Chilling by the pool

by Nina - 27 August, 202027 August, 2020

It's summer time! While many escape to the south to relax by the sea (after travelling at a snail's pace on the Autoroute de Soleil with the rest of Belgium), you can enjoy that beach feeling at several outdoor swimming places in and around Ghent. Read on for where to

Sky Over Ghent From Armand Pien Observatory

Exploring Ghent

by Nina - 15 July, 202011 October, 2020

Have you ever wished you could climb up one of the towers of Ghent at night and get closer to the starry skies from an observatory? It turns out, you can. On top of the Blandijnberg, in the Plateau-building of the University of Ghent, lies a hidden treasure: a fully-equipped 19th

Things to Do with kids in Gent (Part 2)

Families with kids

by Rebecca Bramlett - 1 July, 202015 July, 2021

"Things to Do with Kids in Ghent" is a series of three articles. Part 1 includes information on sports and recreation, as well as meeting other families. In Part 2 we discuss museums and the arts. And in Part 3 we share ways to explore the city, visit historical sites,

De Krook Bibliotheek: A Library For All Of Us

Students & studying

by Rebecca Bramlett - 8 January, 20204 March, 2021

There is a new building in Gent that stands out among the rest, perhaps as obviously as I feel I stand out as an American in a crowd of Gentenaars! Sitting in the shadows of the famous stone Gothic towers, its glass and dark metal shines within the city’s skyline

Horseback shrimp fishing at Koksijde

by Nina - 16 June, 201914 August, 2020

If you are familiar with the Lithuanian expression 'as calm as a Belgian' and have ever wondered how that would look like, you can see it live at an unusual coastal heritage event - shrimp fishing from a horseback. This traditional type of coastal fishing is said to be the

Day Trips from Gent to Animal Parks

Day trips

by Rebecca Bramlett - 7 May, 201914 August, 2020

Are you looking to get out of the city center and spend a day with some animals? Here’s an inspiring list of great zoos and animal parks in Belgium, including some right here in Gent, to get you outside and in touch with the animal kingdom! Pairi Daiza Domaine de Cambron, B-7940

Finding and Registering for Basic Schools in Gent

Families with kids

by Rebecca Bramlett - 26 February, 201915 July, 2021

As mentioned in our previous post, About Basic Education (Basisonderwijs) in Gent, new residents in Belgium must enroll their school-aged children in school within sixty days of completing their national registration. This article describes how to find and enroll in Pre-Primary and Primary schools in Gent. Factors Expat Families Consider when

Things to Do in Gent with Kids (Part 3)

Families with kids

by Rebecca Bramlett - 13 February, 20194 March, 2021

“Things to Do in Gent with Kids” is a series of three articles. Part 1 includes information on sports and recreation, as well as meeting other families. Part 2 discusses museums and the Arts. Part 3 shares ways to explore the city, visit historical sites, and stay informed about current

A Kid-Friendly Day Trip to Antwerp

by Rebecca Bramlett - 7 February, 201911 October, 2020

There are many things to do in Gent with kids (see our three-part series of articles on that starting here). However, if you are looking for a change of scenery, consider a day trip to Antwerp! Here I will share some child-friendly things to do in Antwerp that I promise

About Basic Education (Basisonderwijs) in Gent

Families with kids

by Rebecca Bramlett - 3 February, 201911 October, 2020

Photo courtesy of the International School Ghent. For expats with children, finding and enrolling in schools is one of the highest priorities when arriving in Gent. Not only is it a personal priority, it is also a legal requirement. New residents in Belgium must enroll their children (from age 6 until