{"id":6851,"date":"2025-07-27T09:02:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-27T07:02:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/weblog.wur.eu\/international-students\/?p=6851"},"modified":"2025-07-27T09:02:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-27T07:02:09","slug":"ready-for-wageningen-my-take-on-the-pre-departure-webinar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/weblog.wur.eu\/international-students\/2025\/07\/27\/ready-for-wageningen-my-take-on-the-pre-departure-webinar\/","title":{"rendered":"Ready for Wageningen: My Take on the Pre-Departure Webinar"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"493\" data-end=\"785\">As the countdown begins for your journey to Wageningen, I know exactly what you&#8217;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.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"787\" data-end=\"1124\">That\u2019s why it was so special for me to take part in the <strong data-start=\"843\" data-end=\"883\">WUR Pre-Departure Webinar on July 22<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"1131\" data-end=\"1178\">\ud83c\udfe1 Housing in Wageningen: Your First Mission<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1180\" data-end=\"1496\">Let\u2019s be honest, <strong data-start=\"1196\" data-end=\"1215\">finding housing<\/strong> can feel like a race. But if you\u2019re an international student living more than 130 km from Wageningen, you&#8217;re in luck! You\u2019ll receive <strong data-start=\"1349\" data-end=\"1368\">priority status<\/strong> on <a class=\"cursor-pointer\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"1372\" data-end=\"1398\">Room.nl<\/a>, the main platform for student housing, once you\u2019ve paid your tuition fee and are fully enrolled.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1498\" data-end=\"1516\">\ud83d\udccc <strong data-start=\"1501\" data-end=\"1516\">Quick tips:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1517\" data-end=\"1786\">\n<li data-start=\"1517\" data-end=\"1586\">\n<p data-start=\"1519\" data-end=\"1586\">You can apply for up to 5 rooms at once. Be active and check daily.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1587\" data-end=\"1677\">\n<p data-start=\"1589\" data-end=\"1677\">Try not to be too picky, choose function over luxury (even if golden taps sound nice \ud83d\ude05).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1678\" data-end=\"1786\">\n<p data-start=\"1680\" data-end=\"1786\">Most rooms become available from <strong data-start=\"1713\" data-end=\"1728\">August 1\u201315<\/strong>, just in time for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aidwageningen.nl\/\"><strong data-start=\"1751\" data-end=\"1785\">AID (Annual Introduction Days)<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1678\" data-end=\"1786\">Join the Facebook group &#8220;<strong>Wageningen Student Plaza2<\/strong>, where students regularly post available rooms, look for roommates, and organize hospiteer (hospi) sessions for room selection.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1788\" data-end=\"1937\">Still haven\u2019t received a room offer before your flight? Don\u2019t panic! You can book a short stay at a BnB or a hostel while waiting for a permanent room.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"1944\" data-end=\"1993\">\ud83d\udee1\ufe0f Insurance &amp; Health Coverage: EU vs. Non-EU<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1995\" data-end=\"2112\">For <strong data-start=\"1999\" data-end=\"2018\">non-EU students<\/strong>, your student insurance is arranged automatically and included in your tuition invoice. Easy!<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2114\" data-end=\"2326\">For <strong data-start=\"2118\" data-end=\"2133\">EU students<\/strong>, you can opt for private insurance or keep your EU health card (EHIC) and supplement it. WUR recommends <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aonstudentinsurance.com\/en\/home\"><strong data-start=\"2238\" data-end=\"2255\">Aon Insurance<\/strong><\/a>, which covers not only health but also travel, liability, and luggage.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2328\" data-end=\"2505\">\ud83d\udca1 Don\u2019t miss the <strong data-start=\"2346\" data-end=\"2384\">Aon insurance webinars on August 5, <\/strong>they\u2019ll help you understand coverage and answer questions like \u201cCan I work with this insurance?\u201d (Spoiler: Usually not.)<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"2512\" data-end=\"2551\">\ud83d\udec2 Registering with the Municipality<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2553\" data-end=\"2708\">You\u2019ll need a <a href=\"https:\/\/weblog.wur.eu\/international-students\/2022\/08\/31\/3-things-to-do-after-your-arrival-in-wageningen\/\"><strong data-start=\"2567\" data-end=\"2599\">BSN (citizen service number)<\/strong><\/a> and a <strong data-start=\"2606\" data-end=\"2615\">DigiD<\/strong> to do anything official in the Netherlands\u2014from renting a room to applying for rent subsidy.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2710\" data-end=\"2870\">WUR makes it easy: the <strong data-start=\"2736\" data-end=\"2778\">municipality comes to campus in August<\/strong>. Super efficient!<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2872\" data-end=\"2945\">Also, if you&#8217;re eligible for <a href=\"https:\/\/weblog.wur.eu\/international-students\/2023\/03\/09\/applying-huurtoeslag-or-rent-subsidy-in-the-netherlands\/\"><strong data-start=\"2901\" data-end=\"2934\">housing subsidy (huurtoeslag)<\/strong><\/a>, remember:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2946\" data-end=\"3204\">\n<li data-start=\"2946\" data-end=\"2983\">\n<p data-start=\"2948\" data-end=\"2983\">Your room must be <em data-start=\"2966\" data-end=\"2982\">self-contained<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2984\" data-end=\"3081\">\n<p data-start=\"2986\" data-end=\"3081\">The application is in Dutch, but using <strong data-start=\"3025\" data-end=\"3045\">Google Translate<\/strong> or asking another student can help.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3082\" data-end=\"3204\">\n<p data-start=\"3084\" data-end=\"3204\">The university itself doesn\u2019t assist with the subsidy process, but many student housing communities help each other out.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"3211\" data-end=\"3247\">\ud83d\udeb2 Bikes, SIM Cards &amp; Settling In<\/h2>\n<h3 data-start=\"3249\" data-end=\"3287\">\ud83d\udeb2 <strong data-start=\"3256\" data-end=\"3287\">Buy a bike, it&#8217;s essential.<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"3288\" data-end=\"3538\">You\u2019ll quickly discover that biking is the best (and cheapest!) way to get around Wageningen. Second-hand bikes typically range from <strong data-start=\"3421\" data-end=\"3436\">\u20ac90 to \u20ac150<\/strong>, and many are sold during AID or on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Telegram groups, or in town.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3540\" data-end=\"3642\">Don\u2019t worry about maintenance, <strong data-start=\"3573\" data-end=\"3598\">the WUR Bike Workshop<\/strong> offers free repairs every Tuesday at Orion.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"3644\" data-end=\"3676\">\ud83d\udcf1 <strong data-start=\"3651\" data-end=\"3676\">Get a Dutch SIM card.<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"3677\" data-end=\"3891\">You&#8217;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).<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3677\" data-end=\"3891\"><em><strong>Pro-tip:<\/strong> To have access to internet and a Dutch phone number immediately after your arrival, you can get an <strong>e-SIM<\/strong>, while still at home. It works just like a regular SIM card, but it is conveniently just an app on your phone.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"3898\" data-end=\"3948\">\ud83e\uddd1\u200d\ud83c\udf93 Life as a Student: My Personal Experience<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"3950\" data-end=\"4130\">When I arrived from India, I expected culture shock\u2014and yes, there were moments of surprise. But I was warmly welcomed into a diverse and accepting community. Within a week, I had:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"4131\" data-end=\"4344\">\n<li data-start=\"4131\" data-end=\"4198\">\n<p data-start=\"4133\" data-end=\"4198\">Attended <strong data-start=\"4142\" data-end=\"4149\">AID<\/strong>, met new friends, and bought a second-hand bike,<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4199\" data-end=\"4247\">\n<p data-start=\"4201\" data-end=\"4247\">Joined student organizations like <strong data-start=\"4235\" data-end=\"4246\">Enactus<\/strong>,<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4248\" data-end=\"4280\">\n<p data-start=\"4250\" data-end=\"4280\">Got a part-time job on campus,<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4281\" data-end=\"4344\">\n<p data-start=\"4283\" data-end=\"4344\">Attended potluck dinners with food from all around the world!<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"4346\" data-end=\"4452\">There\u2019s always something happening\u2014from excursions and dance classes to chill evenings at the Rhine River.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4454\" data-end=\"4567\">My advice? Push yourself to step outside your comfort zone in the first few weeks\u2014it makes all the difference.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4454\" data-end=\"4567\">Good luck and see you at the campus soon!<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4454\" data-end=\"4567\">Devi<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4454\" data-end=\"4567\">\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As the countdown begins for your journey to Wageningen, I know exactly what you&#8217;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\u2019s why&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1874,"featured_media":5369,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[183,122,198,5],"tags":[260,259,261,208,216],"class_list":["post-6851","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bachelor-student","category-housing","category-masters-student","category-student-life","tag-aid","tag-arriving-in-wageningen","tag-new-students","tag-tips","tag-wur"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Ready for Wageningen: My Take on the Pre-Departure Webinar - International Students Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Key takeaways from the Pre-Departure Webinar before moving to Wageningen: insider tips on housing, insurance, registration, and student life.\" 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