Get integrated and learn Dutch

In order to achieve a fully successful integration, it is important that you feel included in the wider Ghent University community outside of the immediate work environment. Ghent University regularly organizes institution-wide activities to bring international staff together. The university thus tries to establish an international community. In addition, Ghent University strives to fully involve international staff in its social activities by communicating bilingually (in Dutch and English) as much as possible.

Cultural platforms

Unique cultural platforms unite knowledge and expertise on specific regions, offering support to the Ghent University community in establishing or expanding new cooperation.

Ghent university has a broad international network and many opportunities for international contacts.

Communities

Both Ghent University and the city of Ghent offer various activities for and with other expats.

Other expats in Gent can help you navigate the often daunting task of moving abroad by providing answers to all your questions about life in Gent. Once you arrive, you can meet other expats face-to-face at their events and build out a social network.

Learn Dutch

However, the working language is often English, it's important to note that a level of familiarity with the Dutch language is handy to get around in Gent.

You can learn Dutch at the University Language Centre for a reduced fee. An overview of available training centers that offer Dutch language courses.

Options to practice Dutch are:

Your Faculty might also organize language café’s or practice moments on the workfloor.

Professorial staff members

There is a mandatory requirement for all non-Dutch speaking professors by the Higher Education Codex of Flanders to learn Dutch. Ghent University can help you fulfill this requirement.

UGent Sport facilities

Ghent University boasts a fully-equipped sports centre ("GUSB"), with three large and two small halls for indoor activities, a 25-meter swimming pool, an instruction pool, two saunas, two, and more! Some of the sports that can be pursued are: aerobics, aikido, basketball, bujinkan bujutsu, cross fit, condition gym, badminton, running, diving, BBB, handball, hockey, jogging in group, judo, karate, kayaking, korfball, mini-football and five-a-side football, rugby, swimming, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, water polo, yoga, zumba etc.

Cultural initiatives

Ghent University and its staff organize a lot of cultural activities. We also have our own musical orchestras:

Library

Ghent University Library is a network of faculty libraries and the Book tower, giving access to a broad range of scholarly information and supporting users in finding the right information.

Well being

Ghent University highly values the good mental health and psychosocial well-being of all its researchers. Trustpunt is the university’s dedicated point of contact for all work-related mental well-being issues. Trustpunt offers online information as well as training sessions on how to deal with issues such as fear of failure, conflict, unwanted behavior, stress, and burnout. Specific guidance is available for supervisors on how to address well-being issues within their team.

Researchers can turn to the university’s confidential advisors and to the faculty’s confidential contacts for individual support. They can also discuss psychosocial problems with an external prevention officer psychosocial aspect.