Details

• Netherlands
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

There was no special preparation necessary apart from following the official deadlines and instructions. I did not do any extensive preparation before my semester abroad. However, once you receive the confirmation of acceptance from VU Amsterdam, I strongly recommend that future outgoing students start looking for accommodation as early as possible. The housing market in Amsterdam is extremely competitive and expensive and finding a room can be very time-consuming and require a lot of effort.

2. Accommodation

I stayed at Hotel Jansen Schinkel (student housing). The rent was EUR 1,145 per month. The room was very small (approximately 18 m²), there was no private kitchen and the shared kitchen facilities were in poor condition. In addition, the accommodation had a mouse infestation. Considering the price, I would not recommend this housing option. The university was about 10-15 minutes away by bike, and most parts of the city could be reached within 15-20 minutes. Public transportation was relatively far away (15-20 minutes on foot), so I mainly relied on cycling or Uber. The area felt safe. I would recommend that future exchange students inform themselves in advance about possible Dutch government student housing funding programs, as some options are available if certain requirements are met.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus infrastructure at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is overall fine, but not particularly remarkable. Some buildings are quite old and outdated, while others are more modern. In comparison, the campus of WU Vienna is clearly more modern, better maintained, and overall much more pleasant. Regarding academic culture, the grading system ranges from 1 to 10, with very high grades (especially 9 or above) being awarded very rarely. This is communicated openly from the beginning, and it can be discouraging, as it is generally considered almost impossible to achieve very high grades regardless of the effort invested. In terms of teaching style and courses, I took the first four courses of the Minor in Entrepreneurship, each worth 6 ECTS. Each course was structured into lectures and tutorials. In practice, the lectures often felt unnecessary and were therefore poorly attended, while the tutorials mainly focused on group assignments. The content covered in lectures and tutorials was not always well aligned, as lectures focused on exam preparation, whereas tutorials were dedicated to group work. The courses were very demanding in terms of workload and required constant engagement throughout the semester, mainly due to the heavy emphasis on group projects. A large part of the final grades was based on group work, which was very time-consuming and often resulted in an uneven distribution of tasks within the groups. Despite the high effort required, I personally felt that the courses lacked clear structure and that the overall learning outcome was limited. In comparison to courses at WU Vienna, the academic experience at VU was rather disappointing. Courses at WU are generally better structured, more clearly organized, and provide a stronger academic framework. Overall, studying at VU - at least within this minor - did not meet my expectations, and I would not necessarily recommend these courses to future exchange students.

5. Every day life in the host country

I really enjoyed living in Amsterdam and experiencing everyday life in the city. Public transportation works well overall, but it is relatively expensive. Since my accommodation was not well connected to public transport, I rarely used it and mainly relied on cycling. Using a bicycle is by far the most common, cheapest, and fastest way to get around the city. Monthly bike rentals usually cost around EUR 20-30, and cycling is an essential part of daily life in Amsterdam. It is often much quicker than public transport, and I would strongly recommend future exchange students to get a bike, as it is a key part of the overall Amsterdam experience. In terms of safety, Amsterdam felt very safe at all times. I never felt uncomfortable or unsafe, even in the evenings. Regarding social life, leisure activities, and sports, Amsterdam offers a wide range of options. There are many events, activities, and sports opportunities available, especially for young people. As a very international and vibrant city, there is always something going on. Overall, living in Amsterdam as a student was a great experience, and it is a beautiful city to spend a semester abroad in.

6. Testimonial

Overall, my exchange semester in Amsterdam was a very valuable and memorable experience. One of the most special aspects was the friendships I formed during my exchange, especially with fellow WU students who also went to Amsterdam. Getting to know them during the semester abroad and growing so close has been incredibly meaningful. While I was somewhat unlucky with the courses and the academic experience at the host university, living and studying in Amsterdam for a few months was an amazing opportunity. Experiencing everyday life in a new city, cycling daily to university, exploring cafés, restaurants, and local spots, and living in such a beautiful and vibrant city made the exchange truly special. Despite the academic challenges, I would definitely choose to do the exchange again - especially because of the friendships and experiences I gained.