Having the opportunity to attend an exchange program with Erasmus University Rotterdam has definitely been one of the greatest blessings. Before deciding on an exchange school, I had a few considerations. They were: 1. Emphasis on usage of English; 2. Ease of travelling around Europe; 3. Safety; 4. Mapping of modules. Erasmus University Rotterdam happened to be the right fit and I was fortunate enough to attend the exchange program with two close friends.

Studying in Erasmus University Rotterdam was not very different from Singapore as it offered both seminar and lecture style. One thing I really liked about Erasmus’ teaching style was that the professors would build on the readings that we were assigned to us rather than going through the content of the readings in class. Professors expect you to apply the theories mentioned in the readings to case studies and class discussions. This means that you are expected to complete your readings before class and it also ensures more in-depth discussions. In addition, I took a module which consisted of a factory tour to the historical and famed Van Nelle Factory. I found the tour to be very interesting as it provided us with greater insights towards Rotterdam’s industrialization era and, the influence the economy had on Rotterdam’s architecture.

With its modern architecture, Rotterdam stands out from other cities in Netherlands. When visiting Rotterdam, the Cube Houses and Markthal at Blaak should definitely be on your To-Go list! Want to experience living in a tilted house? Book a stay at the Cube House. Feeling Hungry? Markthal is the place to try various Dutch’s delicacies. Get yourself a packet of Stroopwafels from Van Vliet Stroopwafels, you wont regret it! It is my favorite Stroopwafels store in Netherlands and I actually bought 12 packets back to Singapore. While you are at Markthal admire the stunning interior design on the ceiling. I also highly recommend a day trip out to Kinderdijk from Rotterdam. It is a 30 minutes boat ride from the famous Erasmus bridge. At Kinderdijk, you will be greeted with 2 rows of windmills as you cycle through the fields. It is definitely a good way to experience the best of Netherlands – windmills and the cycling life!

During my exchange, Croatia stood out as my favorite country amongst the many countries I visited. The locals were very friendly, hospitable and kind. The restaurant staff would always take the initiative to interact with us. One restaurant even gave us free food because they felt bad for making us wait! It is also common to witness a crowd enjoying live music performances. Some would show off their dance moves, and we witnessed an old couple slow dancing at Diocletian’s Palace! It was indeed eye-opening as Singaporeans tend to be more reserved in public. If possible, make a trip down to Plitvice Lakes which welcomes you with a picturesque landscape.

It has always been my childhood dream to experience a white Christmas. Thus, being able to spend Christmas at Finland was definitely one of the highlights of my exchange. If you are looking to experience Lapland on a budget, do look out for student tours from Scanbalt Experience. Instead of having to pay the the usual $1000 over euros for a tour in Lapland, my tour cost approximately $500 euros! This price included transport, food, accommodation and activities! The tour can be cheaper if you choose not to participate in some activities. On the trip, I experienced the Husky Safari, Snowmobiling, Reindeer Safari, Skiing and got to visit Santa Claus! The Husky Safari was really memorable as you get to play with the super active huskies and control the sleds while the huskies run through the forrest. If seeing the Northern Lights is on your bucket list, Lapland would also be a good place for you to witness the lights.

Exchange provided me with the luxury to travel around Europe and allowed me to gain so much more than what I could have from the usual academic program. It widened my perspective towards the world and life. It was one of best times in my life I’m sure it will be for yours too!

Yee Pei Xuan, from National University Singapore, previously on exchange at Eramus University Rotterdam

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