Moving to a new place brings many challenges and opportunities; that’s common knowledge. However, moving to a new country can surprise and change you even more than you think! This is why it’s important to be well informed and make the most out of your temporary (or permanent) stay in a foreign country.

This series of articles is made especially for our beloved foreign exchange students, for whom a stay of 4 months eventually feels like 4 weeks. We know the feeling, which is why we want to prepare you as well as possible for you stay in the Netherlands with basic information, tips and some pointers from locals!

So, you decided on the Netherlands for exchange? Believe it or not: we have more than Amsterdam!

Yes, Holland is mostly known for Amsterdam. Maybe you have also heard about our Red Light District, wooden shoes, recreational drug habits and bikes. We are sorry to let you down, but just like how New York is not the same as The U.S.A.; Amsterdam does not equal the Netherlands. Thus, in the following article we would like to show you all the other student cities in the Netherlands!

1. Delft

This city has a very rich history, ranging from legendary artists like Vermeer and the world famous Delftware. But what does this city offer you as a student? The Delft Technical University is highly praised, both nationally and internationally. The enormous campus is characterizes Delft. Students mostly live near campus, but since the campus is located near the city center, a lot of students live downtown as well! We would highly recommend this city for technical studies.

Delft is a city that looks like a smaller version of Amsterdam, with loads of canals, boats, small alleys, many terraces and pubs. Big clubs are a no go in Delft, students and locals enjoy the little café’s in the city center. A local’s pick for example is the Oude Jan, an all time favorite for a good time! Furthermore, there are numerous student corps’ active in the city. In sum: Delft has the allure of Amsterdam but a very cozy and friendly feel to it. Options for student housing or rooms in Delft can be found here.

Are you looking for housing – why don’t you check out Kamernet? Click to see all our offering!

2. Rotterdam
Home of Europe’s biggest port, the Netherlands’ second city Rotterdam stands out from the other cities here as result of its distinctly modern feel – the result of damage during World War II, which meant the city had to be largely rebuilt. Its often-striking modern structures make an apt backdrop to its buzzing social scene, famed for music (particularly electronic), nightlife and its multicultural mix. The city is home to Erasmus University Rotterdam (ranked joint 90th in the world), named after the city’s most famous son, the hugely influential scholar Erasmus. Less than 10 miles (or 15km) away is the picturesque town Delft and its prestigious Delft University of Technology (86th in the world). Finding student housing in this city can be difficult and sometimes expensive. Our advice is to start your search for your student room on time, you can check here for available housing.

3. Den Haag
Also known as The Hague, this city is mostly known for housing the government and parliament of the Netherlands. Having its own University of Applied Sciences, the city also accommodates certain departments of the University of Leiden (next city). The city also houses several international organizations in Justice, Peace and Legal fields and is also known as the second capital of the Netherlands – the political one. What makes the city attractive for students? Mainly because going out is the standard in this city – with many bars, squares and clubs, the city offers options for anyone. The city is also highly multicultural, so chances are you will not be missing home as much. There are also loads of events and festivals organized in the city, it has it’s own version of Central Park for exercise and leisure, and perhaps most importantly, the best beach of Holland is in The Hague! Known as Scheveningen (you are truly Dutch if you can pronounce that –btw), this beach has a very wide and long beach, with loads of beach clubs, tanning beds, beach parties and a very large boulevard! Want to live in this multicultural political capital and enjoy one of the best beaches in the Netherlands? Check our site for available student housing in Den Haag and find your perfect room on time!

4. Leiden
Less than a 30 minute drive to the southwest of Amsterdam, Leiden is similarly characterized by scenic canals and historic buildings, as well as strong connections with the European art world – it was, for instance, the birthplace of Rembrandt. Much smaller than Amsterdam, the town is much more centered around its student community, which accounts for a significant chunk of the population and ensures a lively social scene. An amazing place to live and also, in comparison, less expensive then other cities. A lot of student houses are looking for new roommates to join them, but there are also available single rooms, you can check them here. Leiden University is the Netherlands’ oldest university, founded in 1575. Students corpses are highly popular and are taken very seriously in this student city and there are a lot of fraternity houses in the heart of the city!

5. Maastricht
In the southeast of the Netherlands, close to the Belgian and German borders, Maastricht has a cosmopolitan and pan-European character, with multiple languages commonly spoken, a far-reaching reputation as a gastronomic hub, and a history of playing a key role in the development of the European Union. In contrast to much of the country, it even has some hills. So, if you like to live in a great city with scenic nature, we suggest to go looking for student housing in Maastricht! Why would you? Maastricht University is one of the most internationalized universities in the Netherlands – and indeed the world; with over a third of its students coming from overseas, it ranks within the global top 20 in this regard. Its overall rank in the QS World University Rankings 2014/15 is 118.

6. Utrecht
Towards the center of the country, and just half an hour’s drive from the capital, Utrecht is yet another charming canal-veined historic town. Its ancient city center is one of the oldest in the country, while the surrounding countryside in the province which shares the city’s name is famously beautiful, and peppered with castles and palaces. The city is the fourth most-populous in the Netherlands, with buzzing cultural and nightlife scenes, and is home to the country’s largest and third-highest ranked university, Utrecht University (ranked 80th in the world). Housing in the city center is the best, however, we suggest to start your search for your room in Utrecht on time!

7. Groningen
Travelling further towards the north of the country, we reach Groningen, the largest city in this northern part of the Netherlands – though still relatively small compared to Amsterdam or Utrecht. This is another city with a long history of having students at its center, and today students continue to comprise a significant part of the population and local life. Student houses or studio’s, there are a lot of options for housing and rooms in Groningen. There’s a vibrant cultural scene here, as well as the usual attractive gabled houses and canals, and between 2005 and 2007, Groningen was elected “de beste binnenstad” (the best city center) of the Netherlands. The University of Groningen is ranked joint 90th in the world.

8. Wageningen
While Wageningen is relatively a small city, it is a very old city with beautiful and medieval architecture. Located at the very southwest corner of the Netherlands, it is a smaller but very lively city. It is generally known that there is no distress at finding student housing – which is very rare in the Netherlands! The city is characterized by being focused on environmentally friendly initiatives, so the student’s corpses and fraternities also take this highly. This does not in any way mean that the city is boring – the nightlife is amazing and very much crowded. Interested? Finding housing is not that hard, but for the best rooms we suggest to start your search for housing in Wageningen on time so that you can enjoy your stay the most!

 

9. Enschede
While some might call this an unconventional choice, Enschede houses one of the largest student communities in the Netherlands. With nearly 26.000 students, this city is located on the countryside of the Netherlands – at the far-east corner of Holland. This makes is very easy to travel to Germany while your staying in the Netherlands. Known for enormous parties and famed fraternities and sororities, this city offers a surprisingly tight knit and fun student experience! For students there are different colleges and universities, like the University of Twente and the Saxion schools. Also, this city offer one of the best technical studies in the Netherlands but also the pop academy! A city for those who like the tight knit, but large scale student communities and a diversity of studies. Can’t wait? Check here for what kind housing you can find in Enschede!

10. Amsterdam
Sure, fine, alright: we will post something on Amsterdam, too. Included among the world’s top 50 cities for students in the QS Best Student Cities ranking, Amsterdam is famed for its café culture, liberal attitudes, hordes of cyclists, pretty canals, historic architecture, and the nightlife, which makes it a favorite among party-loving holidaymakers. It’s home to a large selection of world-renowned museums and art galleries, including the Van Gogh Museum, and is said to be the perfect place in which to understand the meaning of the Dutch word “gezellig” – roughly translated as a combination of “warm, fuzzy, cozy happiness”. The Netherlands’ capital is home to the country’s highest ranking university, the University of Amsterdam (50th in the QS World University Rankings 2014/15), as well as VU University Amsterdam (171st). Amsterdam is notoriously known for a shortage of student housing – so – we recommend you start with the search of your room on time! FOr available housing in Amsterdam, both short stay and long stay, you can check here!

In short: Amsterdam is likely to appeal to pretty much everyone!

We can imagine that you like one of these cities, but your exchange location or choice of study is located elsewhere. While this may be a problem in larger countries, we are happy to remind you that the Netherlands is not that big! An example of a very long distance – by train – is traveling from Groningen to Maastricht. This trip will take you about 3 to 4 hours, depending on your connection. Another example is the distance between Amsterdam and Rotterdam, which is little more than an hour by train. We are sure that no matter which city you will end up in, you will enjoy all of Holland!