Details

• Netherlands
• MAWiRe-21
• Graduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 5 months
• Contact: Login to see contact information

1. Preparation

I didn't prepare very well, because I didn't have much time. I would recommend though to go to the WU events where they explain everything and you can ask about the different universities you go to. Also, I filled in all 7 preferences which was good, because in the end I got my last preference but it turned out to be the best experience of my life. Exchange is good anywhere you go, because it's about the people and the experiences you make, so I'm not sad at all that I didn't make it to my first "preferred" country/uni. Otherwise, I prepared by saving up money, checking if my phone bill covers being in the Netherlands for 5 months and stuff like that. I also checked the University website to see all they have to offer (eg the Sports Center that's right next door), but you'll learn more about that during the Introduction days. I traveled to Tilburg by plane and train. First I went to Eindhoven by plane and then there goes a train from Eindhoven Airport directly to Tilburg University Station.

2. Accommodation

I chose living at Professor Verberneelan, it's a student housing right next to the university. Right next to it also is the Sports center, it's about 25€ a month and it offers so many great courses! I tried different dance courses, went to the gym and also played Tennis and Squash. Also, when you have this membership, it's also cheaper to go Horse Riding which I did every Tuesday. The dorms are also near supermarkets and drugstores. The location is really great. I lived on the 5th floor with about 16 other people on my floor. We had 2 toilets, 3 showers and a shared kitchen with 4 mini fridges and 2 stoves. It was always loud and there should be cleaning people coming 3 times a week, usually they came once a week though and didn't clean well. It definitely was an experience, but I met my best friends on my floor and we always hung out everyday and I wouldn't change it for the world! My tips: bring a sleeping mask and ear plugs. Studying is best done on campus! For social life it was the best living here. The search experience was fine, it was at a specific time (first come first serve). You click on a room and book it, then you have a day or two I think to buy for 6 months in advance (make sure your credit card limit is high enough!).

3. Academic life at host university

The campus was amazing, especially because you bike everywhere and everything is easily reachable. The teaching style is mostly group projects or the professor talking and wanting everyones input. I kind of liked it more than at WU, because it's more of a discussion with the professors and the other students. You also have to come prepared to class, having read something. Course recommendations: I really enjoyed all of my classes. Especially interesting was History and Theory of International Law! The professor Ville Kari was so passionate about the topic, it made me so interested in it. I even planned a solo trip to Germany (Münster and Osnabrück) to see the city hall where the Dutch Republic was founded because I learned about it in this course. Good for history nerds!

5. Every day life in the host country

There is a train station and bus station right next to the student dorms, but usually we cycled everywhere. You rent a cycle from Unibikes or Swapfiets. The train we used for day trips, which is amazing to do in the NL because it's rather small and there are so many pretty cities to visit. The safety was good, I never felt unsafe. I was part of the Horse Riding Club, ESN and I had a gym membership. There was always something to do! We always did something in groups, either traveling or going to the gym together, going clubbing together etc etc! The sports options were also endless, they have squash and tennis courts, swimming pools, dance lessons, basketball, football, horse riding, etc

6. Testimonial

My exchange experience was life changing! I met people that are family now, I felt so connected to everyone around me even though we came from completely different backgrounds. I traveled a lot and learned so much about Europe, myself and how kind people everywhere are. It didn't matter where I was or what I was doing, the people around me made me feel like home, the university was also very welcoming and the whole experience was amazing. It felt like 5 years cramped into 5 months!