Making Rotterdam my home

How did you experience moving here? 

‘Most of the process I handled on my own: immigration, opening a bank account, and finding housing. Luckily, my mum helped me move my things, and we turned it into a week of exploring different places together. 

I had already moved several times in my life, so packing up my belongings was not the hardest part. I think moving out will actually be more difficult, because I’ve now lived in the same place for three years.  

For me, the hardest part was leaving people behind. In the beginning, I felt homesick from time to time, but that does get better. Even now, whenever I visit my family, it can still be hard to leave again.  

At the same time, adjusting to life here was relatively smooth. Rotterdam is a modern city, and almost everyone speaks English. The university also offered a lot of useful information through its “one-stop shop”, and there are many international communities that help you find your way. One of the best tips I got was simply on where to find the cheapest supermarkets. 

In the beginning, the academic transition was quite tough. I had to adjust to a completely new educational system, and econometrics was challenging. After block three, things started to fall into place, but in the end, I didn’t have enough ECTS to continue. After a lot of careful thought, I decided to drop econometrics and switch to IBEB*. 

I then made a conscious decision to also commit to extracurriculars, such as joining committees, so I would have something outside of studying. That choice feels like yesterday, but I’m still so happy I made it. It has brought me a lot.’ 

What do you like about studying at Erasmus School of Economics? 

‘I really like the quantitative approach in my classes. The university works closely with many organisations, which creates interesting opportunities for students. I also enjoy the flexibility of student life. I can make plans with friends and organise my studying around that, which helps a lot with my motivation and focus.’ 

What was the biggest lesson you had to learn when you moved here?

‘That you have to be proactive. In my first year, I didn’t really reach out to people or explore the city that much. Later, I started actively looking for activities and realised there is so much you can do here. That’s when I joined committees and started looking for student jobs. I wanted to do something that would help me build my CV, but that I would also genuinely enjoy. That’s how I found things like Turing Students, which gives coding classes to students.’ 

What surprises you the most about living here? 

‘I’m still impressed by how cultural Rotterdam is. There are so many great places for music, art, theatre, and film. The Rotterdam Pass really surprised me. It gives you access to so much in the city, and for me, that’s a great incentive to go out and explore. I’m not used to municipalities offering something like that, so I think it’s amazing. 

People often have stereotypes about Dutch people, but I have to say I’ve been positively surprised. Lately, I’ve even noticed that I’ve adopted some Dutch traits myself: I’ve become more direct, I use my calendar more, and I’m almost always on time.’ 

How would you describe your student life? 

‘Vibrant. I get to do a lot of different things, and I really enjoy that. Since this year, I’ve had a sports pass from Erasmus Sport, which is a great break from studying. I try all kinds of classes and just have a lot of fun.  

I also really value the mix of people I meet. My friends come from different countries and don’t necessarily study economics, which pushes me outside my bubble in a way I really appreciate. The international character of Rotterdam is also reflected in the food scene. I love food, so my friends and I have already discovered a lot of places together. 

Besides that, I write a column for Erasmus Magazine, where I share stories about my student life, and I’m currently doing an internship as well. All of these experiences bring me into contact with very different groups of people, and each of them requires a slightly different attitude. That variety is something I really value.’ 

What is your favourite spot in the city? 

‘Donner bookstore is amazing. My family has always loved bookstores, and whenever we go on holiday, we make a point of visiting them. So, when I arrived in Rotterdam, I loved discovering such a large bookstore that offers much more than just books. The café inside overlooks part of the city, and it feels very peaceful. 

At the same time, there are still so many places I want to discover. I keep a list of favourites on Google Maps where I save everything I still want to visit. Right now, that list includes Vrijmoed, Mimoza Smashburgers, Wester Paviljoen, and the Boijmans museum.’ 

Do you have any advice for international students coming here? 

‘Be stubborn. I think you can interpret that in many different ways: be stubborn with yourself, with life, with challenges, and with other people. Stand up for yourself and keep pushing through. Things can be difficult at times, but if you stay positive and keep going, you can get very far.’ 

Laila's Tips 

As I mentioned already I am a big fan of exploring different cuisines in the city. These are some of my favourite spots.