My study placement in Belgium, Sonia Chen

My month in Ghent, Belgium

As a BA English Language student, I was given the opportunity to be in a classroom with students and teachers from all over Europe at Artevelde University of Applied Sciences in Ghent, Belgium. It turned out to be one of the busiest but also most rewarding months I’ve ever had. 

Studying in Ghent

The first thing that struck me was how different the study routine was compared to Scotland. Back home, the timetable is usually more flexible, with plenty of time between classes. In Belgium, every weekday was filled with lectures, group work or assignments from 9am to 5pm. It honestly felt like cramming a whole year of study into just four weeks!
We were put into groups straight away and asked to choose a research topic. My group focused on the aftercare system for young people leaving youth care in the region of Flanders. We looked at how the local system compared to international approaches in places like Finland, England, and Scotland. It was a heavy topic, but an important one. By the end of the first week, we had already produced a 3,000-word group paper. I remember thinking, “If this is week one, how will I survive the rest?” 

The second week was focused on policymaking systems - how governments make laws, how institutions implement them, and how individuals are affected. It was intense but also eye-opening. We visited local government agencies, which helped me connect the theory with real practice. Hearing from professionals about what actually works and what doesn’t made me think more critically about education policies.

Presenting at an International Fair

One of the highlights came in the third week, when we joined an international exchange. Students and educators from different countries came together, and we held an international fair to share our research. We created posters, gave presentations, and shared our ideas with teachers and social workers from across Europe. I was nervous, but once we started talking, it felt amazing to see professionals listening to us and even asking for our views.

Life in Ghent

Outside the classroom, living in Ghent was also a new experience. The city is beautiful, with canals, cobblestone streets and bikes everywhere. Balancing the heavy workload with exploring a new culture wasn’t always easy, but it taught me a lot about time management. I also made friends from different countries, got the best two roommates, and celebrated my first ever birthday in Ghent, which made the long study days much more enjoyable.

Don’t let this opportunity pass you by!

When I reflect on studying BA English Language at UWS it's clear the experience is invaluable. The opportunity to study abroad can be stressful at first, but the personal and academic growth you gain is huge. My advice to anyone considering it is to step out of your comfort zone, be organized, and make the most of the international connections you can build.

The month in Ghent was about more than just passing modules; it built my confidence in speaking, collaborating in groups, and presenting ideas. More importantly, it helped me define my career path. I now know I want to work in education with an international focus, and this experience gave me the push to pursue that goal. If there’s one moment I'll never forget, it's standing at the international fair, presenting our work, and realizing that learning isn't just from books—it’s engaging with the world and understanding that your voice matters.

That feeling made all the hard work worthwhile. I am proud to be a member of the BA English Language programme at UWS.