Some simple tips can help international students manage their living expenses in the Netherlands. The following pointers are:
An essential thing for international students is housing accommodation because it takes up the biggest part of their budget. While renting a private space, don’t forget to check whether the apartment is furnished or unfurnished and how much money you need to pay for additional utilities every month. Rent in the Netherlands averages 400-600 EUR/ per month in a shared apartment or a student housing building.
When travelling in the Netherlands, you can purchase a ticket for a few hours or a day. For example, a 1-hour ticket in Amsterdam costs 3.20 EUR, while a day ticket costs 8.50 EUR. However, the best way to save costs when travelling is to buy a public transport card. This will permit you to travel on all modes of public transport in the Netherlands. You can buy a modified or anonymous card for 7.50 EUR. The modified card will let you use additional products, such as public hire bikes at every Dutch station and discounts outside rush hour.
Apart from your rent, the most important factor is food & groceries that you need to pay monthly. To save the cost of groceries, you can go to farmer’s markets, discount supermarkets, and many others. And if you are not so fond of cooking, the best option is to grab a meal from the university cafeteria as they offer food that ranges between 5 - 8 EUR.
Scholarships are available for international students from diverse backgrounds, considering their country of origin, financial situation, and academic qualifications. There are various scholarship programs in the Netherlands, which are offered by both Government and universities. The cost of living in the Netherlands for students can become easy if one obtains any scholarship to fund and support their studies and stay in Holland.
Your University ID card is an acceptable form of identification. You can avail many discounts by showing the ID card at museums, restaurants, etc. Aside from savings, searching for a part-time job or an internship will also support you in handling the cost of living in the Netherlands.
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