,

* Use Western Union to receive money from your homecountry. The transfers are immediate and reliable. You can find Western Union points in different stores in the city.

Shopping

If you don't want to spend so much money on food, I recommend you to do the shopping at

Aldi, Lidl, or Albert Hijn. In Aldi you will find the cheapest prices but there is not a wide variety of products. However, Lidl and Albert Hijn are also great options to do the shopping.

Tips:

* Stores are usually closed on Sunday (Albert Hijn is always opened)

* I usually go to Albert Hijn on weekdays since there are good offers and discounts. It is also near my place.

* Don't forget to bring your own shopping bags, stores here don't give you plastic bags (that's nice and eco-friendly).

* To buy fruits or vegetables I go to the market. Nowadays, it takes place every Tuesday and Thursday next to the Library of Hasselt. You can find a box of strawberries for € 1,50.

Transport

I highly recommend you to rent a bike. PXL international will give you information about that on the introductory day. Hasselt is a small city, so you can get everywhere biking and it is not going to be tiring. Also, you can explore the surroundings of the city

without spending extra money. If you want to visit other cities in Belgium, I suggest you to buy the 10 train journeys ticket at the Hasselt Station. I think it costs €50 but it is cheaper than buying tickets each time that you go on a trip.

Clothes

Make sure to bring a rain coat with you! It rains a lot in Autumn. I usually wear a raincoat when I bike to the school on a rainy day.

If you need to buy clothes, you can go to Think Twice. In this shop you will find second-hand clothes from €1. You just have to check their instagram to see the offers.