On this page, you will find all relevant information about an exchange period at Viaa. You are welcome to connect with the International Office if you have questions after reading the information provided. 

In case you are moving to the Netherlands for your study it is important to consider that you might need housing. At Viaa we offer the opportunity to live with a Dutch host family during your stay in the Netherlands, however, some students prefer to find their own place to stay for the time they are spending in The Netherlands. 

Although studying is a big part of your exchange program, there will be time for you to enjoy student life while in the Netherlands. Travelling through the country for example. The Netherlands isn’t considered to be a very large country and it’s easy to travel from one city to the next allowing you the opportunity to visit other great cities like Groningen, Rotterdam, Haarlem and Delft. 

The Dutch public transportation system is well-structured and offers fast, reliable ways to get from one end of the city to the other, for example by train, bus or metro. All modes of transportation utilize the OV-chipkaart as a method of payment. The card may be loaded with money, which you can easily do at vending machines at the metro stations and at additional locations throughout the city. 

The main form of local transportation you will be using, next to all Dutch people, is the bicycle. At Viaa we have already taken care of the main form of local transportation for you. One of our wonderful orange Viaa-bikes will be at your disposal for getting around town, biking from home to school and vice-versa.

A fun part of studying in the Netherlands is the sense of ‘adventure’; living in a location that is so close to several capital cities. The Netherlands is situated right in between Germany and Belgium, and it’s a few hours drive away from France and Luxembourg. Many international train routes can take you to experience a completely different culture.

In order to obtain your credits you will need to pass the exams or assignments that have been assigned to you. Most educational institutions in the Netherland use the following grading system:

1. (Very poor)
2. (Poor)
3. (Very unsatisfactory)
4. (Unsatisfactory)
5. (Almost satisfactory)
6. (Satisfactory)
7. (More than satisfactory)
8. (Good)
9. (Very good)
10. (Excellent)

The Dutch law requires everyone to have a healthcare insurance, this applies to every visitor that will be staying for a longer period of time, also exchange students that are staying for just a few months. 

There are three possibilities: 

 –Take out Dutch public health insurance when you are doing an internship or work part-time. 

–There is no need to take out a Dutch Public health insurance when your insurance policy covers necessary healthcare in the Netherlands, this applies when you are a EU/EEA citizen. 

–Take out an new or additional policy that will cover medical treatment in the Netherlands when necessary, this applies to non EU/EEA citizens. 

Depending on the country you are from, it might be necessary to apply for a travel permit for the Netherlands, before you apply for the actual residence permit.

When studying at a university of applied sciences in the Netherlands this will all be taken care of for you. The institution will be functioning as a referent for your stay and study in the Netherlands.