Living in Amsterdam
Welkom in Amsterdam! Nestpick is proud to present you the first edition of the International Student’s Guide to this exciting city.
This guide is written by a group of international students and explorers at heart who have themselves ventured out of their home countries to experience other cities and countries.
We have written this guide for you, an international student moving to Amsterdam to study and enjoy your time in this great city. We want to help you make the best of it.
As you may already know, the capital of the Netherlands counts almost 1.5 million inhabitants and over 80 000 students, making it difficult to get lonely here. Life in Amsterdam is lovely for all of the right reasons.
Living in Amsterdam as a local is very different to flying in and out as a tourist. Whilst living here, you will quickly come to realise that there is much more to the city than canals and quaint streets. From great street food to world-renowned museums and art galleries, brown cafes and venues hosting parties every night of the week you will have a full calendar from the moment you get your feet on the ground. Connect with your new town and do as the locals do. Say vaarwel to public transport and hallo to your new two wheeled friend, the bicycle. This is the first way to rid yourself of the ‘new in town visitor’ label. After a while you won’t know how you lived without your bike.
Next, indulge in the local tradition of brunch and opt for a broodje gezond, which in English literally translates to ‘healthy sandwich’. Get to know your bearings by cycling through the city to one of Amsterdam’s big local markets, the Albert Cuyp or the Wester- markt, where you can find bargains and delicious street food. Walk along the canals and get lost in the city’s never ending mu- seums. Head along to the hip Jewish neighbourhood of Jordaan, ideal for students with endless fashion boutiques, thrift shops, well-stocked record stores and cafes to get a taste of what is on offer. After getting to know your neighbourhood enjoy the end of the day in the Vondelpark with your new friends or cruise around in a boat on the canals.
With a neverending list of adventures awaiting you, it is very unlikely you will get bored while living in Amsterdam. Although a move abroad is fun, it can also be intimidating, particularly if you are far away from home. We want you to feel like a local, not a visitor. It is our belief that the gems of a community take longer than just a day or two to uncover. These are the things that can’t be found on a map, the real and true character of a city. They are the sites and sounds you encounter as you take a wrong turn and walk down a cobblestone path. This guide will tell you what you need to know, so you don’t need to waste time and can get on with enjoying living in Amsterdam.
Veel plezier!
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