Thomas More University of Applied Sciences Speciality : International Business
programme: Tourism Business

I studied International Tourism and Leisure at Thomas More in Mechelen in the Spring program from 2021 until 2024.

Not everything was easy as an international student, my biggest advice to non-eu students would be to go to parties, join a club, keep up with your documents (make copies), don’t take no for an answer when it comes to your documents and student visa, do your research on Belgium and its culture, do your research on the country you want to do your abroad semester/internship in (double check what you need for visas in that country!). Never give up on yourself.

Studying is a privilege but that doesn’t make it easy, you need to put in the work. You’re going to have to study sometimes overnight, please ask questions! You will also make friendships, meet people in the business and hear their stories, and of course travel!

Studying at Thomas More in the ITL program gave me many opportunities and I am grateful to have been able to get my diploma from there. Many teachers there were very helpful and understanding, as long as you communicate effectively and in advance as you can.

There are also very nice mental health advisors that you can talk to for free if you need it.

Another piece of advice is to look for student housing as soon as possible and be very wary of scammers.

For non-eu and international students, to help you when you first get to the country, you can sign up for the Buddy Program! You will essentially be assigned a person who helps you in your first semester and they show you around Belgium and how Thomas More works. I had a buddy my first semester and she was very sweet! I later became a Buddy for others who were doing their abroad semester in Belgium at Thomas More and I’m still very good friends with them :).

Overall my experience in the ITL program in English at Thomas More was pretty positive.

Good luck with your studies!