@_polyanthus_ spent her semester abroad at Fontys University of Applied Sciences 🇳🇱, and shared with us the 3 best and worst parts of her experience!✨
3 Best:
✨New Cultural Experiences: The Netherlands is such an interesting country to explore, full of vibrant culture and history. The people are incredibly nice, making it easy to connect and learn about their traditions.
✨Bicycle Culture: It was so nice to ride a bicycle and be a part of this culture. The bike paths are everywhere, and cycling feels like a way of life. I even went to Belgium on a bicycle!
✨Travel Opportunities: I was able to travel to so many Dutch towns, all of which are beautiful, especially The Hague, Rotterdam, and Utrecht. The tickets were cheap, and everything was close, which made spontaneous weekend trips easy.
3 Worst:
✖️Weather: Be ready to carry an umbrella everywhere—it can be quite rainy! The weather is often unpredictable, and the gray sky can be a bit of a downer. While there are sunny days, it’s essential to be prepared for sudden showers. The cooler temperatures, especially in the winter, can also take some getting used to, but they encourage cozy indoor activities, which can be fun.
✖️Public Transport: The trains and other public transport don’t function well late at night or early in the morning. If you travel at those hours, be ready to pay for a taxi, which is extremely expensive. Public transport itself costs a lot, so you really can’t live in the Netherlands without a bicycle.
✖️Accommodation Crisis: There’s an accommodation crisis in the Netherlands, so it’s really hard to find a room or a flat—even for those already living there. For students coming for just half a year, it can feel almost impossible.
#studyabroad #exchange #erasmusnetherlands #netherlands #fontys
3 dny ago