PROS

• The tranquility and good atmosphere of Utrecht. The respect for nature.
• It's a very modern and inclusive country.
• Most people speak English (clearly, not quickly), which makes communication much easier.
• The people are very friendly.
• The work and study environment. Take advantage of this opportunity to network, which is very useful if you consider working in the Netherlands in the future.

CONS

• The distances aren't short.
• The weather. The weather is usually quite bad, rainy and cold.
• The standard of living is quite high; everything is expensive.
• Difficulty finding accommodation. If you can find anything, it's usually expensive.
• Office work. This may not be what students are looking for in a Forest Management internship, but it's very profitable.

REGARDING ACCOMMODATION...

"In Utrecht, the partner will find a company for you free of charge, but you have to find your own accommodation."

"I went crazy every afternoon, 3 or 4 hours a day, for 4 months, looking for a room. I also spoke to people in Utrecht for help, as well as to the company I was going to work for. I finally found an ad thanks to another Spanish student for €800/month, and that's where I ended up (a week before my flight from Utrecht). Finding accommodation in the Netherlands is very difficult."

"I looked for it on websites, WhatsApp groups, blogs, etc. It cost me €600 a month."

"Due to changing employers, I had to cancel my current apartment, and I couldn't find anything. I stayed in a hotel in an industrial estate that was fairly close to the company and was one of the cheapest. The hotel cost me 400 euros for a week. Then, at the home of another Erasmus student, there was a free room, and I paid 680 euros a month plus 200 euros for some kind of deposit. I spent 2,240 euros on the home for three months—an outrage."

"It was horrible, weeks of searching and searching. In the end, I managed to find a place for 1,600 euros a month..."

"Two years ago, after finishing my secondary school, I went to the Netherlands on Erasmus. From that experience, among many other things, I still have a girlfriend who gave me the opportunity to live with her parents for free."

IF YOU GO TO NETHERLANDS, YOU HAVE TO VISIT...

• The Dom Tower in Utrecht. Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
• The Hague.
• Maximapark in Utrecht is beautiful for walking and cycling.
• The trains run very well, so although they're expensive in the long run, it's a great opportunity to discover a small country.

A GOOD PLACE TO EAT / DRINK IS...

• If you want to eat burgers, go to Fat Phill's.
• Anyway, any bar is good for a beer.
• Eazie.
• The Markthal covered market in Rotterdam.

TIPS IF YOU GO TO NETHERLANDS

• Start looking for accommodation as soon as possible.Finding an apartment for one person is difficult, and even more complicated for two, three, or more people.
• Apartments in Utrecht aren't cheap, so it's a good idea to ask around or find a good accommodation company.
• Have a significant amount of savings.

Useful links...