On Thursday 13 November 2025, we presented our research report Grenzen verlegd: toelatingsprocessen in vergelijkend perspectief at our department. This report is the result of our professional exchange with the Admissions Office of KU Leuven (Belgium), focusing on a comparative study between the admission procedures at KU Leuven and Leiden University.

We took part in this exchange through the Erasmus+ grant for staff exchange (KA131). Nathalie first learned about the opportunities for staff members and invited Habiba to join, ensuring that both the Bachelor’s and Master’s teams were represented. This allowed us to approach the project from multiple perspectives. Because we wanted this exchange to have a meaningful outcome, we involved our colleagues in the preparation phase and asked them to share ideas for the survey questions. The International Relations department supported us in creating our proposal and facilitated initial contact with our colleagues in Leuven.

After several online meetings, we visited KU Leuven for a two-day exchange. We shared experiences and were able to ask specific questions, allowing us to compare both processes. We gathered our findings in a single report and explored them further during the Admissions Office’s annual evaluation.

This staff exchange brought more than just practical insights – it was a real source of inspiration. Learning firsthand from the approaches used in Leuven encouraged us to reflect critically on our own practices and sparked new ideas for improvement. We strongly encourage anyone looking for fresh ideas, personal development, and renewed motivation to consider a staff exchange.

The experience also left a personal impression on us. Working so closely together was both rewarding and enjoyable, and we thoroughly enjoyed meeting our colleagues in Leuven. The conversations brought to light shared challenges and mutual understanding, turning the exchange into a very meaningful experience. To continue this dialogue, we have invited our colleagues at KU Leuven to visit us in Leiden for a return exchange.

Finally, it was gratifying to see our work travel beyond Leiden University. Our contact at KU Leuven shared that he was immediately able to make use of our report in a meeting with the Admissions team at Vrije Universiteit Brussel – a clear sign that collaboration can have an immediate impact.

If you would like to learn more about the report or have any questions, please contact Habiba el Amriti.