In some institutions the university is taking care of mostly very limited numbers of housing. (Stuttgart, Nancy, Stockholm). You have sometimes to pay advances while still being in your country (Stockholm) or in any case to inform the host country coordinator when you will arrive.
In other cases the university reserves a batch of accomodation on the private market in order to offer you a decent accommodation. (Gent).
You also can choose at the private market but that in many cases the availability is limited certainly when you start your search in September.
ADVICE: inform your self on the websites of the host universities or with the host coordinators.
 

You can give your preferences but it's always the steering committee who will distribute the students taking in account a balanced distribution over the partners, your preferences and your track choice.
 

In principle you cannot but during holiday periods. In some cases you have to within the program mobility (summer event) or for research reasons. You need a very serious reason in all aother cases and ALWAYS inform the local and general coordinators.
 

When accepted and allowed a scholarship you are ensured by the European insurance (ACE).
You can find this information here.
However in some countries extra local insurance can be advised.

1-Contact your local coordinator and inform him/her of your arrival. He/she will help you with practical matters.
2-Get your accommodation and accommodation address.
3-Register at the community for a residence permit. Insist on the full academic year.
4-Go to a bank and open an account.

5-Send your bank data and your new address to Frank.Janssens@ugent.be

6-Don't miss the information activities for foreign students (if any)
7-Don't miss courses.
8-If you cannot come or you have to return for very serious reasons please inform your local coordinator and Frank Janssens as soon as possible.

7-What if I have to pay separately for mandatory language courses ?

Since this year obtaining visa for our partner countries has become more difficult even when you already spent one year in Europe, especially for those countries where our subject has political connotations.Therefore we advise you to start as soon as possible with the visa application. Read very carefully at the consular websites what kind of documents you need and ask how long it can take. Two months are NO exception these days.