Experience in Nijmegen, Netherlands by Fleur

What is it like to live in Nijmegen? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

As a student Nijmegen is a great city to live in! To start with, Nijmegen is the oldest city of the Netherlands, which makes that it is very beautiful. Besides that, this year Nijmegen was named the Summer Capital of Holland, which for me is entirely true. At the start of the summer you have the Zomerfeesten, during which Nijmegen basically transforms to a 7 day festival with music and entertainment all over town. It's really great! Further we have lots of nice parks and other places to go to!

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And during the winter it is really cool that Nijmegen is so close by the German border, so you can go to all kinds of Christmas markets!

Overall you could say Nijmegen is a very social, open minded and active student city

What is the student lifestyle like in Nijmegen?

Because Nijmegen is known to be a student city everything is kind of adjusted to that. For example, there are all kinds of discounts for students around the whole city. From the bars and restaurants to the hairdressers. Also all kinds of events for students take place during the whole year.

How much does it cost to live in Nijmegen?

This is actually one of the few disadvantages of living in Nijmegen as a student. Because there are so many people coming to study in Nijmegen, for Dutch students it's quite hard and expensive to find a room. However, if you're a foreign student and you're going to the Radboud University the International Office probably can help you with finding a room. Lots of Dutch students are subrenting their room in Nijmegen while gone for Erasmus, so foreign Erasmus students can stay in their rooms.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Nijmegen? Is there any advice you can give?

Although it's hard for Dutch students to find a place in Nijmegen, I think if you're a foreign student it could be easier. If you're going to the Radboud University the International Office probably can help you with finding a room. Lots of Dutch students are subrenting their rooms in Nijmegen while gone for Erasmus, so foreign Erasmus students can stay in their rooms

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

There is not specifically one type of food that I like in Nijmegen, but there is a place on campus with the best coffee! It's the DE-cafe. They serve Starbucks-like coffee, only so much cheaper

What places would you recommend visiting in Nijmegen?

In the summer you should definitely go to 'Het waalstrand' and to 'De kaaij'.

Het waalstrand is a tiny beach to the river which is great to hang out with friends.

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And 'De kaaij' is this little area of foodtrucks underneath the Waalbrug which is only there in summer.

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Is it good to eat out in Nijmegen? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

It is really affordable for a student to eat out in Nijmegen. Just make sure you take your student card with you.

My favourite spots are Dromaai, de Muis, van Buren and Tati.

Is the nightlife good in Nijmegen? Where is good to go?

For a good party you can go every Thursday night to the Molenstraat and surroundings. The El Sombrero, Malle Babbe, de Fuik, TKB, Underground, are all nice. Further, there are lots of parties which you can attend to but which you have to know of. And to just grab a beer you can go to Samson (which is a special beer cafe) or to the Grote Markt and just strike down on one of the terraces.

What advice would you give future students heading to Nijmegen?

Make sure you become member of some kind of study associations so you know where you can find the good parties and other fun activities. For housing contact the International Office of the RU or look at websites like SSHN or Kamernet. But overall, just take part in a lot of stuff and have a wonderfull Erasmus experience!

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