Erasmus Experience in Rotterdam, Netherlands, by Adrià

Why did you choose to go to Rotterdam, Netherlands?

Because it's a place where I could speak english in the University (for example in Germany you must know german almost everywhere). And also because of Codarts that it seemed to me a creative and nice place to learn.

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

It's 5 months and I recived 300 euros per month.

What is the student lifestyle like in Rotterdam?

Because of the weather it's difficult to go out on the streets or parks with the friends, but you can go to a caffé or to a mate's home and enjoy the warm and the company. Everyone in Rotterdam use bike, so I reccommend you strongly to buy one (you can find a good one for 100 euros).

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

Before going to Rotterdam I thought it was a grey and ugly city, but I was completely wrong because when I arrived I falled in love with the green of the parks and the nice modern architecture. And I reccomend my university, Codarts, because it's a very open minded place with a lot of field for innovation and artistic research.

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What is the food like?

It's not bad but it could be better. Try to buy cheese, rodekool, worst and peanut cookies, for me are the best things in the supermarket. By the way I reccomend you the supermarket called "Dirk", It's way better than the most famous in Holland that is Albert Hein. Also you must try the hassaloon, a typical meal in the kebabs of Rotterdam.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Rotterdam?

No, but I know people who struggled a lot to find a place, so I reccommend you to start 2 months before searching for a place.

How much does it cost to live in Rotterdam?

I lived faraway from the centre so I payed only 300 euros every month for the rent (I was very lucky) and 70-100 euros for the food. And if you don't have bike another 100 euros for the transport.

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

It's very difficult to learn dutch in 5 months, almost impossible if you don't study it, but you'll learn some nice words.

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

The easiest is by plane to the Hage-Rotterdam airport. From there you can take a very fast bus, 20 min, for 4 euros to the centre of Rotterdam. If you go to Amsterdam Schiphol airport you'll have to take a train for 11 euros.

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

You must go to the Performance bar, where some people do very special shows and there is also nice music. The place is incredible for people who love art.

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

Va Piano, in the shopping centre is probably the best place to eat healthy and good price. But also I reccomend you the kebabs (Has).

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Don't miss the beautiful parks in a sunny day. You can go to the Hage, Delft and Utrecht, you can reach them in less than 30 minutes and are very very nice. Of course you have to visit the Blaak Market and the Maarktal. And if you like doing sport, I reccomend you to visit the south of Rotterdam (way to Dordrecht) by bike, because the landscape is incredible and the bikeways are perfect.

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

Yes. If you buy a bike always lock it with a very resistant lock, because a lot of bikes are stolen every day. My bike was stolen, because they cut my lock.