Student culture
Cantus
A cantus is a cosy student activity where everyone gets together to sing songs, led by someone called a cantor. The songs are sung from a special book called the codex or Lelie. There's usually alcohol involved, and they've got these fun rules, like toasting during certain songs. It's all about having a good time and feeling the student vibes.
Election Weeks (Kiesweken)
In Leuven, election weeks (kiesweken) are a lively time where students engage in campaigns, parties, and creative expressions to promote their candidates for the student union (kring). Each kring has at least one candidate group that organises activities for one week with the hopes of getting elected at the end.
Fakbars (Faculty bars)
Fakbars are student bars where students belonging to a certain programme or faculty hang out. It's the ideal place to start a night out with democratic prices for drinks and games like beer pong. Some fakbars also have special drinks and cocktails only available there.
Gala season
The months of March and April is the unofficial gala season for students. Different kringen organise fancy themed balls where you can show off your best outfit.
Job Fairs
The student associations organise throughout the year job fairs to give students an opportunity to get in contact with companies and organisations. These are mostly organised during the second semester and even if you are not looking for job, you should definitely check them out. You can get lots of goodies from the companies present.
The Blok
Blok is the dark period at the end of the semester where students do not have lessons anymore and have to study for the upcoming exams. There are very little social activities then and most students will be found in the library or at home behind their course material trying to cram everything into their brain.