Study abroad in the Netherlands
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calendar_month 01 Mar 2011, 00:00
The Netherlands is a country where stereotypes are the norm, but this makes for a beautiful and very characteristic nation to study abroad in.
Country overview
Dykes, windmills, canals and tulips will be seen wherever you are, and you can expect to see more bikes, than buses and trains. The landscape is quite simply, flat! Holland's position at the heart of Europe means that a short trip to another of Europe's vibrant capitals is never far away.

Multiculturalism is being ever-more embraced, with a host of religious buildings, music ranging from salsa to techno, and a wide choice of food encompassing the vast variety of flavours from all over the world. The majority ofDutch people speak English.

Amsterdam, the liberal capital, is full of museums and galleries, and its canals make for pleasant strolls to discover the hidden depths of the city. History is abundant - Anne Frank's house being the epitome of this which everyone should visit. Mixed in with such history, is a hi-tech and modern nation at the forefront of technology and education.
Education overview
Twelve universitiesin the Netherlands are ranked in the Top 200 of the 2010QS World University Rankings, making education in Holland one of the highest performing in the world today. Dutch higher education programs have rightly secured a reputation for high quality and well organized content. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science has responsibility for ensuring that programs meet the required international standards.

The higher education system in the Netherlands consists of two distinct types of institution: universities (universiteiten) and universities of professional education (hogescholen); the former focus on research and teaching from an academic point of view, while the latter aims to prepare students more directly for the workplace.

International study abroad in the Netherlands is a little different than in other countries.Most universities and other institutions do not offer a campus environment so student life is often mixed with the life of the surrounding town or city, rather than forming its own niche
Pros and Cons
Excellent value for money with moderate tuition fees Unique problem-based learning tradition Location in Europe English language teaching Ease of gaining an entry visa Lack of knowledge of Dutch degrees internationally



International student accommodation
There is a shortage of university housing in the Netherlands and finding somewhere to stay may well be the first difficulty you have to tackle, prior to your arrival. You should make the most of the help that your institution is likely to offer you, although do not use this as an excuse to take the backseat and assume they will find you somewhere. Studying abroad in Holland could be a wise time to slightly lower your expectations, and if you find an adequate room, take it!

Weather/Climate

The Netherlands has a typical temperate climate with cold winters and warm summers. It has a reputation for being dreary and rainy, and at times of the year, when overcast skies seem everlasting, this can seem true. However, summers can be very pleasant and warm. The flat landscape means that weather passes through the country very quickly and prevents any extremes.
Transport
Public transport is very reliable and efficient in the Netherlands, as well as being environmentally friendly. Amsterdam and Rotterdam have tram and subway systems, which connect all major stops and run from early morning until late at night.



In the major cities, most notably Amsterdam, bicycles are the predominant form of transport. Cheap and environmentally friendly, the flat landscape makes travel on bike one of the easiest methods of getting around the city. According to theNetherlands Tourist Board, the country's 16 million people own approximately 13 million bicycles! Travel between cities is best undertaken by the extensive, clean and reliable train network

Cost*
ItemPrice()
litre of petrol1.15
movie ticket7.50
souvenir t-shirt10.00
local phone call0.30
can of soft drink0.45
litre of milk0.80
litre of bottled water0.80
bus/tram ticket1.60
fries with mayonnaise1.75
glass of Heineken2.50
bicycle lock10.00
CD23.00
*WorldGuide Index from Lonely Planet


Useful info
Dialing code: 31

Currency: Euro ()

Time zone:GMT/UTC + 1