CINXE.COM
Cheers to cultural shocks | Study in NL
<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en" dir="ltr" prefix="og: https://ogp.me/ns#"> <head> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <meta name="description" content="How to enjoy social life in the Netherlands as an international student" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.studyinnl.org/student-stories/cheers-to-cultural-shocks" /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.studyinnl.org/sites/default/files/styles/page_header_image_mobile_landscape_x2/public/2024-05/isabella-student-story-header.jpg.webp?itok=Y1aXWv2p" /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.studyinnl.org/themes/custom/nuffic_sih_theme/assets/image/StudyinNL.jpg" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@StudyinNL" /> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Cheers to cultural shocks | Study in NL" /> <meta name="twitter:description" content="How to enjoy social life in the Netherlands as an international student" /> <meta name="twitter:creator" content="@StudyinNL" /> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://www.studyinnl.org/sites/default/files/styles/page_header_image_mobile_landscape_x2/public/2024-05/isabella-student-story-header.jpg.webp?itok=Y1aXWv2p" /> <meta name="Generator" content="Drupal 10 (https://www.drupal.org)" /> <meta name="MobileOptimized" content="width" /> <meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true" /> <meta name="viewport" content="initial-scale=1.0, viewport-fit=cover" /> <style>div#sliding-popup, div#sliding-popup .eu-cookie-withdraw-banner, .eu-cookie-withdraw-tab {background: #0779bf} div#sliding-popup.eu-cookie-withdraw-wrapper { background: transparent; } #sliding-popup h1, #sliding-popup h2, #sliding-popup h3, #sliding-popup p, #sliding-popup label, #sliding-popup div, .eu-cookie-compliance-more-button, .eu-cookie-compliance-secondary-button, .eu-cookie-withdraw-tab { color: #ffffff;} .eu-cookie-withdraw-tab { border-color: #ffffff;}</style> <link rel="icon" href="/themes/custom/nuffic_sih_theme/assets/image/favicons/appicon.png" type="image/png" /> <title>Cheers to cultural shocks | Study in NL</title> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_e3fQNaI0FqdQzL-ZzKD1KJ7OesFgTGrwOo86Y8Lz5-4.css?delta=0&language=en&theme=nuffic_sih_theme&include=eJyFkWFuwyAMhS8UwpEiQ5xgFWyEoV12-tE12zRpZH_A9vt4so0eWjFZB4oTt20jv9SACe3jUHocu8HYM646-Qiqx4s844SqsGPXpKBlKQkivX8bKYXTLAHxhG81Et_sWlqGOJ_phG3xIjfCfqUcCdij_au4rLhBi_V3n09d-Nnh3Ptsl6LZRCqWIXPKd8KH2s9zTrK2iMMXPlCeMhTYC-SgX7P9VObGublIGnAduwjXHhhFX0l4yFHq2x6q0GqQ8XAuym4CwnqxAFe67ktLbogw3B2MHRSh-GAKav8p_Qe7Mnp1aq4QV4BX4n0IRDik1Q-8ayMw" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_3i6kMnuQwc1AuTbcJVUUAiQYDM5VY-xxh5fCuA0hroE.css?delta=1&language=en&theme=nuffic_sih_theme&include=eJyFkWFuwyAMhS8UwpEiQ5xgFWyEoV12-tE12zRpZH_A9vt4so0eWjFZB4oTt20jv9SACe3jUHocu8HYM646-Qiqx4s844SqsGPXpKBlKQkivX8bKYXTLAHxhG81Et_sWlqGOJ_phG3xIjfCfqUcCdij_au4rLhBi_V3n09d-Nnh3Ptsl6LZRCqWIXPKd8KH2s9zTrK2iMMXPlCeMhTYC-SgX7P9VObGublIGnAduwjXHhhFX0l4yFHq2x6q0GqQ8XAuym4CwnqxAFe67ktLbogw3B2MHRSh-GAKav8p_Qe7Mnp1aq4QV4BX4n0IRDik1Q-8ayMw" /> </head> <body class="path-node page-node-type-student-story"> <a href="#main-content" class="visually-hidden focusable skip-link"> Skip to main content </a> <script type="text/javascript"> // <![CDATA[ (function(window, document, dataLayerName, id) { window[dataLayerName]=window[dataLayerName]||[],window[dataLayerName].push({start:(new Date).getTime(),event:"stg.start"});var scripts=document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0],tags=document.createElement('script'); function stgCreateCookie(a,b,c){var d="";if(c){var e=new Date;e.setTime(e.getTime()+24*c*60*60*1e3),d="; expires="+e.toUTCString()}document.cookie=a+"="+b+d+"; path=/"} var isStgDebug=(window.location.href.match("stg_debug")||document.cookie.match("stg_debug"))&&!window.location.href.match("stg_disable_debug");stgCreateCookie("stg_debug",isStgDebug?1:"",isStgDebug?14:-1); var qP=[];dataLayerName!=="dataLayer"&&qP.push("data_layer_name="+dataLayerName),isStgDebug&&qP.push("stg_debug");var qPString=qP.length>0?("?"+qP.join("&")):""; tags.async=!0,tags.src="https://nuffic.containers.piwik.pro/"+id+".js"+qPString,scripts.parentNode.insertBefore(tags,scripts); !function(a,n,i){a[n]=a[n]||{};for(var c=0;c<i.length;c++)!function(i){a[n][i]=a[n][i]||{},a[n][i].api=a[n][i].api||function(){var a=[].slice.call(arguments,0);"string"==typeof a[0]&&window[dataLayerName].push({event:n+"."+i+":"+a[0],parameters:[].slice.call(arguments,1)})}}(i[c])}(window,"ppms",["tm","cm"]); })(window, document, 'dataLayer', 'efa8c951-91b5-41e8-846a-e19eb3b7d3fa'); // ]]> </script><noscript><iframe src="https://nuffic.containers.piwik.pro/efa8c951-91b5-41e8-846a-e19eb3b7d3fa/noscript.html" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <div class="dialog-off-canvas-main-canvas" data-off-canvas-main-canvas> <div class="layout "> <header class="layout__header" role="banner"> <div class="layout__container"> <div class="header-bar "> <div class="header-bar__container"> <div class="header-bar__branding"> <div class=" branding "> <a href="/" class="branding__link" data-category="logo_sih" data-action="click" data-label="/student-stories/cheers-to-cultural-shocks" > <span class="branding__link-label">Go to the homepage</span> </a> <svg class="branding__logo " role="img" aria-label="Study in NL logo"> <title>Study in NL</title> <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/nuffic_sih_theme/dist/svg/sprite.css.svg#logo" /> </svg> <div class="branding__slogan">Your official starting point to studying in the Netherlands</div> </div> </div> <div class="header-bar__search"> <form action="/search" autocomplete="off" class="header-bar__search-bar searchbar " data-searchbar-endpoint="/search_api_autocomplete/search_content?display=results_page&q=" method="get" role="search" > <div class="searchbar__input-container"> <label for="s" class="is-sr-only">Search</label> <input name="s" id="s" type="text" class="searchbar__input" placeholder="Search"> <div class="searchbar__buttons"> <button class="searchbar__reset searchbar__button" type="button"> <span class="is-sr-only">Remove search</span> <svg class="searchbar__reset-icon" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <use xlink:href="/themes/nuffic/nuffic_theme/dist/svg/sprite.css.svg#close-thin" /> </svg> </button> <button class="searchbar__submit searchbar__button"> <span class="is-sr-only">Search</span> <svg class="searchbar__search-icon" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <use xlink:href="/themes/nuffic/nuffic_theme/dist/svg/sprite.css.svg#search" /> </svg> </button> </div> </div> <button class="searchbar__action searchbar__action-button searchbar__button" type="button"> <span class="searchbar__placeholder">Search</span> <svg class="searchbar__search-icon" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <use xlink:href="/themes/nuffic/nuffic_theme/dist/svg/sprite.css.svg#search" /> </svg> </button> <div class="searchbar__autosuggest"> <div class="searchbar__autosuggest-response-container"></div> <button class="searchbar__autosuggest-show-all button button--has-icon " type="submit" > Show all results <svg class="button__icon button__icon--chevron-right" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <use xlink:href="/themes/nuffic/nuffic_theme/dist/svg/sprite.css.svg#chevron-right" /> </svg> </button> <div class="searchbar__autosuggest-no-results">No content has been found with the given search term.</div> <div class="searchbar__autosuggest-loading-container"> <svg class="searchbar__autosuggest-indicator" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <use xlink:href="/themes/nuffic/nuffic_theme/dist/svg/sprite.css.svg#search" /> </svg> Searching for results... </div> </div> </form> </div> </div> </div> <nav class="navbar" role="navigation" aria-label="main navigation"> <div class="navbar__container"> <button class="navbar__mobile-toggle button is-hidden-desktop" aria-label="Open navigation menu" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="navbar__label">Menu</span> </button> <div class="is-hidden-touch"> <ul class="navbar__nav" data-navigation> <li class="navbar__nav-item"> <a href="/" class="navbar__nav-link" data-category="navigation_bar" data-action="click" data-label="/" data-drupal-link-system-path="<front>"> <svg class="navbar__nav-icon navbar__nav-icon--windmill" width="18" height="18" aria-hidden="true"> <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/nuffic_sih_theme/dist/svg/sprite.css.svg#icon--bold--windmill" /> </svg> Home </a> </li> <li class="navbar__nav-item"> <a href="/dutch-education" icon="studyhat" title="Find out about the Dutch education system, institutions, degrees and study programmes." class="navbar__nav-link" data-category="navigation_bar" data-action="click" data-label="/dutch-education" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/42"> <svg class="navbar__nav-icon navbar__nav-icon--studyhat" width="18" height="18" aria-hidden="true"> <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/nuffic_sih_theme/dist/svg/sprite.css.svg#icon--bold--studyhat" /> </svg> Dutch education </a> </li> <li class="navbar__nav-item"> <a href="/finances" icon="finance" title="What does it cost to study in the Netherlands and how to finance this?" class="navbar__nav-link" data-category="navigation_bar" data-action="click" data-label="/finances" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/43"> <svg class="navbar__nav-icon navbar__nav-icon--finance" width="18" height="18" aria-hidden="true"> <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/nuffic_sih_theme/dist/svg/sprite.css.svg#icon--bold--finance" /> </svg> Finances </a> </li> <li class="navbar__nav-item"> <a href="/plan-your-stay" icon="checklist" title="If you come and study in the Netherlands, you will need to prepare for your stay and arrange quite a few things." class="navbar__nav-link" data-category="navigation_bar" data-action="click" data-label="/plan-your-stay" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/85"> <svg class="navbar__nav-icon navbar__nav-icon--checklist" width="18" height="18" aria-hidden="true"> <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/nuffic_sih_theme/dist/svg/sprite.css.svg#icon--bold--checklist" /> </svg> Plan your stay </a> </li> <li class="navbar__nav-item"> <a href="/life-in-nl" class="navbar__nav-link" icon="windmill" title="What is it like to live in the Netherlands as an international student?" data-category="navigation_bar" data-action="click" data-label="/life-in-nl" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/44"> <svg class="navbar__nav-icon navbar__nav-icon--windmill" width="18" height="18" aria-hidden="true"> <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/nuffic_sih_theme/dist/svg/sprite.css.svg#icon--bold--windmill" /> </svg> Life in NL </a> </li> <li class="navbar__nav-item"> <a href="/after-your-studies" icon="after" title="A Dutch diploma gives you endless possibilities to build up a successful future." class="navbar__nav-link" data-category="navigation_bar" data-action="click" data-label="/after-your-studies" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/45"> <svg class="navbar__nav-icon navbar__nav-icon--after" width="18" height="18" aria-hidden="true"> <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/nuffic_sih_theme/dist/svg/sprite.css.svg#icon--bold--after" /> </svg> After your studies </a> </li> <li class="navbar__nav-item"> <a href="/student-stories" icon="chat" title="Read blogs from international students in the Netherlands" class="navbar__nav-link" data-category="navigation_bar" data-action="click" data-label="/student-stories" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/16"> <svg class="navbar__nav-icon navbar__nav-icon--chat" width="18" height="18" aria-hidden="true"> <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/nuffic_sih_theme/dist/svg/sprite.css.svg#icon--bold--chat" /> </svg> Student stories </a> </li> <li class="navbar__nav-item"> <a href="https://www.studyinnl.org/our-newsletter" title="Sign up for our Study in NL newsletter" class="navbar__nav-link" data-category="navigation_bar" data-action="click" data-label="https://www.studyinnl.org/our-newsletter"> <svg class="navbar__nav-icon navbar__nav-icon--windmill" width="18" height="18" aria-hidden="true"> <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/nuffic_sih_theme/dist/svg/sprite.css.svg#icon--bold--windmill" /> </svg> Newsletter </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="navbar__mobile-menu is-hidden-desktop"> <a href="#" class="navbar__nav-tabfocus is-sr-only" tabindex="-1" title="Focus menu links after opening mobile menu"></a> <button class="navbar__mobile-close button-reset" aria-label="Close navigation menu"> <svg class="navbar__mobile-cross" width="14" height="14" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <use xlink:href="/themes/nuffic/nuffic_theme/dist/svg/sprite.css.svg#close-thick" /> </svg> </button> <ul class="navbar__nav" data-navigation> <li class="navbar__nav-item"> <a href="/" class="navbar__nav-link" data-category="navigation_bar" data-action="click" data-label="/" data-drupal-link-system-path="<front>"> <svg class="navbar__nav-icon navbar__nav-icon--windmill" width="18" height="18" aria-hidden="true"> <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/nuffic_sih_theme/dist/svg/sprite.css.svg#icon--bold--windmill" /> </svg> Home </a> </li> <li class="navbar__nav-item"> <a href="/dutch-education" icon="studyhat" title="Find out about the Dutch education system, institutions, degrees and study programmes." class="navbar__nav-link" data-category="navigation_bar" data-action="click" data-label="/dutch-education" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/42"> <svg class="navbar__nav-icon navbar__nav-icon--studyhat" width="18" height="18" aria-hidden="true"> <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/nuffic_sih_theme/dist/svg/sprite.css.svg#icon--bold--studyhat" /> </svg> Dutch education </a> </li> <li class="navbar__nav-item"> <a href="/finances" icon="finance" title="What does it cost to study in the Netherlands and how to finance this?" class="navbar__nav-link" data-category="navigation_bar" data-action="click" data-label="/finances" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/43"> <svg class="navbar__nav-icon navbar__nav-icon--finance" width="18" height="18" aria-hidden="true"> <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/nuffic_sih_theme/dist/svg/sprite.css.svg#icon--bold--finance" /> </svg> Finances </a> </li> <li class="navbar__nav-item"> <a href="/plan-your-stay" icon="checklist" title="If you come and study in the Netherlands, you will need to prepare for your stay and arrange quite a few things." class="navbar__nav-link" data-category="navigation_bar" data-action="click" data-label="/plan-your-stay" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/85"> <svg class="navbar__nav-icon navbar__nav-icon--checklist" width="18" height="18" aria-hidden="true"> <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/nuffic_sih_theme/dist/svg/sprite.css.svg#icon--bold--checklist" /> </svg> Plan your stay </a> </li> <li class="navbar__nav-item"> <a href="/life-in-nl" class="navbar__nav-link" icon="windmill" title="What is it like to live in the Netherlands as an international student?" data-category="navigation_bar" data-action="click" data-label="/life-in-nl" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/44"> <svg class="navbar__nav-icon navbar__nav-icon--windmill" width="18" height="18" aria-hidden="true"> <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/nuffic_sih_theme/dist/svg/sprite.css.svg#icon--bold--windmill" /> </svg> Life in NL </a> </li> <li class="navbar__nav-item"> <a href="/after-your-studies" icon="after" title="A Dutch diploma gives you endless possibilities to build up a successful future." class="navbar__nav-link" data-category="navigation_bar" data-action="click" data-label="/after-your-studies" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/45"> <svg class="navbar__nav-icon navbar__nav-icon--after" width="18" height="18" aria-hidden="true"> <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/nuffic_sih_theme/dist/svg/sprite.css.svg#icon--bold--after" /> </svg> After your studies </a> </li> <li class="navbar__nav-item"> <a href="/student-stories" icon="chat" title="Read blogs from international students in the Netherlands" class="navbar__nav-link" data-category="navigation_bar" data-action="click" data-label="/student-stories" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/16"> <svg class="navbar__nav-icon navbar__nav-icon--chat" width="18" height="18" aria-hidden="true"> <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/nuffic_sih_theme/dist/svg/sprite.css.svg#icon--bold--chat" /> </svg> Student stories </a> </li> <li class="navbar__nav-item"> <a href="https://www.studyinnl.org/our-newsletter" title="Sign up for our Study in NL newsletter" class="navbar__nav-link" data-category="navigation_bar" data-action="click" data-label="https://www.studyinnl.org/our-newsletter"> <svg class="navbar__nav-icon navbar__nav-icon--windmill" width="18" height="18" aria-hidden="true"> <use xlink:href="/themes/custom/nuffic_sih_theme/dist/svg/sprite.css.svg#icon--bold--windmill" /> </svg> Newsletter </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="navbar__mobile-backdrop is-hidden-desktop"></div> </div> </nav> <div id="block-nuffic-sih-theme-breadcrumbs" class="block block-system block-system-breadcrumb-block"> <nav class="layout__breakout-container breadcrumb" aria-label="Breadcrumb"> <div class="layout__container breadcrumb__container"> <ol class="breadcrumb__list"> <li class="breadcrumb__item"><a href="/" class="breadcrumb__link" data-category="breadcrumb" data-action="click" data-label="Home" data-value="1" >Home</a></li> <li class="breadcrumb__item"><a href="/student-stories" class="breadcrumb__link" data-category="breadcrumb" data-action="click" data-label="Student stories" data-value="2" >Student stories</a></li> <li class="breadcrumb__item">Cheers to cultural shocks</li> </ol> </div> </nav> </div> </div> </header> <a id="main-content" tabindex="-1"></a> <main class="layout__main" role="main"> <div class="layout__container"> <div class="region region-content"> <div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div> <div id="block-nuffic-sih-theme-content" class="block block-system block-system-main-block"> <article> <div class=" blog-header "> <div class="blog-header__content-wrapper"> <div class="blog-header__meta-data"> <time class="blog-header__date"><time datetime="2024-05-21T12:00:00Z" class="datetime">21 May 2024</time> </time> </div> <h1 class="blog-header__title">Cheers to cultural shocks</h1> <div class="blog-header__introduction">How to enjoy social life in the Netherlands as an international student</div> <div class="blog-header__tags chip-list "> <ul class="chip-list__list"> <li class="chip-list__item"> <a class=" chip chip--small" href="/student-stories?f%5B0%5D=subjects%3ALife%20in%20NL" data-category="tag" data-action="click" data-label="Life in NL" rel="nofollow" > <span class="chip__label"> Life in NL </span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="blog-header__author author "> <div class="author__content"> Posted by Isabella <div class="author__from"> From Brazil </div> </div> <div class="author__visual"> <img class="author__image" src="/sites/default/files/student-story/author/isabella-student-story-author.jpg" alt=""> </div> </div> </div> <picture> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/blog_header_image_widescreen_1022_x_800/public/2024-05/isabella-student-story-header.jpg.webp?itok=SKDZuUcV 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/blog_header_image_widescreen_x2_2044_x_1600/public/2024-05/isabella-student-story-header.jpg.webp?itok=QdnNzboy 2x" media="(min-width: 1024px)" type="image/webp" width="1022" height="800"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/blog_header_image_tablet_975_x_640/public/2024-05/isabella-student-story-header.jpg.webp?itok=HEdap_Pt 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/blog_header_image_tablet_x2_1950_x_1280/public/2024-05/isabella-student-story-header.jpg.webp?itok=fd9e7_1w 2x" media="(min-width: 769px)" type="image/webp" width="975" height="640"/> <source srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/blog_header_image_mobile_768_x_430/public/2024-05/isabella-student-story-header.jpg.webp?itok=h9MLEXpJ 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/blog_header_image_mobile_x2_1536_x_860/public/2024-05/isabella-student-story-header.jpg.webp?itok=oi4vuzCm 2x" type="image/webp" width="768" height="430"/> <img loading="eager" class="blog-header__image" src="/sites/default/files/styles/blog_header_image_fallback_1022_x_800/public/2024-05/isabella-student-story-header.jpg?h=f088052e&itok=dslpfkMp" width="1022" height="800" alt="" /> </picture> </div> <div class="node__content"> <div class="field field--name-field-pg-content field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div class=" layout__content content-section "> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--text paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-body field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Moving to a whole new country, leaving your comfort zone, learning a new language, and attempting to adjust to a new culture: these are the challenges we face as international students, along with many classes, parties, and unforgettable memories.</p> <p>Coming to the Netherlands was one of the most fantastic (and challenging) experiences I've ever had. Even after two years of living here, I must admit that cultural shocks continue to occur on a regular basis. If you can relate to any of these and are looking for advice on how to navigate this journey, you've come to the perfect place.</p> <p><strong>Tip #1: Half an hour late is actually too late.</strong> While it is common in many cultures to arrive late for dinner and parties, in the Netherlands, 7 p.m. means 7 p.m. It may sound unusual if you, like me, have a social custom of arriving at least 30 minutes later than the scheduled time, but my initial tip is: don't be late to meet your Dutch friends. Try to keep your word regarding the agreed time and understand that the Dutch are not used to delays.</p> <p><strong>Tip #2: Party like the Dutch!</strong> Get into the mood with traditional and well-known music from Dutch culture, and your party will undoubtedly be more exciting. It is rather typical for Dutch music and dances to take place in the middle of the night. Who hasn't danced to "Links Rechts" at a party with someone they just met? It is a must!</p></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--image paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class=" layout__content content-section content-section--vertical-spacing "> <div class=" image image--text-wide"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"><article class="media media--type-image media--view-mode-image-text-wide"> <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" class="image__image" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/text_wide/public/2024-05/isabella-student-story-friends.jpeg.webp?itok=1GEkNCoT 1x, /sites/default/files/styles/text_wide_x2/public/2024-05/isabella-student-story-friends.jpeg.webp?itok=Ml0_uDI5 2x" width="768" height="576" src="/sites/default/files/styles/text_wide_fallback/public/2024-05/isabella-student-story-friends.jpeg?itok=Gd2cNvIK" alt="" /> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div class=" layout__content content-section "> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--text paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-body field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Tip #3: Try out new locations.</strong> From caf茅s to parties, the Netherlands has it all. Adapting to a new place may be difficult, especially if you have recently moved there. But don't worry; stepping outside of your comfort zone is something you'll probably never regret. As a result, I encourage you to visit a variety of locations with your friends. Some possibilities include caf茅s, restaurants, karaoke, clubs, festivals, beaches, and national events. Extra tip: Try to savour all of the Dutch snacks and pastries; they may seem unusual at first, but you will grow to love them with time.</p> <p><strong>Tip #4: Go around and make friends.</strong> You'll be surprised at how many other people are in the same situation! Every year, the country is filled with newly arrived international students beginning their lives in the Netherlands, so don't be scared to interact and share this experience with them. Furthermore, the Dutch are extremely welcoming and will gladly offer you recommendations, advise, or even invite you to a random great party. Regardless of nationality, you will not be alone!</p> <p>These are just a few suggestions to help you appreciate this orange nation full of tulips and bicycles! Take a look at the usual festivals held throughout the year; the Dutch know how to enjoy holidays, so don't miss any of them! Remember that the choice to move abroad already qualifies you as a brave person. Don't forget to take advantage of all of this and make unforgettable memories with so many friends at your side. I wish you a very <em>gezellige</em> time here!</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="views-element-container block block-views block-views-blockstudent-story-taxonomy--student-stories-categories" id="block-views-block-student-story-taxonomy-student-stories-categories"> <h2>Read more about</h2> <div region="content"><div class="student-stories--categories view view-student-story-taxonomy- view-id-student_story_taxonomy_ view-display-id-student_stories_categories js-view-dom-id-4da51215ac55dc853afc5ef5bb949554945b21128e44f557ae625007b6f49c97"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="chip-list"> <ul class="chip-list__list"> <li class="chip-list__item"> <a class=" chip " href="/student-stories?f%5B0%5D=subjects%3AAfter%20your%20studies" data-category="tag" data-action="click" data-label="After your studies" rel="nofollow" > <span class="chip__label"> After your studies </span> </a> </li> <li class="chip-list__item"> <a class=" chip " href="/student-stories?f%5B0%5D=subjects%3ADutch%20education" data-category="tag" data-action="click" data-label="Dutch education" rel="nofollow" > <span class="chip__label"> Dutch education </span> </a> </li> <li class="chip-list__item"> <a class=" chip " href="/student-stories?f%5B0%5D=subjects%3AFinances" data-category="tag" data-action="click" data-label="Finances" rel="nofollow" > <span class="chip__label"> Finances </span> </a> </li> <li class="chip-list__item"> <a class=" chip " href="/student-stories?f%5B0%5D=subjects%3ALife%20in%20NL" data-category="tag" data-action="click" data-label="Life in NL" rel="nofollow" > <span class="chip__label"> Life in NL </span> </a> </li> <li class="chip-list__item"> <a class=" chip " href="/student-stories?f%5B0%5D=subjects%3APlan%20your%20stay" data-category="tag" data-action="click" data-label="Plan your stay" rel="nofollow" > <span class="chip__label"> Plan your stay </span> </a> </li> <li class="chip-list__item"> <a class=" chip " href="/student-stories?f%5B0%5D=subjects%3AWhy%20NL" data-category="tag" data-action="click" data-label="Why NL" rel="nofollow" > <span class="chip__label"> Why NL </span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </main> <footer class="layout__footer"> <div class="layout__container"> <div class="footer"> <div class="columns is-desktop"> <nav role="navigation" aria-labelledby="block-aboutus-menu" id="block-aboutus" class="column footer__block"> <h2 id="block-aboutus-menu" class="footer__heading as-h4">About us</h2> <ul class="menu-footer"> <li class="menu-footer__item menu__item"> <a href="/about-study-in-the-netherlands" class="menu-footer__link" title="About Study in NL" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/137">About Study in NL</a> </li> <li class="menu-footer__item menu__item"> <a href="/our-newsletter" title="Our newsletter" class="menu-footer__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/310">Our newsletter</a> </li> </ul> </nav> <nav role="navigation" aria-labelledby="block-contact-menu" id="block-contact" class="column footer__block"> <h2 id="block-contact-menu" class="footer__heading as-h4">Contact</h2> <ul class="menu-footer"> <li class="menu-footer__item menu__item"> <a href="/contact-details" class="menu-footer__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/141">Contact details</a> </li> <li class="menu-footer__item menu__item"> <a href="/support-in-your-home-country" class="menu-footer__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/139">Support in your home country</a> </li> <li class="menu-footer__item menu__item"> <a href="/complaints-and-objections" title="Complaints and objections" class="menu-footer__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/167">Complaints and objections</a> </li> <li class="menu-footer__item menu__item"> <a href="/report-a-vulnerability" class="menu-footer__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/287">Report a vulnerability</a> </li> </ul> </nav> <nav role="navigation" aria-labelledby="block-footer-menu" id="block-footer" class="footer__block--without-heading column footer__block"> <h2 id="block-footer-menu" class="footer__heading as-h4 visually-hidden">Footer</h2> <ul class="menu-footer"> <li class="menu-footer__item menu__item"> <a href="/copyright" class="menu-footer__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/268">Copyright</a> </li> <li class="menu-footer__item menu__item"> <a href="/accessibility" class="menu-footer__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/272">Accessibility</a> </li> <li class="menu-footer__item menu__item"> <a href="/cookie-statement" class="menu-footer__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/270">Cookie statement</a> </li> <li class="menu-footer__item menu__item"> <a href="/disclaimer" class="menu-footer__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/269">Disclaimer</a> </li> <li class="menu-footer__item menu__item"> <a href="/privacy-policy" class="menu-footer__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/271">Privacy Policy</a> </li> </ul> </nav> <div class="column is-narrow footer__block footer__block--without-heading"> <h2 class="as-h4 footer__heading visually-hidden">Social links</h2> <ul class="menu"> <li class="menu__item"> <a class="menu__social-link" href="https://www.facebook.com/StudyinHolland" target="_self" rel="noopener nofollow"> <svg class="menu__social-link-icon" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <use xlink:href="/themes/nuffic/nuffic_theme/dist/svg/sprite.css.svg#facebook" /> </svg> <span class="menu__social-link-label">Facebook</span> </a> </li> <li class="menu__item"> <a class="menu__social-link" href="https://www.instagram.com/studyinNL" target="_self" rel="noopener nofollow"> <svg class="menu__social-link-icon menu__social-link-icon--instagram" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <use xlink:href="/themes/nuffic/nuffic_theme/dist/svg/sprite.css.svg#instagram" /> </svg> <span class="menu__social-link-label">Instagram</span> </a> </li> <li class="menu__item"> <a class="menu__social-link" href="https://www.youtube.com/studyinNL" target="_self" rel="noopener nofollow"> <svg class="menu__social-link-icon" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <use xlink:href="/themes/nuffic/nuffic_theme/dist/svg/sprite.css.svg#youtube" /> </svg> <span class="menu__social-link-label">Youtube</span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="column is-narrow footer__block footer__block--aligned-right has-text-right-desktop"> <img class="footer__logo" width="150" height="77" src="/themes/custom/nuffic_sih_theme/src/svg/footer-logo.svg" alt="An initiative from Nuffic. Meet the world."> <a class="footer__sticker-link" href="https://www.nlplatform.com/destination-nl/research-and-education"> <img width="48" height="48" src="/themes/custom/nuffic_sih_theme/src/svg/nl-sticker.svg" alt="NL Platform logo"> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </footer> </div> </div> <script type="application/json" data-drupal-selector="drupal-settings-json">{"path":{"baseUrl":"\/","pathPrefix":"","currentPath":"node\/318","currentPathIsAdmin":false,"isFront":false,"currentLanguage":"en"},"pluralDelimiter":"\u0003","suppressDeprecationErrors":true,"data":{"extlink":{"extTarget":false,"extTargetNoOverride":false,"extNofollow":false,"extNoreferrer":false,"extFollowNoOverride":false,"extClass":"ext","extLabel":"(link is external)","extImgClass":true,"extSubdomains":true,"extExclude":"","extInclude":"","extCssExclude":".menu__social-link,\r\n.footer__block--aligned-right","extCssExplicit":"","extAlert":false,"extAlertText":"This link will take you to an external web site. We are not responsible for their content.","mailtoClass":"0","mailtoLabel":"(link sends email)","extUseFontAwesome":false,"extIconPlacement":"prepend","extFaLinkClasses":"fa fa-external-link","extFaMailtoClasses":"fa fa-envelope-o","whitelistedDomains":[]}},"eu_cookie_compliance":{"cookie_policy_version":"1.0.0","popup_enabled":true,"popup_agreed_enabled":false,"popup_hide_agreed":false,"popup_clicking_confirmation":false,"popup_scrolling_confirmation":false,"popup_html_info":"","use_mobile_message":false,"mobile_popup_html_info":"","mobile_breakpoint":768,"popup_html_agreed":false,"popup_use_bare_css":false,"popup_height":"auto","popup_width":"100%","popup_delay":1000,"popup_link":"\/cookie-statement","popup_link_new_window":true,"popup_position":false,"fixed_top_position":true,"popup_language":"en","store_consent":false,"better_support_for_screen_readers":false,"cookie_name":"cookie-consent","reload_page":false,"domain":"","domain_all_sites":false,"popup_eu_only":false,"popup_eu_only_js":false,"cookie_lifetime":100,"cookie_session":0,"set_cookie_session_zero_on_disagree":0,"disagree_do_not_show_popup":false,"method":"opt_in","automatic_cookies_removal":true,"allowed_cookies":"savedStudies\r\n_hj*\r\n_pk_id.*\r\n_pk_ses.*\r\nppms_privacy_*\r\nstg_*\r\n_stg_*\r\n_pk_cvar.*","withdraw_markup":"\u003Cbutton type=\u0022button\u0022 class=\u0022eu-cookie-withdraw-tab\u0022\u003EPrivacy settings\u003C\/button\u003E\n\u003Cdiv aria-labelledby=\u0022popup-text\u0022 class=\u0022eu-cookie-withdraw-banner\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022popup-content info eu-cookie-compliance-content\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv id=\u0022popup-text\u0022 class=\u0022eu-cookie-compliance-message\u0022 role=\u0022document\u0022\u003E\n \u003Ch2\u003EWe use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience\u003C\/h2\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou have given your consent for us to set cookies.\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cdiv id=\u0022popup-buttons\u0022 class=\u0022eu-cookie-compliance-buttons\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cbutton type=\u0022button\u0022 class=\u0022eu-cookie-withdraw-button \u0022\u003EWithdraw consent\u003C\/button\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E","withdraw_enabled":false,"reload_options":0,"reload_routes_list":"","withdraw_button_on_info_popup":false,"cookie_categories":[],"cookie_categories_details":[],"enable_save_preferences_button":true,"cookie_value_disagreed":"0","cookie_value_agreed_show_thank_you":"1","cookie_value_agreed":"2","containing_element":"body","settings_tab_enabled":false,"olivero_primary_button_classes":"","olivero_secondary_button_classes":"","close_button_action":"close_banner","open_by_default":true,"modules_allow_popup":true,"hide_the_banner":false,"geoip_match":true},"user":{"uid":0,"permissionsHash":"e6f7846e3808c47d6af996d54361a22469a7a8c5f62b13011cdef710a1c92227"}}</script> <script src="/sites/default/files/js/js_zgJD2bZE38UJPz0itALcNgZl8pJKCZRtujuNM7lP6-s.js?scope=footer&delta=0&language=en&theme=nuffic_sih_theme&include=eJyFkWFuwyAMhS8UwpEiQ5xgFWyEoV12-tE12zRpZH_A9vt4so0eWjFZB4oTt20jv9SACe3jUHocu8HYM646-Qiqx4s844SqsGPXpKBlKQkivX8bKYXTLAHxhG81Et_sWlqGOJ_phG3xIjfCfqUcCdij_au4rLhBi_V3n09d-Nnh3Ptsl6LZRCqWIXPKd8KH2s9zTrK2iMMXPlCeMhTYC-SgX7P9VObGublIGnAduwjXHhhFX0l4yFHq2x6q0GqQ8XAuym4CwnqxAFe67ktLbogw3B2MHRSh-GAKav8p_Qe7Mnp1aq4QV4BX4n0IRDik1Q-8ayMw"></script> <script src="/modules/contrib/eu_cookie_compliance/js/eu_cookie_compliance.min.js?v=10.2.2" defer></script> <script src="/sites/default/files/js/js_OkMx26TWPpGcD-y85i_ttfQ1ehNuo49b-QJzclEsVgw.js?scope=footer&delta=2&language=en&theme=nuffic_sih_theme&include=eJyFkWFuwyAMhS8UwpEiQ5xgFWyEoV12-tE12zRpZH_A9vt4so0eWjFZB4oTt20jv9SACe3jUHocu8HYM646-Qiqx4s844SqsGPXpKBlKQkivX8bKYXTLAHxhG81Et_sWlqGOJ_phG3xIjfCfqUcCdij_au4rLhBi_V3n09d-Nnh3Ptsl6LZRCqWIXPKd8KH2s9zTrK2iMMXPlCeMhTYC-SgX7P9VObGublIGnAduwjXHhhFX0l4yFHq2x6q0GqQ8XAuym4CwnqxAFe67ktLbogw3B2MHRSh-GAKav8p_Qe7Mnp1aq4QV4BX4n0IRDik1Q-8ayMw"></script> </body> </html>