Erasmus Experience in Emmen, Netherlands by Ioana

Why did you choose to go to Emmen, Netherlands?

I chose to go to Emmen for the university that is in there, Stenden. I heard a lot of good things about it before and also visited it beforehand.

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

I get 170 euros every month until August.

What is the student lifestyle like in Emmen?

The student lifestyle is fun if you get to know the people there. Emmen does not really have a lot of clubs and pubs, but the parties at people house’s are great.

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

The city is nice and not...in the sense that it is a really quiet place, really polite and friendly people, but not so much fun. The prices are lower than in other cities in the Netherlands, so it is not that bad. The university is great, though. Really open-minded teachers, atmosphere at classes is relaxed, but still learning what you need to.

What is the food like?

The thing is that you do not have so many options to eat. There are some restaurants in the city centre and some in the mall. There are a couple of fast-foods, but also restaurants where you could eat something.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Emmen?

Yes, I had to pay a sign up fee when I chose to stay in the student campus through Student Stay.

How much does it cost to live in Emmen?

Basically, if you are not the type to throw money everywhere, it is not that expensive. You can easily live with 600-650 euros per month, from which 350-400 is the rent.

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

The language is pretty hard at the beginning, but then you can get used to it. There is a Dutch course available at the university, so there are possibilities to get to know the language.

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

Taking the train from Emmen to Amsterdam and then the plane.

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

I would say Mariposa or Cafe de Zwetser. Although, most of the craziest nights I had were either in the student campus or in someone’s house.

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

ChefBurger has some really good burgers and deals.

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

If you are not from the Netherlands, get your rain clothes ready. You never know when it is going to rain, as the weather is really unpredictable. On the other hand, if you are a really party person and can’t stay a week without clubbing, Emmen is not really the perfect place. An alternative for that is travelling to Groningen which is really close.