I made the crazy decision to move trans-Atlantic when I was 18 to study at a Netherlands University! This was the best decision of my life as a US-American to experience Holland. It’s easier than you think to find universities/masters in the Netherlands for international students.
Firstly, I want to start off by saying that I understand this is an incredibly privileged position to be in. I’m lucky that my parents were supportive (eventually) and we figured out the funds.
Most Netherlands Universities are much cheaper than studying in the U.S., so that’s an excellent factor, too!
As I’m on exchange in Seoul, I’m starting to miss my tiny home in Rotterdam. In this article, I’ll describe my favorite reasons to study in Holland.
Netherlands Universities’ Biking Culture
I think my favorite thing about studying in the Netherlands is that you can bike literally everywhere. The cities are so well connected by bike paths.
Not only this, but you can often bike somewhere faster than taking public transportation. Plus, because cities are so small – it’s pretty hard to get lost (although I definitely did).
Biking to my university every day is my favorite activity. It’s a great way to exercise, and it instantly gives you a lot of independence.
You do not need a car or public transportation to get from A to B.
On the other hand, what’s most shocking is that no one wears helmets!
Sustainability and Vegetarianism
I’ve been a vegetarian for about four years now; the first two years, I was a really strict vegetarian. Now that I’ve been in Seoul, it’s a bit more difficult to just eat veggies.
However, in Holland, especially in the bigger cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam, it’s effortless to be vegan or vegetarian.
Interestingly, it’s even cheaper to buy vegetarian substitutes than it is to buy meat. There are so many options to choose from!
Especially in restaurants, there are always vegetarian and vegan options. They are also not expensive and usually the same or cheaper than meat dishes.
The Netherlands is a leading country in sustainability initiatives with its biking culture and vegetarian options.
Study in the Netherlands is Cheap
Depending on where you’re from, tuition fees for Dutch universities are relatively cheap compared to U.S. Universities.
For a bachelor’s degree, tuition fees can range from 6,000 – 15,000 euros per year. Masters in Netherlands for international students vary from 8,000 – 20,000 euros per year.
Furthermore, universities in Netherlands for international students can be cheap as well, again, depending on your circumstances.
To study in the Netherlands, the cost of living can be low, depending on which city you’re in. It can be between 800 – 1,000 euros (including accommodation, food, travel, etc.)
Moreover, if you have a European passport, tuition fees will be lower for you than a non-EU international student. Netherlands universities have different fees for EU and non-EU citizens.
Big International Community
One of my favorite parts about study in Netherlands for international students is that you’re always one person away from your home!
There are so many international students it’s hard to keep up. There are also hubs of international student associations, which you can join if you miss home.
You can easily feel at home, and most people also speak English, which is incredibly helpful.
Additionally, the Dutch are also known for being open-minded and inclusive.
Travel Hub
Last but not least, living in the Netherlands means it is so easy to travel around Europe. Especially if you live in a city like Amsterdam or Rotterdam.
You can get to Paris, London, or Brussels through the train so quickly! If you don’t feel like taking the train because of expenses, you can take a FlixBus!
The buses even go as far as Copenhagen (at least from Rotterdam)!
My time studying the Netherlands has been enriched by my trips to other countries. Moreover, I’m incredibly grateful that it’s also so easy to get to the airport.
All you need to do is take a train directly to the airport! How fantastic is that?
My Second Home
To wrap this up, I can now say Holland is my second home. The people and the culture make it such a wonderful place to live.
It’s been three years since I moved to the Netherlands, and I couldn’t be happier. I’m really excited about all that it’s offered me, from the cultural experience to the opportunities.
Although I’ve loved Seoul, I secretly can’t wait to return to the land of the tulips (a.k.a Holland)!
More like this: https://urmivallassery.blog/study-abroad-with-me-seoul-favourites/
