<p>Has anyone here studied abroad in the Netherlands? How was your experience? I'm specifically interested in Leiden, if anyone has visited, as my school does a tuition exchange with Leiden University. I like that it's not too far from Amsterdam and that LU teaches many of my major classes in English, but I'm worried about Leiden being too much of a small, quiet city without much of a nightlife scene.</p>
<p>Also, one of my main priorities in studying abroad is getting to know the locals/other international students, which for me rules out the study abroad programs where you live with and take classes with other Americans only. So if anyone who has studied in the Netherlands could comment on how well you got to know Dutch/international students, that would be great. Thanks!</p>
<p>Hi there,</p>
<p>I’m not a exchange student in Leiden but I did grow up there and also have studied at LU for a year so I might be able to tell you something about it. </p>
<p>Most exchange students are not Americans so you will not have to worry about being in classes with just Americans. You’ll probably hang out more with the other internationals than with the Dutch students as there are lots of activities for the exchange students only, organized by the university. Next to that a lot of Dutch students are very much focused on their fraternity. </p>
<p>Leiden does not have a big-city club scene if that’s what you’re looking for. There are some clubs but nightlife is mostly bars/pubs, of which there are a lot and most bars are also very much focused on students. And if you do want to go clubbing you can always just take the train to Amsterdam, Rotterdam or The Hague. It’s only a 20/25 min ride and trains run all night.</p>
<p>If you want to know anything more just let me know.</p>
<p>simondirks, thanks for the information, that was helpful! I actually like a bar/pub scene a lot, so it’s good to know that many bars are geared towards students. I like clubbing occasionally too, but it’s not my top nightlife priority. It’s great that the trains run all night; where I’m from (Washington, DC), the metro stops running at 3 am on weekends, which can be a hassle when going out.</p>
<p>Another question I have is about housing – I assume most full-time students live at home/in apartments, but do you have any idea about exchange students? Would you recommend living in university housing or trying to rent an apartment in the city? </p>
<p>Thank you again! I’m seriously considering spending the fall semester in Leiden now.</p>
<p>No problem waltzingout,</p>
<p>Trains run less often of course but at least you can get home.
I’m assuming that you will follow third year courses in Leiden and most third-year students live in the city somewhere. Exchange students can look for a house/apartment themselves or you can use the university housing options. It is harder to find something yourself, especially if you don’t live here during your search, but it is probably somewhat cheaper. </p>
<p>When you sign up for university housing, you will get a place sooner but it is somewhat more expensive but probably still cheaper than in the u.s. Another thing is that the university housing is only for exchange students but that doesn’t have to be an objection. Most dutch students are focused on each other and their fraternities (which is pretty big here). </p>
<p>So I guess I would recommend to get a place through the university because it’s just easier and only a little bit more expensive.</p>