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Erasmus Experience in Leiden, Netherlands by Dionisio

Cristiano Ronaldo

Published by flag-it Cristiano Ronaldo — 5 years ago

0 Tags: flag-nl Erasmus experiences Leiden, Leiden, Netherlands

  • Architecture and landscape
    10 / 10 points
  • Entertainment
    8 / 10 points
  • Culture and customs
    8 / 10 points
  • Transport
    10 / 10 points
  • Gastronomy
    6 / 10 points
  • Prices
    6 / 10 points
  • Party
    6 / 10 points
  • Weather
    4 / 10 points

Why did you choose to go to Leiden, Netherlands?

I chose to go to Leiden, Netherlands for several reasons:

  • Because I like Dutch lifestyle; People are so easy-going: they patiently work/study hard but in their daily planning they save some hours in the evening to relax, meet people, have dinner with family and friends; they have a systematic approach to their days: this could be monotonous, but that was what I need because where I live, in Italy, we are not used tu organize our life, to separate spare time from work and private life and the own job.
  • Moreover, I find a better value system; e. g. : even if Dutches are richer than Italians, they are less materialsitic than us (Italians spend their money in bigger houses and in a second or a third car, even if they do not really need. A Dutch family owns a normal house, and at most one car and it's richer and lives better).
  • There is not pollution: everybody uses a bike or public transport.

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  • Leiden is youthful crowded. It is a cultural melting pot

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

    I received about 230€ per month. (5 months: a little more than 1000 euros).

    What is the student lifestyle like in Leiden?

  • Student can rest easy in Leiden. I don't know how the other European university are, but I can say that if that University was in Italy, that would be an excellence. It's big, operating, aesthetically pleasing. Lessons are not different from mine (i. e. : the same quality), at the countrary the exam system is totally different and I spent much time to understand it (in particular, you have to care bureaucracy! But other students and employees are always glad to help you).
  • About language, I heard more English that Dutch, so English speaking is more than enough.
  • There is no criminality (apart from bike theft, maybe, but it is not a scourge).
  • There are many pubs, clubs, coffee shop where you can spend your spare time and nights. Anyway, there are always train (day and night) to go to events in Amsterdam (35 min. ), Den Haag, or in every part of the Netherlands and Europe [most of train are provided with wi-fi; prices are higher than Italian trains]. Morover there are many common carrier: you can book a cheap bus to have a weekend in another European city.
  • Spring is pleasant, in that season days are so long-lasting.
  • Winters are very very cold: it snows and canals are often freezed.

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

    Sure. Go to Leiden! City and University will welcome with open arms.

    What is the food like?

  • Netherlands is not famous for its culinary tradition. Anyway I tasted some good dishes. YOU MUST TASTE raw herring with onions, but if you can't do that, you can eat fried fishes in the beautiful open market in the city centre (Wednesday and Saturday). Thanks to my Dutch friends i tasted other traditional food and I can say that I generally liked that (excelent cheese, pannenkoeken, erwtensoep, stroopwafel).
  • Anyway if you don't like to taste different food, you can buy food from every part of the world at supermarkets : Albert Heijn/ Hoogvliet or go out for dinner/lunch to the many traditional restaurants or fastfoods strewn in the city.

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    Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Leiden?

    Finding an accomodation in Leiden is very simple. You can do it by the Internet or/and going to the useful Visitor Centre sited opposite to the Leiden Centraal station.

    How much does it cost to live in Leiden?

    Cost of living are upper-average.

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

    As i writed English is the only necessary language.

    Most of courses are taken in English, but you'd better check on the website.

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

    I spent less then 100€ to fly from Naples to Amsterdam Schiphol (transavia.com) and to take the train from Schiphol to Leiden Centraal

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

    If it's not so cold I recommend to spend your time on the open bars on the canals in the city centre (Einstein Pub, for example), but there are many clubs where you can go. I strongly suggest to make friends with your housemates and decide to organize with them.

    Experiencia Erasmus en Leiden, Países Bajos por Dionisio

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

    When I missed home, I went to Sorrento restaurant (Watersteeg) to have a pizza, but you can choose among so many restaurants (i don't remember them! )

    What good cultural sites are there to visit?

    In Leiden there are Museums, Libraries, Orthus Botanicus. You can move to Amsterdam to visit famous museums (Van Gogh, etc.. ). During the spring you must go to Lisse to visit the biggest flower park of Europe (keukenhof). Feel free to join the parade on the Queensday.

    Source

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

    I think I've written enough about Leiden.

    Finally I can only say that Leiden deserves to be lived, not only read!

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