How Students in the Netherlands Balance Study and Work

Published May 16, 2026·Updated May 26, 2026

Transcript

Read along, Dutch & English, side by side

Did you know that Dutch students sometimes work three times as much as students in Belgium?

I hear that often, and I'm still shocked by it.

How do you manage that, huh? Studying and working at the same time.

And one more thing, many international students think that speaking English is enough.

But it's often not, you miss a lot of small things in everyday life.

The biggest problem is probably the balance, right?

Work, studies, friends, and also sleeping.

When do you have time to just chill?

Oh yes, hey everyone. Great to have you back. I'm Anita and I'm here with Henk.

Today we're diving into student life in the Netherlands.

Yes, welcome, welcome. Grab a coffee or tea and make yourself comfortable.

We're talking about working, making friends, and how not to drown in your schedule.

So Henk, let's be honest. You used to work a lot alongside your studies, right?

How did that go? Was it fun or mostly tough?

Aha, yes. I worked in a café. Often late, sometimes until one in the morning.

The next morning, I had classes at eight-thirty, and I was just exhausted.

Ouch, that’s tough. I worked as well, but fewer hours. I noticed I didn't have time for friends and sports otherwise.

And yet, working felt good too, right? You learn to plan and have your own money.

I could pay my rent, about 450 euros back then, and that gave me freedom.

True, that’s nice. But some people also say: if you work too much, you miss out on the real student life.

That you experience fewer parties and house parties.

There’s some truth in that. Oh, party. Maybe I should explain. A party is just a fun drinks night with friends or your study group. Often with snacks too.

Yes, and that’s how you get to know people. I sometimes hear that international students think: social things just happen. But that doesn't always happen, sadly.

Exactly. You really have to show up and introduce yourself. Just say: hi, I'm new. Can I join? That often works.

Wait, you just mentioned a study group. Do you mean an association? Briefly: an association is a club with activities like sports, music, or a debate club. You make friends quickly there.

Yes, and you don’t have to choose a big student association right away with a lot of rules. A sports club or a language café is also great. In a language café, you practice language together very casually.

Speaking of language, uh, English. Many Dutch people speak good English. But trying to speak Dutch is really important. Just saying hello and thank you isn’t enough.

Yes, because groups often quickly switch back to Dutch. Not to be mean, but it's just natural. If you know some basic phrases, you immediately feel more included.

I recently spoke to a student from Spain. She said: I understand the lectures, but not the jokes during the party. That's tricky, because humor is often culture-bound.

Oh yes, humor. I also heard a story about a student who made a joke in class. The joke was normal in his own country, but here people didn't find it funny. Awkward, but he learned a lot from it.

Exactly. He later said: I needed to understand where the line is. And that's okay, you’re allowed to learn. Just say sorry and ask: how do you do it here?

Back to working, because there’s a lot of debate about that. Some say: working makes you strong and independent. Others say: it takes up a lot of time, and you miss out on social things.

I think balance is the word. Balance means distributing work, study, and free time fairly. Not just working and not just partying.

One tip that I like: plan social hours as seriously as studying. Put in your calendar: Tuesday evening sports, Thursday party, and done. It sounds crazy, but it really helps.

Yes, that’s smart. And also take breaks, okay? A night of doing nothing is important too. Otherwise, you’ll just burnout.

I once had a week with three nights of work and two late nights of classes. Then I had an exam on Friday. That didn’t go well, let me tell you.

Haha, I get that. I once missed an intro week because I had to work. Intro week is the first week filled with getting to know each other. I regretted it later because I hardly knew anyone.

Ah, yes. So if you can, go to those intro events. You make a lot of contacts at once. It really saves months of searching.

And for internationals, try practicing small Dutch sentences. For example: how are you? Would you like coffee? Or shall we bike to class together? That breaks the ice.

Oh, biking together. So typically Dutch. You chat a bit, laugh at the wind and the rain. Bring a raincoat. Seriously, that’s worth its weight in gold.

And a good bike lock. Haha, seriously. Bring two locks. That saves tears on a Sunday morning.

I want to say something about social expectations. Some people find Dutch students a bit closed off.

A bit introverted. That’s someone who is quiet and doesn’t easily speak in a large group.

True, but I think: just find your group. Not everyone is the same. In a small club or project group, contact is often much easier.

There’s also a misunderstanding that friendship happens by itself. That you just wait and then hope for friends. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way.

You really have to take steps. Go to an open evening, send a message, or ask in class: would you like to grab a coffee together? Small, but it helps.

Yes, and if you still find Dutch difficult, choose an activity with clear tasks. Like sports, cooking, or volunteering. Then you’ll talk soon because you’re doing something together.

Volunteering is wonderful. You help others and learn words without pressure. For example, at a neighborhood kitchen or a thrift shop.

Just a quick note about money. Some students live off a part-time job plus a loan. A loan means: you borrow money and pay it back later. It gives you some breathing room, but think carefully.

Yes, make a simple budget. Write down: rent, food, transport, study books, and a little fun. Then you’ll quickly see: oops, I need to cut back on that pretty expensive coffee.

I used to buy a toastie on campus every day. Tasty, but expensive. Then I started making bread at home. And boom, saved 20 euros a week.

Cooking with housemates is fun too. Make a big pot of soup or pasta. Share the costs, and you’ll eat better and cheaper.

About housemates? Oh yes, make a cleaning schedule. That way everyone knows what to do.

A schedule just means a list of who cleans when.

And be clear but kind. Say: hey, can you do the kitchen tomorrow? And if someone forgets, just remind them. Don’t be angry, just calm.

Back to the discussion about working. I really get that working feels good. You gain experience, and that helps with a job later.

But, and this is where people disagree, you also want to learn to collaborate and be social. You don’t learn that only at work but in groups and projects.

Maybe the idea is: work smart, not too much. Do hours that fit, like two evenings a week, and block one evening completely free, without study or work.

Yes, and tell your boss honestly that you’re a student. Say: I can’t work late every Saturday. Setting boundaries is healthy.

I want to share a little story. An international student went to a university party and tried to make small talk, but it got super awkward.

She didn’t get the jokes and felt bad.

Yes, I know that feeling. But later she decided: okay, I’ll practice Dutch and ask more questions.

Then it got much better, and she made friends in her project group.

Another story. Someone told a joke in class without knowing the context. People were quiet for a moment.

Later he said sorry and asked how he could do better.

And that worked, right? The class appreciated that honesty.

After that, the atmosphere was warmer because he showed he wanted to learn.

So, mistakes are okay. Just say: oh, I didn’t know that. Thanks for the explanation.

Then you move forward, step by step.

Speaking of boundaries. Socially too. You don’t have to attend every party.

Choose what fits you. A quiet movie night or a game night is fun too.

Oh yes, game night with pancakes. Great. And you’ll learn words like dice and turn.

Haha, games connect. Even without perfect language.

A surprising tip, I think: really schedule social hours. Don’t think: I’ll see what happens.

Just put it in your calendar. Just like classes or work.

And one more: get involved in sports. Even if you’re not super good.

In sports, you talk anyway. You laugh and quickly meet new people.

Right. I once started playing volleyball. I wasn’t brilliant.

But yes, after three weeks, I suddenly knew ten people. That gave me a sense of home.

About language barriers again. If you get really stuck, try a language course or a language café.

Or ask a Dutch classmate: can you help me for one hour a week?

And offer something in return. Say: I’ll help you with my language or with a subject I’m good at.

That way it’s fair and fun.

What do you think about studying in the library? I sometimes found it too quiet.

But it worked with a study buddy because we kept each other sharp.

Yes, together is better. And set a time. For example, from ten to twelve.

Then take a break. And then another block. Not too long, because your brain is human too. Haha.

Oh, time tip. Set an alarm for breaks.

I often focused for forty minutes, then walked for ten. That brought relaxation and results.

I usually did the hard stuff in the mornings. My mind is fresh then.

And in the evenings, I kept it light: reading or making summaries.

Social things in the Netherlands sometimes have specific words.

Like borrel or kringverjaardag. That’s a birthday with chairs in a circle.

Quite funny, but you then talk to many people.

And a house party is just a party in a student house.

It often starts at eight in the evening and goes late.

Bring earplugs if you have class the next morning. Really do it.

International students sometimes ask: are Dutch people really welcome for us?

I think yes, usually they are. But a lot of people are a bit shy at first.

That’s why it helps if you take the first step.

Just say: hi, I’m new. Want to grab a coffee with me?

It’s simple, but it opens doors.

And try not to force a group where you don’t feel comfortable.

If it doesn’t click, that's okay.

Look for another club, there are plenty of them.

The university is big. You’ve got classes, project groups, sports, culture, volunteering.

Choose two things you really enjoy and do them well.

If you’re tired, sometimes say no. That’s not weakness, that’s smart.

This way you save energy for what’s important.

A little language helper: asking words like where, when, and why help in conversations?

For example: where are you from? When do you have classes? Why did you choose that major?

And compliments work too.

Say: nice jacket or great presentation. That breaks the ice immediately.

And it makes it easier to continue chatting.

Practical tip: food on campus is often expensive. Bring bread and fruit, it saves money, or cook a big pot on Sunday and freeze portions.

Traveling by bike is cheap and quick. But plan extra time in the rain. Seriously. Nothing's more Dutch than being late because of headwinds. Haha.

Exam stress? Talk about it with your friends. They often feel the same. Make a schedule together and share summaries. It reduces panic.

And don’t rely only on English for group tasks. Try to say a few sentences in Dutch too. People appreciate your effort.

When you send an email, keep it short and friendly. Say who you are and what your question is. And thank them at the end. Done.

Sometimes I hear: I feel lonely. That’s really tough. And it happens. My tip? Choose one new activity each week, no matter how small. After a month, you’ll feel a difference.

Yes, and be kind to yourself. You don’t have to master everything in the first week. Learning Dutch takes time, just like adjusting to any new place.

Shall we summarize? Balance between work and social life, practicing language and actively seeking new people. And mistakes are fine as long as you keep trying.

Plus, plan social hours, sports or clubs helps, and take breaks. Oh, and two bike locks. That was your golden tip, haha.

Absolutely. Two locks and a raincoat. You’ll be fine.

We’re almost at the end. If you enjoyed this, don’t forget to like and subscribe. You won’t miss any new episodes.

Yes, definitely do that. And send this episode to a friend who’s just starting to study. Learning together is much more fun, right?

Thank you for listening. Good luck with your studies and your new life here. And remember: small step, big difference.

Until next time. And, uh, have fun at your next get-together or sports night. You’ve got this, really.