Why did you choose to study in the Netherlands? Why did you decide to study in Nijmegen in particular?
The Netherlands has a high level of education. Being drawn to research, it made sense to study in a country and at a university known internationally for its great research centres.
It was also difficult to enter the study I wanted to take in my home country. Living close to the Netherlands was also a sensible decision without any big culture shocks. It was also an opportunity for me to keep working on my Dutch skills. I was also drawn to the fact that there is a lot of guidance offered. Being the first in my family to study, it felt comforting to know that I had a mentor during my first year who I could always approach with questions and problems.
Nijmegen immediately felt like home. I think that is something really important to consider when choosing the place you will study. It just felt like an active student city, which is not too big, and which has a lot of nature. You can go to the beach and see wild horses and some cute cows roaming around there. Where else do you get this combination?
Particularly also the green campus played a role in my decision, and as it is not spread over the city, but all in one place. I liked the idea of that, as you can just walk to classes and during the break relax in the campus forest.
How would you describe your experience adapting to Dutch culture and daily life?
For me, it was quite easy, coming from the border region. The only challenging thing was adapting to driving a car in the Netherlands, where bikes always come first. It also took a while adapting to the student culture as it is quite Dutch and I didn’t know what to expect, but I quickly came to embrace it, joining associations and later even becoming part of the board of one! It was really rewarding to keep being open-minded, even in situations where maybe I was a bit frustrated about new experiences and difficulties.
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?
Focus on the well-being of students and guidance. The holidays are also more like I remember at school in my country, which made it nice to adapt, rather than the semester “holidays” in Germany, where you just don’t have class, but must do exams or assignments still.
What has surprised you most about studying or living in the Netherlands?
How personal the study is. You really feel seen, even in bigger studies, and have mentors who you can always contact about problems. Adapting to the study as a first-time student really felt much easier that way!
Have you felt welcomed and supported as an international student at Radboud University in Nijmegen? Can you share an example?
I definitely felt welcomed! In the first year, we had a mentor whom we could turn to when we experienced any problems or just wanted to talk. This gave me the feeling that I always had someone to approach, and I felt seen.
Joining an association, I also felt extremely welcomed by the Dutch students, and it was a great way of integrating.
My current study, specifically the Bachelor Psychology, is quite international, which makes getting used to the culture much easier.
What has surprised you most about studying or living in the Netherlands?
How personal the study is. You really feel seen, even in bigger studies, and have mentors whom you can always contact about problems. Adapting to the study as a first-time student really felt much easier that way!
What do you enjoy most about living and studying in Nijmegen, both as a student and outside the classroom?
It is such an active city! You will always find something to do. As it is a student city, there are many student places to hang out. Nijmegen also has the most terraces in any Dutch city, which means endless options to enjoy a lunch at a café outside in the summer!
If I had to pinpoint it to one thing, I would highlight the 4Daagse. I just love how the city becomes such an international place with free festivals, parties, cultural activities, and hiking for a whole week! It makes you feel really connected to the city.
In Nijmegen, there are also a lot of associations (sport, study, student…), so you can easily connect with like-minded people and join activities organised by them!
How do you find the cost of living, housing, and public transport in Nijmegen as a student?
It is doable, but it is for sure costly. I am trying to receive study financing at the moment, but it does take a few months. Public transport by trains is quite costly, but within the city you can travel by bus for 15 or 16 euros a year. Most of the time, you take the bike anyway.
Many people live on the German side of the border. There, it is much cheaper and easier to find a place. A bus travels between the University and Germany. You might miss out on student life, however, and it affects your flexibility, so ultimately, I do recommend living in Nijmegen and just having a few more costs.
Would you recommend studying in Nijmegen to other students? Why or why not?
I do recommend it. Having heard about studying in my home country from friends, I am quite happy I chose to study here. You have modern facilities, contact hours, approachable professors, and high-quality research-focused education. Those are things that are just much better here than in Germany.
However, one thing to consider is study financing. It may be more difficult to get financial aid from your home country if you study abroad, and it can be challenging to get Dutch financing.