Moving to Netherlands: No Suffering, But Deep Regret and No Way Home

Studying in a renowned university, such as Leiden University or Utrecht University, ranked among Europe’s best universities would be dream for any student. Multicultural environment, opportunities for global networking, Country with strong economy particularly in tech and sustainability, excellent career prospects, high quality of life, efficient public transport- if all these factors appear as dream to you, you can have them all in Netherlands.

Netherlands – Expectations vs. Reality

I arrived with high expectations, like many other students I met with high expectations of a dream life, fancy pay packet and social experience. However, soon the reality dawns when the struggles of loneliness, high rent, and expensive healthcare costs etc turn out to be more challenging than anticipated. These issues, often undiscussed, do impact the overall experience. Well in most of the cases, unless you have deep pockets, it’s crucial to be prepared for such situation.

My Personal Struggles and Insights

Though, unless I have a good company that matches my tastes, I prefer my own company instead of any random company. I am not a loner, and I do need someone to be along with as a friend. I found loneliness to be a significant hurdle. Cultural differences, like the Dutch directness, sometimes felt unfriendly, and language barriers outside university settings made social integration difficult. Joining student clubs did help, but initial weeks were quite isolating, especially during the college break periods when social activities were limited.

 Finding accommodation, even lesser than a dream one, affordable housing was a nightmare. Rents average €450–€1000/month in in Amsterdam. I had to share an apartment to manage costs, but scams were a constant threat.

Finding solution to expensive healthcare was complex. As a non-working student, I relied on my home country’s insurance initially, but switching to Dutch public insurance for a part-time job was confusing. Long waiting times for medical practitioner appointments and language barriers added to the stress. However, I must add that quality of care was much better.

About Me

I moved to The Netherlands as an undergraduate student. I moved with the perception that I am moving to a dream destination that stands out for its academic excellence and vibrant international community. However, in reality I encountered unexpected struggles that shaped my experience. I am sharing my story and the challenges of loneliness, high rent, and healthcare ensuring that future students are well-informed.

Why I considered Netherlands for my Studies

As I checked online, over 90,000 international students study here, and I became one of them in 2025.

The country has famous education Institutions like Leiden University and Utrecht University which rank high in the list of world class universities. About 90,000 international students study here in various fields like engineering, sustainability attracting global talent.

Students from about 160 countries come here for their advanced studies, making it a truly multicultural place. If offers great opportunities for networking from students around the world. Even 95% of Dutch citizens speaking English, reducing language barriers.

Leading technological giants as like Philips and Shell make Netherlands is the 18th largest economy globally . Its innovation in agriculture and logistics offers strong post-graduation job prospects, especially for STEM graduates.

The country ranks in the top 10 for happiness and offers efficient public transport and bike-friendly cities, enhancing the student experience.

I decided to choose The Netherlands expecting a seamless blend of academic excellence and social integration.

My Expectations as I planned Studies in Netherlands

I expected a smooth adaptation  into university life, expected easy access to world-class education, a vibrant community, and ample career opportunities. I imagined making friends easily, finding affordable housing, and accessing healthcare without hassle, as I perceived given the country’s reputation as checked from Google.

The Reality Check: Struggles Students Face in Netherlands that No One Talks About

However, the reality was much more complex, with several undiscussed challenges impacting my experience.

 “This is My Story, and Here’s What You Should Know about Netherlands”

During my studies, I encountered significant hurdles as loneliness, high rent, and healthcare, alongside many other struggles.

Loneliness here is a pervasive issue, particularly in the first few months. At least two-thirds of international students feel lonely, a statistic that I broadly estimated with in the study circles I live in.

Cultural & Social Differences

Dutch culture, known for directness, that often is mistaken as blunt especially by Indians, makes initial social interactions challenging. I found it hard to connect with Dutch students, though eventually I could but it took time.

Dutch students mostly stick together, despite high English proficiency language barriers exist outside university making casual friendships difficult. International student groups do are supportive but don’t fully bridge the gap.

Initially, I found the direct approach of Dutch as off-putting, but over time, as I adjusted with it, I appreciated the honesty.

For long evenings I felt disconnected, and staying in touch with family via video calls was only option.

The Harsh Reality of High Rent

The housing crisis in the Netherlands, was a major shock. This shortage of housing is expected to increase by over 20% in coming two years, finding affordable housing is a real a battle. Amsterdam rooms average €705/month in 2025, and Universities like VU Amsterdam don’t guarantee housing, leaving students to compete fiercely.

Options for students include student dorms that have limited availability, private rentals are too expensive, and illegal sublets are risky. I opted for a shared apartment, costing €600/month plus utilities.

My Tip to students headed for Netherlands:

Start early, using HousingAnywhere or other such sites, university portals. Watch for scams, like fake listings, and budget for deposits and extras. You must verify landlords via DUWO.

The Struggles with Healthcare

Healthcare access is a major hurdle. Insurance requirements depend on status, with mandatory coverage for working students costing around €1,500/year. The Dutch Healthcare system is high-quality, ranking 11th globally but long waiting times for specialists and the “take a paracetamol” approach for minor issues, frustrated me.

Mental health challenges due to loneliness and stresses are prevalent, with 59% of students reporting these issues. Lack of adequate support for internationals and language barriers in accessing care were notable.

 Other Struggles You Should Know About

Cold, rainy winters often take toll on mood. Adapting to biking, a necessity as per the local culture, was initially frustrating. Dutch food, lacking spice, required adjustment, with international stores helping.

Working with a student visa had restrictions, and balancing part-time work with studies was tough. Costs beyond rent, like groceries (€150–170/month) and transport (€2/single bus fare), add heavily to financial pressure.

Is Moving to the Netherlands Worth It?

Reflecting on my journey, the Netherlands does offer academic excellence and cultural richness, but challenges were significant. Key struggles included loneliness, high rent and high healthcare costs. The good parts—quality education, career opportunities, and international networks—made it worthwhile.

Finally, Would I Recommend Moving to the Netherlands?

Yes, with preparation. It’s rewarding for resilient students ready to adapt.

Research housing early, learn basic Dutch for daily life, join clubs immediately, and understand healthcare options before arrival. Be ready for weather shocks and budget carefully.

About Post Author

Terry

Terry, a writer and immigration expert with 10+ years as a content creator and advocate, helps newcomers navigate Canada’s system. Collaborating with consultants and agencies, Terry decodes PR risks and job challenges in trusted blogs. A storyteller and maple syrup fan, Terry authored a popular guide for new Canadians.

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