At IHS we know that moving abroad for your studies is both an exciting and daunting experience. One of the most common questions that we receive from prospective students is what to bring to Rotterdam. To ensure that you have the packing side of things taken care of, here are 10 things that you should add to your list to bring with you to the Netherlands.
- A pair of waterproof shoes. Dutch weather is often unpredictable, and rainy days are common. Make sure your feet stay dry whenever you're out.
- A warm winter coat. On a similar note to the above, the Dutch winter can get pretty cold – think frozen canals cold! Bring a hat, gloves, scarf and a warm winter coat (waterproof is a plus).
- Passport (and all the required documents). Make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months after your course finishes, and double-check that you have any other required documents well in advance of your trip.
- A European power adaptor – How else will you charge your smartphone and ensure that your laptop has enough juice to watch Netflix late at night?
- Photos, pictures, posters. Or fairy lights, cardboard cuts, plants… you get the idea. Student accommodation can be very bland, so to make your room feel like home, you will need to get creative and bring items to decorate your humble abode.
- Some cash. When you first arrive in the Netherlands, it is a good idea to have some euros in cash to help you grab your first stroopwafel or something slightly more practical, like a train ticket. Paying by card is very common here, but Visa or Mastercard types are not universally accepted, so it's good to have a small amount of cash as a backup.
- Laptop. Study spaces are plenty on campus, but bringing your own laptop is essential in completing your study assignments.
- Sports clothes. From the IHS sports day to the Erasmus charity run, there are many opportunities to get active while studying at IHS. You are also able to make use of the Erasmus University sports facilities if you make a subscription.
- Summer Clothes. Even though the weather in the Netherlands can be very cold, in the summer months it is the opposite, so we recommend bringing Summer Clothes.
- Medicine. Make sure you have enough of any medication you use, just in case it will be hard to get that medicine in the Netherlands.
You may find our frequently asked questions and housing in Rotterdam pages useful.
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Photo credit: Marc Heeman