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Living in Rotterdam as an International Student

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Hey, I'm Emma, city host of Rotterdam at Socials.
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I moved to Rotterdam from Brussels three years ago thinking the Netherlands would be similar to Belgium.
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Turns out, Rotterdam is differently entirely. My first month was chaos, I couldn't find housing because everything was already taken, paid €750 for a tiny room in Kralingen, and learned that Dutch directness is not a myth. People will tell you exactly what they think, no filter, no softening.
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But once I figured out how Rotterdam works? This city became exactly the opportunity I was looking for: international, innovative, and surprisingly affordable if you know what you're doing.
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This guide is everything I wish someone had told me before I arrived, the actual student survival guide for Rotterdam.
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Let's start with the hardest part: finding somewhere to live.

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1. Student Accommodation in Rotterdam

Rotterdam, like all Dutch cities, has a housing shortage. International students compete with locals, young professionals, and each other for limited rooms. Start early. I mean really early.

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SSH Student Housing
SSH is the largest student housing provider in Rotterdam. They have buildings specifically for international students. Prices range €600-800 per month for a furnished room with shared kitchen/bathroom. These are short-stay options (max 1 year), which means you'll need to find something else after your first year. Apply as soon as you're accepted to your university. Spots go fast.
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University Reserved Accommodations
Erasmus University reserves about 25% of spots for incoming international students through partners like Student Housing Willemskade. Rent is €650-1,000 per month for various room types. The catch: you need to meet specific criteria (first-year, non-EU, specific programs). Check your university housing page immediately when you get your acceptance letter.

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City Centre (Centrum)
Living in the center puts you near everything, nightlife, shopping, cultural stuff. Rent is €550-800 per month for rooms in shared flats. The downside is it's touristy, louder, and you're not necessarily near university campuses. Good if you want city energy, not great if you want to focus on studying in peace.

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Delfshaven / Noord
These areas are cheaper - €450-650 per month - and still well-connected by metro/tram. Delfshaven has historic charm, Noord is more residential and multicultural. You're further from universities but the metro gets you there in 15-20 minutes. If budget is tight, these neighborhoods work.

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The reality of finding a place: Join our Rotterdam WhatsApp group before you arrive. Students post when they're leaving so you get first look at rooms.

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2. Getting Around Rotterdam: Transport for Students

Rotterdam's public transport is run by electric trams. The system works well and is punctual.

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‍Metro is your main system. Rotterdam was the first Dutch city to have a metro.

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Trams and Buses: Rotterdam has 9 tram lines and extensive bus coverage. Trams are convenient in areas metro doesn't reach. Most trams go through Rotterdam Centraal station. Buses fill in the gaps, especially in outer neighborhoods.

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The OV-chipkaart is essential. This is the card used for all public transport in the Netherlands. You tap in, tap out, and it automatically calculates your fare based on distance traveled.

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Student Travel Product: If you qualify for Dutch student finance, you can get free or discounted public transport nationwide. Check DUO website for eligibility. Most international students don't qualify, but it's worth checking.

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A bike is a necessity. Rotterdam is flat, bike-friendly, and cycling is legitimately the fastest way to get around the city center. Options:

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• Buy a second-hand bike (€50-150) from Facebook Marketplace, students leaving, or second-hand shops. Expect it to be stolen eventually - buy a decent lock (€30-50).
• Swapfiets - Monthly subscription (€16-25) gives you a bike and all repairs/replacements included. The blue front tire is their signature. Very popular with students.

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3. Cost of Living for International Students in Rotterdam

Rotterdam is cheaper than Amsterdam but still expensive by international standards. You have to budget carefully.

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Monthly budget breakdown:

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• Rent: €450-850 depending on area and housing type
• Food: €150-250 if you cook at home mostly
• Transport: €50-80 (or €20-30 with bike + occasional public transport)
• Phone/Internet: €15-30 for mobile plans
• Health Insurance: €120-130 (mandatory in Netherlands)
• Going out: €100-200 depending on lifestyle

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Where to actually save money:

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Supermarkets: Lidl and Aldi are cheapest for basics. Albert Heijn (AH) is everywhere but more expensive. Shop the weekly deals  and buy store brands  instead of name brands.

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Markets: Rotterdam has weekly markets in different neighborhoods. Fenix Food Factory on Fridays has food stalls. These are cheaper for fresh produce than supermarkets.

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Student discounts: Always ask and show your student ID. Museums, cinemas, events - many offer 20-40% student discounts. Rotterdam Welcome Card sometimes has student deals too.

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4. Finding Food from Home in Rotterdam

Rotterdam is extremely multicultural, over 170 nationalities live here. You can find food from almost anywhere.

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Markthal - The famous market hall building. Lots of international food vendors - Middle Eastern, Asian, European. It's beautiful but slightly tourist-priced. €6-12 for market food.

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Turkish / Moroccan - Huge communities in Rotterdam. Find Turkish supermarkets and restaurants especially in Zuid, Feijenoord, and Delfshaven areas. Cheap and good and the groceries way cheaper than regular supermarkets.

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European / Western - Obviously available everywhere but expensive. €15-30 for restaurant meals. Better to cook this food at home from supermarket ingredients.

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The truth: International food in Rotterdam is accessible and reasonably priced. The Dutch supermarkets have decent international sections  too. You won't starve for your home cuisine here.

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5. Rotterdam's Student Nightlife Scene

Rotterdam's nightlife is more  alternative than Amsterdam's tourist-heavy scene. It's  more experimental and more authentic.

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Witte de Withstraat: This is the main going-out street in the center. Lined with bars, restaurants, and clubs. It gets packed Thursday-Saturday nights. The street has everything from dive bars to cocktail lounges.

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Oude Haven / Wijnhaven Area: These harbor areas have bars with outdoor terraces in summer. Great for afternoon/evening drinks before heading elsewhere. Less club-focused, more social drinking scene.

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The reality of Rotterdam nightlife: It's cheaper than Amsterdam but still not cheap. Pre-drinking at home is standard student behavior because €8 cocktails add up fast. Most clubs close around 4-5am on weekends. Public transport stops around 12:30am, then you're taking night buses (BOB bus), biking drunk (not recommended but very Dutch), or splitting Uber with friends.

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Top local spots you should know:

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De Vrienden Live -This is a live music venue that transforms into a club on weekends. Located in Schieblock area (city center). They do concerts, DJ nights, and cultural events. The crowd is mixed with students, artists, locals. It's less commercial than some other spots, more authentic Rotterdam vibe.

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Hitz - Club near Witte de Withstraat. Focused on electronic music, house, and techno. They bring decent DJs and the sound system is good. Popular with students and young professionals who are into dance music. Thursday student nights sometimes have cheaper entry.

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Looking forward to see you soon!
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Join our Rotterdam WhatsApp group where other international students are sharing housing, answering questions at weird hours, and actually showing up when someone needs help navigating this expensive, beautiful, occasionally frustrating city.
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‍‍Welcome to the family ;)