Part-time jobs play a significant role in the lives of students pursuing their undergraduate or master’s degrees, especially for international students. Belgium has incredible opportunities for foreign students with the provision of scholarships, a healthy environment coupled with worldwide recognition of their degrees. With the added advantages of flexibility in grading systems and transfers, Belgium is a wonderful place to go for. But, all these benefits come with a price tag, and living in this European nation can be heavy on your wallet.
But, what if we present to you some ways to earn extra income? Yes, this article has all of the relevant information on five ways to help you balance your studies with part-time work in Belgium!
Ways to Work While Studying in Belgium
For international students, working in Belgium often starts with short-term contractual jobs that offer a low to medium pay scale and manageable workloads. From retail sector positions to cleaning services, students can find various job options that fit around their academic schedules and support their lifestyle.
1. Retail Sector Jobs
Students have multiple options for working as part-time employees in supermarkets and shops such as bakeries and cafes. Employers are traditionally looking for motivated students with specific requirements that may be of use in the distribution, packaging, and salesperson roles such as a driver’s license and fluency in a particular language. These jobs are highly flexible as they offer working hours over weekends, holidays, and post-college hours and can be applied for via the job portals.
2. Tutoring Jobs
With a chance to earn around 19 euros per hour, there are distinct organizations connecting people in need of assistance and tutors, with in-person and online services. Companies like My Sherpa are looking for language instructors and SCHOLA ULB is hiring tutors to provide academic support in Dutch to pupils in need with compensation ranging from 21 to 28 euros. The application can be filled out directly through portals or their websites if students pass the eligibility criteria which may differ from one job posting to the other, depending upon the requirements of the students in need of help.
3. Business Startups
Not only can international students work in fast food chains or supermarkets, but also with startups that are in dire need of assistance. Working with start-ups can be a go-to for students as they can enhance their CV, work experience, and skills while earning money. To be able to work at a new and growing company such as Digital Marketer at SYMPL NV, students may need to have certain skills such as analytics and communication along with having completed at least 2-3 years of their degree or be in their final year. Other opportunities include working as a student ambassador which pays around 14 euros per hour.
4. Events and Management
In every other country, we tend to find students taking up jobs in the events and management sector, by being linked to any organization permanently or just grabbing any opportunity that comes their way. Similarly, in Belgium, there are many jobs available during events being held around. Companies such as Maisonrouge and MD Hospitality have several job offers available on their websites which students can apply for directly and earn a handsome amount while having a chance to do some networking and socializing.
5. Cleaning Services
Foreign students struggle a lot at the very beginning of their job hunt and may tend to resort to cleaning services. This is where companies like MAX CLEAN and Agilitas Home step in. They have a huge list of various part-time jobs which can be taken up by students over the weekend, weekdays, or holidays. With reasonable compensation, students can work as domestic helpers and their scope of work may revolve around cleaning the tables, chairs, etc at apartments or in offices. Additionally, there are added benefits of bonuses as well as no experience required, which is a source of ease for newcomers.
FAQs: Working While Studying In Belgium
Is There a Work-Study Program in Belgium?
Promoting flexibility and mobility in diverse ways, Belgium seems to be the perfect place to go for higher education. Fortunately, many universities in Belgium offer work-study programs such as at Vrije Universiteit Brussel. With classes scheduled in the evenings and weekends, students are also allowed to spread their course load over a longer period, helping them maintain a work-life balance. Some examples of work-study programs at VUB include a Master of Science in Management and an LLM In International And European Law. These programs are specifically curated for students who can receive a quality education regardless of their other commitments.
Can You Work in Belgium While on A Student Visa?
Combining work and studies in Belgium is permissible to all foreign students but they must be enrolled in a higher education institution along with possessing a valid residence permit. The students need to take care of the number of hours allowed to work. Foreign students can work only up to 20 hours per week and the timings must not clash with their classes or activities related to the study program. However, during holidays, such as winter, spring, or summer break, they can work more than 20 hours per week.
What are the Benefits of Working While Studying in Belgium?
International students always feel quite overwhelmed with the list of expenses they have to bear in order to get quality education from foreign institutions. Working while studying in Belgium is a good way to ease some of the financial burden and fulfill daily basic needs from a few extra euros earned. Furthermore, students may meet some like-minded individuals during their jobs, making more friends. Socializing helps students make their investment totally worth it as they enter their comfort zone with time. Lastly, being engaged in work enhances the portfolio and CV of students, guaranteeing them success in the near future.
We’ve explored how Belgium is an extraordinary country with countless paths leading students towards growth and success. From a wide variety of programs and the availability of scholarships to the permit to work for foreign students, it is an ideal place to gain an education. With all this information, you can now decide if Belgium is the right fit for you to work, study, and enjoy!
We hope this article provides all the information you are looking for. To learn more about studying abroad, check out our Belgium Study Guide and Available Courses for more valuable tips and study opportunities.
