Wondering how international students enjoy themselves here, so far away from home? Wonder no more: Estimator hereby presents you with IntEURnationals. Get to know fellow students from all around the globe. In this episode we have Navya from India, who lived in Geneva before coming to Rotterdam. Also, we interviewed Sebastian, who’s half-Dutch half-Norwegian and has lived in no less than five countries: Germany, Denmark, Norway, the United Arab Emirates, and Switzerland.
What was your first impression of the Netherlands and of Dutch people?
Sebastian: “For starters, I was glad to be back in Europe after 5 years of Dubai. There are just a lot less restrictions on your personal life. For example, I enjoy going out with friends to bars, which I couldn’t do there. About the Dutch themselves, everybody seemed very friendly and welcoming. Furthermore, to my surprise, almost all Dutch are very proficient in English as well, which makes it way easier to communicate, as I haven’t mastered the language yet. Although, I have to admit, it has had a negative influence on my drive to learn Dutch. At first, I tried to make an effort starting conversations in Dutch, but I would immediately get replies in English.“
Navya: “My first impression was pretty good. Before moving to the Netherlands, I used to live in Geneva, in Switzerland, so there was no big culture shock for me. I think if I would have come straight from India, it would have been a huge difference, but having lived in Europe, it wasn’t. I had the impression that everyone went to bed at 8 at first, because the shops closed so early. Then, I discovered that the nightlife is great, actually. The Netherlands also seems really safe, if was much safer to explore the country than it would have been in India. I have really been enjoying exploring the country on my own terms, now that I live alone.”
Finding a place was the most difficult part about moving here.
Did you have trouble finding a place to stay?
Navya: “Well, I didn’t personally, because I applied for a place to stay really early. Because of that, I could move into Hatta immediately. Hatta is a great first place for international students. It has everything you need to stay once you come to the Netherlands. This way, it gives you time to settle. Moving to a new country is stressful enough and living in Hatta, you don’t need to look for stuff like furniture, and you can relax and focus on your studies. Living with international students is great too, because you can make friends quickly. Unfortunately, you can only live there for a year, but my roommate and I started looking for a new place early and found a great place via Facebook.”
Sebastian: “For me, the experience was quite the opposite. Finding a place was the most difficult part about moving here. It seems like there aren't that many places for students on offer, and those which are, have long waiting lists. I wish I had known about the Hatta building a bit earlier.”
When I go out to eat, we usually just go for Italian, you can’t go wrong with that.
What’s the best and the worst food you’ve had here?
Sebastian: “I enjoy a cheeky kapsalon now and then, they’re very tasty and filling, but not exactly healthy. So, I limit consumption to a few a month. I haven’t really eaten anything I really did not enjoy yet, but I guess that’s mainly because I wasn’t willing to try things that don’t appeal to me, like haring for example.”
Navya: “I have not really tried many Dutch dishes so far, but the best thing was quite early on. At my first FAECTOR drink that I went to with my iBuddy, I tried bitterballen and they were really good. I also think the Dutch have great fries and mayonnaise. But when I go out to eat, we usually just go for Italian, you can’t go wrong with that."
When I’m cycling to uni and getting completely soaked, I get kind of fed up with it.
What do you miss most about home?
Sebastian: “I am definitely not a big fan of the weather here. In Dubai, it was way too hot, but in Switzerland we had a nice in between climate. Less rain and more sunshine. Especially when I’m cycling to uni and getting completely soaked, I get kind of fed up with it. Also, I of course miss my family at times.”
I am really glad that I had chosen to challenge myself.
What do you think of Erasmus University so far?
Navya: “While I was in high school, I was still deciding between IBEB, IBA and BSc2. Back then, I was never really challenging myself. That’s why, this time, I picked the hardest one of the studies, to see how it would go and I’m really glad I did. All the BSc2 students are very smart and studying with them is very motivating. I find people in the Netherlands very motivated in general. I am really glad that I had chosen to challenge myself. “
Finally, if all countries would be a family, what would the Netherlands be?
Navya: “At the risk of sounding rude, I would say the Netherlands is the stoner uncle or that cool rocking aunt.”
Sebastian: “The rowdy brother. They know how to party here, I live at a busy street and get a pretty good impression of the night life.”