Tienen (The Brussels Morning newspaper): The Alexianen care group in Tienen hosts 14 theology students and nuns, fostering a calming atmosphere in a psychiatric hospital. The initiative, supported by KU Leuven, provides affordable housing while enhancing community ties through shared activities.
The Alexianen care group in Tienen has set up a special living situation that mixes student housing with a psychiatric hospital. The property has 14 non-traditional students in residence. Instead of those who might go out for nightlife, these residents are theology students and nuns from other countries.
How does the Alexianen care group’s student housing benefit patients?
According to Lambeir, who represents the Alexianen care group, this setup helps create a good connection between the students and the hospital. The students, who are nuns in training, bring a calming and spiritual presence to the place, which fits well with the care group’s focus on therapy and community. He mentioned that their presence is different from the usual student lifestyle, and their dedication to their studies and religious paths helps create a peaceful atmosphere in the psychiatric hospital.
It has been said that living there is like being in a different home. Each person has a room, and there’s a kitchen and a common area to hang out. The students stay on the hospital grounds in a special section. This helps the sisters save money, and it also makes the place feel more lively, especially on weekends when some patients go home and it gets quiet. The students are also asked to spend about 4 hours a week doing things with the residents, like taking walks or just spending time together.
The director of Alexianen Tienen was asked by KU Leuven to help start a project. They have a good relationship with the university, so they agreed right away. It was a great chance for them. For KU Leuven, this project helps students find cheaper places to live because finding affordable housing in Leuven is tough. That’s why the university asked for help. Along with the 14 foreign sisters, some interns also stay with the Alexians in Tienen. If the interns have long internships, they can stay there for a while.
