The orientation period at universities in the Netherlands starts this week. Along with the orientation, universities will introduce the city to their new students with various activities and parties.
Cities starting the orientation today are: Rotterdam, Leiden, Groningen, Leeuwarden and Utrecht. This year, Vocational High School Education (MBO) students will also participate in the orientation process for the first time. The orientation program in Eindhoven, Tilburg, Nijmegen, Maastricht, Amsterdam, and Enschede will begin in the coming weeks.
In this article, we have listed some points that students who come to study in the Netherlands should know.
What students who come to the Netherlands for university need to know
1.Get ready for the battle to find a home!
Due to the housing crisis in the Netherlands, newcomers to the city go through a very difficult search for a house. In fact, this search is so troublesome that many universities in the Netherlands advise students who cannot find a home not to come. For this reason, the first thing to do for new students coming to the Netherlands is to find a house to lay their heads on!
Students must begin their search for a home online before coming to the Netherlands. Although there are various internet sites such as Kamernet and Funda to find a house in the Netherlands, you can find a room or roommate with a detailed search in Facebook student groups. However, we can’t help but say that you should be careful against scammers because at least 60 percent of the messages you will receive will come from scammers. Beware of!
There are also dormitories of universities, but you have to follow the application deadlines closely.
2. Grading system
The grading system in Dutch universities is between 1 and 10. 8 in Numbering, Good; 9, Very Good; 10 is described as Excellent. Scores in the 1-5 range are not considered good. For this reason, students need to prepare themselves mentally for hard work before coming to the Netherlands.
3. No more carrying cash!
If you are going to live in the Netherlands, it is best to say goodbye to the use of cash slowly. Because here, many businesses use technological systems such as credit/debit cards and online payments instead of cash. In addition, it is much more advantageous for people who will be in the Netherlands for a long time to open a bank account in the Netherlands instead of using their Turkey-based bank cards. In this way, problems such as the extra fees experienced in using a Turkey-based card or the failure of the card to be accepted by businesses in the Netherlands are avoided.
4. No problem if you have English!
Students coming to study in the Netherlands must have an adequate level of English education, and English will undoubtedly help you to communicate easily in the Netherlands. A study shows that 90 percent of Dutch people speak English well. You don’t have to learn Dutch to communicate in the Netherlands, but you can still learn to adapt to the environment you live in.
5. Learn about Dutch culture
Whichever country you go to, you will definitely encounter a different culture. This is also the case in the Netherlands. For this reason, it may be useful for you to learn about the culture of the country in order to avoid misunderstandings.
For example, it would not be wrong to use the term ‘Righteous David’ for the Dutch! Because the Dutch are known for their direct speech and honesty. Although this is sometimes considered rude or strange in other cultures, this is the mentality in the Netherlands. Another thing the Dutch are famous for is their planning. If you want to meet with a Dutch person, you may need to plan ahead! Let’s go out and have a drink tonight, it’s not in the Dutch lexicon!
Another strange thing about Dutch culture is that they keep track of their money, penny by penny. The system of paying for the food eaten by everyone who has been translated into Turkish as a ‘German Account’ actually belongs to the Dutch: Dutch Treat. The Dutch are also known to sometimes send Tikkies for very small amounts, although it’s not as normal as everyone paying for their own food. Tikkie is the Dutch account sharing application, thanks to this application Dutch people can even claim the 2.5 euro they paid for their friends!
6. Get ready to bike!
Are you someone who doesn’t do much sports in Turkey? Now that era is over! It is not possible not to use the bicycle, which is the most popular means of transportation in the Netherlands. The fact that cities are perfectly suited for cycling makes cycling the number one mode of transport. In addition, when considering public transportation, cycling is a much more affordable mode of transportation. Therefore, be prepared to go to the places you want to go at affordable prices, by doing sports and having fun! Not to mention that the bike is environmentally friendly!
7. Transportation by public transport
Public transport in the Netherlands is done with the OV Chip Card. Long-term stays in the Netherlands are advised to get their card, even if they buy a bicycle. You can use the 8 euro card in all Dutch cities. You also have the chance to have student discounts on transportation in the Netherlands