Erasmus Experience in Amsterdam, Netherlands, by Luc

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Why did you choose to go to Amsterdam, Netherlands?

I needed to choose a European country to be able to get the Erasmus help. I chose Netherlands because I've heard that dutch were very nice and that Amsterdam is a beautiful city. Furthermore, the Vrije Universiteit is a very good university well-ranked in different domains.

How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

My scholarship is during a whole semester but dutch divide their semester into 3 periods where you can study different courses (e. g. 2 courses during 8 weeks for 12 ECTS, then 1 during 8 weeks for 6 ECTS and finally 2 during 8 weeks for 12 ECTS).

In my case I chose to follow courses during the two first periods (2 courses then 3) like that I don't need to have courses during the last period (I finish by the end of May) and I'm able to visit the country.

I receive a help of 580 euros during my whole period.

What is the student lifestyle like in Amsterdam?

It's so cool!

The life is amazing. First important point is that everybody can and is pleased to speak in english, so you never can be lost or misunderstood. Furtherore, Amsterdam is full of good pubs, nightclubs and lot of different places made for students. The universities has their own campus with own stores which help to meet lot of other people.

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

Definitely yes, I'm even trying to find an internship because I don't want to comeback now... People are nice and polites, life is cheap if you choose to get a bike (shops are mainly hard discounter so you can easily get buy for 10 euros for a week). There's so much beautiful places to go.

Last but not least, dutch are so used to strangers that you can become really friend with people from Netherlands during your semester (and from other countries!).

What is the food like?

Actually, Netherlands doesn't have a rich food culture but it doesn't matter as you can find food from different countries (France, Germany... ) If you want to try dutch specialities, they have very good cheese (and I'm speaking as a French who eat cheese every time). Furthermore, their vegetables are the best I've ever tried, and for cheap. It's the same for the fish.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Amsterdam?

No, I found it on Uniplaces.

How much does it cost to live in Amsterdam?

Between 300 euros (the campus) to 800 euros (accomodations called "Student hotels", popular in Amsterdam and very nice).

Actually, you can find any prices depending on the services you want to have.

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Amsterdam from your city?

By plane.

But, in the city, by bike. You can't spend a good semester without it, furthermore, it will help you feel better after the beers...

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Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Amsterdam?

In Leidseplein, the place with all the nightclubs. If you want to hang out in bars, Jordaan is the place to go (District in the NW of the city).

And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Amsterdam?

Actually as I said earlier, they don't have a big food culture but as the country is attractive and a lot of people come here to open their own restaurant. I only have in my street an american, a french, a thai, a mexican, an indian and a moroccan restaurant. And all are good. Just avoid their fast foods (except for Burger King and McDonald's which are almost the same everywhere if you like it).

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Museumplein with the 3 main museums in Amsterdam, the Anne Franck's house, the Red Light District (still something to do), and Heineken Experience (but I recommend the Brouwerij brewery if you like good beers, furthermore the visit is free).

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Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Amsterdam in the future?

Just go a 100 %. My only regrets for the moment are the activities I missed.

One last good advice I think especially for people coming for far countries is to check the prices to go in other places. Amsterdam is a port in the center of Europe and it costs 11 euros to go to Copenhague or 30 euros to go to Dublin so if you wanna enjoy some destinations during your semester, just do it.

Finally, it is very easy to get a job in Amsterdam, especially if you speak a different language (there are a lot of calling centers hiring Erasmus students all over the year). It can help you to enjoy more your semester by doing more things.

Good travel.

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