The card can also help you save 40 percent on train travel. However, don’t use this as an excuse not to learn the Dutch language. Although visitors to the Netherlands might not be able to experience the full depth of this accolade, it certainly makes the Netherlands an attractive destination for travellers. They also offer an international-based curriculum, like many other Dutch universities. We all go through bad patches and we all want to go home at some point because the health service/weather/food/beaches/television/football is better there. Just don’t expect it to be sugar coated. The Netherlands has a very low crime rate - one of the lowest in the world. 1. Don’t live to far from the office and you’ll be home promptly at 5.30pm like the rest of your colleagues. Or head off to Thailand for a few weeks. For the tenth year in a row, the Atlas has given top spot to Amsterdam. Part of the Dutch lifestyle means saying what you mean, and then doing what you say. And while you may have heard stories about the coffeeshops in Amsterdam, there are also cannabis regulations as well, and no "hard" drugs may be sold there. Additionally, if you do find a position while studying in the Netherlands, you will not need a work permit, as long as your home country is a part of the European Union or the European Economic Area, or if you reside in Switzerland. This can often be difficult in some countries, but the good news is that the Netherlands is not one of them. Simple as that. If you’re interested in an internship, many universities will have a board where you can find these postings, or you may even be able to speak with someone in your department about available opportunities. Your Ultimate Guide to Rotterdam Neighborhoods, The Complete Guide to Utrecht’s Neighborhoods. Some 2,500 miles of the Netherlands consist of reclaimed land, the result of a process of careful water management dating back to medieval times. Being in the same house where Ann Frank hid from the Nazis during World War II gives you a sense of history you can’t have otherwise. Per thousand inhabitants, Amsterdam has one bar and two restaurants, with eight plays… DutchNews.nl has been free for 14 years, but without the financial backing of our readers, we would not be able to provide you with fair and accurate news and features about all things Dutch. The card may be loaded with credits, which you can easily do at vending machines at the metro stations and at additional locations throughout the city. The city is beautiful, and quaint enough that you can bike from end to end in 10-15 minutes. Often, the universities will offer Dutch language classes, or they may even be community classes available. Many international students also opt to work a part-time job or to find an internship. Check out our ultimate resource with all the information you need before moving! (Okay, okay, I’ll quit bigging up the Netherlands now). In fact, the World University Rankings currently show that approximately 60 percent of courses at Dutch universities are offered in English. As that the Netherlands isn’t considered a very large country, it’s easy to travel from one city to the next, allowing you the opportunity to experience the music festivals in Groningen, the brewery tours in Enschede or the film festivals in Rotterdam. There is great speculation as to why this is, including referencing the country’s drug policies, lower levels of poverty and the system’s usual favoring of rehabilitation over incarceration. Additionally, over 50 percent of the university’s students and 40 percent of its faculty members are from over 100 different countries. To counteract this, the average pay is somewhat higher, which also leads to a higher degree of standard of living. People new to the area may find that they can easily strike up a conversation with a complete stranger on the bus, or realize that they’re only a few words away from finding the best restaurant in Tilburg. Here is the 2013 top 10 1 Rozendaal, Gelderland 2 Naarden, Noord-Holland 3 Haren, Groningen (despite the… If you have not yet made a contribution, you can do so here. The Netherlands is situated right in between Germany and Belgium, plus its a short drive from both Luxembourg and France. The Cheapest Place to Live in Holland (the Netherlands) First let's compare the Netherlands to some of it's European neighbours. Holidays While most civilized countries (looking at you, America) offer 20 days of holiday a year, the Dutch are serious about taking it. The Netherlands brings the symbol of peace with the beauty of the canal, the fairy villages, the windmills … but also civilized with the inventions which go ahead of its time. 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