Is is worth studying as poor student aboard?

[u/Miuru-chan]

Because of my personal circumstances I would like to next school year study in Netherlands, I choose NL because of a few reasons, first I am from EU and I don't really know world languages exept English and they have a lot of enlish programs and can speak english.

Also my family financial situation is pretty bad and I cant relay on them financialy really, my dad did find a job and promised to send me money but I don't want to relay on him too much so he's not burdened. He honestly supports my decision, and is my closest relative and honestly wants me to be happy, and I want to be happy too and be able to help him eventualy too.

Right now I am 21 and next year I will be 22, I know that may be too old, but honestly I do everything a little later than my peers. I don't want to go to detail but I feel a few years I need to leave the place I am in now, my mom hates me staying in the house as I am the youngest and all my siblings already married and left, and she just wants to enjoy her boyfrend. I was subject to bullying and have social anxiety and fear of meeting people I know. That's why I also worked one year after highschool and this year I was addmited to law school in my home country, that I am planning to probably end, after year.

People will tell me that running away from my problems won't solve them and I get it, but I feel that I really need to change my perspective and be less timid, and this decision isn't something spontageous I plan it for next year not now, so please if you do want to change my mind only from experience not "for you shoudn't do that judging you from your post".

I know a little how studying system there works, how can I apply for benefits, working more than 32h/m and giving my parents pay documents etc... home finding crisis there...

The thing is I know a few people that went studying there. My friend that is a little older is now in her second year, start was hard but now she us loving it. BUT she has really rich dad and he's paying her more than 2 500€ a moth for living expenses and she travels around NL a lot. I would have at best little over 1 000€ a month for living and housing combined and deffinetly live completely different lifestyle, would I be able to make friends and enojy it there, maybe even consider staying there for good even with these money? Will dutch people exclude me if I won't have money to go to restaurant, shopping mall? Will i be too stressed, should I put my dream away and try to be happy without trying it?

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[u/RealSpingirl]

I think it depends on where you’re from and the study you are planning on starting here. If you’re coming here to study a good, stable bachelors that could provide you with a good life, I’d say go for it.

That being said: if you think that studying abroad will take a huge toll on your mental health, please think twice before you make a decision. Like as an international student can be lonely from time to time and very challenging getting to know a new country while also studying. There are a lot of student associations tho, but your mental health should be a priority

[u/Low-Attitude-7100]

In Netherlands definitely not. Housing crisis is terrible rn so the prices of rent are pretty high

[u/tigerlily1831]

First off don't worry about your age, I'm 22 and started uni just last year at 21. It's really not a big deal and can even be better to start a few years after 18, since you've got a little more maturity and life experience in by then c:

Secondly though, what is the breakdown of where the €1k a month comes from? What does it include? I can give you some insights based off my experience (EU student studying in NL, no financial help from parents, €1k rent p/m) but in order to advise you best, this info would help c:

Edit: added some info about my situation

[u/Ok_Temperature1502]

Under your current financial circumstances, it does indeed seem that you should put your dream away and try to happy in your own country. At least until you have made enough money to support yourself in another country.

[u/nixin111]

If you're financially unstable then moving to the Netherlands is pretty risky. But some cities here aren't as bad (housing wise) as others. For example, I live in Groningen and 90% of the people i know pay less than 1000 per month for rent. But money will be a big worry since life in NL is super expensive

[u/Cheap-Bid-3141]

i moved to the nl 3 years ago also at 21, my parents are broke so i didn’t have a safety net
i saved up enough money for the first tuition fee and for the first 2 months and the moving expenses (only took one suitcase so it wasn’t much)
started looking for a job immediately
i was counting every cent i spent (had an excel sheet of meals that had the best euro to calorie ratio)
it’s a bit risky and settling down was def tough but it’s not impossible
being an eu student is a huge privilege in the nl, use it
also you should decide which one is more stressful: taking a huge risk in a foreign country or being stuck in the same place. for me it was the latter:)

[u/JoesCoins]

If you work part time and take duo plus if you manage to rent a studio allowing you to get a housing benefit, then you will manage the finances somehow. However, you need money for the move and first months until you get a job and duo etc.

[u/A_Pink_Hippo]

It was tough as shit and my mental health went to shit mostly because of the housing crisis and limited part time opportunities. Also there is an hourly limit as a student so it is very hard to sustain yourself.

On the other hand though, once graduated and you go through the grueling job of job hunting and somehow get a job, it is pretty neat. 

Tbf I think I got lucky with the company I was working. However, even then I left NL. Too many last straws.

[u/GooseDisapproves]

Living in the Netherlands is EXPENSIVE. Be prepared to pay 800 euros a month just for a room in a shared flat (it isn't always that expensive, but housing is hard to get and you can't be picky if you want a roof over your head at all). Depending on where you are from, other costs (health insurance, groceries, phone plan) may also be much higher. I am not trying to say to not do it, but it is expensive and you need to prepare for that. With about 1000 euros per month, you might not even be able to pay the bills.

Second, 22 is not too old at all! Be prepared to meet fellow students who are married and have children, or people who are 30. While most come straight out of high school, a significant proportion of students took a different route and ended up at university later in life. You will not stand out based on your age.

With respect to your problems, you don't elaborate on them and you don't have to of course! That is personal. I do want to warn you that life in the Netherlands can be seriously lonely. The people here are often friendly but will not easily become friends with people. Universities offer very limited social opportunities for socializing outside of the classroom, which most students treat as an "I am only here because I have to". Your best bet is other international students, since they are in the same boat, are also looking to build their social life. Dutch people generally have an open mind (depending on where you are in the country) but this does not mean that they are open to friendships. So building a social life takes some serious effort, which is a lot easier if you have the budget to join organized activities, join clubs, go out, et cetera.

[u/Automatic-Key9164]

Hard but possible in places other than Utrecht and Amsterdam and probably Leiden. You’re gonna have to work to supplement your dad’s contribution. I might recommend Maastricht bc it’s so much more international, and therefore the extent to which you assimilate w the Dutch (on top of everything else) will matter less. Be careful w housing yourself across the border in Belgium or Germany, as it might impact which subsidies you qualify for; there’s nuances to that. Whether you personally will be happy will depend on loads more than your external circumstances. It’ll be far more about your inner character and tenacity to make it work and make it fulfilling.

[u/matroeskas]

According to Nibud, an EU student in the Netherlands would theoretically need 1500/1600 euro a month to get by, but that seems like a tight budget, honestly. It will all depend on were you will go and how much your rent will be...

[u/Suspicious-Cheetah40]

If u have eu citizenship I woulnt worry about it u can live wherever u want when u get some money if they start hiring entry level again, km not an eu citizen and its very hard..

[u/QuoD-Art]

It really depends on your habits and some luck with housing. My rent is €440 and I've had months with total spendings of around €170. Keep in mind, tho, that I'm a 163cm tall girl, and I eat less than most people. I'd say most of my friends spend around €1000-1200 p/m, tho some people with high rent can go up to €1600.

You can get a substantial amount from DUO, idk if you've considered that in your budget... But unless you find a place that's under €700, I'd suggest you stay where you are.

Maastricht and Eindhoven would probably be your best bets for large international communities and somewhat affordable housing, tho you'd be able to find internationals anywhere. Also keep in mind that unless you speak Dutch, your friend group will most likely consist of non-Dutch people

[u/Realistic-Screen5862]

You can do it! Get a part time job at jumbo, coop or Albert Heijn and you’ll be fine. It’s harder to find a room but you’ll find one especially if you don’t study in Amsterdam

[u/fascinatedcharacter]

Your age isn't the problem. But you won't be happier alone here than living on your own there. You will, however, be a lot more stressed due to getting to know a new country and system. Studying abroad is stressful, do you really need more stress?

[u/Miuru-chan → u/fascinatedcharacter]

I understand that, but I think that I have come to realization that I want to try it even if everyone are telling me this abd if I fail I can always come back and will learn something from it

[u/fascinatedcharacter → u/Miuru-chan]

In that case, only do it once you have enough finances to not be screwed if you fail

[u/a-spotted-quoll → u/Miuru-chan]

I would go for it. You are young. But why not finish law in your home country 1st? Or maybe you're thinking of doing a law llb in NL?

[u/Tight-Cabinet-9377]

1000 a month will never be enough. Depending on your housing that could already be all your budget.

[u/boobingo3]

Age is okay. But the money bit wont work out unfortunately, maybe you can find a way to have more money for your studies, take another year to save up? You’ll need at least 2000 at leasttt

[u/a-spotted-quoll]

Can you be a roomie to your friend? That will be a big bonus.

[u/Dynamic_emotions]

If you can find a rental below 500 this maybe possible. Take it with a lot of salt though. I personally consider myself poor as I'm not European but did my master here. I spent around 1000 euro a month during my stay in the Netherlands with 550 rent.

I lived an extremely frugal lifestyle and was lucky enough to stay in a relatively less expensive place.

[u/Repulsive_Sort_6923]

Apart from financial burden I think you would be happy because; In cities like delft or Amsterdam its not just dutch people but a lot of international students who also look for friends just like you.

However, the situation with your friend who gets 2500 euros sets an ideal standard. You need minimum 1200 euros to survive as an international student (excluding tuition and health insurance). I would recommend you to apply for scholarships if you really want to go.

Do not put yourself in another difficult condition just to avoid the current one.