Expat life in Nijmegen: Ali, Iran
In the series "Expat Life in Nijmegen", expats talk about their lives in the Netherlands' oldest city. How did they end up here? What do they do in daily life here and what do they think of the city and its surroundings?
Here's the story of Ali from Iran...
"I grew up in Tehran, Iran, where I earned my first university degree in Electronics. However, during my studies, I discovered that my true passion lies in software and artificial intelligence (AI). When the pandemic hit, I decided to pursue my dream and study abroad. In August 2022, I arrived in Nijmegen, where I am now in my final year of the Artificial Intelligence program at Radboud University. In addition to my studies, I work part-time as a student assistant and data analyst. My curiosity about data has been with me since childhood. When I was in kindergarten, I kept a notebook where I recorded the height and weight of my friends, purely out of curiosity!
My choice for Nijmegen was no coincidence. The program here is known for its quality, and the research facilities, such as the Donders Institute, appealed to me enormously. I also felt a welcoming atmosphere in Nijmegen. As an international student, I appreciated the help that Radboud offered in arranging housing. But it wasn't just the practical matters that attracted me. After the busy highways of Tehran, I was ready for a quiet environment. I was drawn to the greenery and car-free streets of Nijmegen.
Outside of my studies and work, I have other passions. I work as a freelance videographer and photographer and have made videos for, among others, Het Valkhof Museum and housing organization SSH&. I love to take long walks and run in the beautiful nature of Nijmegen. That helps me to clear my head. Staying creative and active keeps me balanced and happy.
I am a member of CognAC, the study association for AI students. I am not very active in many associations, but CognAC keeps me informed about AI-related events and gives me the opportunity to meet people with the same interests. Studying abroad is a personal journey and feels different for everyone. I recommend giving yourself time to adjust. Learn about the local culture and history; that really helps to feel at home. If you plan to stay longer than your studies, learning Dutch can greatly improve your daily life, even though almost everyone here speaks English.
Nijmegen has surprised me in many ways. I am impressed by the welcoming atmosphere and the high level of education of the people. I also appreciate the flat hierarchy in the Netherlands. It is very easy to talk to professors; they are very approachable. The greenery and walkability of the city continue to amaze me. And I still can't believe that there are about 1.5 bicycles per person here!
As for food, I have a few favorite places. For dinner, I like to go to Groenewoud because of the nice atmosphere and the well-thought-out dishes. For coffee, I go to Philipse Nijmegen, and when I really need to concentrate, I choose Bairro Alto. And for something sweet? Holy Sweets has the best treats!"
More expat stories - Life in Nijmegen
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Expat life in Nijmegen: Daniel, Germany
Expat life in Nijmegen: Daniel, Germany
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Expat life in Nijmegen: Lara, South Africa
Expat life in Nijmegen: Lara, South Africa
"I was always passionate about human genetics, so I wanted to do a master’s in that field, and that’s how I found Radboud. I started here with a master’s in medical biology and right now, I’m doing my PhD at the Radboudumc."
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Expat life in Nijmegen: Eduardo, Spain
Expat life in Nijmegen: Eduardo, Spain
"Before moving to the city, I didn’t know Nijmegen. But I found it to be a nice place. In a way, it reminds me a bit of a city where I used to live in Spain. Nijmegen also has a cozy city center with a lot of traditional buildings."
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Expat life in Nijmegen: Ivana, Italy/Serbia
Expat life in Nijmegen: Ivana, Italy/Serbia
"In some ways, Nijmegen reminds me of Lucca, the Italian town where I grew up. It has a human dimension – you can reach most places by walking, and within ten minutes, you’re in nature, but you’re also close to the German border."
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Expat life in Nijmegen: Khaoula, Morocco
Expat life in Nijmegen: Khaoula, Morocco
"I love it here. The city’s slogan says it best: Nijmegen is an old city with a young vibe. The buildings can tell stories from hundreds of years ago, but the people are young, fresh, and outgoing."
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Expat life in Nijmegen: Isabella, Brazil
Expat life in Nijmegen: Isabella, Brazil
"I was born and raised in Brazil, but I’m half-Italian from my mom’s side. I was living in Italy right before moving to the Netherlands, so it wasn’t as long of a trip. But the Netherlands is very different from my reality growing up in Brazil."
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Expat life in Nijmegen: Sorina, Romania
Expat life in Nijmegen: Sorina, Romania
"The weather, especially in the winter, is sometimes difficult to cope with, but I discovered some places in the city that I really like. One of them is Bhalu. I like that the people there are friendly and I love their homemade pastries."
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Expat life in Nijmegen: Giulia, Italy
Expat life in Nijmegen: Giulia, Italy
"After my master’s in Italy, I wanted to leave the country and secure a future somewhere else. Because of that, I was looking into ways to specialize more and found the master’s in Human Geography at Radboud University."
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Expat life in Nijmegen: Alex, Romania
Expat life in Nijmegen: Alex, Romania
"It's quite cliché, but the first thing that really surprised me was how good the bike infrastructure was. I saw people cycle in suits or in dresses – this was really surreal to see, someone so well dressed, but then on a bike."
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Expat life in Nijmegen: Elle, United States
Expat life in Nijmegen: Elle, United States
"I’m a hairstylist and a fully licensed cosmetologist in America, but it took quite some time to be able to work here. Because I’m from the US, I needed a residence permit to register my business with the KVK."
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Expat life in Nijmegen: Stuart, Australia
Expat life in Nijmegen: Stuart, Australia
"Nijmegen is really a great city. Especially on a sports level, there’s an athletics club with world-class athletes, football, rugby, tennis, golf… virtually every sport! And the history of Nijmegen is also incredibly fascinating to me."
Studying & working in Nijmegen
Nijmegen has a lot to offer in terms of studying, working and business. The oldest city in The Netherlands is also one of the largest student cities in the country. The city presents itself as a leading global player in solving social issues and problems. With its significant position in the Health & High Tech sector, Nijmegen belongs to the international top when it comes to improving the quality of life, healthcare and the development of high-quality technology for various social applications.
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