Practical Information & need to know
Prior and upon arrival in Rotterdam
This section 'Practical Information & Need' to know is constantly being updated by the central International Office of our university. It provides incoming students with all practical information prior to and upon arrival in Rotterdam.
Furthermore the EUR International Office organizes so-called "One stop shops" to help you arranging a Dutch bank account, registration at the City Hall, arranging an insurance etc. on one day at the beginning of each full term. Als Erasmus Student Network-Rotterdam can be of great help prior to arrival, on their website you can find video's on how to find housing, arrange insurance, how to buy you ESN-card (lots of reductions), and all tips and tricks to make your life easier during your exchange.
See also, and for other practical information: EUR Orientation
Below a small selection of our campus facilities are given,
for ALL facilities or services on campus, see also : Campus facilities
Erasmus Food Plaza: At this plaza, several restaurants are located. One can buy breakfast, lunch, coffees and/or other snacks or sweets. It is located in Sanders Building.
Erasmus Pavilion: This place serves food & drinks such as soups, hot sandwiches, homemade pizzas, burgers, hot and cold drinks.
“De Smitse”: The largest student bar in the Netherlands.
Studium Generale, Erasmus Culture: Studium Generale organizes scientific, social and cultural programmes throughout the year for students of the Erasmus University Rotterdam. The programme consist of lectures and debates, monthly talk shows, cultural and scientific events and a wide range of cultural courses and performances.
University Library : The library has several functions: meeting, studying and working together.
Erasmus Sports & Sports Building : Exchange students with an ESN-card can buy a sports card at a reduced prize. Erasmus Sport offers an extensive sports program throughout the academic year. With the Erasmus Sport pass you get unlimited access to all parts of the bodyfit program and the squash courts. You can also upgrade your pass to make use of the fitness facilities.
Studystore : At this store you can buy (secondhand) books and other school supplies.
Canon Copyshop : At this shop, located in the Polak Building, you can print, copy and scan in the self-service corner.
Supermarket on campus : On Woudestein campus there is a small supermarket for your first necessities.
Repair shop campus bikes: The shop to have your bike repaired is located in the Polak Building.
About Rotterdam School of Management (RSM)
RSM our campus : take a virtual tour and check out some of the facilities
RSM Store: to buy your RSM gifts
Immigration Procedures
Once nominated by their home university, our visiting Bachelor or Master exchange students will receive a so-called Welcome Mail from our Exchange Office. In addition to all other relevant information (courses, accommodation), this Welcome Mail informs students also on the online exchange application procedure, but moreover also information whether they need:
- an entry visa
- Dutch residence permit
- a Short Stay Schengen Visa (non EU/EEA, valid less than 90 days)
or none
NO entry visa and/or Dutch residence permit required, if: Incoming exchange students who have the EU/EEA nationality.
Costs
All students who need an entry visa and/or Dutch esidence permit need to pay an immigration fee and show proof of sufficient financial resources (living fee).
More information can be found on the EUR website.
Contact
- First contact for students who need an entry visa and/or Dutch residence permit is the RSM Exchange Office, email: exchange@rsm.nl
- After the student has started his/her entry visa/Dutch residence permit application, students can contact the EUR Immigration Department, email: immigration@eur.nl
Financial matters
How to open a Dutch bank account
As you will be living in the Netherlands for an extended period of time you are strongly recommended to open a Dutch bank account in the Netherlands, especially for students who have applied for a visa/residence permit, a Dutch bank account is the only way to which their refund (proof of solvency) can be transferred to.
Refund of financial means deposit
As soon as your exchange at RSM has started and as soon as you have opened a bank account, you can send an email to our immigration department: immigration@eur.nl. They will further inform you on how your financial means deposit / immigration fee can be refunded.
On this site one can find a rough estimation of costs during your exchange in Rotterdam. Not included in this overview are costs for travelling to Rotterdam and our introduction activities. Of course, all costs depend on your own life style!
On this webpage one can find information about scholarships and grants, mostly for full-time students, but you never know! RSM does not provide exchange students with grants or scholarships.
Insurance & Health
Insurance for international students
You are by law obliged to be properly insured during your time in the Netherlands. Next to being obliged, you also don't want to be surprised by having to pay for an unforeseen issue yourself.
Make sure you are sufficiently insured for:
- Medical expenses - including any pre-existing conditions you may have;
- Third-party liability insurance;
- Fire and home furnishing insurance - if you will be living in student accommodation.
Other information on insurances can be found here.
Health
During your time in Rotterdam, you might feel the need to talk to someone other than friends or you might need medical assistance. In Rotterdam there are many places you can turn to for help and assistance.
On this website contacts and addresses can be found, for example for psychological help, dentist, doctor or hospital.
International students are also welcome at Jans Huisartsen Rotterdam Kralingen (close to campus), but students need to register first, how?
See website: https://www.janshuisartsen.nl/en/international-students/
Accommodation
Finding accommodation in this dynamic city can be a real bottleneck, for this reason and on this site, students can find information on ways to increase a successful search. We strongly advise you to begin your housing search as early as possible and to secure your accommodation before traveling to the Netherlands.
We advise the incoming exchange students to visit Erasmus University's page which contain full information about accommodation for international students. Students can also check Facebook ESN-Rotterdam Housing.
We strongly advise students to read the terms and conditions very carefully before signing any rental agreement contract as the RSM is not to be hold responsible for any accommodation contract.
Arrival
Prior to arrival in the Netherlands, students are assigned to an Exchange Ambassador (buddy). They will get in touch with you few weeks prior to the start of the exchange. This person might be of help in organizing you a smooth arrival. Students arriving at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol can book tickets for the Intercity Direct train already near the luggage belt. This train, which runs every half an hour, brings you to Rotterdam in nearly 30 minutes.
For all other arrivals, the Netherlands and Rotterdam have an excellent public transport system.
Goin App
If you want to know who is also travelling from your country, city or university to our business school/university, you can use the Goin App.
Testimonials
Yunyi Tan
Msc Exchange student (short term), University of Chicago, Booth School of Business
Studying at RSM for one block is a challenging yet exciting experience. Thanks to all the help and support from exchange program manager, my buddy and awesome classmates, the transition was fun and easy which allowed me to have more time to explore RSM and Rotterdam in depth. Supply chain management is a phenomenal topic here that I was really able to acquire knowledge and experimental experience in this area. ESN offers great support for living in Rotterdam and organizes amazing fun events.
Sanjay Mittal
Msc Exchange student (short term), University of Iowa, Henry B. Tippie School of Management
I am glad that I pursued the short-term exchange opportunity at RSM. The short-term exchange enabled me to not only experience business and culture in Europe but also be back in US for spending the last module and graduation ceremony with my classmates. The school's wide variety of electives gave me flexibility to travel around Europe and also pursue an internship in Netherlands without compromising on the academic experience.
Su Mei Koh
MSc Exchange student, Melbourne Business School
My initial impression of Rotterdam was definitely a positive one, as I felt thoroughly welcomed and embraced by the Dutch culture. The city holds a unique charm that is both serene yet exciting - the perfect blend of both worlds. As an exchange student, I found the activities arranged by RSM to be very informative, helpful and fun, which made adjusting to life here that much easier. The marketing courses offered at RSM are of substantial quality, and will definitely add value to the overall educational experience.
Patcharee Treepornchaisak
MSc Exchange student, Thammasat University, Thailand
I had a wonderful time participating in the RSM exchange program. It is the most well organized program that I had ever participated in. A very warm welcome by pick up service from the airport, an arrangement of accommodation, Buddy program and VISA application service are very generous programs that help me start up living in Rotterdam smoothly.
All the professors are very kind and eager to support me. Study at RSM also gives me an opportunity to explore Europe very easily. The exchange students usually organize a trip together every weekend. Only four months, I have cover most of Europe.
Kalon Tsang
MSc Exchange student, The Wharton School, USA
Deciding to come on exchange to RSM was one of the best decisions of my life. You really do meet people from all around the world and all walks of life. Classes are interesting and challenging, often emphasizing group work and offering practical opportunities to work with real-life clients. As an exchange student, you also have the time to explore the city of Rotterdam and the Netherlands, and to travel to other countries around Europe. I have made many new friendships this semester and have really opened my eyes to what the world has to offer.
Boglárka Fejér
MSc Exchange student, Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary
Rotterdam School of Management was my first choice to study abroad and I arrived with high expectations. After finishing my semester I can only confirm that RSM perfectly met my expectations and even went beyond. The high level of the education, the professionalism and kindness of the teachers and all the outstanding events collaborated to my personal development. Rotterdam is a nice and comfortable city to live in when you are an exchange student: you can easily reach your friends in just few minutes by bike, enjoy the multicultural environment and the nature offered by the city.
Mega Aisyah Nirmala
MSc Exchange student, Universitas Gajah Mada, Indonesia
Flying thousands miles away from your comfort zone seems like a big decision. And that’s what I did. Coming to Rotterdam and studying at RSM will definitely ‘shock’ you with lots of experiences and values you might never imagined. The differences and the diversity ‘force’ you to see things differently. You are expected to see the world as a whole part and deal with it. Anyway, it has never been a bad decision to make. So, make yours!