Details

• Netherlands
• BBE-18
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

You should start looking for housing as early as possible, as the housing market in Rotterdam is very competitive. Erasmus University Rotterdam will send exchange students housing listings from their own exchange students who are leaving their rooms or apartments. You should check these emails carefully and respond quickly, as good rooms are often taken within a very short time. It can also help to prepare a short introduction message about yourself in advance. You can also search for accommodation on platforms such as HousingAnywhere, Kamernet, or Facebook housing groups, but you should be careful about scams and avoid transferring money before verifying the legitimacy of the offer. You should also look at the course catalogue early and prepare your Online Learning Agreement in advance, since some courses may have limited capacity or specific requirements. For travel, you should know that many students arrive via Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and then take the direct train to Rotterdam, which takes about 25 minutes. It can also be helpful to arrive a few days before the semester starts so you have time to settle in and organize practical things. Finally, you should join exchange student WhatsApp or Facebook groups early, as students often share housing opportunities, bicycles, furniture, and other useful information there.

2. Accommodation

You should start looking for accommodation as early as possible, as the housing market in Rotterdam is very competitive. I found my apartment through one of the housing listing emails sent by Erasmus University Rotterdam, where previous exchange students advertise their rooms or apartments when they leave. I would strongly recommend checking these emails carefully and responding quickly, as good offers are usually taken very fast. My apartment itself was good and relatively affordable at around 770€ per month, which is quite cheap for Rotterdam. However, the location was not ideal. The apartment was located in Charlois, which is about 45 minutes from EUR by public transport and around 25 minutes by bike. This distance made daily commuting somewhat inconvenient. If possible, you should try to find accommodation in Kralingen, which is generally considered one of the best districts for students because it is very close to Erasmus University and many students live there. One tip I wish I had known beforehand is that it can be worth paying a higher monthly rent for a shorter rental period and a better location. For example, paying around 1200€ for a room from September to December in a good location can be better than paying around 800€ per month from August until January, especially if you are not staying for the entire period. A shorter contract in a better location can significantly improve your overall experience during the exchange semester.

3. Academic life at host university

The academic experience at Erasmus University Rotterdam was overall very positive. The campus is modern and well equipped, with many study spaces, libraries, and places to work in groups. The campus is also quite lively, and many students spend time there between classes, which creates a pleasant and social atmosphere. The academic culture felt very open and international. Classes included many international students, and discussions were generally encouraged. Compared to WU Vienna, the teaching style felt slightly more interactive, with more emphasis on participation, group work, and presentations. Many courses included smaller tutorials or seminars in addition to lectures, which allowed for more direct interaction with professors and teaching assistants. In general, the workload was manageable, but continuous assessment (such as assignments, group projects, and presentations) was common. This means that the workload is spread out over the semester rather than being concentrated in one final exam. Overall, studying at EUR provided a very open-minded and international academic environment, which made it easy to integrate and work with students from many different countries.

5. Every day life in the host country

Everyday life in Rotterdam is generally pleasant and the Netherlands is easy to navigate thanks to a very good public transport system. Trains and metro connections are reliable and make it easy to travel both within the city and to other places in the country. Rotterdam is also a very bike-friendly city, and many students use a bike as their main form of transportation. The safety and living quality can vary depending on the district. In my case, I lived in Charlois, which did not feel very safe at times and generally did not offer a very high living quality compared to other parts of the city. Other districts such as Kralingen or the city center felt much nicer and are more popular among students. Social life is an important part of the exchange experience, so it is helpful to build a friend group early in the semester and spend time together outside of university. This makes it easier to explore the city and participate in activities together. One of the advantages of Rotterdam is its location for travelling. Many interesting destinations are nearby and easy to reach by train. Popular trips among exchange students include Amsterdam, cities in Belgium such as Antwerp or Brussels, and even London, which can be reached relatively easily for a weekend trip.

6. Testimonial

My exchange semester at Erasmus University Rotterdam was a very valuable experience, both academically and personally. The international and open-minded environment made it easy to meet people from many different countries and build new friendships. One of the highlights was traveling with friends to nearby cities such as Amsterdam, Belgium, and even London. Overall, the semester was a great opportunity to experience a new culture, broaden my perspective, and create many memorable experiences.