Ready for Wageningen: My Take on the Pre-Departure Webinar

As the countdown begins for your journey to Wageningen, I know exactly what you’re feeling. Excitement, nervousness, maybe even a little bit of stress. Two years ago, I was in your shoes: booking flights, looking for housing, and wondering what student life in the Netherlands would be like.

That’s why it was so special for me to take part in the WUR Pre-Departure Webinar on July 22, not just as a participant, but as one of the students answering your questions. In this blog, I want to walk you through the key insights from the session. Think of it as your friendly guide to get you ready for your arrival in Wageningen.

🏡 Housing in Wageningen: Your First Mission

Let’s be honest, finding housing can feel like a race. But if you’re an international student living more than 130 km from Wageningen, you’re in luck! You’ll receive priority status on Room.nl, the main platform for student housing, once you’ve paid your tuition fee and are fully enrolled.

📌 Quick tips:

• You can apply for up to 5 rooms at once. Be active and check daily.

• Try not to be too picky, choose function over luxury (even if golden taps sound nice 😅).

• Most rooms become available from August 1–15, just in time for the AID (Annual Introduction Days).

• Join the Facebook group “Wageningen Student Plaza2, where students regularly post available rooms, look for roommates, and organize hospiteer (hospi) sessions for room selection.

Still haven’t received a room offer before your flight? Don’t panic! You can book a short stay at a BnB or a hostel while waiting for a permanent room.

🛡️ Insurance & Health Coverage: EU vs. Non-EU

For non-EU students, your student insurance is arranged automatically and included in your tuition invoice. Easy!

For EU students, you can opt for private insurance or keep your EU health card (EHIC) and supplement it. WUR recommends Aon Insurance, which covers not only health but also travel, liability, and luggage.

💡 Don’t miss the Aon insurance webinars on August 5, they’ll help you understand coverage and answer questions like “Can I work with this insurance?” (Spoiler: Usually not.)

🛂 Registering with the Municipality

You’ll need a BSN (citizen service number) and a DigiD to do anything official in the Netherlands—from renting a room to applying for rent subsidy.

WUR makes it easy: the municipality comes to campus in August. Super efficient!

Also, if you’re eligible for housing subsidy (huurtoeslag), remember:

• Your room must be self-contained.

• The application is in Dutch, but using Google Translate or asking another student can help.

• The university itself doesn’t assist with the subsidy process, but many student housing communities help each other out.

🚲 Bikes, SIM Cards & Settling In

🚲 Buy a bike, it’s essential.

You’ll quickly discover that biking is the best (and cheapest!) way to get around Wageningen. Second-hand bikes typically range from €90 to €150, and many are sold during AID or on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Telegram groups, or in town.

Don’t worry about maintenance, the WUR Bike Workshop offers free repairs every Tuesday at Orion.

📱 Get a Dutch SIM card.

You’ll need one to receive important messages and to register for services like rent subsidy or DigiD. SIM cards are easy to get (you just need to recharge them).

Pro-tip: To have access to internet and a Dutch phone number immediately after your arrival, you can get an e-SIM, while still at home. It works just like a regular SIM card, but it is conveniently just an app on your phone. 

🧑‍🎓 Life as a Student: My Personal Experience

When I arrived from India, I expected culture shock—and yes, there were moments of surprise. But I was warmly welcomed into a diverse and accepting community. Within a week, I had:

• Attended AID, met new friends, and bought a second-hand bike,

• Joined student organizations like Enactus,

• Got a part-time job on campus,

• Attended potluck dinners with food from all around the world!

There’s always something happening—from excursions and dance classes to chill evenings at the Rhine River.

My advice? Push yourself to step outside your comfort zone in the first few weeks—it makes all the difference.

Good luck and see you at the campus soon!

Devi