Type of housing: Dormitory

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? Because I could have more privacy, e.g. my own bathroom, toilet and kitchen. And it would be easier to clean up and maintain those facilities if they are not to be shared with other people.

Personal comments:
The room that I have is big enough for me. It is one of the rooms in the biggest student house in Leiden. There are approximately 250 students live in the building which is divided into 5 wings, A, B, C, D and E, with 3-4 floors per wing. Each section (each floor per each wing)has its own kitchen that is to be shared for 8-12 people. There are usually three showers and two toilets for each section, and to be shared for all the tenants in that section. There is also a laundry room with 8 machines and 10 dryer for all the tenants. The facilities in this building are not as good as I expected. Some of them are in not good condition. Some of them are not working, and need to be fixed. Some of them need to be replaced. There is a garden located in the center of this building that lacks of maintenace. Some of the rooms are not in good condition, for example the heaters are not working or there is water coming from the roof when it is raining. However, it is located close to the faculty where I study. It is also located in the center of the city. Almost everything is in the close distance range, i.e. supermarket, student center, town hall, etc. And it is fun to live with a lot of neighbours, and close to my friends.

Describe host city: Student life dominates the city

Activities: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment

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

Personal comments:
The most popular cafes for international students are "Odessa" on Mondays and "Einstein" on Wednesdays. However, it's better to try pubs where Dutch students usually meet and party. In order to do so, the best option is to try to join a students association.

Course recommendations:
It is on International Taxation. There are very few universities which is running the program currently. So, it has very few universities for comparison. But the course package is as in good.

Personal comments:
Not much. There is a continuous improvenment which is seen in the centre. Thus its good to be.

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...
host lanuage: Dutch

In my opinion:
I loved it but I'm not sure everybody would.