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?
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"What I like most about the Netherlands is the Dutch. Sometimes, Dutch people can get a bad rep for being a bit stingy or cold, but I find people to be quite welcoming."
"I’m in my third year now and both the study and the city topped all my expectations. When I decided where to study, I wasn’t paying a lot of attention to the city I was choosing, so Nijmegen was a pleasant surprise."
"Comparing Nijmegen to Düsseldorf, I don’t miss living in a big city. It’s more anonymous and people don’t put in as much effort into being nice to each other. Here, you are more likely to run into people you know and it's way less grey and loud."
Read more about Expat life in Nijmegen: Janek Peters, Germany
"Culturally, I think Estonians and the Dutch are quite similar. I didn’t have a huge culture shock moving to the Netherlands. I had to get used to biking under any weather conditions, though, and the sirens at the beginning of the month."
"For me, the greatest treasure of Nijmegen is its people. I've had the privilege of meeting some of the most welcoming and fun individuals here. Friends that I call family now."
"I came here initially for one semester but liked it so much that I requested the exchange to be prolonged for another one. During that time, I met my partner, who is German but has done his whole studies here."
"Despite Nijmegen being quite a small city, there is loads of stuff going on. I couldn’t believe that I saw the Red Hot Chili Peppers in Goffertpark. You almost feel like you’re living in a capital city but you don’t have the craziness of a capital city."
Read more about Expat life in Nijmegen: Hannah, United Kingdom
"I’m originally from Bucharest, so Nijmegen is a small town by comparison. But it’s very concentrated with things to do. I like that about the city. You will have an Irish Pub, a vintage store, and a community-run venue on the same street."
"The first time I visited Nijmegen I stayed at the Prince Hotel in the Lange Hezelstraat. You can’t go wrong with that, it’s probably the nicest part of the city. Now I’m still here and I like it. No, actually, I love Nijmegen by now."
"What I really appreciate about Nijmegen, especially in comparison to larger cities in the Netherlands, is how calm it is. I’m extroverted, but I like coming home to a quiet place where you can just chill out, listen to some music, and study."
"I first arrived in Nijmegen in 2017, after a twenty-four-hour ride with a bus from Munich. Truth be told, when I first stepped out at the station, I thought: is that it? One of the things that changed my perspective on the city was getting a bike."
"I didn’t know anything about the city before moving here. But it definitely turned out to be a good surprise. This probably sounds cliché, but I immediately felt welcome and at home."
"One of my favorite things is probably returning to the city by train. You are riding over the bridge, and Nijmegen’s skyline appears. It always feels like you’re returning home. And it’s how I see the city in general: it’s my home away from home."
"Dressing for the Dutch winter was definitely something I had to figure out. I don’t have a stylish coat like most Dutch people. In the winter, I’m more likely to wear seventy-three jackets on top of each other. But I did acclimate quite well overall."
"When you arrive in a new country, everything looks pretty, and everything is new. The streets and buildings looked different; the weather was different. It’s crazy that I moved to the Netherlands without visiting the country before.
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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The expert team at Lifeport Welcome Center is here to guide everyone moving to the Arnhem-Nijmegen region to join the Lifeport innovation network. Our highly skilled staff can help you through the entire process of relocation. We offer in-house one-stop-shop services for governmental procedures, as well as various programs that provide support in legal, professional, family, social and other matters in this process. Special events and courses are also organized to help you understand different aspects of living and working in the Netherlands.
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