If you are an Indonesian, pursuing your higher education in the Netherlands will certainly give you a unique experience which perfectly describes the saying “home’ away from home.” From the food, the people, the places, and even some parts of the language, you will recognise bits of your Indonesian culture embedded in this lowland country.
Life in Holland is not expensive compared with English-speaking countries, and tuition fees are relatively low. With the renowned quality of education and the comparatively low cost of living, studying in Holland will give you true value for money.
- In many areas of expertise, including Water Management, Art & Design and Sustainable Energy, Dutch education is among the world leaders in the field.
- In 2012 there were twelve Dutch universities in the top 200 of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. The rankings also put the Dutch higher education system in third place in a measurement referred to as the ‘best value higher education systems in the world’.
- Although a small country in size, Holland has a big international presence. It is the 21st largest economy in the world. Some of the world’s big multinationals, including Philips, Heineken, KLM, Shell, ING Bank and Unilever, are Dutch. In addition, companies such as Sony, Sara Lee and Microsoft all have their European headquarters in Holland.
- Your degree from a Dutch higher education institution and experience of living in Holland will be highly valued. You can improve your career prospects, either in your home country or elsewhere, for a comparatively small cost.
- Compared to other western European locations, the cost of living in Holland is relatively low (source: xpatulator.com). As a student you can get discounts in many bars, restaurants, museums and cinemas. You can get around town easily on a bicycle. This is not only typically Dutch but also a cheap means of transportation. And if you want to see a bit more of the country, it is easy to travel to another city or even another European country by train.
- The Dutch teaching style is interactive and student-centred. It focuses on teamwork, which makes it easy to meet other international students. Studying in Holland means developing an open mind and increasing your international orientation.A large part of all study programmes is dedicated to writing papers and working in groups to analyse and solve specific problems. You will also get a chance to get practical work experience through internships or do experiments in laboratories, depending on the field of study.
- Holland has received international praise for its teaching style, which centres on students working together as a team and on self-study and self-discipline. The teacher will act as a facilitator and guide in the learning process.
- Interaction in class is highly appreciated. You are expected to think about the knowledge that is presented to you and develop and express your own opinion. You are free to ask questions and be critical of what lecturers or fellow students say. Use your own creativity to apply your newly-gained knowledge.
- The Dutch teaching method is founded on respect for each individual’s opinions and convictions. This mindset is not limited to education institutions, it is a national characteristic. It is the foundation for Holland’s diverse and plural society.
Study in Holland is an initiative of Nuffic to promote and inform students about Dutch higher education worldwide. Study in Holland is the starting point for all international students who are considering Holland as a study destination.
The Netherlands organisation for international cooperation in higher education, Nuffic for short, is funded by the Dutch government. As an independent, non-profit organisation based in The Hague in the Netherlands, Nuffic supports internationalisation in higher education, research and professional education in the Netherlands and abroad, and helps improve access to higher education worldwide.
Together with the representative offices of Nuffic, the Netherlands Education Support offices (Nesos), Nuffic provides you with all sorts of information about studying in Holland. Ranging from information about the Dutch higher education system, to a complete and transparent database with all international study programmes. From a checklist with all the steps you need to take, to extensive information about available scholarships.
You can find information about studying in Holland on their website, but also through social media, such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Or meet them during one of the pre-departure meetings, information events or education fairs. There is always an information source near you!