Lively music blasts in the room, while people converse, joke and play cards. A couple is playing scrabble at the next table, while another group huddles over a laptop. Such is a typical night at Pangaea, K.U.Leuven’s international meeting place.

With over 960 members this academic year, Pangaea is expanding quickly. Offering a wide range of services, this international platform welcomes all and aims to create a comfortable and relaxed space for everyone.

“Pangaea is a home away from home for people living in Leuven,” explains Sabine De Jaeger, one of Pangaea’s counselors. Pangaea offers a place for international students to relax and meet new people in a foreign country. Nonetheless, its membership is not restricted to international students only. In fact, 20% of the total membership is Belgian, despite its image as an exclusive platform for the international community. “That is a common misconception,” says De Jaeger, and she ensures that Pangaea is open to all, student or non-student, foreigner or otherwise.

Since its creation in 1994, Pangaea has been providing ways for people to come together and share cultures. Today, the Pangaea lounge, complete with wireless internet, international and local newspapers and magazine, a ping pong table and various board games, is a popular meeting place for students. One of the well-known benefits of being a member of Pangaea is the privilege of enjoying free, fair trade coffee and tea. Moreover, Pangaea’s facilities: the kitchen, video room and lounge are all available for rent.

For those interested in learning a new language or practicing language skills in an informal atmosphere, Pangaea is a place to do so. Led by native speakers, Pangaea organizes conversation groups three times a week where people can get together to converse in English, Dutch, German, Spanish and French. Creative writing and Arabic classes have also existed in the past thank to volunteers, and may be on offer again this year.

However, Pangaea has more things to offer than free hot drinks and language exchanges. Every year, Pangaea organizes trips to less known places in Belgium. With additional fees, these one-day excursions take members to places that are difficult to reach by public transport such as the Ardennes and Flanders Fields in Ypres. The routes, tested by the Pangaea team itself, promise some of the most scenic views of Belgium. In recent years, Pangaea members have also traveled abroad together. This year five-day trip to the city of Prague is guaranteed to be an exciting experience for all involved.

If what Pangaea currently offers does not fulfill someone’s need, its open door policy allows members to propose ideas and ask support from Pangaea. Anyone with an idea concerning cultural events such as the recent Bollywood Movie Night, are welcome to suggest their idea.

R

un by volunteers Pangaea is opened six days a week. Membership costs 4 euro for students and 12.50 euro for non students. Upon signing up, members receive a mug with which he or she can enjoy free coffee and tea at Pangaea. For more information about visit the website: www.kuleuven.be/pangaea, or find Pangaea on Facebook. Better yet, come visit Pangaea and experience the atmosphere live. |