Day 02.
I am officially registered and dutifully following through the next step which is actually looking for permanent accommodation. That feels to be more of a challenge than the whole of the travel and registration combined! I mean, walking around this town, albeit picturesque, is no easy matter. They say Belgium is flat, but whoever said that didn’t walk around looking for university buildings in a university town! Street names, as titled above are each a tongue twister. I temporarily live in the first, have to walk the whole length of the second, to get to the third which is where the international/admission offices are. But a lot of things do happen in those walks. I crossed paths with a couple of Filipino who are also students. And got invited to a dinner of sinigang tonight! Would really love to, but feet are dead tired. Might really be the time for renting that bike now. Then, got handed a leaflet for an event called Quam Optime. Good thing I received it as it was a free invite for the UP Singing Ambassadors, here in Leuven! I can’t recall if it was them or the Madrigals that I saw before but I do hope I can make it tomorrow evening.
Tried riding the bus and of course it went with incidents. It was from my new friend though, and not entirely mine 😀 But best part is that it is free all year round as the university is really integrated to the town mechanics. Ended up in the Haverlee area where my faculty is. And since it was almost deserted, actually had time to take pictures, unlike my visit last year. I think I was slightly overwhelmed by the fact that we will be taught in a castle, but just a small one. I remember the studios as white-washed, high, with tall windows looking out to green and gardens. Oh, and we enter via a drawbridge over a proper moat. I feel like I should come into class with a cape and hood or something 😛
Well, this is just to keep my mind off the worry over the accommodation. It seems every international student has the same brilliant idea of coming here early to house hunt. And surely lots came before me. So step 3 tomorrow is the hunt for the ultimate proper lodgings.
arkitrix 