Many foreign students coming for studies in the Netherlands every year. Holland is famous with its rich traditions and very attactive cities.

The Hague

Apart from Amsterdam, there are many other Dutch cities which attract a lot of foreign students. One of them is the Hague – a city full of employment opportunities, amazing natural beauty, rich history and active nightlife.

Dutch parliament and governmental Royal court are situated there as well. It’s a pleasant and vibrant place to study, boasting an 11 km coastline, 850 restaurants, pubs and cafés, 30 theatres, 26 cinema screens, 45 museums and 4,200 shops. What’s more, it hosts Parkpop every June, one of Europe’s largest free pop festivals.

«The Hague is a fun place to go to university – and I say that both as an international officer and as a former student. I had a great time when I was at university here,» says Nicki van Campenhout from The Hague University. The beach is a particular draw. “That’s one of our major assets. For students, in the summer, it’s a big plus.” The university has a fully equipped fitness centre and sports hall. Having fun in the Netherlands is affordable.

The Hague University says students typically spend between €600 and €1,000 per month on accommodation, food and living expenses. The most expensive element of student life is socialising. To go to a big club costs about €10 to €15. Dutch students tend to have house parties, rather than head out to bars and clubs.

Groningen

Jessica Winters, a spokesperson for Groningen University, says socialising comes easily for its international cohort. “Groningen is one of the most fun student cities in the Netherlands,” she says. “The place was elected City of the Year 2010 and scored highest on tourism and recreation. “It’s a city with a relaxed atmosphere,” says Winters. “It’s safe, yet full of life. Not too big, not too small, and with easy access to all European cities.

It’s one of the Netherlands’ hidden jewels, nicknamed ‘student heaven’ by Dutch students.”

How to find a place to live in the Netherlands

There are several ways for a student to find a place to live in the Netherlands. International students should look for their university’s Facebook pages, scour their websites, and get in touch with international offices. Some Dutch universities offer their international students a place in a dormitory.

Local accommodation search websites can also help. Many new students will have met, chatted and found shared flats over the internet, often even before leaving their home country. A few Dutch higher education institutions have a campus and the others have buildings scattered throughout a city.

The institutions and destinations may offer wildly different environments. International students should do some research before filling out their application forms and choose a university in a city which would seem the most attractive for their personalities.

Source: Independent