Antwerp Student Guide: Fashion, Art, and Study

Antwerp is a premier destination for international students seeking a blend of avant-garde fashion, world-class art, and a high standard of living. It offers a vibrant international community centered around the University of Antwerp and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, making it both academically rigorous and culturally rich. For most students, the city serves as a creative playground where historical Flemish architecture meets a modern, fast-paced lifestyle.

The Creative Capital: Fashion and Art in Antwerp

Antwerp is globally recognized as a fashion powerhouse, largely thanks to the "Antwerp Six," a group of influential designers who graduated from the city's Royal Academy of Fine Arts in the 1980s. For students, this means living in a city that breathes design. The Fashion Museum (MoMu) is a central hub for inspiration, frequently hosting exhibitions that draw international crowds. Even if you aren't a fashion student, the aesthetic of the city—from the sleek boutiques in the Nationalestraat to the vintage shops in the Kloosterstraat—influences the local lifestyle.

Art is equally pervasive. Antwerp was the home of Peter Paul Rubens, and his influence is still visible in the Rubenshuis and the Cathedral of Our Lady. For a more contemporary experience, the Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) offers not only fascinating exhibits on the city's history as a global port but also one of the best panoramic views of Antwerp. Students often spend their weekends exploring the Zurenborg district, famous for its stunning Art Nouveau and fin-de-siècle architecture, or hanging out in the South (Het Zuid), the city's trendiest neighborhood filled with galleries and cafes.

Student Life and the Cost of Living

While Antwerp is generally more affordable than London or Paris, it is not a cheap city. Navigating the Milan student apartment search might prepare you for the competitive nature of European housing, but Antwerp has its own quirks. Most students live in "kots"—the local term for student rooms. These range from basic rooms with shared facilities to modern studios. Expect to pay a significant portion of your budget on rent, especially if you want to be near the Stadscampus (City Campus).

Monthly Expenses Breakdown

• Accommodation: Prices vary by neighborhood, but central locations are naturally higher.
• Food and Groceries: Local supermarkets like Delhaize and Carrefour are standard, but students often save money by shopping at Aldi or Lidl. Don't forget the weekly markets at Theaterplein for fresh produce.
• Transport: Antwerp is incredibly bike-friendly. Most students use the "Velo" bike-sharing system, which is very affordable for an annual subscription. For longer distances, the De Lijn trams and buses cover the city extensively.
• Leisure: Eating out can be expensive, but student areas are packed with affordable "frituurs" (fry shops) and sandwich bars.

Connectivity: Staying Online in the Diamond City

Reliable internet is the backbone of student life. Whether you are navigating the winding streets of the old town, translating Dutch documents, or coordination a group project at a cafe, you need data. In Belgium, the telecommunications market is dominated by three major players: Proximus, Orange, and Base.

Proximus is the national incumbent and offers the most extensive 5G network, which is particularly robust in the Antwerp city center. Orange and Base provide excellent 4G coverage across the city and the port area. However, getting a contract with these providers as an international student can be a headache. Most Belgian providers require a Belgian identity card and a Belgian bank account (IBAN) to sign a post-paid contract. This creates a "Catch-22" for students who need a phone number to set up a bank account but need a bank account to get a phone number.

This is where StudyRoam becomes an essential tool for your first month or semester. By choosing to see plans before you even land, you bypass the bureaucratic hurdles. StudyRoam offers data-only plans that work on the Proximus 5G network, as well as Orange and Base 4G networks, ensuring you have high-speed connectivity the moment you step off the train at Antwerp Central.

Why an eSIM is Better for Erasmus Students

For an exchange student, the traditional physical SIM card is becoming obsolete. A physical SIM requires finding a local shop, providing a passport for registration, and often waiting for activation. If you want to keep your home SIM active to receive 2FA codes from your bank, you need a dual-SIM phone. An eSIM allows you to maintain your home number while using a local data plan for daily tasks.

StudyRoam provides bulk data plans that are perfect for the initial transition phase. These plans are data-only, meaning they do not come with a local Belgian phone number. However, in the age of WhatsApp, Telegram, and Discord, a traditional number is rarely necessary. You can still make calls and send messages via these apps using your StudyRoam data. If you are planning a broader European tour, you might also look into the Brussels student internship guide to see how connectivity works in the capital.

Comparing Connectivity Options

Feature	Home Country Roaming	Local Belgian Contract	StudyRoam eSIM
Cost	Usually very high daily fees	Monthly commitment	Affordable bulk data
Setup	Automatic	Requires ID & Bank Account	Instant digital delivery
Network	Limited to roaming partners	Proximus/Orange/Base	Proximus 5G / Orange / Base
Flexibility	None	12-24 month contracts	7 to 180-day plans
Number	Keep home number	New Belgian number	Data only (keep home SIM)

How to Install Your StudyRoam eSIM

Setting up your connection is straightforward, but you must first ensure you have a compatible device. Most modern iPhones (iPhone 11 and later) and Android devices (Pixel 4, Samsung S20 and later) support eSIM technology. Once you see plans and make a purchase, you will receive a QR code via email.

Step-by-Step for iPhone

1. Go to Settings > Cellular.
2. Tap Add eSIM or Add Cellular Plan.
3. Select Use QR Code and scan the code provided by StudyRoam.
4. Label the new plan as "StudyRoam" or "Belgium Data."
5. Set your Cellular Data to use this new eSIM while keeping your Primary line for calls and SMS.

Step-by-Step for Android

1. Go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager.
2. Tap Add eSIM.
3. Scan the QR code provided in your email.
4. Once downloaded, ensure the eSIM is toggled to "On."
5. In the "Preferred SIM card" section, set Mobile data to the eSIM.

For more detailed instructions, you can follow our full setup guide.

Arriving in Antwerp: First Steps

Most international students arrive via Brussels Airport (Zaventem). From the airport, there is a direct train that reaches Antwerp Central Station in about 30 minutes. Antwerp Central is often cited as one of the most beautiful train stations in the world, so take a moment to admire the architecture before heading to your accommodation.

Having data upon arrival is crucial. You will need it to use the NMBS/SNCB app for train tickets, Google Maps to find your "kot," and WhatsApp to contact your landlord. Relying on public Wi-Fi at the station can be risky and slow. With a pre-installed eSIM, your phone will connect to the Proximus or Orange network as soon as you disable airplane mode, giving you instant access to the information you need.

Managing Your Data Usage

Antwerp is a city that invites you to explore, which means you will likely spend a lot of time away from your home Wi-Fi. Here is how much data you might need:

• Google Maps: Essential for the first two weeks. Navigating the tram system and finding university buildings can consume about 100MB-200MB per week.
• Social Media: Uploading photos of the MAS or your latest fashion finds can quickly eat through several gigabytes if you are not careful.
• Study Sessions: If you are studying in a park or a cafe without Wi-Fi, tethering your laptop to your eSIM is a lifesaver. A two-hour study session with light research might use 500MB.
• Video Calls: Calling home via WhatsApp or Zoom uses approximately 500MB to 1GB per hour of high-quality video.

StudyRoam offers various plans, from 1GB for a quick trip to 50GB for a full 180-day semester. If you run out, top-ups are available, so you are never left stranded without a connection.

The bottom line

Antwerp is a magnificent city for students who value creativity and a high quality of life. While the initial bureaucracy of setting up a local life can be daunting, your connectivity doesn't have to be. By using a StudyRoam eSIM, you ensure that you have immediate access to high-speed 5G and 4G data on Belgium's best networks, allowing you to focus on what really matters: your studies, your art, and your new Belgian life.