My exchange at Leiden University was such an incredible and transformative experience. Although it wasn’t my first choice, I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. Leiden, with its charming canals, historical city gates, and close-knit community, quickly won my heart. It’s a small town with much to discover, and I’m forever grateful to have called it home for six months.
The university itself is the oldest in the Netherlands and fun fact—Albert Einstein guest lectured there for 10 years! Regarding academics, all my courses had just a couple of papers or one final exam that made up the entire grade, so I had to be a bit more independent in keeping up with the readings. But this flexibility also gave me so much time to explore, whether it was day trips with new friends or travelling across Europe!
A highlight of my time in the Netherlands was Koningsdag (King’s Day), a national holiday celebrating the King’s birthday. The entire country dressed in orange, boats filled the canals, and music festivals were everywhere! Think Hoco, but for the whole country and so much better - it was like nothing I’d ever seen before! Another memorable experience was running the Leiden Marathon 10K with a friend, which connected me to the city in a new way.
Getting around the Netherlands was a breeze thanks to the amazing train system. Leiden is also close to both Schiphol and Eindhoven airports, which made it really easy to visit other European countries. My favourites were France, Spain, and Croatia (a nice break from the rainy Dutch weather). No matter where I went though, I always loved returning to Leiden and the comfort of Dutch food—especially fries with mayo and stroopwafels.
One of the best aspects of my exchange was the amazing people I met. I now have friends in Australia, Chile, Mexico, the US, and across Europe, and we’ve already started making plans to visit each other! I lived in HKM, a student housing complex in the heart of the city, which made making friends and spontaneous plans so easy. We were also just a 2-minute walk from the biweekly street markets, grocery stores, and cute cafes. Having a bike was essential, and I loved being able to ride around town, soaking in the beautiful architecture and the Dutch way of life.
Looking back, I can confidently say that my exchange helped me grow in so many ways. I learned how to travel safely on a budget, embrace challenges with a positive mindset, and appreciate new cultures. Exchange gave me the opportunity to truly immerse myself in the local culture for months, something I never would have experienced as just a tourist. This experience opened my eyes to new possibilities, and I’m now thinking of applying to grad school or even working in the Netherlands or elsewhere in Europe!
For anyone considering exchange, my advice is to fully embrace the opportunity, step outside your comfort zone, and enjoy every moment—you won’t regret it!
