My experience of Amsterdam during Erasmus, Víctor

Why did you choose to go to Amsterdam, Netherlands?

I basically like the North, and the cold weather. I always travel to North in Summer to run away from beaches.

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

I received 900€ in total for the 3 months I stayed in Amsterdam.

What is the student lifestyle like in Amsterdam?

It was exciting for me because I've never been in any other place than Spain. So seeing new things everyday was a real shock, and the fact that people did different things to what I was used to see was really cool.

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

I wouldn't recommend the University as I wasn't studying there. But I surely recommend Amsterdam as a city to visit, and to study and work.

What is the food like?

Amsterdam is a multicultural city so the food feels like any other city where there are many people from many places. You can find Hindi food restaurants, Vietnamese, Chinese, Italian, fast food chains, etc. Netherlands also has cities where they're used to some kind of food like Volendam that has a lot of sea food, and even mixed with other cultures' food.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Amsterdam?

Yes, I had to pay 2 online services and only one of them worked for me to find a room. Which was 750€/month.

How much does it cost to live in Amsterdam?

I guess it can be a bit expensive even in the outskirts. But with patience you can find a bargain.

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

I didn't have any problem with English. I don't know about the availability of a course at the University.

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

For me it was by plane.

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

Knijn Bowling with friends.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

That's something it would be cool to explore on one's own. And ask there to the people living there, which is more exciting. I never looked for information about Amsterdam, I just took my bike and rode the city to see new things.