Studying in Amsterdam, Holland

mikec123

Hi everyone,

I just recently got (conditionally) accepted into a Masters programme in the University of Amsterdam:D. I was wondering would anyone be able to provide any information, tips, advice etc etc. on studying/living in Amsterdam (or Holland)

• What's your experience of the Unversity of Amsterdam
• The timetabling system seems complicated, any advise?
• Where should I live in the city?
• What's the max I should pay for an apartment? (nothing too fancy, just regular student level!)
• What areas are good/safe? (hopefully all of them!)
• Do I need any permits/visas? (i'm an EU citizen, so I don't think I do, but just making sure!)
• Is it possible to get a dutch mobile phone sim card before I move over? What is the best network provider?

Any answers to my questions or any other advise will be greatly appreciated:D

Thanks
Mike

Poor_old_gill

I wonder have they Irish Gold beer over there

bennyblanco

hey man,congratulations,
Amsterdam is a beautiful city and imho dutch women are some of the most beautiful in the world,and they're sound too.
As far as your timetabling issues I wouldn't worry,the dutch are really organised.
I cant help with much apart from that I worked there years ago,as long as you have an eu passport you can bring it to a tax office (sorry I cant remember the name of the stop) but it's on the train from central station towards schipol (the airport).When they confirm all your stuff they issue you a sofi number (their version of a pps) then you're boxed off work wise.
I lived in the city centre, safe as houses , but it was so a good few years ago so I wouldnt have a clue about rents.
Hah I'm pretty jealous,it's such a great city,so many things to see and do,
Enjoy it!:D

Paulegend

ah good ol prostitute college:D

projectmayhem

Bizarre, my post disappeared. *gulp* Here we go again...

This is a very coincidential thread as I'm thinking along the same lines. I'm due to graduate (pending results and all that) from DIT next year with an undergrad honours degree, but want to go on to do a masters.

I can obviously do this in Ireland but it'd be a shame to waste my EU citizenship on Dublin! I've been looking up Amsterdam VU (vrij universtat) who have been very helpful through email and what not regarding the masters course I would be interested in.

My question would be from anyone who studied & worked in AMS before. I'm not going to be able to get support elsewhere so a part time job will be a must if I do go over. I can get financial aid for the tuition fee's under a scheme provided by the Dutch which lets you pay through a student loan that spreads the cost at low interest over the year. Also, VU offer a grant to "exceptional students" of up to €5500 to go over. They also help with accommodation and getting your SOFI number etc. which is great.

So, has anyone studied in Holland before, is it worth it & how much was living there, other then rent (rooms are around €500 it seems)? Also, is it difficult to attain a part time job as a masters student, while not speaking de Nederlands?

Cheers

crushproof

I second most of the above reply...I'm looking into going to Utrecht fir a masters but just wondering what the story is getting a job without any Dutch?! Cheers

untitledname

What's your experience of the Unversity of Amsterdam

really depends on the programme but for me very manageable work load and not too much fuss. But some people found it different depends on you and the people who teach/administrate your course i guess


The timetabling system seems complicated, any advise?
The first period (each period is seven weeks) I signed up to courses differently than the students who were already at UvA do so, it should be fine.


Where should I live in the city?

go with the housing company the university use it is impossible to find housing by your self in august/september (if you have missed the dead line it is not that impossible but be prepared to live in a hostel for two weeks http://www.HousingAnywhere.com/ might be worth a try)

What's the max I should pay for an apartment? (nothing too fancy, just regular student level!)

dunno i pay 435 it is alright more than the average but it hard to get housing here if you don't know someone

What areas are good/safe? (hopefully all of them!)
yeah most places are fine the bijmer is a bit dodge

Do I need any permits/visas? (i'm an EU citizen, so I don't think I do, but just making sure!)
No

Is it possible to get a dutch mobile phone sim card before I move over? What is the best network provider?

they are all the same if you go prepay

mikec123

untitledname wrote: »

What's your experience of the Unversity of Amsterdam

really depends on the programme but for me very manageable work load and not too much fuss. But some people found it different depends on you and the people who teach/administrate your course i guess


The timetabling system seems complicated, any advise?
The first period (each period is seven weeks) I signed up to courses differently than the students who were already at UvA do so, it should be fine.


Where should I live in the city?

go with the housing company the university use it is impossible to find housing by your self in august/september (if you have missed the dead line it is not that impossible but be prepared to live in a hostel for two weeks http://www.HousingAnywhere.com/ might be worth a try)

What's the max I should pay for an apartment? (nothing too fancy, just regular student level!)

dunno i pay 435 it is alright more than the average but it hard to get housing here if you don't know someone

What areas are good/safe? (hopefully all of them!)
yeah most places are fine the bijmer is a bit dodge

Do I need any permits/visas? (i'm an EU citizen, so I don't think I do, but just making sure!)
No

Is it possible to get a dutch mobile phone sim card before I move over? What is the best network provider?

they are all the same if you go prepay

thanks, really appreciate it...

what option did you use to get your stuff to Amsterdam? ship it? just use the 20kg baggage/pay for excess?

untitledname

yeah i only had two kilos over,
going home will be another story...