Discover the best housing options, read reviews from those who've already done this exchange, and connect with peers from universities worldwide!
Discover the best housing options, read reviews from those who've already done this exchange, and connect with peers from universities worldwide!
Elliot
From: IESEG
To: VU Amsterdam
2025 • Fall
take a bike because you will do nothing without a bike and the transport tickets are expensive..
What kind of place was it?
Student Residence
How much was the rent per month?
around 500
Where was it located?
uilenstede
How can someone find this place?
university platform
Would you recommend it?
Yes and no yes because it's not too expensive but no because it's depend of your room mates
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
go to jordaan or in the center there is a lot of good bar
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
class about marketing and management not the class with contemporary careers
Do you have some tips?
campus is cool and everything is easy to do and understand
Best trips to do?
a lot like utrecht or rotterdam not far away and esay to go there
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Amsterdam?
take a bike because you will do nothing without a bike and the transport tickets are expensive
Arthur
From: Excelia
To: Hva amsterdam
2025 • Full year
To live your best life in Amsterdam, you need to be open-minded, organized, and independent. A bike is essential, as public transport becomes very expensive…..
What kind of place was it?
Student Residence
How much was the rent per month?
600€
Where was it located?
In diemen, 10min from the center
How can someone find this place?
Via student housing from the school
Would you recommend it?
You dont really have the choice in Amsterdam, find a place is really hard. So I would have picked the same.
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
I dont really remember bar's name. About nightclub, I like MADAM, the shelter, warehouse, and escape. You have multiples évents in the city : f1, football, raves
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
I don’t have any specific recommendations, as it needs to be linked to your future project. In general, most courses in Amsterdam are scheduled only two days per week
Do you have some tips?
HvA has several very nice campuses across Amsterdam. Registration is easy, the support system responds very quickly. I would choose this university again.
Best trips to do?
During your Erasmus year, you will probably have many friends living in different countries. Amsterdam is very well connected, which makes traveling easy. I was able to go back to Paris easily and also travel to cities like Bucharest, Berlin, and Stockholm without any difficulty.
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Amsterdam?
To live your best life in Amsterdam, you need to be open-minded, organized, and independent. A bike is essential, as public transport becomes very expensive quickly. Managing your time well and taking advantage of the city’s international atmosphere will make the experience unforgettable.
Dutch culture values punctuality and direct communication. Being young does not mean being careless, and even though some drugs are legal, it is important to stay responsible.
Caroline
From: IE University
To: University of Amsterdam (UVA)
2025 • Fall
Very far from the university and the center. Nice amenities but the area surrounding it is not very nice...
What kind of place was it?
Student Residence
How much was the rent per month?
795
Where was it located?
30 min from Univeristy in Zuid
How can someone find this place?
Student housing lottery - Lieven de Key
Would you recommend it?
Very far from the university and the center. Nice amenities but the area surrounding it is not very nice.
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
Cafe Thijssen
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
International Politics and International Relations
Do you have some tips?
Campus was very nice
Best trips to do?
Surrounding towns like Haarlem, Utrecht, the Hague etc
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Amsterdam?
Biking is the only way to go - it's the best
Ariel
From: Ieseg
To: Vu
2025 • Fall
Marketing classes were really boring and I only choose these courses (because I didn’t found any negotiation related course) Students here work as if they were…..
What kind of place was it?
Classic Apartment
How much was the rent per month?
Expensive, I don’t wanna tell the price
Where was it located?
In Jordaan
How can someone find this place?
I contacted somebody who’s job is to find housing for peoples
Would you recommend it?
Super appartement, but no elevator (4th floor), and no balcony… Except that, it it great, next to the center (10mn away from most of the places I wanted to visit) and really cosy
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
Only tech music… not my cup of tea. But if you like tech this is the perfect country for you.
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
Marketing classes were really boring and I only choose these courses (because I didn’t found any negotiation related course) Students here work as if they were robots : you tell them to do the conclusion before the intro, they will do it even if it not logical, just because it is the guideline.
Do you have some tips?
Yes campus cool, registration not difficult. But I really dislike the way students work here.
Best trips to do?
I don’t have the time to travel, I found a job to make money because life is really expensive in Amsterdam. I am glad my parents helped me the first month and that I received the Erasmus « subvention »
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Amsterdam?
Idk it is a great city, you cannot hate it. Be aware of the bikes, it is a bit dangerous. Except that just go and visit places, you can find a lot of good spots searching on TikTok, insta reels…
Save money before you come here 🤣🤣
Leander
From: TIO Business school
To: Tio Business School
2025 • Fall
Easy going school, Lots of presentations and assignments, less exams, strong community, cool events..
What kind of place was it?
Student Residence
How much was the rent per month?
1600€
Where was it located?
Minervahaven
How can someone find this place?
Student Experience
Would you recommend it?
It’s good, but expansive
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
Leidseplein & Rembrandtplein
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
Tourism management-less exams
Do you have some tips?
Easy going school, Lots of presentations and assignments, less exams, strong community, cool events
Best trips to do?
…
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Amsterdam?
Visit de pijp or jordaan, don’t hang out in the actual city center
Margot
From: Kedge Business School
To: Amsterdam University of applied sciences
2024 • Fall
The social life in the city is really cool. Here are some of my favorite places: - coco's outback (Erasmus parties) -Club NYX (nightclub) - such a cool place…..
What kind of place was it?
Student Residence
How much was the rent per month?
600
Where was it located?
near the Ann Franck museum
How can someone find this place?
Finding a place to stay in Amsterdam can be a real struggle. So, the best way to find a place is to take part of the school lottery in order to have a room in a student residence
Would you recommend it?
I Struggled a lot to find a place; however, the place I was staying was really nice,e and I would definitely recommend it.
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
The social life in the city is really cool. Here are some of my favorite places: - coco's outback (Erasmus parties) -Club NYX (nightclub) - such a cool place with nice music and different rooms - The poolbar (bar) - big bar where you can rent a pool with your friends for 2o euros - Bar Twenty two - cute bar in the center to go for a drink, the place is really cosy - Cafe hill street blues - coffee shop with a bueatuful view on the canal - Melkweg - nightclub, concert hall Waterkant - best place to go and havce some drinks when the sun is out
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
I was doing the sport business and entertainment minor, and I would recommend it because we had really good teachers, and it was interesting
Do you have some tips?
The registration was straightforward as people answered really quickly. The administration is great.
Best trips to do?
Depend on your budget
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Amsterdam?
Such a nice city to live in: - it can rain a lot - beautiful city - people seem cold at first, but they are really nice - you will be using your bike all the time - public transports are expensive - cost living is expensive
Florent
From: IESEG
To: VU Amsterdam
2025 • Spring
- Public transport is very expensive - Cost of living is high - Weather can be very rainy and windy - Must try Surinamese, Turkish, Moroccan, and Curaçao food..
What kind of place was it?
Student Residence
How much was the rent per month?
600 €
Where was it located?
20 minutes by metro from both the university and the city center
How can someone find this place?
Through ROOM NL program (first come first served, act very early)
Would you recommend it?
Student residence via ROOM NL (partnership with VU Amsterdam). Yes, definitely recommend it. Just avoid Amsterdam Zuid Oost (Bijlmer).
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
Everything happens in the center or close by. Joining a sports club is highly recommended, also good to enjoy university campus events
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
Some courses are demanding, but you can also find very easy ones. Check course descriptions carefully.
Do you have some tips?
Ambience is average. Workload includes lots of group projects and homework. Few classes on campus (max 4h/day, 3–4 days per week).
Best trips to do?
Germany Exploring the Netherlands itself
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Amsterdam?
- Public transport is very expensive - Cost of living is high - Weather can be very rainy and windy - Must try Surinamese, Turkish, Moroccan, and Curaçao food
Joining a sports club (for example basketball) helps you travel the country and meet locals.
