“The rest of the world is huge,” says a Dutch proverb — highlighting how small the Netherlands is. Despite its size, the country has a rich culture and history.
Interesting facts
- The Netherlands is a kingdom! It includes the Netherlands itself and six Caribbean islands — Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles. The country borders Germany and Belgium, and its northern and western shores lie along the North Sea.
- The name “Netherlands” means “low country” — much of the country lies below sea level.
- The country is also commonly called Holland. This name comes from the two western provinces: North Holland and South Holland. In the 17th century, they were the most developed and wealthiest regions, playing a major role in Dutch history.
- Key Dutch cities include Amsterdam, Leiden, Rotterdam, and The Hague. The International Court of Justice is located in The Hague!
- Amsterdam is called the “City on Poles” and often referred to as the “Venice of the North.” It has over 100 canals, 100 artificial islands, and around 1,200 bridges!
- There are about sixteen million bicycles in the Netherlands — nearly one for every resident.
- The Netherlands has the highest density of museums in the world, with nearly one thousand museums. The Van Gogh Museum and the Kröller-Müller Museum hold the world’s largest collections of Vincent van Gogh’s works.
Culture and people
The Netherlands is a kingdom of farmers and merchants, a beautiful flat country crisscrossed with man-made canals. The peaceful nature is balanced by the diversity and contrasts of city life — from colorful tourists exploring coffee shops to professors in suits cycling to work. In the streets of Dutch cities, you’ll see people from many ethnic backgrounds: Turks, Moroccans, Indonesians, Arabs, Africans, Latin Americans, and more. In fact, more than 190 nationalities live in Dutch cities and villages. Over the years, the country’s strong ties with the world, its tolerance, appreciation of freedom, and the Dutch openness to communication have attracted many foreigners who now call the Netherlands home. The country’s cultural diversity has turned the Netherlands into a place where knowledge and culture from around the world come together as one.
A key trait of Dutch people is their strong desire to be independent. That’s why they try to solve problems on their own. The Dutch are open-minded and straightforward — they’re not easily offended and tend to speak their minds directly.
Language
Although the local language is Dutch, most people also speak English and at least one other foreign language, such as German or French. You can also start learning Dutch on your own while living there.
Food
“A dessert without cheese is like a beautiful woman without eyes,” said Brillat-Savarin — a quote that perfectly describes the Dutch love for cheese. Dutch cheeses are known around the world. The round Edam cheeses, red on the outside and golden yellow inside, have become symbols of Dutch richness. And not everyone knows that the famous Gouda cheese also originated in the Netherlands. In the Netherlands, cheese is not just for dessert. You'll find it in soups and salads, paired with pineapple and ham, fish, or served grilled, in slices, or as a hard snack. Other popular Dutch dishes include herring, smoked eel, pea soup, and “hutspot” — mashed potatoes with carrots and onions. The Dutch also love sweets like pastries, fries with mayonnaise (not ketchup), 'stroopwafels' (syrup waffles), and “poffertjes” — small fluffy pancakes. Thanks to the country’s multicultural population, exotic dishes from around the world have also become part of the Dutch kitchen.
Religion
52% of the population are Christians (Roman Catholics and Protestants), while 5.3% identify as Muslims. Interestingly, around 40% of people say they do not follow any religion.
Student life / leisure time
- Each university in the Netherlands has many student associations that bring students together for academic activities, sports competitions, and social events. These organizations are run by students, and some are dedicated specifically to international students. The two largest student associations are AIESEC and ESN (Erasmus Student Network).
- The Netherlands is a country full of variety. Whether you're walking through cities, cruising along canals or lakes, relaxing on the beach, or hanging out in parks — there’s always something to discover.
- Many world-famous artists perform in the Netherlands, and Parkpop is one of the biggest free pop music festivals in Europe.
- The country also has a strong cultural scene with thousands of theaters and over 1,000 museums to explore.
Here you can find more information about various student events held at universities and in cities across the Netherlands.
Transport
- A bicycle is the cheapest and most convenient way to get around, especially if you live in a city. Most Dutch people, regardless of their profession or status, ride bikes!
- If you want to use public transport (buses, metro, or trains), you’ll need to get a travel card called an OV Chip Card. With this card, you won’t have to buy a ticket every time you travel.
- By the way, many major European capitals are very close to the Netherlands — you can reach Berlin, Brussels, and Paris by train in just a few hours, and short flights from Amsterdam airport can take you to London, Madrid, or Rome!
Work
- Citizens of the European Union are allowed to work an unlimited number of hours throughout the year. If you plan to live in the Netherlands for more than three months, you will need to register with the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service). Health insurance is also mandatory in the Netherlands, so obtaining the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before departure is highly recommended. No additional registration or documentation is required for EU citizens to work in the Netherlands.
- Working students may be eligible for financial support from the Dutch government to help cover living expenses. You can find more information about working in the Netherlands in this leaflet. Answers to how and where to start looking for a job can be found here.
