Reviews of Universiteit Leiden | Netherlands

Useful | 0

anonymous

China University of Mining & Technology Beijing, Beijing, China
Computer Science / IT, Graduate, Independent

Overall

I wish I had known...

I would like to learn Dutch. It would be rather a pity to I that after staying here for several years without speaking the language of this country.

In my opinion:

I loved it but I'm not sure everybody would.

Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important

Academic reasons

4

Culture

2

Costs

3

Activities

2

Campus life

3

Party / people

2

Weather / location

2

Personal recommendation

Well, though I did have some difficulte times here, I do enjoy my life here in this university, and in this city, through which I have learned a lot to sharpen my academical skills and shape my characters.

During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot

Became familiar with another culture

3

Traveled

3

Improved language skills

2

Met people from other countries

3

Became more independent

3

Partied a lot

3

Experienced a change in life

3

Advanced my studies & career

3

Final comments

:)

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rui c

Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
Communication and Information Sciences, Graduate, Independent

Languages

Language of instruction: English

Was learning English a key decision factor?

No, it wasn't.

How much did you improve your English?

My level before: Did not speak it
My level after: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)

Language difficulties

Social

Educational

Administrative / Institutional

Overall

Personal comments

I followed a course of the local language. It was helpful. I hope I can continue. Learning language is a nice way to learn the culture.

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lirdal

Universidad de Deusto, Bilbao, Spain
Law, International, Graduate, LL.M.

Overall

I wish I had known...

How difficult it is to find accomodation in Leiden.

In my opinion:

Most people loved it.

Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important

Academic reasons

4

Culture

2

Costs

3

Activities

4

Campus life

2

Party / people

2

Weather / location

2

Personal recommendation

The good reputation of this university is mainly due to its friendly and professional academic staff, so it's easy to take the most of its expertise.

During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot

Became familiar with another culture

3

Traveled

3

Improved language skills

3

Met people from other countries

4

Became more independent

4

Partied a lot

4

Experienced a change in life

3

Advanced my studies & career

4

Final comments

Arrange your accomodation much before you arrive, try to leave or have contact with Dutch students (it's difficult, but really worth it) and take profit of the Dutch railway system to travel all around the Benelux!

Useful | 1

tricia d

University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
Language, Graduate, Independent

Overall

I wish I had known...

That the Dutch are not as tolerant as I had always dreamed, the low standards of academic performance, honors courses are unheard of, and that if you are over 25, you will be the grandpa/ma of the class and avoided at all costs. If you are a mature student, do NOT waste your time! The Dutch also don't really like Americans that much so if you feel like being accosted about everything that has happened in America as if you're responsible for it the few times they will dare to speak to you or respond to you, you'll love it. It's not the liberal, open-minded paradise I had always dreamed of (don't let the soft drugs laws fool you)

In my opinion:

Stay home.

Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important

Academic reasons

4

Culture

3

Costs

4

Activities

4

Campus life

2

Party / people

2

Weather / location

3

Personal recommendation

Under 22 = wonderful1

During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot

Became familiar with another culture

2

Traveled

3

Improved language skills

3

Met people from other countries

2

Became more independent

1

Partied a lot

1

Experienced a change in life

3

Advanced my studies & career

1

Final comments

I wanted to be completely honest so take what I say with a grain of salt. This country doesn't really believe in lifelong learning so I'm sure people under a certain age would love it here. I'm just in my 30s and had expected something else. It doesn't make this a bad university per se but just not the kind of place you should go if you are mature. Maybe I have too much life experience and am too critical but this was a MAJOR disappointment.

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