Erasmus Experience in Groningen, Netherlands by Elli

Source

What is the student lifestyle like in Groningen?

Groningen is a student city, so the studentts can have a lot of fun during the weekend and during the working days. Too many pubs &club to go; and a lots of parties with the themes. If the party time is one of your habits might be the ideal city. But many Dutch get drunk easily.

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

For a student life or for a calm life is a very beautiful and with low criminality city. I would love to stay here and go go everywhere with my bicycle. The university is very demanding, but it can provide you many facilities & knowlenge. Almost all the staff of university is able to help and guide you. Many career opportunities and experiments equipment.

What is the food like?

The traditional dishes are not very well-tasting according to my preferences, but some sweets are delicious and you can feel addicted easily! Also the food in the restaurants is very expensive, but when you cook at ome it is okay! Further, I would propose to find the "free caffe"; Quite enough and free food.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Groningen?

The agencies take advantage of you. You should be careful or look for a room through some reliable sites (e. g students in Groningen on fb and kammernet). To find a room is a matter of coincidence or after a lot of searching. I suggest someone to search months before his/her arrival and to have a free place to live for a while (in a friend's room).

Source

How much does it cost to live in Groningen?

If you are lucky you can find a room from 250 €! But the majority of them cost from 300-500 euros. There are housing benefits if sb lives alone in a studio {and has his/her own kitchen & bathroom and number in the door}. Then if you are (I think) 21 and above and student, you can take from Dutch goverment 200-300 euros per month as extra help.

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

Yes, there are, but you have to register very quick to start immediately. It is a language that mix English and German. So depends on the nationality how difficult can it be! There are also seperate courses for German students or students who speak German.

Source

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

The plane is usually the cheapest and easiest way to come to the Netherlands. Once you're in the country, you can travel economically by train from city to city in the coutry! There is a group on Facebook (NS group for many cities of the Netherlands) that you can take a ticket of 7 euros instead of 25 euros and more... It is available and helpful for everyone. As for my city? only by plane...

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

Of course! There are too many events daily!

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

Pasta Fabric is a cheap and full of student restaurant. Olijfboom -Greek restaurant, it is cheap for take away or for a beer and some dishes.

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

Search early for a home, avoid the students houses (you will share a bathroom with 10 persons), find the community of students lawers for housing advises and do not lose your patient! The most difficult thing in Groningen is to find a house!

Source