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Heading for Belgium
In a few days, I will be ‘moving’ to Louvain-la-Neuve, where I will be a visiting researcher at UCL for a month. I am really excited to find out more about the town just over 20 years old with university 581 years old. How is that?
So, here is the story of Lovain-la-Neuve: Chatolic University of Lovain is a name for two parallel institutions of higher education; one giving instruction in Dutch, the other in French. The original university, the oldest in Belgium, was founded by a bull issued by Pope Martin V in 1425. In 1970 the university was reorganized as two parallel autonomous institutions, one being the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Dutch) and the other Université Catholique de Louvain (French). And that’s how a new town emerged as almost exlusively student town as apparently half of its population is currently attending the university and the other half are former students.
Today, I asked my friend whether I should have brought my running shoes and he replied: “Sure, it’s a great place to run, it’s full of pedestrian alleys and footpaths, and also a very large sports centre, and swimming pools, and a nice forest nearby, + a path around a lake, too, etc.” Now tell me, who wouldn’t be excited over such answer?
5 Nights to go;)) … oh no, six, + one in London (I couldn’t go anywhere in this world bypassing London;))
By Nana | January 5, 2006 | Topics: Les Voyages, PhD, Research |
January 6th, 2006 at 10:23 pm
Have a great trip. Send postcards, plz.
January 7th, 2006 at 11:16 am
Leuven?
I’ve been there. More than once;-). It’s a nice city. With old buildings and squares. There’s an Old Markt (something like that, if i remembered it correctly) and there’s like 100 m with a bar next to a bar. So, you won’t be thirsty ;-).I don’t drink, but there’s this Cherry beer they’ve got,and i just adore it. Try it out:-).Try and find Cadi-a bar. It’s a place where young people get together and they also have good music.
Leuven is also quite big. I liked the park near the university-across the street actually. If the weather is nice, it can really be nice.
Have fun!
January 7th, 2006 at 12:55 pm
Baya, thanks for the tips and insights. I will definitely try the Cherry beer, tho much like you I don’t fancy beer;)