Erasmus Experience in Eindhoven, Netherlands by julita

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

I was in Eindhoven for about 5 months, I got about 340 € per month from my university to live there, but actually it was not enouth for the accommodation (and food, entertainment etc). However, the prices were not as high as I thought before my arrival.

What is the student lifestyle like in Eindhoven?

During week days students attend classes in university, there are parties mostly on Thursday (events specially for students) and Fridays. There is a sport centre near TU/e where you can play many many sports (swimming, footbal, fitness, zumba, jogging, gym, cardio, salsa, squash... ). Many students (most of them) are studying in the university library (open untill 11 p. m. in/before exam time), what was very unusual for me.

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

Yes if you rather want to study, feel the high level of education than party. But don't be scared, first of all maybe only my faculty/university was like that, secondly it finally was not so hard to pass (I passed all exams and didn't have any problems in my home university) and the people are the most important -not the place, however I'd choose some nicer place :p Nice landscapes in Netherlands, some partys in Eindhoven, museums, festivals etc.

What is the food like?

Well...actually many things in shops were prepares, similar to some kind of fast food, many frozen stuff or thins in cans (soups, sauces, dishes). But of course there was no problem to buy normal fresh vegetables and fruit. There are many diary products in Netherlands like vla -some kind of pudding. And also I recommend a sweet thing called stropwaffels, waffels with syrup between them.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Eindhoven?

No, I used help from university.

How much does it cost to live in Eindhoven?

Well, about 300-400 € for accommodation, I don't remember the rest of costs. But it was not so expensive.

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

There is a dutch course in University but I didn't attend it. I got to know only a few words, for me it was quite hard language, but Dutch people know English very well and you can communicate with almost all the people on the street in English (not only students, youth).

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

By car or by plane, especially while there are good offers with cheap flights from Warsaw to Eindhoven.

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

Stratum, main party street in Eindhoven, but I don't remember the names. Sgt. Pepper Cafe was nice.

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

I haven't been in any restaurant. But I recommend Dutch/Belgian chips with mayonaise sauce! :D

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Amsterdam, wind mills, some cities around the Netherlands

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

Have fun, prepare your cases/projects earlier, don't drink too much, travel!