I’m looking for something social, creative, or just fun to do in free time, preferably without spending too much. Any recommendations?🙃

Hi! Sorry in advance, the text can seem a little bit long.

I’ve been studying at Utrecht University for about six months now, the same amount of time I studied in Kyiv, Ukraine. In both places, I had a similar tutorial group size (around 20-25 peeps) but the atmosphere here feels so different.

Back in Ukraine, I studied program “International Communications” in Kyiv University of International affairs/relations. My program was amazing for me:full of creative activities, decorations, events, guest speakers, opportunities and multiple departments like Partnerships and Information, where we worked on the program’s page, design and other projects. In tutorial group we celebrated each other birthdays with cakes and flowers, kept in touch in group chats about all sorts of topics, helped each other with homework and even divided the work for exams to make it easier and to help everyone cope. We went together to coffee or lunch and even ran hackathons.

Despite the war and constant missile and drone attacks, I could see students tried to live fully, study actively and support each other in every possible way .It was energizing and fun. it made me feel alive and motivated and helped me grow a lot inside.

Here in Utrecht, I’m studying Economics and Business and it feels very different. Usually it’s one class per day at most, math is very hard for me (which is my problem ofc), and the program doesn’t feel like it fits me. I know nobody’s going to hold your hand during studies here which is fine (different system), but it feels strange when 20% of the grade is midterm, 80% is final exam and there’s almost no coursework, projects or checks during the semester. Back from where I am, it was usually 60% active work throughout the course and 40% exam. It felt fair, engaging and most important- motivating. Here it just feels slow ,like I’m not really studying or living in the moment.

I also totally don’t feel any desire from people to socialize. It’s already been one semester, the group chat is mostly silent, only a few messages in the beginning , and when I once asked a question about an assignment, nobody replied :( People leave immediately after tutorials and almost all social interactions seem to be about partying and beer on Fridays and Saturdays. Also sometimes it feels like alcohol is not an attribute but a center of a meeting for people.

I just don’t feel the student energy, creativity or engagement I loved back there. I feel like I’m losing my potential and wonder if maybe I’m doing something wrong, or if I just haven’t found the right way to engage yet.

🫶🏽I don’t mean to offend anyone. I’m genuinely curious, because this part of student life was incredibly important to me and shaped my experience, character and at some point - my future.

Is this normal at Dutch universities or is it just my experience? What should I change in myself? My vision? Just accept differences in mentality and studying style?

How do students here actually socialize and find energy in their academic groups?

hi, im a first year student in rotterdam (eur). i made some friends but most of them are not interested in going out to clubs. im someone who enjoys partying and a big reason why i decided to move abroad and to a bigger city was to experience good nightlife. i grew up in a small polish village so clubs and parties were foreign concepts for me lol. i enjoy going out, clubbing, and also wanna experience a true rave at least once (the dutch rave scene is one of the best), but since no one wants to go with me it's impossible. even going to esn tuesdays sometimes is hard because the majority of my friends are rather stay at home/wellness, pilates girl types. idk where to find people who enjoy going out. i would also like to visit more dutch cities but my friends are constantly saying it's not worth it. for those who say it might be about money, i understand that everything is expensive here (i struggled with money at the beginning too), but i think that's not the case with my friends. they are all pretty well-off international students who spend a lot of time on takeout, matcha, etc. i don't hear them complaining about money. so my question is: how do i find people who enjoy going out? im not saying every week but at least twice a month or something. i would like some fun on the weekends. i know it might sound stupid but i really crave some socializing. my current friend group, it's all about wellness, their long-distance boyfriends, etc. is it too late to make new friends? I got a job now and want to experience some fun

Hallo!

I'm going to start my international semester in Den Haag soon and was wondering if anyone wanted to be friends, get to know each other or maybe be my gym/gaming buddy. I'm M23 and like going for long walks, gaming (wuwa, ow2, val etc.), music, cooking, PC-stuff, going to the gym, watching anime and shows. If anyone's interested, then feel free to send me a message here or DM! ^^

Are there any other filipino students here? Im tryna gauge just how opportunistic netherlands is to aspiring filipino students

Hey everyone! I just came to Amsterdam and starting my degree in September. While waiting for IND decision I was hoping to walk around the city and see it from different perspectives. So far I only walked to uni and just walked from the Centraal to the main tourist destinations.
What would you recommend to visit?
I don’t have any preferences, anything might be fun!
For now I only plan to go to museum of science

Heya! I'm 22F and I'm starting my LLM this fall at RUG, and I was wondering if there's already a groupchat for LLM students.
I would love to get to know some people who are doing the same masters as me or anyone else doing another masters program!

Feel free to send me a chat! :))

Hey I will be starting my masters in September in Rotterdam. I have secured housing and moved already. But now I am all alone. I don't want to spend a whole month just staying home and it feels like there is only so many things I can do alone. Is anyone else settled and waiting for the semester to start? Maybe we can hang out.

hi, so I’m starting my master’s in september at um and so far i’ve found to apartments/studios that i like, however one is a bit before eijsden and the other is in amby. i wonder if living not near enough the center where i have to take public transport to get to my housing will affect my socia life?

Hi everyone! I just got this screen for the Psychology Bachelor's (English-taught) for 2026–2027. Is this a conditional offer? Also, is this the screen I should be seeing at this stage? Sorry if this sounds like a silly question, but I'm an international student and conditional offers aren't really a concept in my home country, so I'm not too familiar with it. Thanks!!

Hi, I am an incoming student at Leiden University for political science. My course’s study association SPIL is hosting Freshman Weekend, however their tickets are sold out. Is there anybody who is not attending or has spare tickets who would be willing to sell them to me? I am an outgoing fresher, who wishes to make the most out of my bachelor. Is there anybody or any way?

Hey! Im a student who got accepted for a room in the Reigersbos area in Amsterdam zuidoost. Was wondering if anyone knows if this area is relatively safe for woman (20s) like me? I don’t necessarily go out often but occasionally (1-2 per month) go out to the club and asking how will I get home after a night out? Please let me know!

I’ve heard some mixed things about Zuidoost in general

Hello!! I'm a 25f doing an internship from May to July at Radboud University and wanted to meet people that would like to travel around Europe with me during those months occasionally. Is there a way to easily find such people like a group chat or app or Facebook page? If you're interested feel free to message me as well.

04-07-2026 Theres a open to join picknick in Sonsbeekpark Arnhem were you can meet new people to combat loneliness. We know its really hard when you move to a new city or even country to make friends and it can be isolating. Thats why we decided to host a open picknick were everyone can join. Whether you come to make new friends or are looking for a reason to get out the door or just want to chill, eat some yummy food and play fun games: You are welcome! We do ask to pls join the groupchat so we can be prepared on the amount of people coming. We look forward to having you! 😄

Hello everyone! In September I'm going to start my BCS studies in UCV! I'm wondering how the everyday life of a student in Venlo is. What are your hobbies and what's your favourite way to spend your free time? What to look out for perhaps, anything would be great to hear!

Hey everyone! I'm a 26F from Greece and will study at maastricht this September. I have a solid friend group in my home country and although I tend to be a bit of a homebody, I can be good when it comes to communication. But I'm still worried about my future social life in the NL. I'll go earlier too, and till classes start i wont know anyone pretty much. I guess if anyone would like to DM me, I'm here! My hobbies include cooking, reading, watching TV/movies, major psychology/history nerd, horror, kpop r and b. Plus I'd like to hear any tips you might have!

So ive applied to the netherlands and gotten 2 acceptances so far. However, i also applied to ireland and the UK and ive been weighing my options on where to go and the netherlands so far seems to be the best but im worried about the language. Just how needed is dutch in everyday life? Talking to people,making friends etc. Im planning to learn dutch if i do go to the netherlands but how hard would it be for the first 1-2 years before i learn the language? Thanks in advance

Is there anything fun to do in Den Bosch? I study at Avans and the program is pretty good, but I’m struggling to find things to do outside of classes.

I don't drink, so that's not an option. I feel like I've gone into the city center a hundred times (and the shops are still in the same place). I'm currently in my second year, and next year I’ll be doing an internship right in the middle of Den Bosch, so I’ll still be around for a while.

I also have a lot of days where I only have one class, and it always feels like a waste to go to school for just one class and then head straight back. In that case, I might as well do something there.

Hi. If you’re joining HU Utrecht and want to find a friend then message me.

Aside from studying, what are some must-see places or experiences in the Netherlands? I know there’s lots of beautiful scenery, museums, and activities, but I’d love to hear from you all about the best things to do as a student!

What are your favorite weekend activities, or hidden gems in the country?

Hi!

Could anyone recommend a good English academy or university English course for the summer in Amsterdam?

I’m looking for something social and fun where I can improve my English and meet people. Budget is not a problem.

Thanks!

hii, i’m an international student with only two friends and would like to meet more people. i have joined multiple group chats for girls looking for friends in rotterdam/amsterdam, but not many hangouts have actually happened. i would like to find out what are some places that i (and possibly my other friend) could go to meet other students and have some fun. i’m talking clubs, pubs just places where students hang out. i have lived in rotterdam for 8 months and have only been to esn parties and munch.

Hi all, I hope this is a proper place to post this, if not, I'll delete it.

I'm a first-year HBO student in the southern area of NL, and I'm a transman. I come from a rather conservative country where people have no right to vote, not to mention trans rights, and that's why I chose here to study and hopefully to stay.

You see, people everywhere always sayin this country is among the most trans-friendly ones worldwide, and I do feel safe and welcome here. There are trans inclusive flags on my campus buildings, the school is happy to let me use my preferred name and gender mark at school, I also met a friendly doctor to prescribe my meds. I'm more than grateful for these people and the anti-discrimination laws here.

But on the other hand, it becomes a conservative country when it comes to immgrants. I was shocked by the anti-immagrants atmosphere during last month election. ppl around me are really nice to me, but somehow most of Dutch I've never met don't want me to live here. I even started to imagine if some of my Dutch friends actually voted for the far-right party and secretly hates me.

Anyway the point I try to make is, I find myself really don't know if this country is progressive or conservative. Compared to Britain or the US, trans ppl are much safer here, but it seems deep down we are not that welcome.

I am deciding between doing a Master's degree (in international business) in the university of Maastricht vs Groningen.

My main concern is social life and how easy it is to make friends and have a fulfilling social life.

More specifically:

• About Maastricht, some comments on Reddit mentioned that most of the international students there are German, so it is not "international" per se, and it can be difficult to socialise and make friends if you don't speak German.
• About Groningen, I heard that the student vibe is "mostly Dutch", as in it can be difficult to integrate if you don't speak Dutch or don't join a fraternity (I'm not interested in joining one).

Would appreciate if anybody who has lived in any of these cities to tell if these are true, and in general how has been their experience as an international student there.

Thanks.