Experience in Wageningen, Netherlands by Annemiek

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

It is great to be a student in Wageningen. The city is really a student city; everywhere you go, there are students. I would certaintly recommend Wageningen, if you like a city that feels like a small village and where everything is reached in max. 10-15 minutes by bike.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Wageningen?

As Wageningen is a relatively small city, you run into people from everywhere. Although it is a small city, you won't get bored easily. The university has a very good sports centre (very cheap), where you can do all kinds of (individual) sports, or you can join one of the many student sports associations. About partying, Wageningen does not have a big club or something, but there are many pubs in the centre. The student associations have open parties every Thursday, where, next to members, also non-members are invited. As a Dutch student, I can't say anything about the ESN association for Erasmus students, but I know they organise activities regularly.

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How much does it cost to live in Wageningen?

As Wageningen is not as big of a city as e. g. Amsterdam, rooms are relatively cheap. There are certainly differences, but if you don't want a 25m2 room, you'll be fine. Idealis is the organisation that arranges student housing, the halls of residence, but this organisation is not part of Wageningen University. I think Wageningen University has some rooms specifically available to foreign students, but I don't know how that is arranged exactly, as I am a Dutch student.

Cost of living apart from rooms is not higher than in other parts of the Netherlands. It depends on the supermarket you do your groceries and which brands you buy, but if you buy the right products, it does not have to be expensive. It always pays off to eat with a group. You'll see that that is much cheaper that cooking for one person. Lidl and Aldi are the cheapest supermarkets of Wageningen, but Albert Heijn and C1000 have cheap products too.

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

It is easier to find accommodation in Wageningen than in Amsterdam of course, but it depends on the moment you're searching how easy it is. In the beginning of a new college year, august/september, a lot of students are looking for a room so it will be a bit harder.

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

You can find anything you'd like, as Wageningen is a very international city.

What places would you recommend visiting in Wageningen?

I recommend going to an open party of all student associations, so that you've seen all of them and know where you like it the most.

In 20 minutes by bus, you're on the train station and you can reach all parts of the Netherlands in a few hours, so you can plan all kinds of trips.

In just a few minutes you're out of the city and you're in the meadows between the cows, which is really nice. It's great to go running or cycling.

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

In the city centre around the church, there are enough cosy restaurants. In one of them you can eat a hamburger with fries and salat for just 6 euros (of better quality than McDonalds). By the way, you won't find a McDonalds/Burger King/KFC or anything like that in Wageningen. I guess because the city wants to have a green, healthy image.

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

Go to the open parties of the student associations, and the pubs in the city centre.

What advice would you give future students headed to Wageningen?

Prepare yourself for a trip when you land on the airport Schiphol. From there, it is a bit more than an hour by train to train station Ede-Wageningen and then 20 minutes by bus to Wageningen. Also, when you want to travel within the Netherlands, buy a day ticket when they are on sale at a supermarkt or kruitvat/hema/blokker, that is much cheaper than buying a normal retour ticket!