Van Orley International Student House - Bruxelles

Chloe B.

My Erasmus experience wouldn’t have been the same if i didn’t live in Van orley but this is only because of the other students also living there that i was privileged to have met , however the house was filthy, and the lift never worked during my stay. The washing and drying machines never worked either making things even harder. While the Brik team did offer some “assistance” they were very cold and always responded (if they responded) with angry emails, which made the whole experience worse. To top it off, the contract was breached when they carried out maintenance during the study season, causing significant disruption . The only good thing about the house is the people .

Ben K.

If you're considering spending a semester in Van Orley International Student House, DO IT. I stayed for fall 2024 and had the time of my life, met tons of people from all over the world that I am now so privileged to call my friends. One of the best experiences of my entire college career.

The only real downside to staying at Van Orley, is the organization running the whole affair, Brik. Brik was effectively asleep at the wheel the whole time, and violated our contract on multiple occasions. If it wasn't for the work of our house fellow Lee, I do not know if the house would have been safe to live in, and I do not mean this as hyperbole. We had non functioning washers and dryers, constant issues with false fire alarms, spotty lighting, and a hostile attitude from the Brik employees themselves. This house has room for about 90 people, the vast majority of whom will be in their early 20s and in college, Brik would send angry emails any time we didn't have the common spaces spotless by 9 AM on monday, and they didn't want us partying after 10 o clock, even on weekends. During study periods I can understand, and as with most things, it was an issue that us residents of Van Orley solved in house, and without incident, but to receive an email threatening to close down the common spaces three weeks into the stay, in September, because some beer cans got left out over the weekend is laughable.

I understand that rent in Brussels is high, and the organization was very likely not making any money on the building, which makes the maintenance issues more understandable, but this group is, to my knowledge a non-profit, and if it isn't it probably should reorganize itself to be one. This makes the constant antagonism even less understandable, why host a house for international students if you have no desire to work with students?

I would've left my review at four stars, since my stay really was that enjoyable even in spite of the absent management, but I recently learned that two of my friends whom I met in Van Orley had their contract violated in a serious way. They rented the room until Feb. 14th, but due to circumstances for them at home had to leave early, not a problem on anyone's end in my opinion. But we then learned that Brik had moved people into their room prior to the end of the contract, and is refusing to refund them for the half month, (for which Brik is receiving two rents!!)

If you move into Van Orley international Student house, expect to have the time of your life and meet amazing and unique people, and expect the group running the house to treat you like an unwelcome squatter whom they will do anything to be rid of. !00% would stay again.

Virág A.

Actually, I have to say that unfortunately the situation has not changed compared to the commentators before me:) A significant part of the 2024/2 half-year tenants have still not received their deposit back, even though the deadline is well overdue, as stated in the contract. Moreover, they do not respond to emails. In addition, I have read through the reviews before me about the cleanliness, the lift, the washing machine, the front doors, the condition of the rooms... I have to say that they are all true. They didn't even seem to put any serious effort into actually fixing any of these things, and there were times when the stoves didn't work for days, there was no clean water... not only did we not get back any compensation for the fact that the place was completely overpriced, but now they refuse to refund even the deposit that we paid in principle and were granted a full refund (personally at least I got the document, with the information from the full amount will be refunded).... However, I don't think I and many of my ex-house mates would leave it at that... I wouldn't exactly recommend the place for the many reasons listed above.

Gabrysia L.

The rooms were well furnished. The common areas were usually clean and the elevator was broken only a few times. At the end of my stay, mold started growing on my wall. The solution that Brik provided was only temporary and the mold came back after two weeks. However, everyone was very friendly, finding a roommate was easy and there were many opportunities to socialize. The house coach was always there to help and the booking process was very easy. The residence is very close to everything that anyone would need. I honestly recommend despite the mold 🙂

Gabriel J. G.

Even though I did not live here, I have more than 15 friends that lived in Van Orley for 20 days (from the 2nd to the 22nd of July of 2023) and I had the opportunity to visit the facility and various rooms, as well as the kitchen. The place has nobody at all administering the building. You can't complain to anyone about the constant problems such as the horrible smell, the pile of trash bags at the entrance, the presence of many bugs and even rats, the disgraceful state of the kitchen, the awful mattresses and their locations within the rooms (above the ground, needing to climb a steep ladder to be able to sleep). Besides, 5 of my friends got stuck in the elevator and they did not exceed the weight that was indicated in the elevator. In short, you should avoid this place at all costs.

Martyna G.

The only advantage of staying in this place is its close location to the centre and the possibility of meeting new people. When I came back home, their staff, without any reason, refused to give my back MY deposit. I had to deal with them for several months, ask for help from KU Leuven, and yet they only did give it back after they heard that I am going to sue them. What is more it's very dirty there, noisy and quite dangerous, as everybody from the street can go inside because nobody controls the front door. I really DO NOT recommend staying there when you are arriving to Brussels.

Hanna-Maryia

From my 5+ year’s experience of living in the student houses all around Europe, this is the worst place I’ve ever been to. Overpriced, dirty, dangerous (no cameras or proper security). Lack of proper problem-solving from the administration of Brik and lack of respect to students’ rights to eat in a clean kitchen, not to participate in the parties at 3 am during workday (complain how many times you want) and have a good hearing system in your small room where you can touch two opposing walls with your spread hands (the heating in my room didn’t work for 4 weeks during November). Not to mention other small details like the broken elevator, overpriced laundry machines and no private mail box. Think twice and don’t make the same mistakes of thinking that is the only option for an Erasmus student.

Corutiu M.

Locul vine cu plusuri si minunuri. Locatia este foarte buna, langa metrou si statia de tramvai.
Caminul nu este bine intretinut, nu pare administrat de nimeni. Personalul este, cateodata, binevoitor, dar problemele majore, precum lipsa caldurii in lunile de iarna, curatenia, gunoiul, nu se rezolva, decat prin scandal. Liftul este foarte problematic, adesea nu functioneaza pentru ca se blocheza cu oameni, cel putin o data pe saptamana. Este un loc bun de intalnit oameni, si pentru petreceri, deoarece nimeni nu urmareste ce se intampla in cladire 🙂