A Beginner’s Guide to Moving Abroad

by Amanda | Jun 10, 2026 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

In Aruba, a well-known rite of passage has been practiced throughout the decades: leaving the island behind to pursue a higher education in the Netherlands. I have done so for 10 months now, closing the chapter of my tropical upbringing and transitioning into the bustling city life of Western Europe. There have been moments where I’ve stood in awe at new things I’ve never seen before (walking through forests has become a staple activity for me), and have also sulked and struggled through bouts of homesickness (the atrocity that is the lack of SEASONING in Dutch food). Nevertheless, I am so, so happy to have made this decision for myself.

If you’re a young student thinking of pursuing that same dream that I had, go for it! But how exactly does one prepare for a leap like that? How do you switch from living in a country with roughly 120,000 residents to 18 million? And why does everyone keep complaining about the housing market? (spoiler alert: it’s abhorrent).

Fun fact: this selfie was taken when me and my fellow Caribbean classmates were discussing this exact topic!

To help you out with this life-altering decision, dear reader, I’ve written a small breakdown based on my own experiences and advices I’ve received. Even though you are going to hear some of these in training classes provided by local loan programs, or from friends and relatives that already took the plunge, putting it in a digestible writing format makes things easier to remember. And some of these will come in handy, even in situations where you’d least expect it.

Phase 1: Before the Move

Congratulations! You’ve decided to move abroad. Hopefully you’ve also gotten accepted into the university of your choice, and all your clothes are nicely packed in a suitcase. But what else do you need to arrange?

Repeat after me: Have. Housing. Arranged. On. Time! The housing crisis in the Netherlands is not going down anytime soon, and people often must wait years before even getting considered for the tiniest of rooms. Scams are practically everywhere, from Facebook to Kamernet, and they’re becoming harder to spot. As soon as you have decided to move to the Netherlands, start applying for rooms. It took me 2 years to properly find accommodation here, and you might find a good room if you’re fast enough. I’d also recommend first checking if your university provides accommodation for first-year students: it’s not permanent, and will likely be a small room in a shared flat, but you’ll have an address and a roof over your head. If you’re planning on living with friends, try to make sure they’re people you’re willing to interact with on a daily basis. Even your most ride-or-die besties can be absolute slobs, so to avoid excessive kvetching, choose wisely. And if you’re in a situation where your roommates are randomly assigned: don’t panic too much, there’s always a big chance of you finding lifelong friends. My roommates are some of my favorite people, and even though we started out as complete strangers, I’m happy to have been assigned with them :).

Even if you’re going with student loans, have a stash of cash ready for when you’re first arriving here. You’re gonna need it to pay room downpayments (which can range from €1.500 to €2.500), groceries, and other necessities. If you’re moving into an unfurnished room, you’ll have to cover your own furniture as well (aim for secondhand items! Just don’t buy used mattresses). And don’t worry about packing too many clothes: you’ll have a lot of opportunities to go shopping once you arrive.

Before you go, make sure to make memories with the folks you’ll be leaving behind: visit your favorite spots one last time, savor the feeling of soft Caribbean sand beneath your feet, and take lots of pictures! Make a playlist with your friends, so you can listen to your favorite tunes while sitting through a long train ride (you’ll have tons of those here).

A picture of my final Aruban sunset, taken on August 4, 2025.

Phase 2: Arriving in NL

Welkom in Nederland! Considering that most students arrive in August, you’ll probably realize that it’s still just as warm when you left Aruba. Savor it: by September, it’s going to grow a tad bit colder, especially if you’ve chosen to live in the upper provinces. Do keep in mind that Dutch heat waves and summer weather don’t always have that cool warm breeze that we’re used to in the Caribbean, so while you might’ve been used to walking around in a hoodie at home before, you won’t be able to do so here. Wearing loose-fit cotton clothes helps a lot with the sticky heat.

If you’ve arrived with beursalen, you won’t have to worry too much about arranging your own paperwork, but you’ll still have to have all your important papers in a designated folder. These include: copies of your ID, university enrollment, diploma, medical records, and any other important certifications that you may have. I would also recommend getting your insurance arranged before you move as well: there are hundreds of options here! A quick trip to www.independer.nl will help you decide for your own needs, and it will spare you of high expenses during emergencies. You will be fined as well if you do not arrange your insurance on time.

 Once you’ve got that covered, signing up for a general practitioner should be next on your list of priorities. They’re everywhere, and finding one that fits your needs is just as meticulous as signing up for an insurance plan.

A selfie from my own flight with the beursalen. Loved the KLM food (not a sponsored message, sadly).

Shopping for the necessary clothes is something that you should do as soon as you arrive. Summer sales will be everywhere (that’s how I got my winter jackets at amazingly good prices), and it’s important to do so on time. Winter jackets, autumn coats, and long-sleeved shirts will save you once the temperature starts to drop. While they won’t be as easy to find, it’s also smart to stock up on thermal leggings.

Don’t worry too much about brands once you first start shopping: practicality comes first. Lots of folks swear by the affordability of brands such as Primark and Action, but if you still want to dress in your favorite slogans at a student-friendly price, try thrifting! Secondhand stores are found everywhere here, and there’s something for everyone. My personal recommendations include: ReShare, Rejoes, Vintage Island, Kilo Kilo, and RataPlan.

If you’ve previously used budgeting while grocery shopping, then this next part will be a breeze! Doing your own groceries and cooking can be an adjustment for many new students, but once you set a spending budget, it pays off, figuratively and literally, in the long run. Always aim to get your products at the best discounts possible, and try to keep up with different promotions at different stores. My personal favorite is when Albert Heijn has their Hamsterweek, where you can get hundreds of products at lower prices. However, one of the best options is to check out local markets in your area: these usually happen at least a couple times per week, and can be quite cool depending on where you go! I’ve gone on lots of trips to the Haagsche Markt in Den Haag, but I’ve also checked out markets in Rotterdam and Amsterdam that I’ve grown to love as well! Prices are usually lower, and you’ll be supporting local businesses and farmers, making it the ultimate win-win decision if you’re trying to be more sustainable.

Cooking is something that some students also struggle with: while you don’t require Gordon Ramsay-esque skills, you still have to ensure that you’re eating healthy. Swearing by ramen noodles and pre-cooked meals aren’t gonna cut it (been there, done that, don’t recommend it). If you still find yourself struggling, start simple by adding some vegetables to your ramen noodles: it makes a pretty good stir-fry! In the future, I’ll make some more blog posts on my favorite meals I like to make, but I highly recommend searching up easy recipes online. If you’re a doomscroller like me, try to get more food videos in your algorithms: you’ll easily find a recipe in the video descriptions if you find the right social media pages.

Exhibit A: a Baconator recipe I found on Instagram. The heartburn afterwards was *glorious*.

Socialize as much as you can during your studies! A lot of universities here, especially in the first few days before classes, host parties to help students network with each other. I’ve made a solid friend group from attending these activities, and we’ve spent hours talking to each other and exchanging stories from our home countries. And make friends in your classes! I’ve gone on girls’ trips with my favorite classmates to Hungary and Germany; we’ve also spent many evenings sharing a bottle of wine and gossiping the night away. Group projects become easier (if you know how to have fun and be productive at the same time), and even when things get hard academically, you’ll have your squad.

Selfie with the squad!

Phase 3: Settling In

After spending a certain amount of time living here, things that might’ve scared you in the beginning will feel like routine. For example, I struggled with depositing statiegeld for the first few weeks: now it’s a monthly chore that I look forward to. Public transport routes that you’ve previously struggled to remember are becoming part of your regular vocabulary, and your Dutch will have sharpened by then. How do you still manage to maintain that same happiness you had when you first arrived?

There is no definite way to do that for everyone: in my case, I adapted by keeping myself busy. I attend lots of social events, special university lectures, and concerts (the best one I’ve been to so far was Sean Paul). During the winter months, I lit up my little student room with cute fairy lights, and I also bought mini succulents to keep some color in my life. My neighbors and I made latkes and organized a cute little Hanukkah party, where we shared our experiences of being Jewish in different countries. And not to mention the endless solo walks I’ve taken through cities and parks to clear my mind after long days of classes.

Evidence of the latkes (they were devoured 5 seconds later).

Keeping in contact with my family has helped combat homesickness: my mother and I talk at least a couple times per week to catch up on our individual lives, and I’m happy to have established a good line of communication with her and my other friends at home. Even though they’re miles away, I have my people that I can call if anything ever were to happen, and I am extremely grateful for that.

There’s no such thing as “the perfect life trajectory” that leads to success: what might’ve worked for me might not work for you, and that’s okay! I hope to have at least helped inform those who also want to move abroad, whether it’s this upcoming year or further into the future. While a lot of this information may seem quite overwhelming at first, it’s necessary steps you should take before stepping onto Dutch soil. For now, my final advice is to enjoy the warmth of the island, and to spend as much time as possible with your loved ones. You’ll never know when it’d be the last time you see them. Hug that friend. Crack that wicked joke that’s been brewing in your mind. Get that gift for your parent. That way, you’ll have your array of beautiful memories to reflect on as you sit in the plane on the way to your new chapter, and for the rest of your days.

My two succulent buddies that helped me get through the winter. I love them.