Erasmus Experience in Leeuwarden, Netherlands by Becks

Why did you choose to go to Leeuwarden, Netherlands?

I was accepted to do an internship.

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

350€ x 3 months.

The usual price for housing in Leeuwarden is 320-400€ so its helping to pay the rent. Unluckily I have to say that Leeuwarden houses (and in general in all the Netherlands) have quite low quality. The housing price is too high for the characteristics of the houses and the rooms.

What is the student lifestyle like in Leeuwarden?

I am not really in the university but in a research center. Nevertheless I have visited all the faculties here and I can say they are quite well built, and modern. As far as I saw, the school system is based in group work rather than studying and exams.

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

The city is not too big, and unlukily is 2h away from the heart of the Netherlands (Utrecht, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Den Haag etc). Nevertheless, I have had a good time here, i was lucky with the people i have been sharing this experience.

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What is the food like?

Dutch food in general is not a great thing, (Their typical dishes are smashed potatoes/carrots with meat, soup and pancakes). But their sweet things are just AMAZING. Stroopwafels, orange cake, butter cake.

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Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Leeuwarden?

Yes. Finding accomodation could be a nightmare if you are start looking in the wrong dates (September). Besides, the choose system is different. The roomates choose you instead you chosing a room. Moreover, a lot of the students are German and they want other germans to live with them. So yes, a nightmare.

IMPORTANT: most houses are empty (Even the floor is missing in some rooms!, you can buy second hand things by facebook group or second hand stores)

In this page you can try to find something.

How much does it cost to live in Leeuwarden?

Housing -350 aprox

Food- Items are a little bit more expensive than in Spain. Specially fish and vegetables. Milk is cheaper or similar price and meat is similar price.

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

Everybody speaks english, so no problem at all.

Stenden offers Dutch course for foreigners.

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

- Daagkart (Day tickets) (sell in some supermarkets or stores each two moths) 14-18€ and you can travel during a day all around the Netherlands as much as you can.

- Group tickets (from 7-14€, the same travel conditions as day tickets) Check facebook:

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

Although LWD is not too big, it has enough clubs (Club Red, Hemingway, Shooters, Bastille)

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

Not really, i am sorry.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

City tour on Saturday morning. Check the event in this page.

Is there any other advice that you could give to future students who are going to Leeuwarden?

Bring waterproof clothes!

Buy a second hand bike WITH a HUGE lock.