Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Home university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? I would choose to live in the city centre because it is more convenient and central to certain faculties.

Personal comments:
I moved out of the housing I was in because it was far from the city centre, the law faculty, and there were mice. Later on I chose my own housing in the city centre and it was closer to my faculty, less expensive, and clean.

Describe host city: Student life dominates the city

Travel: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment

Activities, Nightlife: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment

Personal comments:
The nightlife in Leiden is exciting during the week because Erasmus plans a lot of events. Some events were fraternity parties which one was usually not allowed to attend unless one was a member. During the weekend, its better to go to another city, and Leiden is central to all major cities in the Netherlands. My favorite bar was Odessa's on Monday nights because of the international atmosphere.

Course recommendations:

Personal comments:
none

Language of instruction: English

Main source of funding:
Other

Other sources of funding:
Family
loans

Work opportunities:
It was not legal for me to work

Personal spending habits:
I spent more on travel because I travelled throughout Europe during the year and I usually don't travel when in California. I had more phone bills because I would have to call long distance in order to speak to my friends and family. I spent more on Nightlife because I generally went out more in the Netherlands than I do in California.

Travel, Nightlife, Overall, Telephone: was more expensive than at home.

Food, Housing: was less expensive than at home.

I wish I had known...
I wish I knew some phrases in Dutch, even though it isn't really necessary.

In my opinion:
Most people loved it.