International Student Guide: Rotterdam

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE
BARCELONA

ROTTERDAM

ROTTERDAM
INDEX
Timeline
Introduction
What to do before you land
When you arrive on the ground
11
Obtaining a student job
18
Looking After Yourself Abroad
21
Living in Hollands Watery

(but beating) Heart
23
INTERNATIONAL
TIMELINE
STUDENT GUIDE
BARCELONA
-6 Months
-3 Months
-3 Months
Kick-start your immigration process.

Find out whether you
require a visa to study
in the Netherlands
and how to obtain one
on page 7
Get accepted into your

course or degree and
request all necessary
information from your
university
-2 Months
+1 Day
If you are an EU national, request a European Health Insurance

Card from your home
insurance provider.
Find out more about
health coverage on
page 15
If you would like to be

reachable, you can
purchase a prepaid
SIM card as soon as
you arrive in the Netherlands. You wont
require any documentation for this.
If you require it and

qualify, apply for
financial assistance.
Find out more on p 8
Fly, drive or ride to the

Netherlands. Goede
Reis!
+5 Days
+7 Days
Open a bank account.

Find details on this
process on page 13
Register with the local

municipality and obtain your BSN, which
you will need for the
next step. More info
on registration can be
found on page 12
+10 Days
+14 Days
End
If you require a visa to

enter the Netherlands,
pick up your VVR from
your local IND office.
More info on page 7
Once you receive your

bank card, you are
ready to get a mobile
phone contract if you
would like one. To
find out more about
mobile phone services
in the Netherlands,
consult page 14
Youre ready to enjoy

life as a Dutch local!

BARCELONA
INTRODUCTION

ROTTERDAM
Welkom in Rotterdam! Nestpick is proud to present you the first
edition of the International Students Guide to this exciting city.
This booklet is written by a group of international students and explorers at heart who have themselves ventured out of their home
countries to experience other cities and countries. We have written
this guide for you, an international student moving to Rotterdam
to study and enjoy your time in this great city. We want to help you
make the best of it.
fresco ceiling. It is the largest in the world, so huge in fact that no

company could provide software powerful enough to render the
image other than Pixar studios, whom we are therefore to thank for
the art piece! End the day by watching a beautiful sunset from the
top of Euromast, a 180 meter high tower look-out tower dating from
the sixties that overlooks the entire city.
We hope that by using our combined knowledge and flair for telling tales you can connect with your new neighbourhood, discovering the best of what is on offer. Whether you study abroad, do an
internship or have just started your new job, its all about the experiences you create.
As you may already know, Rotterdam is the second largest city in

the Netherlands. With almost 1.3 million inhabitants and over 80
000 students, it is very hard to get lonely. The city is in close proximity to the seaside and home to Europes biggest port, it is filled
with delicious restaurants, offers many cultural venues, and regularly hosts sports events. You will not want to miss out on a classic
Feyenoord-Ajax football match!
With a never-ending list of adventures awaiting you, it is very unlikely you will have time to get bored whilst living in Rotterdam. Although a move abroad is fun, it can also be intimidating, particularly if you are far away from home. We want you to feel like a local, not
a visitor. It is our belief that the gems of a community take longer
than just a day or two to uncover. These are the things that cant be
found on a map, the real and true character of a city. They are the
sites and sounds you encounter as you take a wrong turn and walk
down a cobblestone path. This guide will tell you what you need to
know, so you dont need to waste time on the boring stuff and can
get on with enjoying life in Rotterdam.
Connect with your new town and do as the locals do. Say vaarwel
to public transport and hallo to your new two-wheeled friend, the
bicycle. This is the first way to rid yourself of the new-in-town label. After a while, you wont know how you lived without your bike.
Next, indulge in the local tradition of brunch and opt for a broodje
gezond, which in English literally translates to healthy sandwich.
Work off the feast and get to know your bearings. Head to the city
centre, Kralingen and The Old North to get a taste of what is on
offer. For a little bit of shopping, take a stroll through Rotterdams
Markthall: aside from incredible food, you will be amazed by the
Veel plezier!

BARCELONA
WHAT TO DO BEFORE YOU LAND

ROTTERDAM
Visa and Immigration Matters

Finding out if you need a visa to study in The Netherlands and (if necessary) obtaining one is one of the most important parts of
going abroad. We have worked our hardest to make what can be a painful process an easy one. Please see the information below
to determine whether you need a visa, and if you do what you require to obtain it.
YOU ARE:
EU, ICELAND,
LIECHTENSTEIN, NORWAY,
SWITZERLAND, NATIONAL
YOU DONT NEED A VISA

TO LIVE, WORK OR STUDY
IN THE NL
YOU NEED TO
REGISTER WITH THE
LOCAL MUNICIPALITY IF
YOU STAY LONGER THAN 4
MONTHS
CROATIA NATIONAL
YOU DONT NEED A VISA

TO LIVE, WORK OR STUDY
IN THE NL
IF YOURE STAYING LONGER THAN 3 MONTHS, YOU

NEED TO REGISTER WITH
YOUR LOCAL OFFICE OF
THE IMMIGRATION AND
NATURALISATION DIENST
(IND)
ALL OTHER
NATIONALITIES
YOU NEED TO APPLY FOR

A VISA

ROTTERDAM
If you fall under the All Others category, you will require a visa to
study in The Netherlands. It is made up of two parts: a Provisional
Residence Permit (MVV) and / or a Residence Permit (VVR). The
Provisional Residence Permit is a stamp in your passport that will
allow you to enter the country, while the Residence Permit is the
physical authorization to live in the Netherlands. Your Residence
Permit will be valid for the duration of your study program, plus
three additional months, provided that you obtain at least 50% of
your study credits every year. It also allows you to enjoy much of
what Europe has to offer and to travel throughout any Schengen
country for a maximum of 90 days within a 180 day period.
Whether you need to apply for both the MVV and the VVR or just
the VVR depends on your particular circumstances. To find out
what exactly you require and the most up to date information,
please visit the IND website here.

ROTTERDAM
What if I need both the MVV and the VVR...

STEP 1

Your university will apply for your MVV, your Provisional Residence Permit. Upon approval, your passport will be given a
stamp which allows you to enter the Netherlands
STEP 2
Your university will apply for your VVR, your Residence Permit.
STEP 3
Enter the NL thanks to your MVV;
Pick up your VVR from a national immigration body office (IND)
within two weeks of your arrival
STEP 4
Register with the local council and you are officially good to
go!
Note that during this application process, you will not be able to
apply for another Schengen visa.

ROTTERDAM
What if I only need the VVR...

STEP 1
Your university will apply for your VVR, your Residence Permit.
STEP 2
You pick up your VVR from a national immigration body office
(IND) within two weeks of your arrival
STEP 3
Register with the local council and you are officially good to
go!
Note that both these processes can be done independently if
your university or institution does not provide support.
Head to your closest Dutch embassy or consulate in your home
country and ask for information about the TEV application. Its a
good idea to have the following documents ready for this process:
Copy of a valid passport
Proof that you can support yourself financially
Passport photos
Proof of tuition fees and visa application payments
Proof of accommodation arranged
10

BARCELONA
WHEN YOU ARRIVE ON THE GROUND
11

ROTTERDAM
When you arrive in the Netherlands, you will want to get settled, ready to study and enjoy everything your new city has to
offer. There will be some important matters you will need (and
will want!) to take care of quickly. We have listed these for you
below to give you the resources to quickly feel at home in your
new city:

Register at the Municipality

Open a Bank Account
Get a Mobile Phone and Number
Make sure youre covered - Health Insurance
Apply for Government Allowances
FUN FACT
The name Rotterdam is derived from a
dam built on the river Rotte. The city was
originally a small fishing harbour, situated
in a bend in the river Rotte
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ROTTERDAM
Registration
One of the most important things you will need to do in the Netherlands
if you are planning to stay for over four months (or over three months
if you are a Croatian national) is register with the local municipality of
the city where you will be living. This must be done within five days of
arrival in the Netherlands. You will need to bring with you the following
required documentation:
Passport or European ID card
Tenancy agreement for your Dutch address (if you do not have a
rental agreement then you must bring a written statement of approval signed by the main tenant and a copy of his/her passport)
Original birth certificate
Proof of enrolment at your university
allow you to open a bank account, activate a cell phone contract, use
medical facilities and take on a student job - all of which you will surely
want to be able to make use of!
For more information on registering with the municipality, please go
here.
For non-EU citizens: your current residence permit or a letter from the
IND for an appointment to apply for a residence permit
You must register at the City Hall, department of Civil Affairs (Publiekszaken) located at Stadhuisplein. You will need to schedule an appointment by calling 14010 and will need to mention that you want to
register for the first time since you come from abroad. You will be sent
some documents that you will need to fill out. If you are a student at
the Erasmus University or Hogeschool Rotterdam, you must register
through your institution.
To open an account in the Netherlands you will need:

Your Citizen Service Number (BSN);
A valid form of ID (passport or EU ID card);
Proof of address (such as a rental contract); and
A residency permit if you are not from the EU.
After you register, the municipality office will send a Citizen Service
Number (BSN) to your Dutch address. This is important because it will
13
Bank Account
Opening a bank account in the Netherlands can be very helpful for your
everyday life. In case you prefer to use your overseas account this is of
course possible and your card will work at ATMs nationwide. If you have
an account and debit card from a Eurozone country then there should
be no charge for cash withdrawals, however for other countries charges
will vary.
You can choose which Dutch bank you would like to open an account
with, but keep in mind that each bank has its own terms and conditions.
Some banks also have reduced fees for students and may even have
a partnership with the bank in your home country, making the process
simpler. The largest banks in the Netherlands are ABN-AMRO, ING
(Postbank), Rabobank, and SNS.

ROTTERDAM
Mobile Phone Service

You will want to obtain a local mobile phone number after you
arrive to make sure you can easily get in touch with your (new)
friends and family.
In the Netherlands, you have the choice between a prepaid SIM
card and a contract. To obtain a pre-paid SIM card (pay-as-yougo / top-up), you do not need any official documentation, so that
might be a good option if you want to get started quickly. The prepaid option is flexible because you do not have any fixed costs and
it is possible to purchase add-ons (such as internet, international
minutes, texts etc). You can use an unlocked phone or purchase
a separate phone. You can purchase a SIM card at the airport or
from the major service providers that have retail presence all over
the Netherlands.
In case you plan to use your mobile for national calls you may be
better off signing a contract (abbonnement). Contracts allow you
to choose the duration of your commitment to a provider. The longer the contract, the less you pay. You may also be able to receive
a mobile phone included with some contracts. In order to get a
contract, you need to provide a passport or ID card, an official
bank statement, bank account details and card and, for non-EU
citizens, a deposit.
14

ROTTERDAM
Insurance
You may be wondering if you need to take out health insurance
in the Netherlands, especially if you are already well covered in
your home country.
You are:
AN EU STUDENT UNDER 30
YEARS OF AGE
Everyone living in the Netherlands is legally obliged to be covered by adequate health insurance. The rules can be complex
for international students - you may or may not have to take out
public health insurance (basisverzekering) depending on your
circumstances. Follow this diagram to find out what applies to
you.
YOU PLAN ON WORKING
WHILE IN THE NL
FUN FACT
With a large number of public parks and
gardens, Rotterdam is the greenest city in
the Netherlands
YOU WILL NEED TO TAKE

OUT DUTCH PUBLIC
HEALTH INSURANCE
YOU DONT PLAN ON

WORKING WHILE IN THE
NL
YOU DONT NEED TO

TAKE OUT DUTCH PUBLIC
HEALTH INSURANCE
IT IS STILL MANDATORY
THAT YOU ARE COVERED
BY YOUR HOME INSURANCE COMPANY AND CARRY A EUROPEAN HEALTH
INSURANCE CARD.
15
A NON-EU STUDENT STAYING IN THE NL FOR LONGER THAN 3 MONTHS
YOU WILL NEED TO TAKE

OUT DUTCH PUBLIC
HEALTH INSURANCE ONCE
YOU RECIEVE YOUR RESIDENCY PERMIT.

ROTTERDAM
Government Allowances
To help you pay for your life and studies in the Netherlands, the
Dutch government provides different allowances, some of which
you, as international student, could qualify for. These include
healthcare, rent and study financing allowances. Isnt that nice?
Healthcare Allowance
Healthcare allowance is a financial compensation given by the government to its citizens to make mandatory health insurance more
affordable. To be eligible to receive this allowance, you need public
Dutch health insurance. You will also need to be over 18, have a residence permit, be paying health insurance, and your income needs
to be below a certain annual threshold - less than 26,316 a year
for singles or 32,655 a year for couples. The amount of allowance
you receive depends on your income.
Rent Allowance
You may also be eligible for rent allowance, a compensation provided by the government to subsidise monthly rent payments for
those with a lower income. Whether you are eligible depends on the
number of people you live with, your age, your monthly rent, your
income and the value of your assets. The higher these amounts, the
less you will receive.
16
You can check if you qualify and apply for this allowance online on
the tax authority website here.
Study Allowances
Another allowance and a great benefit for students in the Netherlands is study financing, or studiefinanciering, a monthly grant that
Dutch students receive from the government. It has three components - cheap public transportation, a subsidy for health insurance
and a fixed monthly allowance (the basisbeurs, or monthly scholarship). On top of the basisbeurs, there is a possibility to receive
an additional scholarship (aanvullende beurs). Your eligibility depends on the income of your parents, their marital status, number
of siblings and the type of higher education you pursue. There is
also a possibility to obtain Collegegeldkrediet, a monthly student
loan from the government at a low interest rate for the payment
of tuition fees. Students are required to repay the loan after their
graduation. Any Dutch student is eligible for studiefinanciering and
you, as international student, may be too.

ROTTERDAM
There are two ways international students can receive

studiefinanciering:
YOU ARE AN EU / EEA

/ SWISS STUDENT BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18
AND 30
YOU WORK A TAXABLE 32

HOURS/WEEK OR MORE
YOU DO NOT WORK
YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR

THE ENTIRE PACKAGE
(BASISBEURS, ADDITIONAL
GRANT AND COLLEGEGELDKREDIET)
YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR

TUITION FEE LOANS (COLLEGEGELDKREDJET)
17

BARCELONA
OBTAINING A STUDENT JOB
18

ROTTERDAM
YOU ARE:
Obtaining a Student Job

Laws and Regulations
Studying abroad can be expensive and you may want to consider working part-time or taking on a paid internship to make a bit
of extra cash (which will most definitely come in handy for beer
at your local Dutch pub, or kroeg).
Depending on your nationality, the following restrictions may
apply to you.
EU (EXCLUDING CROATIA)
/ EEA / SWISS NATIONAL
CROATIA AND ALL OTHER

COUNTRIES NATIONAL
YOU CAN WORK FREELY IN

THE NL
YOU NEED TO OBTAIN A

WORK PERMIT, WHICH
YOUR EMPLOYER HAS TO
REQUEST ON YOUR BEHALF)
YOU ARE SUBJECT TO

SOME WORKING-TIMES
LIMITATIONS:
FUN FACT
The city has the highest number of professional football clubs in the Netherlands
DURING TERM TIMES,
YOU CAN ONLY WORK 10
HOURS PER WEEK
19
DURING THE MONTHS OF

JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST,
YOU MAY WORK FULL-TIME

ROTTERDAM
If you are studying at a Dutch host institution and need to do an

internship as part of your study programme, you do not require
a work permit but your host institution and your employer need
to sign an internship agreement. Finally, if you decide to work in
the Netherlands, keep in mind that you must have basic Dutch
health insurance.
How to Find a Job
You have the best chances of finding a job when you speak or
learn how to speak Dutch. For what fun is moving abroad if you
dont dabble in the language? If you do not speak Dutch and are
looking for a part-time job, never fear as there are options. You
will have a relatively high chance of obtaining a job in the catering and customer service industries, including restaurants and
call centres. You may also want to inquire if there are vacancies
at international corporations or organizations that are headquartered in Rotterdam and have English as their working language.
You may also want to reach out to employment agencies and
their websites listing job openings. You can google the following
websites to start: Undutchables; Blue Lynx; Careers in Holland;
studentenbaan.nl. For more information, please go here.
20

BARCELONA
LOOKING AFTER YOURSELF ABROAD
21

ROTTERDAM
Healthcare System
The Dutch healthcare system is divided into three areas: longterm care; basic and essential medical care (including GP visits,
short-term hospital stays and specialist appointments or procedures); and supplementary care (e.g dental care, physiotherapy,
cosmetic procedures). Long-term care is covered by mandatory state insurance. All regular (short-term) medical treatment is
paid for by private mandatory health insurance. The basic insurance package covers all costs for the most common medical
care. Depending on your health insurance, it can include:

GP consultations
Treatments from specialists and hospital care
Certain mental health care
Medication
Dental care up to 18 years
Care from certain therapists, such as speech therapists
Dieticians
Maternity care
You will need extra coverage for extensive dental treatments,

physiotherapy or anything else the government considers to be
your own responsibility, and it is in these additional areas that
companies compete. It is possible to purchase the additional
coverage from a different insurer than your basic insurer.
22
Doctors
It is mandatory to register with a GP (huisarts) if you want to receive medical care. General practitioners are your first point of
contact for healthcare in the Netherlands, as they provide referrals to all specialists and to the hospital. Registering with a local
practice is one of the first things you need to do. To register, call
the doctor closest to you, make an appointment and ask for a
registration form. You can find a GP close to you here.
Dental Care
You can find a dentist (tandarts) through your insurance company or by checking online (for example on this comparison website. Make sure your health insurance covers dental treatment
before you make an appointment!
Hospitals
In the case of an emergency, call 112 for an ambulance to receive urgent care at hospitals. Try calling your GP in the first instance so that they may warn the hospital that you are coming.
The most famous hospital is The Erasmus MC. It is part of Erasmus University and is well renowned in Europe.

BARCELONA
LIVING IN HOLLANDS WATERY

(BUT BEATING) HEART
23

ROTTERDAM
Where Should You Live?

Central Rotterdam (Stadsdriehoek)
Try out Rotterdams centre
Stadsdriehoek, or City Triangle, refers to the historic triangular shape of old Rotterdam. Naturally, the centre of the city is
popular with students and expats and is home to a variety of
museums, restaurants, shops and some of the most innovative
modern architecture in all of the Netherlands.
Kralingen
If you enjoy hanging at the beach!
Just a 15 minute commute from the city centre and 10 minutes to
Erasmus University, Kralingen is a young, international and fashionable neighbourhood popular with students and expats. Its architecture is mainly from the 19th and 20th Century and has been
lovingly restored. You get the best of both worlds here with a lake
and recreation area (Kralingse Plas), forest (Kralingse Bos) and Arboretum contrasting with Brainpark, the modern business centre
and the Alexandrium shopping complex. Kralingse Plas even has
its own beach, which is great for warmer summer days. Not sur-
24

ROTTERDAM
prisingly, Kralingen is a popular area to live and this is reflected

in the rental prices. Adjacent to Kralingen you will find the more
affordable Crooswijk, with its diverse and multicultural population.
Delfshaven
Finding Your Nest

Finding a place that fits you best can seem daunting, especially
if you dont speak the local language. You should plan far in advance of your arrival and dont assume that youll be able to find
somewhere in the first couple of weeks; in many instances demand for apartments will outstrip supply. Things to remember:
For those who look for a haven of variety
To the east of central Rotterdam, Delfshaven is home to students, new Rotterdammers, creatives and expats alike. It boasts
reasonable rental prices and is in close proximity to the city centre, Erasmus MC, the Hogeschool and the Codarts art school. For
Erasmus students theres a metro connection to the campus.
Rotterdam Noord

Young, old, well off and those on a budget all come to Noord
International shops and supermarkets on its high streets and its
tree-lined avenues of villas make Rotterdam Noord a popular
place to live. You will find an interesting mix of people here from young to old and from a vast range of socioeconomic backgrounds. The area is also home to many students, particularly
because of its moderate rents and proximity to the city centre.
Erasmus University is just 15-20 minutes away by bike.
25
Spread the word that youre looking for a room or a flat. Often, friends or friends of friends will know someone who is
looking for a flatmate.
If youre lucky (or organised enough) to secure yourself an
affordable place, bear in mind that cheaper accommodation
often comes unfurnished. And we mean really unfurnished.
Prepare to spend a day buying cooking utensils, beds and
even curtains. Factor in this potential expenditure before being dazzled by an attractive rental price.
Utilities such as water, gas, electricity, internet and local housing taxes may or may not be included in the rent (inclusief), but
they may not. Always check what youre liable for.
Although the centre of Rotterdam may be attractive to international students, remember that it is generally manageable
to get around using your bike or public transport. Generally,
the further out from the centre you live, the cheaper the rent
will be.
Read the rental contract before signing. Then read it again.
Make sure you know how long the tenancy lasts (e.g. six

ROTTERDAM
months or a year) and what you can and cant do in the room
or apartment (smoke, paint the walls neon pink etc.) If you
cant read Dutch, make sure you get it translated by a friend or
(at least) use Google Translate.
Key money (sleutelgeld) is a one off payment to your landlord
or the previous tenant in addition to your deposit and first
rental payment. Asking for key money is not allowed. If youve
paid this to your landlord you can take legal action to reclaim
it so long as you have evidence of payment such as a receipt
or bank transfer statement etc.
FUN FACT
Rotterdam Metro was the first metro system to open in the Netherlands.
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ROTTERDAM
How Can You Find a Room in Rotterdam?

Students renting in Rotterdam can expect to pay between 300800 for a room. Utilities (water, gas, electricity, municipal taxes)
are usually, but not always, included in the rent, so its best to
check. Landlords often ask for a deposit which is returned to you
in full if there are no deductions made for damages/cleaning
during your stay. Upon arrival in Rotterdam, you will need to register your occupancy with the municipality.
Finding a Room Online
There are various ways to find housing in Rotterdam whether
youre looking off or online. Online is a good option for international students as it allows you to research the area, find and secure a room or apartment before you leave your home country.
Search online for reputable websites or get in touch with your
universitys housing or accommodation office. A good starting
point for your online search is our website: www.nestpick.com
administration fees but these can be challenged if you consider

them too expensive. Free legal advice is available here.
Rental price and point system
Each property in the Netherlands has a designated rental value based on a national point system (woningwaarderingsstelsel).
Point value is dependent on the location, quality, size and facilities of the property. Understanding the points system means
youll be better able to decide if a rent is fair. For official information on the point system, go here.
Do You Know Your Rights?
Buying items from previous tenants.

The previous tenant may ask you if you are interested to take
over furniture or appliances that he or she does not want to
take with them. If you would like to take over any of these items,
you will most likely have to pay the previous tenant a sum (also
known as overnamekosten), to be agreed between you and him
or her. Remember that this is your choice, so only take what you
want to at a price that you think is reasonable.
Deposits and contract fee

Deposits are usually to the value of one or two months rent;
three is considered unreasonable. Some landlords may charge
If you have problems with your housing or landlord you should

check your rights. Government information and advice can be
found here and here.
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Also, seek advice from your university or college housing department as many of the issues you might be facing will have probably
been encountered by other students.
A Few Words of Warning
As sad as it is, some scammers target international students. All
students should be aware of potential scams but even more so
if you dont speak the local language or you arent familiar with
the local rental market and its processes. Keep the following
tips (warnings!) in mind when youre looking for your place in the
Netherlands.
Steps to avoid falling victim to rental scams
1. Do not wire money, ever
One of the easiest ways to tell if you are being scammed is that
the person will only provide payment methods that are wire
transfers such as Western Union or Moneygram. Scammers often ask for the deposit or the first months rent to be wired via
similar services.

2. Keep yourself informed
If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Do some
research about what similar flats in the area cost and inquire
about the price difference. Dont be tempted just because a
place seems really cheap. Guarantee that who you are talking
28
to, is who they say they are. Do some detective work and search
online for the phone number and email address of the landlord
or owner. Chances are if they are a fraud, someone may have already posted something about this person. If you are suspicious,
ask them to verify their identity through ID documents.

3. Create a paper trail
Once you are in contact with the landlord, ask for receipts and
copies of everything. Nevertheless, scammers can easily create
convincing forms of all documents, so do not solely rely on paperwork to protect you.
4. Ask questions
Preferably in person or over the phone. The landlord should be
informed about his property, and if you find incongruencies between the answers and your own research, take note. Also ask
to see documents such as proof of ownership. If the landlord
isnt interested in answering your questions at this stage, he or
she will probably be even less inclined once youve signed the
contract (and paid).

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Red flags for potential tenants:

The 'landlord' gives inconsistent answers to your inquiries
Many spelling or grammar mistakes in the messages
The messages do not address you personally
The 'landlord' refuses to meet or speak in person
Payment is requested before having met in person
And always remember: if it looks too good to be true then it
probably is
FUN FACT
Rotterdam is the only city with high-rise
buildings and a skyline in The Netherlands.
Several of the citys other skyscrapers are
included amongst the tallest buildings in
Europe
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Getting Around Town

The Netherlands is an easy place to reach and very easy to move
around within. You will most likely land at Schiphol Amsterdam
Airport, which has many direct connections to main airports
around the world. Prefer not to fly? You can also easily access
the country by rail - there are high-speed trains from France,
Belgium and Germany.
Once you arrive in the Netherlands, you will quickly notice that
the main mode of transportation is the bicycle. You will see people on their bikes everywhere, hence the need for over 20 000
kilometers of cycle paths throughout the country. You will undoubtedly soon adapt to this Dutch habit to cycle (almost) everywhere.
In case you would like to explore other parts of the country,
there is a modern railway network with intercity trains running
between the larger cities. You can buy train tickets from the NS
(Netherlands Railways) ticket offices and from machines at the
stations. You can find more information about trains here.
Biking isnt for you? There is also a good public transport system in the Netherlands and you can easily get around by bus,
subway and tram. When traveling by public transport, you can
use an OV chip card to pay. It looks like a credit card and you can
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buy it for 7.50 from stations and supermarkets. If you activate

and charge the card with at least 20 euros, you can also use it for
railway travel. More information about the OV card can be found
here.
FUN FACT
Rotterdams population is made up of 160
nationalities. One in four people is between the ages of 20 and 34 years

ROTTERDAM
Living Costs
Below are some indicators of daily spendings and cost of living:
Monthly pass public transport 50
Standard mens haircut 25
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff 0.23
Medicine for a cold for 6 days 10
One-month gym membership 28
Milk (1L) 1
Lunch menu in business/university district 18
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) 1.40
Basic dinner out for two in the neighborhood pub 40
Taxi trip on a business day (8km) 19
Dinner out for two in Italian restaurant with wine and dessert 58
One BigMac 3.50
One cocktail at centrally located club 8

One beer at centrally located pub 4
FUN FACT
The city hosts the largest open-air market
in the Netherlands in Binnenrotte, every
Tuesdays and Saturdays
One cinema ticket 10

One pack of cigarettes 6
31

ROTTERDAM
apply for and check an updated list of discounts at the ISIC website
here.
Student Resources
Language Classes
You may know that many people in the Netherlands speak English and you dont need to speak Dutch to get by while you are
there. It is still helpful to learn a bit of Dutch if you want to feel
more connected and integrated with the Dutch community. By
typing key search terms into Google, it is possible to find a number of schools offering lessons to get you talking the talk in no
time. In case you would like to learn independently, there are
several online resources that can be helpful:
www.2bdutch.nl
www.linguistadores.com
Erasmus University students can participate in language courses at a reduced price. If you are an exchange student, you might
be eligible for an Erasmus Intensive Language Course. These
are funded by the EU and are free of charge. You will need to
inquire about this at your international office.
Student Discounts
If you hold a student card from your university, the International
Student ID-card (ISIC) or you are a member of a student organisation, there are places in Rotterdam that show their love for
students through discounts to card holders. These may apply
at museums, restaurants, cinemas and youth hostels. You can
32
The Rotterdampas is another discount card that you can consider. It normally costs 60, but it is only 12.50 for students. With
this under your belt, you can enjoy over 500 discounted activities per year (including some free ones).
The Rotterdam Welcome Card is a good deal for students that
just arrived and want to see as much as possible and dont have
time to waste. It offers over 25% discounts at 50 great attractions
and locations in Rotterdam; including some travel discounts.
Google Rotterdam Welcome Card and you will find the necessary information in English.
Students receive discounts for all regular performances in the
Rotterdamse Schouwburg (the municipal theatre) by showing
their student pass. Tickets will cost you 8 or 11 (depending
on the hall) and for some high-profile performances you may
have to pay 17. For performances and tickets please go to the
Schouwburg website here.
Another good source for discounts in Rotterdam Uitburo; between noon and 6pm every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, you can get last-minute tickets for same-evening performances at a 50% discount.

ROTTERDAM
Helpful Websites
Accommodation
For free legal advice, go here
For more information on the point system, go here
For government information and advice, check the huurcommissie website here or te wswonen website here
Visa and Immigration

IND website
Registration
General info can be found in the Study In Holland guide here
Public Transport
Train information: NS website
OV card website
Health insurance
General Info can be found here
Dutch Social Insurance Bank (SVB) website
Check providers here
Rent Allowance
Tax authority website
Study Allowances
Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science website
Student Jobs
For general info, solicit the studyinholland guide here
Health Care
Apply for state health online with the tax service here
find your local tax office here
Use this link to compare dentists
33

ROTTERDAM
You can find a full list of embassies, consulates and diplomatic

missions in the Netherlands on this page: http://www.government.nl/issues/embassies-consulates-and-other-representations
Useful Phone Numbers

City Hall - 14010
Emergencies - 112
Fire Department - 010 446 8200
Ambulance - 010 433 3300
Family Doctor (huisartsenpost):
South - 010 290 9888
North / centre - 010 466 9573
East / Capelle aan den Ijssel - 010 279 9262
Police (non emergency) - 0900 8844
Directory Enquiries National - 0900 8008
Directory Enquiries International - 0900 8418
IND desk - 088-0430430
Urgent Dental Care - 010 455 2155
FUN FACT
63 percent of the financial income of the
city consist of business services
Selection of Embassies and Consulates*

*mostly located in The Hague (Den Haag)
Australian Embassy +31(0)70 3108200
British Embassy +31(0)70 4270427
Canadian Embassy +31(0)70 3111600
Indian Embassy +31(0)70 3469771
Irish Embassy +31(0)70 3630993
New Zealand Embassy +31(0)70 3469324
South African Embassy +31(0)70 3105920
United States of America Embassy +31(0)70 3102209
34

ROTTERDAM
Funny Dutch Phrases

Werk maakt soms meer kapot, dan drank goed kan maken. Work sometimes destroys more than drinking can help restore
Hoeveel is de schade?- which is literally, whats the damage?
Mag ik de rekening?- Can I have the bill, please?
Ben je van de trap gevallen?- Did you fall down the stairs? asked of a person who has had a radical haircut.
Welkom in mijn nederige stulp - welcome to my humble dwelling
Nu breekt mn klomp! - Literally: Now that breaks my clog /
that makes my wooden shoes fall apart
Other mild expressions of amazement:
Grote grutten (something like good grief!)
asjemenou (something like holy cow!)
Lieve hemel! (good heavens!)
Goeje gunst! (good grief!)
35

ROTTERDAM
You made it to the end of the nestpick student guide!

You are now all set to embark upon your exciting journey.
We would love to hear about your experiences.
Please share them with us on experience@nestpick.de.
Have a great time!
36

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www.nestpick.com
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