Duyen Vo, an international student from Vietnam

When I began my search for a country that would suits both my personality and my financial budget, I didn’t initially expect to stumble upon a gem like Antwerp. Back in Vietnam, I had heard of this city only by chance. To me, Antwerp was simply "the diamond city," and the home to the second-largest port in Europe. That was all I knew before. 

But something about the name stuck with me and quietly planted a seed of curiosity. I wondered: could this city also be home to a university that would suit my academic goals? And delightfully, the answer was yes.

Among many options, Antwerp quickly became the top of my list.

The first reason was UAntwerp’s good ranking on the QS. But it wasn’t just about numbers. What drew me in even more was the city’s multicultural atmosphere. I read that many international students choose Antwerp, and I felt hopeful that someone like me, traveling from the other side of the world, might find it easier to adapt and belong.

From the very beginning, I was impressed by how responsive and organized the university was. And whenever I searched for information online, simply typing ‘UAntwerp & topic’ almost always gave me exactly what I needed. It was such a small thing, but it spoke volumes.

In UAntwerp, I found the balance between high-quality programs offered at an affordable tuition. When I look back, I feel like UAntwerp wasn’t just a part of my academic journey, but it was also the beginning of a whole new chapter in my life.

I have to say, I really like my study program.

One of the main reasons is that it’s designed with a level of commitment that’s quite similar to what’s expected of a CFA certificate, which is a tough financial certification. On top of that, I could choose elective courses that I am interested in. I came here with the expectation to learn more about data, so I picked most of the data modules this year.

To me, going back to school after more than six years was a big change. It was both exciting and stressful. I won’t lie that during the first few weeks it felt tough. There was so much new information, and I found it hard to keep up at times. But as I settled in and got used to the pace, I started to enjoy the learning process more than I expected.

What really made a difference for me was how the professors taught. 

They put a lot of effort into explaining technical topics clearly and giving us practical exercises to help us apply what we learned. That hands-on approach helped me connect the dots and gradually build confidence.

In my major, I’ve learned a lot of new financial concepts that are closely tied to what’s happening in the market today. Many of my professors also work in the industry, some have experience in investment, others currently work in banks, so what they shared with us often comes from real-world experience. That makes the learning feel more practical and relevant.

I don’t know yet if I’ll end up working in investment or for a fund company, but what I do know is that I’ll be able to manage my investments with much more confidence. And even though the coursework can be challenging, I feel that everything I’m learning here is worth the effort. 

I’ve been lucky to meet some really great classmates.

There are many local Belgian students in my programme. Over the past months, I’ve worked with them on some group projects and I’m glad to say we achieved good results together. What stood out wasn’t just the academic part; it was how naturally we connected. Whether it was collaborating in class, having a quick chat after lectures, or even sharing a meal together, those small moments made me feel welcome. I’m genuinely grateful to have met such great Antwerpenaars.

I’ve always loved traveling…

So, living in Belgium, a country that is close to so many other countries, is perfect for me. Of course there are other countries with the same advantage, but when I looked for a place that offered both easy access and affordable living, it is Belgium. And if you asked me where you could find a tranquil and friendly city where people greet you with a smile, my answer would be Antwerp.

Antwerp will welcome you with warmth, kindness, and maybe a sudden shower.

On my very first day here, I actually got caught in the rain. But people from my country believe that a light shower is seen as a blessing from above and a sign of fortune too. So I took it as a good omen for the journey ahead.

You’ll find that UAntwerp truly supports students. The university offers events that bring international students together, like career workshops and networking opportunities, so there’s always something that helps you grow.

 UAntwerp puts together a lot of events to help us meet new people and grow our network. So it’s definitely worth checking out. And if you ever run into any problems, don’t be afraid to speak up. Whether it’s your professor, classmates, or the university staff, there’s always someone you can talk to and get support from.