Erasmus Experience in Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Why did you choose to go to Rotterdam, the Netherlands?

To be honest I didn't choose it. My first choice was Milan but my university made a mistake with terms... This meant that I couldn't go to Milan and as I had a friend going to Rotterdam I automatically changed to that and I loved every moment of it!

How long does the grant last? How much money do you get for help?

The grant was €1375 for the 5 month period. I asked for a loan of €2000 which I ended up spending later on a PC and on cards....

Source

What's the student environment like in Rotterdam?

Very energetic, united and with the spirit of initiative!

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

Yes! A beautiful city with hardly any traffic, where the majority of people get around by bike. Wide roads with lots of gardens and lakes with ducks and swans. With the help that almost everyone speaks English fluently... It's a very active city with a very young population, and it's very multicultural which helps you to meet people from the whole world!

How's the country's food?

It wasn't what I liked the most only because their custom is to have just one dish (at dinner)... during the day they eat lots of sandwiches, croquettes and chips (which they sell on the road). Strangely, I really liked the Turkish pizzas which you find all around the city (a thin pizza dough with fresh vegetables inside which you eat rolled up with garlic sauce and spicy sauce, according to your taste).

Source

How did you find accommodation?

I looked on various sites and asked the person responsible for international relations at the Rotterdam Hogeschool for his opinions. I ended up staying with a friend of this man who rented to students. It was close to the central station. (The house housed 2 students and, for financial reasons, he also shared the master bedroom with a friend).

How are the accommodation prices? And the prices in general?

They're quite high... the African Inn was suggested to us which was €550/month for a single room with a WC and tiny (I mean tiny) kitchen in the room... But you can always find other cheaper alternatives and we ended up only spending €190/month sharing a room in a house rented to students.

What's the language like? Did you attend a language course at the university?

I had a unit dedicated to Dutch and these classes were really fun.. The language will scare you at the beginning but there are lots of similarities with English and German. (There are lots of words that I think look like English written by a Portuguese person, e. g. Dat = That)

What is the cheapest way to get to Rotterdam from your city?

The cheapest way I found was with low-cost flights to Brussels and then getting a train to Rotterdam. Don't forget to book the train in advance.

Where would you recommend for a night out in Rotterdam?

Every day of the week a different bar will have happy hour! Only those who really want it stay home.

And eating out in Rotterdam? Can you name your favourite places?

They sell Turkish pizzas everywhere for about €1. 75, they don't sell much pizza, but it's very good. I miss the pizza the most!

And in terms of cultural visits?

There are lots of interesting places to visit and in the university they give you a badge which lets you get into lots of museums for free!

Source

Do you have any advice you'd like to give future students in Rotterdam?

Buy a second-hand bike and a good lock. They give you a free discount card in Albert Heijn (supermarkets you find everywhere) but if you live close to a Lidl or Aldi these are cheaper. Buy a discount card at a train station which will give you good discounts on trips. Make sure you go to Amsterdam which is less than an hour train journey away, and make sure you go to Belgium, even if it's just for the day. Go with an open mind, ready to meet new people and have fun and, of course, "Don't drink and cycle".