Mobility specification

Country:Netherlands

Institution:Tilburg University

City:Tilburg

Program:Erasmus+ for study

Activity type:Study

Academic year:2024/2025

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

Study level abroad:Master

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

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

Does the university offer enough courses in English?it's alright

Are your credits converted?no

Was there anything in the teaching methods that surprised you?I was surprised by its interactivity in teaching. The teachers really tried to engage the students, actively discussing with us during the lessons and using different methods to make the lessons come alive - for example Kahoot, model situations or teamwork on specific tasks. It was common to work in groups, share opinions and then discuss everything together with the teacher. Compared to MUNI, I found the teaching less formal but more focused on student engagement and practical skills.

Does the university offer international students' programs and activities outside of lectures and seminars to help them integrate more quickly?Yes, the university offers various activities to help international students integrate more quickly. Right at the start, there is a 'registration day' where students can meet the international office team and student societies - a good opportunity to ask questions about studying and living in a new country.

This is followed by an orientation day, which is mainly focused on practical information - showing you around the school, explaining administrative matters, advice on the authorities, tips on where to rent a bike, etc.

This is followed by TOP Week - a full week of activities during which students have the opportunity to get to know new people, the city of Tilburg and Dutch culture. The programme is really varied - from food tastings, to sports activities and social events.
During the semester I then mainly participated in events organised by ESN or the university - for example, tastings of different cuisines, beerpong or a picnic.

In which areas does the university offer support for students with special needs and strive to be inclusive?Psychological counseling
I haven’t noticed

💸Did you have to rob the bank?

Try to take a guess at what your monthly expenditures were:28000 CZK/month

Did you stay in dorms?yes

Do you have any tips on how to save money?There are definitely savings to be made, although living in the Netherlands is generally quite expensive and you need to take that into account. What pays off, however, is using loyalty cards - for example, at Albert Heijn if you shop there regularly. Sometimes it is also worth checking for discounts or comparing prices in different shops.
A big saving is definitely getting around by bike - even if you have to rent one at the beginning (about 100 euros), it's an investment that pays off, as public transport is quite expensive. However, if one is planning to travel by train more often, I recommend getting a discount card for transport (e.g. from NS). Overall, it is important to expect higher expenses, but with a little planning one can optimize a lot.

🗺 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?I most often searched for connections in the NS app, which is used for planning train connections - it is clear, shows which platform to go to, and reminds me of our IDOS app. For combined public transport (train, bus, tram, metro) the 9292 Reisplanner app is ideal.

You can buy your ticket directly from the app or from a ticket machine at the station, but if you buy on the spot, you often have to pay extra for the printed version (approx. €1). In the Netherlands, however, it is common to use a regular payment card - you just "beep" at the turnstile when boarding and alighting. It is important to remember to beep when getting off as well, otherwise you may be charged more. If one uses a card, I recommend downloading the OVpay app where one can check back to see if the correct check-in took place and how much was charged to the card.

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?Tilburg may not be a big city, but it has its own charm and is definitely worth exploring. I recommend a stroll through the city centre, where you'll find nice cafes, shops and there are often markets or cultural events every Saturday. A very nice place I would recommend is Spoorpark, where you can relax or go to the lookout tower.

If you have a bike, it's definitely worth a ride around the area - the Netherlands is a cycling country and Tilburg is surrounded by beautiful countryside. A great day trip is the Loonse en Drunense Duinen National Park, which is sometimes referred to as the 'Dutch desert' - you'll find sand dunes and pine forests.

For fun-lovers, the famous Efteling theme park, one of the biggest and best in Europe, is also just outside Tilburg. Although not directly in the city, it is accessible by train or bus.

What are the must-visit trip destinations?It's definitely worth visiting well-known cities that you immediately associate with the Netherlands - such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam or The Hague. Each has its own specific atmosphere: Amsterdam is beautiful and historic, Rotterdam is modern with exceptional architecture, and in The Hague you can see the buildings of international institutions or go to the famous beach.

But I would also highly recommend smaller cities, which have their own charm and are often not so crowded. Utrecht, for example, is beautiful with its canals and historic centre, Delft is a picturesque city known for its ceramics, and Dordrecht, for example, has a lovely old centre and is pleasantly quiet. National parks are also a great option - like Biesbosch, where you can rent a boat or kayak and explore the waterways surrounded by nature.

Share your best experience:I was in the Netherlands in the spring. So I would definitely mention the carnival. It lasts about five days and it's a really big event in Tilburg - the whole town celebrates, people are often on holiday and there are no classes during those days. Everyone dresses up in costumes, the streets are full of music, dancing and fun. It's a great way to experience the local culture and atmosphere.
I would also include Cantus it's a social event where traditional student songs (often Latin, Dutch, German and English) are sung to the accompaniment of beer and fixed rules and this is experienced during oreintation week or carnival or any time of the year.

Another powerful experience was the tulip season, which is typical of the Netherlands. I recommend visiting Keukenhof, the famous flower park, or taking a drive around the flower fields around Lisse - it's really beautiful and unforgettable.

And I mustn't forget King's Day, when the whole of the Netherlands dresses up in orange, celebrates in the streets, markets and concerts are held and there is a happy atmosphere everywhere. It was great to be a part of these celebrations and to share them with the other students and friends I made during my stay - it's that togetherness that makes the experience unforgettable.

💅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

Is there anything to watch out for before the trip?I'd definitely recommend planning your trip well, especially if you're driving - it takes about 11 hours from the Czech Republic, so you need to allow for plenty of rest breaks and various road repairs or traffic jams.
If you're flying, it's a good idea to find out exactly where the airport is in advance - for example, Eindhoven airport, where cheaper flights often go, is not directly in Tilburg, so you'll need to allow for a train or bus journey. And this also applies to airports in Amsterdam or Rotterdam.

Can you pay by card?everywhere

What not to forget when packing?Besides the classics like t-shirts and socks, I would definitely recommend packing a few special items. Something that represents your school is great - like a school sweatshirt or t-shirt. We had an event where we represented our university.
If you go in the spring like I did, don't forget something orange for King's Day or a costume for Carnival, which is celebrated for a few days - and is a big thing especially in the southern Netherlands (including Tilburg). Sportswear is definitely a good idea, as Tilburg University has its own sports facilities,which are worth tuning up for.

A raincoat is also a must - the weather is quite changeable and if you're going to be cycling (which I recommend), you'll definitely need it. The Dutch do manage to bike with an umbrella, but that's not really for beginners. 😀

And as a bonus, I would pack something typical from the Czech Republic - like a small package of your favorite food, sweets or trinkets that symbolize our culture. It's good for group events, picnics or just to introduce our country to others.

🥳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 a great experience that pushed me further and gave me friends from all over the world. I would definitely go again:)