Erasmus Experience in Amsterdam, Netherlands by Chloé

Why did you choose to go to Amsterdam, Netherlands?

I was looking for an internship relating to graphic design and advertising and I discovered that Amsterdam has very good companies in this field. In addition to this, I had already come here on holiday and I wanted to see more of the city.

Amsterdam

Source

How long did you stay there? How much money did you receive?

My stay lasted just over three months and I received about 200 euros a month.

What is the student life like in Amsterdam?

I worked for a company, which made it difficult to meet local and Erasmus students, which is a shame. Having said that, Amsterdam is undoubtedly a party town.

Amsterdam city centre

Source

Would you recommend the town and University of Amsterdam to other students?

Yes, I completely recommend it. I really did fall in love with the town and the atmosphere which prevails (and I really did not want to leave).

Amsterdam is great for students

Source

What is the country's food like?

I'll be honest: not great. There aren't really a lot of local dishes and the restaurants are quite expensive. It's best to eat salads, soup, fish and sandwiches (which are both good and inexpensive).

There are many restaurants in Amsterdam

Source

Did you have much difficulty finding accommodation in Amsterdam?

Yes, I had a lot of difficulty. The apartments get taken very quickly and there are a huge amount of scams. I would strongly advise you to come to the city to see the accommodations in person.

What's the cost of living like in Amsterdam?

I would say that the cost of living is as expensive as in Paris, in terms of food, rent, etc. By buying a bike, you can really save a lot of money on public transport.

What's the language learning like? Did you take a language course offered by your university?

I did not take a language course whilst I was there; I had to improvise with my knowledge of English. However the language learning is quick, as people take the time to speak and understand, which is really nice. A large majority of the population speak fluent English and many have some knowledge of French language.

What is the cheapest way of getting to Amsterdam from your town?

By bike, the best and cheapest way of getting around in the Netherlands.

What places would you recommend for a night out in Amsterdam?

I highly recommend Melkweg and Paradiso which are the best clubs in town, although there are a lot of other great bars and clubs.

Amsterdam is well known for its nightlife

Source

Paradiso

Source

What about eating out in Amsterdam? What are your favourite places?

I advise going to the Jordaan district, where you will find lots of really nice yet inexpensive places to eat.

You can find a lot of inexpensive restaurants in Jordaan

Source

What places do you recommend for a cultural visit

Go to:

• Vondelpark
• Rijksmuseum
• Amsterdam forest
• Van Gogh Museum

Vondelpark

Source

Rijksmuseum

Source

And of course go by bike. Otherwise, walking through Amsterdam in the middle of the canals will make for an interesting sight.

Any advice for students going to Amsterdam in the future?

Don't limit yourself. Make the most of it, go out and meet people, explore the town. Living in Amsterdam makes for a unique experience.

Cycling is a very efficient way of getting around Amsterdam

Source