Erasmus Experience in Venlo, Netherlands, by Joana

Why did you choose to go to Venlo, Netherlands?

The master that I pretend to enrol it was in Maastricht University, Campus Venlo. So I decided to come here and live in Venlo.

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

I didn't get any scholarships. You need almost 800 euros.

What is the student lifestyle like in Venlo?

There's no student lifestyle in Venlo, is a really small city. It's a really cute and friendly city, but the majority of the population in here are older and there's just a few students.

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

I really enjoy my master, so I don't mind to be in here for study, but I need to recognize that this city is too small for living. And there's almost nothing to do, so really often I get bored. But you can always put such effort on your studies.

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What is the food like?

The dutch people live for potatoes! Mashed potatoes, french fries, all kind of potatoes. And there's almost no fish in here, so the meat is always a good option.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Venlo?

Yes, absolutely! You need to find as possible as you can accomodation, because otherwise will be really difficult.

I need to advise all the students that intend to live in Venlo, because there's a website on internet where they rent houses for students: Woonwenz, I really don't recommend!

How much does it cost to live in Venlo?

• Rent a house: between 250-400 euros (depends on what you want).
• Food: 300 euros.

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

The dutch language is too difficult. In my University there are Dutch courses available, you can always try.

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

By airplane to Eindhoven, and then by train to Venlo (is easy to know the way).

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

Venlo is such a small city, so there's almost no places where to go. But there's a pub in here, called Locomotief, for me it's quite good.

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

Actually, I never tried any restaurant in Venlo. So in these topic I cannot help.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

There' one interesting museum (Limburg's Museum) to visit, one library, cinema, the booster bike, Mind Mistery museum, Spielpark Klein Zwitserland...

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

I think the most important thing (for me the most difficult part) was try to find accommodation..., and please I will say it again: Never choose Woonwenz! It's my biggest advice. Any questions I can answer, contact me!

Good luck!