Why did you choose to study in the Netherlands? Why did you decide to study in Nijmegen in particular?
I knew I wanted to pursue a degree in English in an international environment. However, most English-speaking countries are quite expensive and, honestly, culturally just not as appealing to me. I thought the Netherlands was the perfect solution, English is very commonly spoken, there is a big international community, and people are very open-minded, yet home is not too far away for me.
I mostly decided to study in Nijmegen for the study program. I did my Bachelor’s in International Business Organization, which was a new program at the time. It seemed like the perfect match to my interests. I came for the Open Day to check out the campus and city, and really fell in love with it, so the decision to come here was easy.
How would you describe your experience adapting to Dutch culture and daily life?
The first couple of years were difficult in terms of cultural adaptation, mostly because it was difficult to make Dutch friends. Internationals tend to seek one another, but locals often already have established social circles. With time, I luckily got to know more and more people, both Dutch and international. Through work, my Dutch has also greatly improved, and I can speak it quite well now.
What differences have you noticed between studying in Nijmegen and your home country? What differences have you noticed between the Dutch education system and the one in your home country?
I never went to university in Germany, so I can’t speak too much on that, but I heard from friends that their education feels much less personal. Formality and hierarchy are much more important, and I really enjoyed talking to teachers on an equal level here in the Netherlands.
Have you felt welcomed and supported as an international student at Radboud University in Nijmegen? Can you share an example?
Living in Hoogeveldt was my biggest source of support and community. Living with 15 other students, both Dutch and international, forces you to get out of your comfort zone rather quickly, but also allows you to find friends for life. I would really encourage cohabitation of Dutch and International students, because by living together, I felt the most connection and support from others.
What has surprised you most about studying or living in the Netherlands?
I was surprised by how well everyone speaks English in the Netherlands. I’ve had encounters with 10-year-olds who were completely fluent, as if it were their first language.
What do you enjoy most about living and studying in Nijmegen, both as a student and outside the classroom?
I think Nijmegen really lives up to its title of summer capital. I love the Waal river, sitting at the beach and going for a swim is a highlight every summer. As well as the Vierdaagse festival every July.
How do you find the cost of living, housing, and public transport in Nijmegen as a student?
Living in the Netherlands is certainly not cheap, but it is manageable. SSHN, the student housing company, offers affordable housing, but the competition is hard. The university also offers a lot of well-paying part-time jobs. As an EU citizen, you can get financial assistance from the government under certain conditions, but for non-EU citizens, things are much more expensive and not subsidized.
Would you recommend studying in Nijmegen to other students? Why or why not?
I definitely would! I think it is a great place with open-minded people and beautiful cities. Traveling to other cities is also easy if you want to explore the country. In terms of education the Radboud also offers a really high level.