Mobility specification

Country:Netherlands

Institution:University of Groningen

City:Groningen

Program:Erasmus+ for study

Activity type:Study

Academic year:2021/2022

MU faculty/department:Faculty of Social Studies / Department of International Relations and European Studies

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?no

Does the university offer enough courses in English?they have tons

Are your credits converted?no

Was there anything in the teaching methods that surprised you?The teachers at the University of Groningen are very approachable and friendly. You will even address them by their first names, which definitely helps to break down barriers so that you are not embarrassed to ask anything.

Does the university offer international students' programs and activities outside of lectures and seminars to help them integrate more quickly?A very active student association for Erasmus students is ESN. They organise an orientation week at the beginning where you get to know other Erasmus students and throughout the semester they prepare a lot of other Erasmus events. I recommend attending as many of these events as possible.

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
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:21500 CZK/month

Did you stay in dorms?yes

What about unexpected expenses? Did anything surprise you?At the beginning of your stay you had to get your own pillow and duvet + complete kitchen equipment. You need to take this into account if you are staying in the dorms.

Do you have any tips on how to save money?I recommend the Jumbo store and cooking on campus. Also, be sure to get a bike, either second hand or through Swapfiets hire and save on fares. Dorms also tend to be slightly cheaper than private apartments.

🗺 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?runs like clockwork

And what about transport outside the city?runs like clockwork

Where to find connections? How to buy a ticket?For trains, I recommend registering at ns.nl and taking advantage of the student discount. For longer journeys, form a group and buy a group ticket, which can cut the price per person by up to half.

Did you deal with any health issues during your stay?no

🤠Help create the perfect bucket list

What is a must-see in the city?Forum, bars, parks, canals and the surrounding area.

What are the must-visit trip destinations?Cycle to the surrounding villages or to the northern coast. By train, I recommend visiting Giethoorn, Leuwaarden and certainly Amsterdam or The Hague.

Share your best experience:There are many experiences, but the best ones were always with my roommates. Whether it was a simple dorm party or a visit to a bar, making friends is essential!

💅A nugget of wisdom to make the life easier

Did you need to handle a visa?no

How did you get to the place?Plane
Train

Is there anything to watch out for before the trip?As the nearest airport is in Amsterdam or Eindhoven, you'll have a long train journey upon arrival. Please check the office opening hours to pick up your room keys from your dormitory. It is closed on Friday afternoons and weekends. Also consider opening a bank account in the Netherlands, as some shops don't take Visa or Mastercard.

Can you pay by card?in most places

🥳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?Erasmus in Groningen is a life-changing experience. It's not a cliché!