Belgium is one of Europe’s most quietly fascinating exchange destinations. A small country at the literal centre of the European project that manages to contain within its borders two distinct linguistic and cultural communities, the headquarters of NATO and the European Union, and a food culture of extraordinary depth and quality. For Australian and New Zealand students who want a European exchange with a genuinely multilayered cultural experience, Belgium offers something the more obvious destinations don’t.
YFU Belgium operates two distinct programs: Flanders (Dutch-speaking, in the north) and Wallonia (French-speaking, in the south). These are culturally distinct exchanges – Flemish Belgian culture has its own character quite different from the Netherlands, just as Wallonian culture differs from France. Both programs are well-established within the YFU network and have long-standing track records with students from the Pacific.
Programs differ slightly for each region, please contact us for details.
Belgian family life is warm, domestically comfortable, and shaped by a culture that takes food, cycling, football, and community life seriously. Belgian families are known for their hospitality and their pride in their regional identity whether Flemish or Wallonian, Belgians are specific about who they are and genuinely interested in sharing that with curious exchange students.
The multicultural character of Belgium is unique in Europe. In Brussels, French and Dutch coexist alongside a remarkable diversity of other languages and cultures. In Flanders, Dutch is the everyday language but English fluency among young people is very high. In Wallonia, French is the everyday language. Wherever you’re placed, the linguistic landscape of Belgium is an education in itself.
Belgium’s location at the centre of Western Europe is a genuine practical advantage – Paris, Amsterdam, London, Cologne, and Luxembourg are all reachable in a few hours by train. Weekend travel during the exchange year opens up a significant portion of Western Europe from a Belgian base.
YFU Belgium offers specialised programs in addition to the standard exchange, details are available directly from YFU.
Belgium offers a well-rounded and diverse educational system that caters to a wide range of academic and vocational interests. Belgian schools are known for high educational standards. The Belgian school year typically starts in September and ends in June, with holidays around Christmas, Easter, and a long summer break. Schools generally offer a range of extracurricular activities which provide great opportunities to make friends, learn new skills, and integrate into the local community.
Belgian schools also strongly support language learning due to the country’s multilingual environment. Depending on the region, instruction might be offered in Dutch, French, or German.
Belgian secondary schools differ significantly between communities. In Flanders, the ASO (Algemeen Secundair Onderwijs) academic track is the most common YFU placement, covering ages 12–18 with a broad curriculum including Dutch, Mathematics, Sciences, History, French, English, and additional subject choices. In Wallonia, the Humanités Générales track is comparable. Belgian schools are academically rigorous and students typically study multiple languages. The school year runs September to June in both communities.
Students should start learning basic Dutch before going on exchange to Belgium Flanders.
For Belgium Wallonia students must have been studying French for at least 2 years and are required to take a French language test.
Your Belgian family will be a very important part of your exchange experience. All members of the family usually participate in household chores. Belgian families, on the whole, are quite close knit and value education, family life and active participation in community events. Meals, especially dinner, are an important part of the Belgian culture and are usually eaten together.
Teenagers enjoy a vibrant social life, and after school activities such as sports, music and art are popular.
YFU Belgium offers Specialised Programs in the following areas:
Please contact us for prices, departure dates and more information.
It depends on your placement community. Flemish Belgium (Flanders) is Dutch-speaking; southern Belgium (Wallonia) is French-speaking. Brussels is officially bilingual but functionally multilingual. YFU will discuss your language background and preferences during application and match you to the appropriate program. Both programs offer pre-departure language preparation.
Similar but distinct. Flemish Dutch (spoken in Belgium) has its own accent, vocabulary, and cultural character quite different from Dutch as spoken in the Netherlands. Exchange students placed in Flanders often find the immersion more culturally rich than expected.
Belgium is geographically central to Western Europe. Paris is under 1.5 hours by Eurostar or TGV; Amsterdam is under 2 hours; London is under 2.5 hours via tunnel; Cologne is around 1.5 hours. For exchange students who want to experience broader Europe during holiday periods, a Belgian placement is one of the most logistically convenient in the region, but travel is only permitted with your host family.
Exceptional and genuinely distinctive. Belgian chocolate, waffles, and beer are famous worldwide – but Belgian home cooking and restaurant culture go well beyond these. Frites (Belgian fries, served with a range of sauces), moules (mussels), waterzooi (Ghent stew), and a remarkable variety of regional specialities make Belgium one of the best-fed exchange destinations on the YFU network.
YFU Belgium offers specialised programs in addition to the standard high school exchange – including programs with a sport science focus. Contact YFU directly for current specialised program availability and intake dates.
Yes. Belgium is part of the Schengen Area, and a national long-stay visa (Type D) is required for programs over 90 days. YFU provides full documentation and application guidance as part of your enrolment.
Enrolment in a public or private school for the first semester and placement in an NGO project for the second semester
Placement in an NGO project (Typically related to childcare, women's care, environmental NGOs)
Our standard all-inclusive program price with no hidden fees.
Host a student and enjoy up to 20% off the program fee, plus receive up to $4000AUD / $4800NZD reimbursement for hosting a student*
Host a student and enjoy up to 20% off the program fee, receive up to $4000AUD / $4800NZD reimbursement for hosting* plus a further $2500 discount when you book your own flights**
*The host a student reimbursement is a payment of $100AUD/$120NZD per week
**When you book your own flights, you will be required to adhere to specific travel dates and arrival times in the destination country. This offer does not include exchange programs to Thailand, Korea, or China.
As everybody is speaking about the FIFA World Cup, millions of people around the globe are gathering to cheer for their favourite teams, celebrate different cultures, and experience the excitement that only a global event can create. But while the World Cup lasts only a few weeks, there’s another international experience that can change your life forever: going on a youth exchange.
The Youth Empowerment Seminar is one of YFU’s largest international youth events, bringing together exchange students, volunteers, facilitators and educators from across the globe for an unforgettable week of learning, leadership and intercultural dialogue.
Cebrail, who spent a life-changing year on an exchange program from New Zealand to Turkey, reflects on his biggest discoveries and lessons learned.
Enquire today about this program. We’ve got experts ready to assist with any enquiry about the countries, programs and the process.
Simply register and attend one of our in-person Information Evenings and you will automatically get $100 off your program fee.
