I had always wanted to study abroad, but for a long time I was not sure whether I could really do it. I worried about the financial side and knew that moving to another country would require a lot of determination.
After finishing Secondary School, I still did not know what I wanted to study. I did not want to choose a programme simply because I felt pressured to apply somewhere, so I decided to take a gap year and work.
That year gave me something extremely valuable: time to understand myself better. It also allowed me to save enough money to consider studying abroad more seriously.
When winter came, I realised that it was time to decide what I wanted to do the following year. My parents strongly encouraged me to apply abroad and promised to support me as much as they could. They believed it was an opportunity worth taking.
So I decided to try.
With Kastu’s help, I applied to several universities in the Netherlands. I did not seriously consider another country because I had always liked the Netherlands and wanted to experience living there. I was also attracted by how welcoming the country and its universities were towards international students.
I selected several different programmes at different universities. Then something unexpected happened.
I joined an online open day at a university to which I had not applied. The presentation changed my mind completely, and I suddenly realised that this might actually be the right university for me.
I immediately started worrying because my application had already been submitted and one of the deadlines had passed. I contacted Kastu, explained the situation, and asked whether it was still possible to add this university.
They reacted quickly and helped me change the direction of my application when it mattered most. I only needed to prepare an additional motivation letter, and Kastu submitted my documents while there was still time to apply through the Dutch system.
A few weeks later, I attended an interview. Everything went smoothly, and eventually I received an admission offer.
I had only a few weeks to make the final decision. I thought about it constantly, but with encouragement from my family and friends, I accepted the offer.
I have not regretted it for a moment.
During the very first orientation week, I met many people. Some of them became my closest friends, and we are still an important part of each other’s lives.
The orientation week was unforgettable. Every day was filled with activities, opportunities to meet students, and evening events. It immediately made the university feel exciting and helped me understand that I was not beginning this new chapter alone.
The most difficult part of the move was accommodation.
Even though I had started searching in spring, I could not find a permanent place to live. I was fortunate to know someone who offered me temporary accommodation while she was away, so I stayed at her home for several weeks.
However, I had to spend a lot of money on transport and travel for hours every day. Later, I moved to Breda and stayed in an Airbnb for several more weeks.
Eventually, I contacted the university and asked for help. Luckily, they were able to offer me accommodation, and I moved into my new home a week later.
The moment I finally unpacked and had a place of my own, everything changed. I no longer felt like a visitor. I felt at home.
I really enjoy living in the Netherlands. The weather can be windy and rainy, but you gradually get used to it.
My most practical advice is to buy a bicycle as soon as you arrive. Before moving here, I never imagined that a bicycle could become such an essential part of my life.
I cycle to university, to the shops, and almost everywhere else. It is especially useful after an evening in the city when you simply want to get home quickly.
The people can be very direct and honest, which may feel unusual at first, but this is also something you learn to understand and appreciate.
My university has a large international community. You can meet people from Europe, the Americas, Asia, and many other parts of the world.
Every friendship introduces you to another culture, another perspective, and sometimes even another language. This international environment has expanded my view of the world far beyond what I expected from university life.
Looking back, taking a gap year was not a delay. It was the step that helped me make a more confident and meaningful decision.
Studying abroad has allowed me to meet people from all over the world, discover new opportunities, and create an entirely new life for myself.
Of course, there were stressful moments. I worried about money, changed my application at the last minute, and spent weeks without permanent accommodation.
But every challenge was temporary, while the friendships, confidence, and experiences I gained will stay with me.
Choosing to study in the Netherlands was the best decision of my life.
To anyone who is thinking about studying abroad but still feels uncertain, I would say: prepare carefully, ask for help when you need it, and take the opportunity.
You may arrive in another country feeling nervous and unsure, but you could leave with a second home, lifelong friends, and a future filled with possibilities you had never imagined.
