Categorie archief: Leven in Leuven

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Outdoor Swimming Mania – BANNED

BY SEAN HEATH – Anthropologist Sean Heath is an outdoor swimming and cold-water dipper. He has recently moved from coastal Vancouver, Canada to inland Leuven, Belgium. Excited to explore the land-locked options for outdoor immersion, he was confronted with a blanket ban on all outdoor swimming outside of designated swimming spots within the Leuven municipality and Flanders region. Problematically, the only outdoor sites where swimming is allowed, outside of open-air chlorinated pools, are all closed during the fall and winter months. What is a swimmer/dipper to do? Why is there a ban? And how might avid swimmer/dippers use the waters they so crave? He explores these questions in this blog.

Lees verder →

Buitenzwemmen? VERBODEN

DOOR SEAN HEATH – Antroploog Sean Heath is liefhebber van buitenzwemmen en ijsberen (onderdompeling in koud water). Hij verhuisde onlangs van Vancouver, Canada naar Leuven in België. Hij keek er naar uit om de mogelijkheden voor buitenzwemmen in ons land te verkennen, maar werd geconfronteerd met een totaalverbod op buitenzwemmen in Leuven en Vlaanderen. Behalve dan op specifieke zwemplekken. Maar problematisch genoeg zijn de enige buitenlocaties waar zwemmen is toegestaan, allemaal gesloten tijdens de herfst- en wintermaanden (behalve openluchtzwembaden met chloorwater). Wat moet je dan doen als buitenzwemmer of ijsbeer? Waarom is dit verbod er? En hoe kunnen fervente zwemmers en ijsberen toch het water in? In deze blog zoekt hij een antwoord op deze vragen.

Lees verder →

Pass the chocolate, hold the beer: my year abroad at KU Leuven

BY HELENA WAREHAM. Moving abroad had never been an option until a lecturer enthusiastically convinced me that I had run out of reasons to not go. Three years later, I am near the end of an amazing year studying at KU Leuven in Belgium. I was particularly fortunate that another UEA law student also moved here because it has been great fun to have a friend from home to share the year abroad experience with. I have found new independence, confidence and interests including taking up photography. A particular favourite I have learnt from Belgium is to have chocolate sprinkles and toast for breakfast. I’m also proud to say I have learnt some Dutch, but sadly to the extent of translating menus, counting to ten and asking “Mag ik een zakje alstublieft?” (Can I have a bag please?)

Lees verder →