Pre-departure Q&A Summary for Wageningen Newcomers
By Margaréta
August is right around the corner and with it comes a very busy period for all of the incoming students at Wageningen. Looking for accommodation, moving, setting up a new bank account… You know the jazz. But don’t you worry, we have all been there, which is why our International Student’s Team prepared a Pre-departure Q&A last week. Here, I will sum up the highlights and provide useful links for you!
Housing
Housing is always a big topic among the incoming students, which is understandable. We recommend that you register with Room.nl as soon as possible to collect points. It is the most common way for internationals to find a place to live and, as an international student, you will get a priority. They also offer accommodation specifically for PhD students. Some rooms come with furniture, some without – you can read below about where to get you furniture. Other options are Kamernet, Funda, Facebook Marketplace and Facebook groups, such as Wageningen Student Plaza. Please, beware of scams and always insist on viewing – in person or online.
If you don’t find accommodation in time, we recommend that you reach out to other students to see if you can crash at their place. This way you can continue with your search from Wageningen, which is more efficient. You can also look for accommodation in the nearby villages. Many are within 30 minute cycle from the university. Towns such of Ede or Arhnem have a direct bus connection to Wageningen that takes about 30 minutes. Don’t worry, in my experience, everyone finds housing eventually.
Student accommodation often comes with housemates, which some people can find challenging. But with the right attitude and communication, you can make some of the best friendships of your life! If you are interested to learn more, we also have a blog with tips on living with housemates.
For more information about housing in general, you can also check out one of our blogs on all you need to know about housing.
Living with housemates is fun and cosy.
Travel
Travelling to Wageningen can be a little tricky, since there is no train station in the city itself and the university offers no assistance for newcomers. Many nationalities have student associations, so I recommend that you reach out to them for help. To plan your journey, buy tickets online before your arrival and to check timetables; you can download the NS app – the app of the Dutch national railway company, or use the 9292.nl site. For travelling by bus, make sure you have an OV chipcard or enabled contactless payment on your debit card. In general, there is no travel discount for international students, unless you comply with specific requirements. However, you can purchase a monthly subscription to travel cheaper by train. There are no monthly subscriptions for travelling by bus for international students.
To help you further, I wrote a blog that gives detailed information on how to get to Wageningen.
AID
Most students prefer to arrive in Wageningen in time to participate in the Annual Introductory Days (AID). This year the AID takes place from the 16th – 21st of August. It is not compulsory to attend, but I think that it can be a very nice opportunity to meet new people and familiarise yourself with the town and the university. Registration for the AID is now open. If you are starting your programme in February 2025, keep an eye out for the February AID. February AID is not open for students starting in September.
It is also not obligatory to attend the Study Day, but we highly recommend it! Our Arrival’s team also organises the W’ meet U Days specifically for the international students to help them kick-start their new life in Wageningen.
If you don’t have permanent accommodation yet during the AID, there is an option to camp at the campus. Some students also offer couches at their houses for newcomers to crash on for the duration of the AID. Once you are sorted into your AID group, I recommend that you contact your AID mentors about this.
You will meet a lot of new people during the AID.
Bank account
A lot of banks offer student accounts that are cheaper than a regular account. Some banks also send their agents to the university during the AID, so you can talk to them there. Keep in mind that the closest bank is in Ede, but you can usually set up an account online. You will need proof of enrollment and your ID. Most students use ABN AMRO, although I personally use the online bank Revolut that you can set up before your departure and it works really well.
SIM card
Even though it is not strictly necessary or mandatory, it comes in handy to have a Dutch phone number, especially since you need it to open a bank account or even to get an OV-chipcard. There are many providers to choose from, so it is up to you to decide, which works best for your needs. If you want to get a SIM card before your arrival, some providers offer eSIM cards. I personally use Simyo eSIM and I am very happy with it.
Student job
If you are looking for a student job during your studies here, the university offers different options. I recommend that you check WURk force to make sure that you comply with the criteria. WURkforce also sends out weekly newsletter with new positions. Some professors also take on student assistants, or you can work as a student representative. Another option is to work at university canteens and cafeterias, or for the cleaning service. If you are looking for a job outside of the university some supermarkets, restaurants and hotels take on non-Dutch speaking staff. It is worth asking around!
Buying furniture, bike and books
Buying second-hand furniture, bikes and books can be very cheap. Many students post adverts on Facebook Marketplace or Wageningen Student Plaza on Facebook. There are several second-hand shops in the town and there is also a bike sale during the AID. You can also search on Marktplaats, which is a popular online second-hand platform in the Netherlands. A good option for getting books is the university library, where you can borrow them for free.
Second-hand shopping is very popular in Wageningen.
Sports
Sports are a very important part of the student culture here at WUR. The university’s sport center De Bongerd offers a wide array of sports that can be accessed by all students for an annual fee called the “sports rights”. The price for the academic year 2024 – 2025 will be €119.75. There is also a discount option for exchange students!
Weather in August
The Netherlands is known for its changing weather and it is hard to say what the weather is going to be like in August. You should get ready for both 15 °C with pouring rain and 30 °C with sunshine – in one day. Wearing several layers with a rain jacket that I can take off, if it gets warmer, always works for me.
This is it for this blog, I hope you found it useful! If you have more questions, please put them in the comments below. If you have questions regarding your study program we recommend that you contact your program director or the Student Service Center.
All the best,
Margaréta