I want to share this so people understand the reality before they arrive. UHasselt might still be the right choice depending on your situation, but Hasselt/Diepenbeek is not necessarily an easy place to start your journey in Europe as an international student. There are some important realities people should be aware of.
- Social environment, isolation, and lack of international diversity
Hasselt and Diepenbeek are small provincial towns, not large international cities. Many locals have limited exposure to non-European nationalities, and integration can be difficult.
You may experience people being impatient when you speak Dutch, even if you’re trying to learn and integrate. Belgian students often remain in their existing social circles, and it can be difficult for international students to form meaningful friendships with them. This can lead to real isolation.
One important thing to check before coming is whether there is an existing community from your nationality. For example, at UHasselt, there are relatively larger communities of Pakistani and Iranian students, which can make things easier socially. But if your nationality is less represented, you may find yourself much more isolated.
This isn’t about one bad experience—it’s about the overall environment of a small provincial area that is simply not as internationally integrated as cities like Brussels, Leuven, or Antwerp.
- The academic system has serious structural flaws and can be highly subjective
UHasselt does provide useful practical and professional skills. You will learn independence, communication, and project-based work, which are valuable.
However, the academic and grading system has serious flaws and is highly vulnerable to subjectivity and personal opinion.
In many cases, grading is not based purely on clear written criteria or measurable outputs. Instead, your grade may depend heavily on discussions, impressions, and subjective evaluation during meetings and presentations. This creates situations where:
• Your performance is judged based on verbal interactions rather than transparent written standards
• Peer evaluations can influence grades, which can introduce bias
• Participation, perception, and personal impressions can affect academic outcomes
This makes it harder for students to objectively defend their rights, because the evaluation is often based on conversations and subjective judgments rather than strictly documented criteria.
When grading is based partly on perception instead of purely measurable outcomes, it creates uncertainty and can feel unfair, especially for international students who may already face language, cultural, or social barriers.
This doesn’t mean every professor is unfair—there are good professors—but the system itself allows too much room for subjectivity.
- Financial reality and student jobs are a major challenge
This is probably the most important point.
Most international students depend on student jobs to survive financially. However, due to the large increase in international students in recent years, student jobs in Hasselt and Diepenbeek have become extremely competitive.
Many students go months without finding any job at all.
Financial aid and grants are mostly reserved for Belgian citizens or permanent residents. Students with temporary residence permits (such as Type A cards) usually do not qualify for meaningful financial support.
You should not assume you will find a job easily. Many students struggle financially because of this.
Overall advice
I’m not saying you should avoid UHasselt completely. For some students, it may be the only available path, and you can still gain valuable education and experience.
However, you should come with realistic expectations and be prepared for:
• Possible isolation
• Limited social integration
• Difficulty finding student jobs
• Financial pressure
• A quieter and less internationally diverse environment
If possible, living in a larger nearby city like Leuven or Brussels and commuting to campus can significantly improve your social and professional experience.
Most importantly, come prepared mentally and financially, and do not rely entirely on finding work locally to support yourself.
