Advantages and disadvantages of sharing a flat in Leeuwarden
Here are some of the pros and cons of choosing a shared flat for accommodation in this Dutch city:
Advantages of sharing a flat in Leeuwarden
- Most spare rooms are located in flats that have convenient locations as it is a small town. Keep in mind that the most chosen neighbourhoods by young people are the city centre, Oldegalileën, Bloemenbuurt and Huizum.
- You can choose between spare rooms that are part of private shared flats and rooms that belong to dormitories.
Disadvantages of sharing a flat in Leeuwarden
- Many apartments do not have the furniture you need for everyday life, so you will have to buy what you need. This causes you to incur more expenses when you arrive.
- It is very difficult to find accommodation at the beginning of the academic year, so you have to search a few months in advance if you want to find the most suitable room for you.
Erasmus App for your exchange programme in Leeuwarden
The apps for Erasmus+ have various relevant and convenient functions to make the exchange to that city in the Netherlands as good as possible. In them, you will find various information and recommendations from students from previous years. One of these tips is to get a rental or second-hand bike when you arrive in the city, so you can move around Leeuwarden comfortably and like a local. In addition, this allows you to explore the countryside around the city, which luckily has no hills!
How to meet people in Leeuwarden?
If you are a little overwhelmed by the idea of arriving in a city where you don't know anyone and feeling very alone, don't worry! There are several alternatives to meet people in this Dutch city:
Student associations in Leeuwarden
The Erasmus Student Network has a branch in this city: the ESN Leeuwarden. In this association, volunteer students make integration into society easier for internationals, providing help and planning different fun activities that you can join.
Facebook groups for Erasmus in Leeuwarden
We believe that the best group you can join on this platform is the ESN. In this group, you will be able to see the calendar with all the events that are being planned and be able to choose which ones to join. Some activities include theme parties, international dinners, celebrations of festivities such as King's Day, bowling, and different sports, among others.
Whatsapp groups for Erasmus in Leeuwarden
Most likely, you will find groups on Whatsapp or Telegram that are formed from Facebook groups or the student association. In them, you can connect with other students in a simpler way, being able to introduce yourself and meet other people with hobbies similar to yours.
Tips for sharing a student flat in Leeuwarden
We give you some recommendations for you to take into account:
Invest the extra in your budget to enjoy Leeuwarden, its surroundings and other cities in the Netherlands. Amsterdam is about two hours away by train and Groningen is 40 minutes away.
If you want to learn Dutch during your stay, you can sign up for courses offered by universities. In addition, it would be convenient if one of your roommates were local, so you can put your knowledge into practice more easily.