Colophone
Editor in Chief
Pit Albert
Editors
Ilona Gacic
Pit Albert
Graphic Design
Ilona Gacic
Pit Albert
Contributors
Marc Ferriggi
Lara Schmitz
Sebastian Ghiveci
Lotti Verschuijl
Dear international student,
Welcome to our beautiful city and your home during your stay. After a long time, you made a big decision and you decided to move to the Netherlands! Time to be starting the next chapter of your life here in Utrecht, how exciting!
With this magazine, we want to give you all the necessary information you will need to enjoy your stay here. To give you a little taste of our magazine we have all the insider information about Dutch food, finding a job, the importance of bikes and so on.
Being an international student in a new country has its challenges. Yet, ESN Utrecht can easily become your new support system and provide you with a group of wonderful new friends. And not to forget some members might have the same nationality as you, so you will always have a connection to home.
We wish you all the best in your new part of life, and to enjoy Utrecht as much as we have. Enjoy your time here and remember that you are not alone!
Lots of love, Pit Albert Communication Manager 2022-2023“Enjoy your time here and remember you are not alone!”
Now that you have opened this magazine you might have wondered who is ESN?
Simply said, ESN is an international student association that aims to represent and to guide international students. Our mission is to represent international students and guide them around the cultural understanding of the Netherlands, as well as self-development, through the principle of Students Helping Students. Through Students Helping Students, ESN aims for members to meet new people from around the world and make lifetime friends.
Therefore ESN offers different cool activities for everyone’s interest. These categories include career activities, parties, arrival assistance, Dutch language courses, Pub quizzes, city and weekend trips, and sports activities.
Furthermore, ESN Utrecht provides you with a blog that contains all the information you need to know as an international student in the Netherlands!
Not only can you be a member of ESN but even better you can become part of ESN on a voluntary basis. ESN is an all-student-based association. and therefore has 13 committees to help organise everything from activities, parties, promotional materials to the blog as well as the behind-the-scenes of ESN Utrecht.
So what are you waiting for, go join and become a member of our local ESN student association and enjoy everything we offer. You can become a member by buying an ESNcard. As a member of ESN you not only have access to all offered activities but you will be able to profit from our many partner deals (more on that later)!
To receive your card, you will have to buy the ESNcard in our online ticketshop. Once the payment is complete you will be able to pick your card up at the office of ESN Utrecht. The address is Princetonplein 9, 3584 CC Utrecht, which is located at the Utrecht Science Park.
My name is Marc, I’m 25 years old and from Malta. My role as President is to oversee the organisation of the board, be in contact with the higher education institutes, and represent ESN on behalf of the Board. ESN has helped me feel at home here in Utrecht and I want to give back by helping new international students have a great experience here and create lifelong memories and friends. I love having good conversations with friends, exploring new cities, watching sports, and going on adventures. I am really looking forward to the upcoming year and hope to see you all at our events!
Hey, my name is Lara, and I will be the of ESN Utrecht. I am half German and Filipino and had the chance to live in both countries. As Secretary I will be taking care of the internal and external communication. Other than that, I will be taking care of the Arrival Assistance provided to all incoming international students. I moved to Utrecht in 2021 to start my Creative Business Bachelor studies at HU and joined the ESN family as soon as I arrived. One of my interests is Formula 1. On Sundays, you’ll probably find me watching the race.
Hello, I’m Sebastian and I will be the Treasurer. I am a 21-year-old Creative Business student here in Utrecht at the HU. Creating quality content and hiking, especially with the scouts, are two of the things I enjoy doing. I have also been part of ESN Utrecht, in the Promo Committee since 2020. Besides this, I am also interested in how finances are handled in an organisation hence I thought this position might be great for that! Some of my responsibilities include the annual budget, managing and creating invoices and organising sales.
Are you finishing up your studies, thinking of doing a gap year or just looking for a new challenge to take on this year? Do you want to get to know other cultures and people from all around the world and do you want to develop your personal and professional skills? Then the Board of ESN Utrecht might be the perfect opportunity for you! We are still looking for a Partnership Manager and a Communication Manager to join our 34th Board! Find out more about what it is it like to be in a Board or apply directly over on our ESN Utrecht website!
Hi, my name is Lotti and I will be the Integration Coordinator of the 34th Board of ESN Utrecht. I am half Hungarian and Half Dutch. As the Intergration Coordinator I will be the bridge between the international students and local students and be in charge of the Dutch language course, finding pre-departure and introduction mentors, coordinating the Social Inclusion Committee and the Culture Committee, and the semester planner. I got to know ESN by going on an exchange to Finland and decided I want to also be active for the ESN community in my home country. I joined ESN Utrecht last year by being part of the Social Inclusion Committee and I am very excited to become even more engaged with ESN while
One of the main goals of ESN Utrecht is to create a community of students that is rooted in Dutch culture but that flowers again each year with members and cultures from all over the world. The most important aspect of the ESN community is connection with other people so that you will feel at home in Utrecht. The best way to get this feeling of connection and community is by doing activities together and sharing experiences with your fellow students. In order to let you connect with Utrecht, the Netherlands, and your fellow students, the different ESN Utrecht volunteer committees organise many activities throughout the year.
During the semesters, they organise at least one activity a week, so you will definitely not get bored. Whether you’re an exchange student, a bachelor student, a master student, or even a
that will stick with you for the rest of your life. Below is our pick of the most exciting ESN activities.
Twice a year, the Introduction Committee organises an Introduction Week, one in September and one in February. These introduction weeks are meant for students that have just arrived in the Netherlands, but anyone can volunteer to be a mentor so that you can join the activities even if you’re no longer ‘new’ in Utrecht. Activities include laser gaming, a pubquiz, playing pool, watching movies, and having dinner together. During these activities, you’ll get to know your fellow international students and you’ll also meet some Dutchies who’ve opted to become mentors.
Club Poema is a nightclub which is notorious amongst students. Here, at least your nights will never be boring! Even though Poema is open almost every day of the week, Tuesdays are special because of the ESN International Student Night. This is when the club is usually packed with internationals and Dutchies and if you arrive before 00:30, the ESN Board will welcome you
and give you two free drinks. Next to that, the Party Committee also often organises events in Club Poema!
You can also opt to participate in one of the many day trips. The Culture Committee decides which places you will visit. They usually choose Dutch cities such as Leiden and Rotterdam, which are not too far away but have more than enough wonderful architecture and food specialities to
keep you occupied for a whole day. The volunteers will make sure you don’t miss any highlights. On these trips, you’ll leave Utrecht in the morning, participate in all kinds of tours and activities during the day, have dinner in a restaurant in the evening, and return back to Utrecht before midnight.
If a one-day trip is not enough for you and you want even more fun, you can opt to join on one of the weekend trips. On these trips, the Culture Committee will take you a bit further away from Utrecht, for example to Ghent or Maastricht. These trips also include an overnight stay in a hostel. Sharing a room with other ESN members will make for even stronger bonding, so do not hesitate to come along.
King’s Day is a very special day in the Netherlands. It’s an annual holiday on the 27th of April and hundreds of thousands of Dutchies put on orange clothes and gather in the streets and at festivals to celebrate the birthday of King Willem Alexander. In the larger cities such as Amsterdam and Utrecht, it’s a habit for Dutchies to have a party on a boat while they sail through the canals or to sit on the shores with music and drinks to watch these boats pass by.
To make this Dutch phenomenon an unforgettable experience for you, ESN will take you on a party boat through one of the larger cities. You can dance your heart out while enjoying the
masses of people in orange that cheer for you from the shores of the canals.
All ESN activities are organised by volunteers in cooperation with the Board. Strong communication is necessary between the volunteers in order to make all activities run smoothly, but also to encourage friendships within committees.
Therefore, some activities are only open to ESN Utrecht volunteers so that they can bond with each other. Volunteer activities include weekends away and barbecues! Of course, everyone is free to become a volunteer, you can always send an email or sign up to become a volunteer!
Your ESNcard does not only give you access to join all of our activities, but it also provides you with some nice deals and discounts! Check out some of our partners below, or visit our website www.esn-utrecht.nl/partners for a full overview!
Club Poema is the number 1 club for your student life in Utrecht. The club has an ESN International Student Night every Tuesday, and if you arrive before 00:30h you receive 2 coins for free drinks!
Want a drink in a relaxed environment with a view at the Dom? Try Bar Walden! Your ESNcard gets you 20% off any drink you order! Bar Walden is located right next to the Dom and is one of the most popular spots for students in Utrecht.
Do you bike yet? Buy a second-hand bike with accessories with 10% discount at one of the best and most central bike shops in Utrecht! A bike is essential to get around in Utrecht! Dutch people cycle everywhere and for internationals it is a great experience to easily go from one place to another on your bike. Utrecht is built for bikes, so it’s very easy and safe to use your bike! So get your bike now at Celil CityBike!
Are you interested in a Dutch bank account? ABN AMRO got the student account that meets all your needs: a free bank account with debit card and internet-mobile banking, contract in English, overview of your income and expenses, open in 5 minutes via your mobile phone with a valid passport, able to get free student insurance (combination of Personal Liability and Home Contents). Start your studies in a relaxed way with the banking services of ABN AMRO! More information on the ESN Utrecht website! Or just scan the QR Code on the right to access the ABN AMRO page directly!
TivoliVredenburg is Utrecht’s main cultural venue, a unique venue built for all kinds of music and entertainment. The large modern music palace harbours halls with perfect acoustics for hip hop, reggae, pop music, jazz, chamber music and dance, as well as cafes, bars, lounges and a restaurant!
With your ESNcard you are in a privileged position: it grants you access to their weekly DonderNacht student dance night on Thursdays and to a party that happens every 3-4 weeks called Pop-O-Matic! For these deals we will always send a sign-up form into our ESN WhatsApp groups, so you can sign up onto the guest list and get free access to the party!
As a student in a new town, there are plenty of restaurants and bars to try, but we’ve compiled a list of our favorites so that you can get a headstart before adding your own!
It’s always difficult to find a place that my parents approve of, so I’ve come up with a few enticing options that are picky-eater proof.
Fico: very gourmet food composed of a 5-course meal. It is quite expensive but worth it to celebrate a birthday with your family. It is also a beautiful location on one of the smaller canals in a renovated port building (Veilinghavenkade 14, 3521 AK Utrecht.) Additionally, it is also worth mentioning that the owners have a second gourmet restaurant in an old water tower (with a wonderful view of Utrecht) at Heuveloord 25a!
If your family is craving Italian food, we recommend pizzas at O’Panuozzo at Mariastraat 35. You can also go to San Ciro for a wonderful Italian Cuisine at Oudkerkhof 9. The food is very fresh and the service is amazing.
If you are looking for breakfast or brunch, we can suggest going to Kushiin (Ridderschapstraat 1). They offer a variety of options that will leave you rolling off the table.
If you are in the mood for toasties, we suggest going to Noen, who offers the best ones in town. The café may not be in the center of the city, but the coffee, soups, baked goods, and toasties are worth the travel (Jan van Scorelstraat 8).
It is generally easy to find vegetarian, vegan and allergy friendly places in the Netherlands. You can find options in many restaurants but rest assured that you can safely eat at these places:
• Vegitalian (Schoutenstraat 17, 3512 GA Utrecht)
• Carla’s Conditorie koffie & vegan bakkerij (Achter de Dom 6, 3512 JP Utrecht)
• GYS (Voorstraat 77, 3512 AL Utrecht)
• BROEI (Oosterkade 24, 3582 AV Utrecht)
You can also find milk replacements and gluten free options in many cafés and restaurants!
Once you get rid of your parents and you want to go out in town for drinks, we suggest you got to:
Bar Walden: this particular bar is very advantageous if you have an ESNcard. You get 20% off on any drink you order. But the best part? It is in the middle of the city, right next to the Dom tower (Domplein 16, 3512 JD Utrecht).
Little Berlin: amazing drinks next to the water for a decent price, right outside of the city center. Sounds dreamy, doesn’t it? (Helling 22, 3523 CC Utrecht)
De Beurs: is also a lovely bar, with a massive terrace when the weather permits being outside. They have a wide array of drinks but our personal favorite are their snacks: nachos and the sweet potato fries with truffle mayonnaise! ( Neude 37-39, 3512 AG Utrecht)
The international food setting and offers in Utrecht is incredibly diverse but these are some of our favorites:
• Kimmade, Vietnamese (Oudegracht aan de Werf 61, 3511 AL Utrecht)
• Little Sunshine, Ethiopian (Pauwstraat 11, 3512 TG Utrecht)
• Cibari, Mexican (Amsterdamsestraatweg 257, 3551 CE Utrecht)
• Daebak Korean BBQ (Oudegracht 214, 3511 NS Utrecht)
• Polpette, Italian (Groenendaalstraat 2, 3521 AD Utrecht)
• Japanese Don Dining KOUNOSUKE (Westerkade 27, 3511
HC Utrecht)
• Yunak, Turkish, (Kanaalstraat 84, 3531 CL Utrecht)
• Hola Empanadas (Korte Jansstraat 16, 3512 GN Utrecht)
Most dutchies use the Thuisbezorgd app to order at various restaurants/cafeterias, which might encourage you to download it. You can also use UberEats if you prefer or have both since they don’t always have the same restaurants. Another opportunity to support restaurants is to order directly from them.
If (or when) you find yourself craving a midnight snack, many snack bars are open in Utrecht. You can either find the closest one next to you and pick up your food on the way home or order from your house. They typically serve traditional Dutch snacks such as bitterballen, kroketten, frikandel, fries, and kaassouflé. These often come in vegetarian options (and sometimes with vegan options) but they truly are a great way to taste dutch snacks!
Utrecht was officially founded in the year 1122, but before that, it was already a fort called Trajectum in Roman times. This means that the city has rich history, which is evident from the way it’s built and from the landmarks that are present within and around its perimeter.
It’s also a very lively city, filled with young, creative people that are invested in keeping the traditional feel of Utrecht and mixing it with a dash of modern style such as hidden paintings on old houses, famous graffiti art, and many poems written on walls and cobblestones.
When daylight leaves the streets of Utrecht, the illuminated stories of Utrecht Lumen come to life. These works of art cast a special light on the history, the inhabitants, the function or the symbolism of a building or location. Some light artworks play with a familiar building. Others take you to a surprising place that you would otherwise not come so quickly or completely pass by during the day. That’s why it’s our favourite. There are more than twenty artistic light stimuli on this route, and you can easily find their locations online if you search for the Utrecht Lumen walk. Following are some examples of highlights.
1) Tunnels have always played an important role in the center of Utrecht. This also applies to the tunnel from the Ganzenmarkt that leads to the cellar of the Winkel van Sinkel. It is illuminated beautifully at night.
2) The Flying Saucer on the railway station building. Nobody knows how it arrived there. How did they come this far? How much further will they go? So many questions, so few answers. The UFO residents have not been home for a while, but since 2016 the lights in the dish have been switched on again in the evening.
3) Over the centuries, the five arched bridges over the Oudegracht have been
very decisive for the appearance of the city center of Utrecht. Lighting designer Hal Hollands wanted to emphasise this with dynamic light image that allows the bridge and the flowing water below to react to each other.
4) In Roman times, Utrecht was the northern border of the Roman Empire. There was a fortress with a wall on the site of the Domplein. At that time, Utrecht was still called Trajectum and the Roman fortress Castellum Trajectum. The wall is, of course, long gone. But in the evening it rises every fifteen minutes from the road surface of Domstraat, Servetstraat and Korte Nieuwstraat. In 1962, part of the canal around the
city center was filled to build Hoog Catharijne, a highway and a parking lot on top of it. But after many protests, it was restored in 2020 to its former glory. You can now walk a full circle along the water again. You can also take some shortcuts along canals through the city center and because they’re all interconnected you’ll always end up on the ring canal again. The route starts and ends at Utrecht Central Station. It’s very easy to follow and you can find the following highlights along the canal.
1) Let’s start off with Pop Podium TivoliVredenburg. The origin of Tivoli has a turbulent history with punks, rock and roll, and demonstrations. Even the Rolling Stones have played there.
2) The second highlight is the Zandbrug. However, Just before the Zandbrug, you will see the statue of Trijn van Leemput on your left. During the Eighty Years’ War, Trijn was the resistance heroine who dealt the first blow to demolish Vredenburg Castle. The castle was demolished within 3 days, an important turning point in the battle against the Spanish.
3) The Beguine stronghold used to stand along the canal and served to defend the city of Utrecht. It is one of the 5 strongholds that protected Utrecht. The contours of the stronghold can still be seen today. This part along the canal is full of large trees and nature, a wonderfully quiet piece to walk.
4) The Lucasbolwerk was also a defensive stronghold of the city of Utrecht and dates from the period 1577 – 1597. Today the Lucasbolwerk has an important nightlife function and on this street are the Utrecht City Theater, 2 student associations and several cafes.
5) If you follow the canal after the Lucasbolwerk, you can follow a footpath from the Lucasbrug along the water. At the beginning of this path, a piece of the old city wall is visible on the right. A nice reminder of the defensive wall of the past.
6) From Lepelenburg park you can follow the Zonneburg hiking trail. After a few minutes you will arrive at Park Servaasbolwerk/Sonneborgh. The former KNMI building stands on a small hill. Nowadays Museum Sonnenborgh is located here where you can learn everything about weather and astronomy. In the domes are 3 telescopes to view the universe.
Finding housing is often the most stressful part of moving to a new country and this is particularly true if that country is the Netherlands, with the ongoing housing crisis.
This is especially tough on international students who have to navigate a foreign and complicated housing market, often from abroad. Coupled with the numerous Dutch students also searching for housing and the anti-international attitude prevalent in most shared housing, it can easily turn the excitement of moving abroad into a tiring and frustrating ordeal. No matter your situation, whether you are searching for the first time or looking to move, the advice in this article can hopefully help alleviate some of the stress and aid you in your search for accommodation.
Before getting into the details of finding housing in the Netherlands, it is important to emphasise caution in your house hunt. Unfortunately, scammers preying on desperate accommodation-seekers is not a rarity in the Dutch housing market. So it's important to keep some things in mind before starting your search. First, if an offer looks too good to be true, then it probably is. Studios and rooms in the city center do not come cheap, and an ad that says otherwise is likely a scam. Second, it is a good idea to be wary of ads that lack information or apparent landlords who give only vague details and unclear responses. Finally, do not pay for anything upfront without being
able to see the room or apartment. If you are searching from abroad and unable to view the room in person, then viewing it through a video-call is a good alternative. Anything that can assure you the accommodation is real and the landlord is legit. Remember that being scammed is a reasonable fear to have, so if a landlord is very defensive or does not understand your concerns then this is a red flag.
There are many different platforms through which to search for housing in Utrecht. Kamernet is a site which advertises rooms, apartments, and houses. Funda and Parasius are other housing sites, although dedicated to apartments and houses. Joining facebook groups dedicated to housing in Utrecht is another option. SSH offers rooms specifically dedicated to students, and also includes rooms reserved by Utrecht University for international students. ‘First come first serve’ is the basis of university and student housing, so it's important to be early in your search if you would like one of these rooms. Another option is Hospi Housing, which is a site that matches room-seekers with local hosts. Do not remain limited to Utrecht either, oftentimes searching for accommodation in surrounding towns and villages can be easier and more affordable, and commuting is relatively simple by bike and public transport. Should you seek to find housing outside of the city but within cycling distance, Bilthoven, Lunetten and Houten are good places to start.
As already mentioned, some housing providers cater to students specifically. This includes university accommodation. Often this housing will either be small self-contained studios, or rooms in a shared apartment. On the other hand, there are also student houses. These accommodations are normal houses or apartments shared among students, and can be found advertised on sites like Kamernet or Facebook. It can be hard for international students to find accommodation in these kinds of houses, as many are for Dutch students and specifically state “no internationals,” but this is not always the case, and it is possible to find international houses as well.
When looking at advertisements for accommodation in Utrecht, some information to be aware of is: length of stay, possibility of registration, “hospiteeravonden,” and furnishing. With regards to length of stay, it is important to check the length of the accommodation offered. Many rooms in Utrecht are rented out on a short
term basis while their occupants are away for holidays, internships or exchanges. It is important to be able to register at your address if you are staying in the Netherlands, as without proper registration you will not be able to receive your BSN number, and not all rooms allow for this.
“Hospiteeravonden” means “hospitality evenings,” and will be a common feature on advertisements for shared and student accommodation. On the given date, you, and occasionally other potential tenants, will meet with the residents of a house and get to know each other. This is a good way to find out if you will be a good fit for the house, so it’s important to be yourself and not let your concern for finding housing blind you to potential personality or behavior clashes that could make your time in the house miserable.
Above all it is important to not get discouraged or lose hope. Finding housing in Utrecht is definitely a struggle. Sometimes you may have to stay in a hostel for a few weeks or move during your time in Utrecht, but this is normal and something many students have dealt with moving to the Netherlands. If you persevere and keep the above advice in mind, then finding great accommodation is possible!
The Dutch are obsessed with football, hockey, and especially ice-skating. Did you know that in the 2014 Winter Olympics the Dutch won 23 of the 36 speed skating medals? It is considered to be the single most dominant performance by a country in any sport, at any Olympics.
Even though your studies and social activities might take up a lot of time, it is worth investing time in sports because it will improve your overall quality of life. So even the most diligent students and night owls can benefit from taking the time to enjoy sports. Joining a sports club will not only improve your
physical health but also give you the opportunity to make new friends. Most clubs organise many social events on the side to help you connect with fellow sports enthusiasts!
You can do almost any sport that you want in Utrecht. Sports Center Olympos is the place to go if you want to do sports as a student in Utrecht. Olympos is situated at The Uithof and offers many different sports to students. For only €160 per year, you can do unlimited group lessons like yoga or boxing Some lessons require a small extra fee. Still, prices are very low compared to regular sports clubs, especially considering the amount of
sports you can choose from. Fitness is also included in this membership.
With a small extra fee of about €40 a year you can join one of the student sports clubs, such as the student strength sports association or the student tennis association, which will give you access to all their social events. There are 30 associations to choose from!
If you’re just interested in staying fit and you live on the other side of the city, far removed from Olympos, becoming a member of a regular fitness facility might be an option for you. There are many, scattered throughout the city. De Workout in the city center offers a discount to students with an ESNcard, offers as many activities as Olympos as well as access to the machines. It is
also far more beautiful as it is situated on the Oudegracht. Lastly, its sauna is very enjoyable.
And last but not least, you can always join the ESN Running Club! They will help you with finding new and scenic running routes in and around Utrecht. The Running Team engages the group in running activities and organises running-related events; you can think of a running clinic or a race! And the best thing is that you can join running sessions for free with your ESNcard!
Living in a new country does not only mean making new friends and discovering your new surroundings but also testing out the cuisine. To introduce you to the Dutch cuisine, we have compiled a guide with some proper dutch dishes, local ingredients, and where to find them in Utrecht.
Manneken Pis serves fries with several different toppings you can choose from; additionally, they are considered the best fries in the Netherlands. Manneken Pis offers Vlaamse Friet which is a type of thicker fries: nice and crispy from the outside and soft on the inside. Some proper dutch toppings are oorlog special (made with peanut sauce, mayonnaise, and onions), Joppiesaus (made with mayonnaise mixed with mild curry spices), and Garlic sauce, and last but not least simple mayonnaise. You will probably notice through your stay in the Netherlands that Dutch people are addicted to fries.
The Dutch cuisine offers a variety of different snacks. For instance, Frikandellen are very popular, which are a sort of sausage made out of minced meat. Bitterballen are little meat snacks in the form of a little ball made out of minced, shredded meat and covered in a crust. Loempias are spring rolls that
are also popular in the Netherlands. Kaassoufle and Kaastsengel are very similar, and both are dough filled with cheese. While these snacks are pretty good, a portion of fries on the side can’t be missed. Some decent snack bars in the city are Cafetaria t’Hoekje, Falafel City, and Musa’s Place.
The market is a great option to try so many different dutch delicacies. This ranges from different types of cheese to fresh fish to fresh backed waffles to the dutch mini pancakes, called Poffertjes. A fish delicacy that can be found at Dutch markets is Kibbeling, which is a dish whereby pieces of fish are fried in the dough. The biggest market in Utrecht is the Vredenburgplein market which is open every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
If you are on the hunt for some local food, there are several shops and even restaurants serving local ingredients. Seafood dishes are very popular within the Netherlands since the country is located right at the North Sea.
If you are looking for some local fresh seafood, the Blauwe Bar 1 is the spot to go. In terms of local groceries, the shop Local offers a variety of bread, cheese, sandwiches, eggs, vegetables, and fruits. The bread that you can buy at Local is provided by De Veldkeuken, which is a restaurant and bakery specializing in local ingredients. De Veldkeuken can be found just outside Utrecht, nearby the Ameliesweerd.
You might already know how famous the Netherlands is for cheese, even Utrecht has its own cheese type called Utrechste Dom Kaas. Not to forget, Utrecht even has the Kaasbar, offering different types of cheese and wine. The Kaasbar is located right at the Oudegracht, so enjoy some cheese and enjoy the view.
Another food that the Dutchies just can’t stop to eat are Pannekoeken (Pancakes), which are not only served in the morning with sweet toppings, but Pannekoeken are also served savory, and you can just eat them any time of the day. Right at the Oudegrachten, you can find the Pannenkoekenbakkerij De Muntkelder, which offers several sweet and savory pancakes, for instance, with banana and cheese, or if you don’t want to be too experimental there are so many different pancakes toppings that there is something for everybody.
Most of the Dutchies are more than capable of talking English, but sometimes it is nice to understand and speak Dutch yourself!
Good morning = goedemorgen
Good afternoon = goedemiddag
Good night = goedenavond
Bye = doei
Thank you = bedankt
You’re welcome = geen probleem
How are you? = Hoe gaat het?
My name is = Mijn naam is
Several online programs could help to learn Dutch. Duolingo is a free app that is useful to learn the Dutch basics in a fun way! Also, learndutch.org is a website where you can learn the Dutch language.
There are also a variety of organizations offering language courses. For example, Babel offers online and offline courses (online from €150 - offline from €195). Volksuniversiteit Utrecht (when you live in the municipality Utrecht and are from a country that is part of the EU, you receive a short intensive training for €50,-) and Lest Best offers more expensive courses in Dutch.
There are also several groups and activities in Utrecht where you can practice Dutch. Every Wednesday, there is a meeting in Cafe Marktzicht (20.00) to talk, practice, play and discover languages. Joining this meeting is free!
Meetup.com shows several Language
Cafés in the area of Utrecht. You can become a member of the café you want.
Last but not least, ESN Utrecht also offers a Dutch Language Course (DuLaCo) for a cheap price! The course is very practically oriented, you will
learn some useful words and sentences about a different theme every week. For example: introducing yourself, family, getting around, food, or holidays and traditions. Get ready to impress your friends!
ESN offers beginner and intermediate courses. If you know some Dutch already, you could join the intermediate course. If you have any questions regarding our Dutch Language Course, please send an email to integration@ esn-utrecht.nl or visit our website www. esn-utrecht.nl for more information!
During this holiday, all the children make or buy a lantern and take this with them door to door. Instead of trick or treating, they sing Sint Maarten songs, and they are rewarded with sweets.
A typical Sint Maarten song:
Sint Maarten, Sint Maarten de koeien hebben staarten de meisjes hebben rokjes aan daar komt Sinte Maarten aan.
Translation:
Sint Maarten, Sint Maarten the cows have tails
The girls wear skirts
Sint Maarten is coming over there
Every year, Sinterklaas comes to the Netherlands to give presents to kids. In the weeks before this day, the kids sing songs and put a carrot in their shoe for Sinterklaas’ horse in the evening. When the children wake up they might have got something in their shoe, like a little present or candy and pepernoten.
Adults often play ‘secret Santa’ and buy a present, write a poem or sometimes even make a kind of artwork for someone. Lastly, this holiday is marked because there are many snacks. Snacks that are common to eat during Sinterklaas are chocolate letters, pepernoten, chocolate coins.
The Southern areas in the Netherlands used to celebrate Carnaval just before Lent, the 40 days before Easter. Nowadays, Carnaval is also known as a time to party for many people. Depending on which city you go to, there are rules on how to dress. For example, in Den Bosch you need to wear the typical scarf and jacket. In other cities you can wear, for example, an animal onesie or any other creative outfit.
I will not pretend that the music we dance to is good. But it is not all the same and it is not all Dutch. There’s quite the variety in Dutch pubs and bars, but you have to know where to go for the latin nights, or to specific bars that are known for their preference for American pop music (if that’s what you’re looking for). Generally, the popular bars play pop music, with Dutch and international music alternating.
When we go out, we go by... You guessed it. Bike. This is obviously not obligatory, but it can be quite complicated to find a taxi or to go by public transportation, since the times might be weird or the taxis are overdemanded. Either way, they are expensive. And going out by bike is not that difficult. There are bike parkings everywhere and biking is safe!
For most people, national holidays like Pentecost are an extra day off. Some of the big festivals are organized during these long weekends. They are definitely worth checking out!
Other national holidays include King’s Day and Liberation Day, both celebrated with music on outside stages, freely accessible. During King’s Day, there are also flea markets all over the cities!
The Netherlands might be a small country, yet it still has so many beautiful attractions, landmarks, and activities to offer that you simply cannot miss out on. For you to start to explore your new home, we have a small guide with the must-see attractions in Utrecht and the surrounding cities.
Let’s start with your new hometown. Now that you have finally arrived in Utrecht, it’s time to discover your new surroundings and find your favorite spots in the city. Starting with the most obvious landmark that just can’t be overlooked, the Domkerk and it’s Domtoren. The Domtoren is the tallest church tower at 112 meters and 32 centimeters in the Netherlands.
Not only does Utrecht have the tallest cathedral tower, but it also has the biggest castle in the Netherlands, just outside of the city. Although the Kasteel de Haar has a long history stretching to the 14th century, the castle that you can now visit was renovated in 1892 until 1907 in a gothic revival style. The castle offers a rich amount of history, exhibitions, different events, and a beautiful garden.
The city is also full of cute tiny canals and bridges called the Oudegracht, which were used for transportation within the North and South of Holland making them significant for the transportation of goods between the Northern Part and the Southern part of The Netherlands. The Oudegracht is 2 kilometers long, and the best way to discover the beauty of the Oudegracht, and the city, is a canoe tour with some friends on a sunny day.
Are most of your courses located at the Science Park of Utrecht? If not, you still need to visit the Utrecht University Botanic Garden, you can just simply not miss out on this beauty. Luckily for all Utrecht University and Hogeschool Utrecht students the entrance is free.
Den Haag is the city with the seat of the government in the Netherlands and offers fun attractions, and not to forget it is right on the coast of the North Sea. Scheveningen is the main beach of The Hague with a wide variety of different beach bars for everybody. Scheveningen also has De Pier where brave ones can even attempt bungee jumping.
Next is Madurodam, if you are interested in seeing tiny buildings and other miniature objects check it out out. It is even more special than a simple miniature world because the objects are moving just as in real life, so for instance boats on the canals are moving or the planes are taking off and landing.
Last but certainly not least is Amsterdam. Amsterdam is just a 20-minute train ride away from Utrecht and of course, you have to visit the unique capital of The Netherlands. So the main attraction to see in Amsterdam is the Rijksmuseum, which is the national museum of the Netherlands. The museum features national art and historical monuments. It is located at the Museumplein where you can also find the Van Gogh Museum, the Stedelijk South, the Moco Museum and the Concertgebouw.
The next attraction is the A’dam Tower, located in the South of Amsterdam offers a unique variety of an observation deck, a restaurant, a bar, even a night club and the famous over the edge swing. Are you brave enough to swing?
Due to its history and the attack by Germans in 1940, the contemporary city looks much different from all the other cities in the Netherlands. Many buildings are much more modern than your typical dutch buildings. This new and abstract architecture can be seen in the Markthal. The Markthal has a variety of market stands which are offering cheese, Mexican food, pastries, Greek food, fish, spices, and anything else that your heart could possibly desire.
From one unique building to the other, why not also discover the Euromast? The Euromast was built in 1961 and is the tallest building in Rotterdam, with a height of 186 meters. So go check out a beautiful 360º view of Rotterdam.
Lastly, an experience to not miss out on if you like an occasional beer is the Heineken Experience. Heineken is a Dutch-produced beer that is known and enjoyed globally, so why not find out how it is made and its history?
Of course, there are so many different unique attractions and landmarks in the Netherlands that cannot be missed out. For instance, the Keukenhof, which is one of the most extensive gardens in the world. To visit all of these, you can sign up with ESN on day or weekend trips!
Studying at home can sometimes be boring and distracting or maybe studying at home is just not possible at your place. But don’t worry, Utrecht offers a variety of study spots, whether you are studying alone or meeting for a study session with friends. So stop procrastinating and find your favourite study spot. Remember, the less you procrastinate the more free time can be spent.
A great study spot with easy access to consider is the Utrecht University (UU) libraries and the Hogeschool Utrecht (HU) library. The UU has two libraries in Utrecht, one is located at the Science Park and the other is in the city center at the Drift. Both libraries are open from 08:00 until 22:30 every day.
The HU also offers a library for its students, which can be found at the Science Park, and is open from Monday till Fridays from 08:30 until 21:00. On Saturdays, the library is open from 08:30 until 17:00, however on Sundays the library is closed.
Keep in mind that you can only access the library associated with your program and that you often need to make a reservation for a spot.
If you love studying in a beautiful, old, and aesthetic library then trust us the public library of Utrecht in Neude is your place. The only downside is that
the library is always busy so to get a spot keep in mind to arrive early.
Studying in libraries can get boring sometimes and a cake or some lunch makes studying much better, so here are some of our favourite cafes to study!
• De Ondekking is a little cafe right next to the drift with its different themes based on continents.
• Second is Vascobello, with four locations in Utrecht you can always find a good spot to study.
• The CoffeeCompany right next to the Oudegracht has delicious cakes that can only increase your motivation to study.
• Last but not least is Cafe de Zaak. If you want to save some money then check out Cafe de Zaak. You do have to buy your drinks but you can bring your own food if you aren’t tempted by their menu.
Not feeling the library or the cafes? That’s completely normal, sometimes having some change in location can boost your productivity. We have some other options for you to study, starting with Seats2Meet.
At Seats2Meet, you can reserve a spot for free and enjoy some free coffe and tea. It offers an open space where you can even meet people. But if you prefer to study alone and stay concentrated, that’s not a problem either.
Lastly, the Botanic Garden is especially lovely to study in during the summer. The Garden offers some nice seating areas and since it is at the Science Park, you have access to wifi in the entire garden.
If you know anything about the Netherlands, it probably will not suprise you that when it comes to transportation in Utrecht, cycling is by far the most popular option.
Cycling is the most common method of transport throughout the Netherlands, so much so that the number of bicycles outnumbers the amount of people! If you wish to cycle during your time in Utrecht, there are a few ways you can acquire a bike.
First, there are many places where you can rent a bike, including the train station. Through Swapfiets you can rent a bike for your entire stay, all for a monthly subscription fee. Another option is to buy a bicycle, either from a shop or online. Many international students sell their bicycles on Facebook when the time comes time to leave Utrecht, so Facebook Marketplace and groups are good places to start your search.
But remember to always be careful of scammers! Never pay upfront. It is also important to be careful not to buy a stolen bike. It goes without saying that if a stranger offers to sell a bike to you in the city at weird hours of the day or night, it is not advisable to buy it. Lastly, remember to buy a bicycle lock to prevent your bike from getting stolen, and to make sure your bike is equipped with a bell and lights, otherwise you run the risk of receiving a hefty a fine.
If biking is not your thing, there are plenty of other ways to get around Utrecht. Walking is probably the second most common method of transportation, especially in the city center, and you will find that the vast majority of the city is easily walkable. For destinations that are further away, within or outside of Utrecht, there are plenty of buses available. It is possible to buy tickets on some buses, however, it is much more convenient to buy an OV-chipkaart at the train station or other places that sell them, which you can find online. These cards are used on all forms of public transportation throughout the Netherlands: buses, trains, trams and metros. All you need to do is top it up whenever it is running low and tap it on the designated terminals when entering and leaving public transport.
Make sure to download the 9292 app as well (the website is 9292ov.nl). This app allows you to input your departing destination and where you want to go, and it will show you the different transportation options you can use to get there. It will show you the departure time, travel time, and time of arrival, as well as how much the trip will cost and the platform or bus stop you need to go to. It is important to keep in mind that although the app generally informs you when a certain trip has been canceled, this isn’t always the case and sometimes times may differ a bit if there is construction or an event nearby.
It can be a little overwhelming at first, but you will find that getting around Utrecht is incredibly convenient, and soon you will be traveling around Utrecht and the whole of the Netherlands with ease.
As a newly arrived student in Utrecht, finances play a rather large part in your stay. ESN has gathered its most handy and trustworthy tricks for you to save money (to better spend it elsewhere).
Dutch supermarkets can be quite expensive in terms of fruits and vegetables as well as basic necessities such as soap. Albert Heijn and Jumbo do have discount cards as well as various sale offers everyday but the choice is still limited. In choosing your supermarket, you might also want to consider that Jumbo does take all types of bank cards but that Albert Heijn has a better quality off-brand (according to the Dutchies).
Another great option to shop is going to Lombok, a neighborhood situated right next to the central station. One of our favorite shops there is De Pers. It has an amazing selection of fruits and vegetables as well as dips, fresh baklava, all types of oils and beans as well as food imported from the Middle East, South America and Italy. The spices are also much cheaper in Lombok than in supermarkets which absolutely does make for tastier food. The trip to Lombok is also worth it since the neighborhood is beautiful and the Cousina Café makes a great low-cost breakfast.
You can also go to the Vredenburg Market which takes place right in front of Hoog Catharijne (on the Vredenburgplein). It is a typically Dutch market that offers everything from
bread, vegetables, meat, fish, cheese and nuts but also clothes. It is also a really nice place to try Dutch treats and snacks such as Kibbeling and Stroopwafels. It is open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 am till 5 pm but also on Saturdays from 8 am till 5pm. Hence, really easy to access by transport or bike and easy to accomodate in your schedule.
The first important aspect is that the Netherlands is not a cash-based economy: nearly everything is paid by debit card(credit cards are rarely accepted). Yet some debit cards, such as VISA, are also not accepted which may make your stay more difficult if you do not open a dutch bank account since you will have to get to know the stores that accept your card through trial and error.
Once you get your BSN, opening an account is very straightforward. The three most popular banks are ABN AMRO, ING and Rabobank. They all offer student bank accounts that offer you very cheap prices on your cards. If you are an international and you do not want to change your phone number, you may want to consider ING since they do not need a dutch phone number whereas other banks may find it necessary.
On the other hand, if you keep your phone number, you will never get to know the joys of the Tikkie app. This app is a staple of Dutch culture: it is pretty much the Dutch Paypal app and you will most likely need it every time
you go out with your friends. In the Netherlands, friends reimburse each other through an app which is different from the “I’ll get the tab next time”. You can also decide not to use it and just wire money from your bank, be the person who insists on paying separately or give them cash.
If you arrive with bare necessities in the Netherlands and you need furniture, cutlery, pots, pans and more, the best (and cheapest) way for you to get everything you need is to steer clear of IKEA and go to thrift shops all around Utrecht that sell everything you can think of. This will drastically cut your arrival costs.
Our favorites are:
• De Waarde: you can find anything from (international) books, dishes, furniture, clothes, CD’s and even a pink barbie fondue kit
• Kringloop Broers Utrecht: apparently the largest one of the region
• Kringloop de Arm: if you want a scenic thrift shopping experience on the Oudegracht, this is your store
• Marktplaats: is a website on which you can find second hand everything close to where you are so it can be very useful
• Facebook: there are a lot of second hand threads on Facebook that can help you find what you need when you move in
• TooGoodToGo is an app where stores put the unsold merchandise of the day on sale. The only requirement is that you come pick it up at a specific time but we find it ideal for good bread for example
• Cousina: Damstraat 2, 3531 BV Utrecht
• De Pers: Kanaalstraat 82, 3531 CL Utrecht
• De Waarde: Veilingstraat 10, 3521 BH Utrecht
• Hoog Catharijne: Godebaldkwartier 54, 3511 DX Utrecht
• Kringloop Broers Utrecht: Jutfaseweg 178, 3522 HP Utrecht
• Kringloop de Arm: Starts at Oudegracht 247 but there are many small shops on both sides of the Canal
• Vredenburg Market: Vredenburgplein
Working a part-time job besides your studies has other benefits than earning your keep: you earn pocket money, whilst building a network in your new environment. Many international students find it hard to get a job. But please do not be discouraged by this. There are some ways to improve your chances, which we will explain below!
If you’re an EEA student, you do not need a work permit and there is no restriction on the number of hours you are allowed to work.
For non-EEA students, the process is harder because you need a work permit. It is up to your employer to apply for your work permit from the UWV. Extra hurdles include the limit of 16 working hours per week, a 5-7 week process to get a work permit, and the constant insecurity that your residence permit might end on short notice whenever the government decides, upon which you must reapply for both permits again. During the reapplication, non-EEA students cannot legally work to sustain themselves, also putting pressure on the employers, because they might randomly lose their valuable employees for a few weeks. Fully understanding this process yourself and being able to explain it clearly to your employers will greatly enhance your chances, because it saves them time and it shows them that you are willing to put effort in.
A big obstacle to getting a job as an international student is the language barrier. Even though most Dutchies can speak English, many will often revert back to talking in Dutch. Employers prefer it when their employees can speak Dutch because they think it facilitates interactions with customers. The problem is that Dutch is a difficult language to learn and it isn’t done in a few days.
However, talking in Dutch is more difficult than understanding it, and just being able to understand some Dutch will already give you a big advantage! This means that when Dutchies speak in their mother tongue you know what they are talking about and you can take control of the conversation in English. If learning Dutch really isn’t an option, you can go for less contact-intensive jobs. These jobs include (bike)delivery jobs such as Deliveroo, Thuisbezorgd, Gorrillas, and Coolblue.
Another way of improving your chances is by being assertive in your local environment. Just tell everyone you know who lives in the Netherlands that you’re looking for a job. Sometimes people will know about job opportunities via their friends and families, or they might tell you about companies that are willing to hire internationals. You can also just go to your local coffee bar and ask them if they need people. Additionally, there are usually pamphlets with student job opportunities on the bulletin boards in the university’s hallways. (Again, understanding some Dutch might come in handy here.)\
And last but not least, make sure your credentials are up to date. Upload a new photo on your LinkedIn profile and create a strong CV that includes your degrees and previous work experiences!
In the city center:
• Tiger Mama
• Kimmade
• La Fontana
• Vegitalian
• Coffee Bar Ludwig
• Rum Club
• The Street Food Club
Restaurants and cafes that hire internationals in East Utrecht (near the University College campus and The Science Park):
• Noen
• Chris Lunch and Snacks
• La Lotta
• Pizza Beppe
