Moving to the Netherlands from Ohio?

Question

Hi, I'm moving to the Netherlands in February to live with my boyfriend. I am planning on attending college there, he lives in The Hague and I was hoping somebody knew of some good schools around there. I'm interested in teaching/writing/english. Also, since semesters won't really be starting until September, if I apply for a student visa, can I live there before the semester starts? I think I can be in the country for 3 months on my tourist visa, so that way I can look at the schools and then pick one. Can anyone help me?

I know there's a lot involved in moving, but I want to make sure I'm prepared and have all the paperwork and information that I need. Any advice?

Thanks so much, I appreciate it. :)

Also: we've been dating long distance for over a year now. I've visited Holland, and I have been wanting to study abroad for quite sometime already. So please, don't come at me with your comments of "if it didn't work out". That's a question even people who are married have to ask themselves. There are chances you have to take in life, and I believe in us, and in what I want enough that even if he and I didn't work out atleast I would still have my education. :) Just wanted to clarify that. Thanks!

Answer 1

If you're accustomed to the ways of the American Midwest, and/or you think like your fellow midwesterners, you're in for a culture shock all right. It's not necessesarily a bad thing, you're just going to see a society of people who have different views and different priorities.

I don't know how the student visa works, so I'm just going to give you advice on other things. First, learn the language, if you haven't already. Most people in Western Europe speak English, but you'll get a lot more respect if you speak to people there in Dutch. Western Europeans tend to view Americans as lazy and unwilling to respect other countries' cultures, so this will help show them that we're not all that way. I know from experience; in Austria, before I learned German, I would get a lot of people who would become rude when I spoke to them in my American English accent.

Second, be prepared to lose some money upon currency exchange, the Euro is worth more than the USD.

Third, be sure you're doing this for YOU and not your boyfriend. It's perfectly fine to want to spend time with him, but you should never have to go anywhere you don't want to go for another person.

Good luck to you, you're going to love Europe and will probably never want to come back. I certainly count the days until I can go there again.

Answer 2

Most answers can be found on the website of the Dutch Immigration Authority (IND), the NUFFIC site too (Netherlands organization for international cooperation in higher education), may be helpful. (see links below)

To get an idea about the facilities and educational programmes for international students, you might consider visiting the InHolland website, which is one of the larger institutions in The Hague providing curriculae at college level. If you're interested in academic level education, Leiden University is only a 15 minute train ride away.

I'd say that The Hague is by far the best choice for international students who wish to settle here for a longer period of time. Although Amsterdam obviously is the more popular choice for tourists, cost of living in The Hague is significantly cheaper, and many of the colleges if not most, are situated around the city centre. One of its main attactions is the adjacent seaside resort of Scheveningen, and its cultural, social and entertainment offerings equal that of any other Dutch city. But then again, I'm a very content resident of The Hague myself.

Although not every Dutchie agrees with the Bush administration policies (not unlike the US itself), individual US citizens may expect a warm welcome and language differences won't be much of a problem. But since you've already been there, this may not come as a surprise.

Be sure to bring some warm clothes with you before coming here in February.

Answer 3

Did you ever consider what would happen if things didn't work out? Just a suggestion.