Mobility specification

Country:Netherlands

Institution:Tilburg University

City:Tilburg

Program:Erasmus+ for study

Activity type:Study

Academic year:2023/2024

MU faculty/department:Faculty of Social Studies / Department of Social Policy and Social Work

Study level abroad:Bachelor

🎓Hit the books! How do you rate the university experience?

Can you enroll in a course where you can learn the local language?yes

Are your credits converted?no

Was there anything in the teaching methods that surprised you?I was surprised that there is a break in the middle of a 100 minute lecture - so one has two 45 minute blocks. Also that the professor is perceived to be much more informal than he is here. In general, the Dutch study system is at a very advanced level, everything was negotiable and I perceived that they cared very much about my satisfaction.

Does the university offer international students' programs and activities outside of lectures and seminars to help them integrate more quickly?Yes, before the start of the semester there is a TOP week (Tilburg orientation week), which includes various parties, activities and city tours. Initially you are divided into smaller groups of about 20 people, but it's definitely not strict :)

In which areas does the university offer support for students with special needs and strive to be inclusive?Psychological counseling
Barrier-free access to classrooms and dormitories
Interpretation services
Special aids and technologies (e.g., text-to-speech software, hearing aids)
Special examination conditions (e.g., extended time, quiet rooms)
Crisis intervention
Support for LGBTQ+ students (e.g., safe spaces, counseling services)

💸Did you have to rob the bank?

Try to take a guess at what your monthly expenditures were:22000 CZK/month

Did you stay in dorms?no

Do you have any tips on how to find private accommodation?It's risky, but I've managed to do it through Facebook groups.

What about unexpected expenses? Did anything surprise you?Charge for stealing a bike - 420 euro :)

Do you have any tips on how to save money?Second-hand shopping, there are also lots of food promotions in the shops, so get a membership to e.g. Albert Heijn.

🗺 Learn the ropes in a new city

How well did you manage to communicate in English?perfectly

How does public transport work in the city?mostly fine

And what about transport outside the city?runs like clockwork

Where to find connections? How to buy a ticket?NS app - searches for connections, you can also buy tickets, the often mentioned 9292 app is useless in my opinion.

Did you deal with any health issues during your stay?yes

How do you rate the availability of healthcare?I've seen better

🤠Help create the perfect bucket list

What is a must-see in the city?Student event - Cantus
Nature - parks in cities, lookout tower

What are the must-visit trip destinations?Utrecht, Maastricht, Rotterdam

💅A nugget of wisdom to make the life easier

Did you need to handle a visa?no

How did you get to the place?Car

Can you pay by card?everywhere

🥳Summary

Whew, what a ride! 😮‍💨 Thanks so much for taking the time to complete our survey and for sharing your unique experience. Just one last thing. 🙏 How would you summarize your trip in one or two sentences?It was an unforgettable experience that greatly shaped my future professional and academic steps, I would definitely go again.