Hello everyone! As we all know, the private rental market in the Netherlands is quite competitive, and many students might be interested in student housing. Today, in this blog post, I will share my experience of living in Student Experience Minervahaven (SE) in Amsterdam. I am a student at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, starting in September 2023. I managed to secure a spot in SE through the university's housing system last July and successfully moved in in August of the same year. This housing has been my home in the Netherlands, and I have been here for ten months as of writing this blog.
The Environment of Student Experience Minervahaven
This housing is located in the northern part of Amsterdam, near a port. It is very quiet, with none of the hustle and bustle of the downtown area, making it perfect for students who prefer a quiet environment.
The housing has about 600 studios, each fully equipped with a kitchen, refrigerator, bathroom, bed, sofa, table, chairs, and TV. The move-in package also includes some kitchen utensils (like a frying pan, fork, and fruit knife), towels, a toothbrush cup, and other daily necessities. Therefore, compared to unfurnished housing, if you choose to stay at SE, you don't need to bring much luggage and can move in easily.
There are also several vending machines on the ground floor where you can buy water, drinks, and various snacks, which is very convenient. Additionally, there is a study room on the ground floor, equipped with comfortable chairs and adjustable desks, making it perfect for quiet studying, especially during finals week.
Social Life in Student Experience Minervahaven
For university students, social life can be a very important part of daily life. Since every room in SE is a studio and everyone lives alone, some people might worry that living here could be very lonely. However, many common areas within the housing provide plenty of social opportunities, such as the communal lounge on the ground floor, which has several comfortable sofas, a large TV, a pool table, and a ping-pong table. It's a great place to relax and make friends. The dormitory also has a gym that is open 24 hours a day for free, which is incredibly convenient for those who have a habit of working out!
In conclusion, choosing to live at SE has been a very right decision for me. Here, I can enjoy my time alone in my own studio while also meeting many new friends and having a great time!
Best,
Xinyue
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