Student Support
Dear Esperians,
My name is Wouter Kroon and I will be Esperia’s Student Support this academic year. I am a third year Esperian and I am here if you have any kind of question! Think about housing in Groningen, living on your own, learning to study, the ongoings at a university, finding a job, documentation and administration from the (Dutch) authorities, insurances, healthcare, etc. You name it!
You can contact me by sending an email to studentsupport@svesperia.nl, or ask a board member for my phone number! Please note that I am not a trained professional, but just a student like you and I try to help as best I can based on my own personal experiences.
A small disclaimer: the Student Support is an advisory body and, therefore, is not responsible and cannot be held accountable for any consequences that might arise from your issue.
The University of Groningen offers a lot of useful information on their website about things you need to arrange when studying in the Netherlands and life in Groningen in general.
- Groningen life | Admitted students | University of Groningen (rug.nl)
- Before you arrive | Admitted students | University of Groningen (rug.nl)
- After you arrive | Admitted students | University of Groningen (rug.nl)
- Handbook for Students of the Faculty of Arts
If you have any question regarding the study programme of ELC you can contact the following people:
The website of the municipality of Groningen provides you with some general information about housing.
Linked below are some website on which you can find offers for student rooms:
International Housing Websites:
Find information about housing allowances on the website of the government of The Netherlands here.
Have your administration in order with these useful links:
- Student registration in the Netherlands
- Moving to/within Groningen
- Emigration
- Request a BSN (Burger Service Nummer)
- Opening a Dutch bank account (BSN required)
- Request a DigiD (BSN required)
- Sign up MijnOverheid (DigiD required)
- Health insurance – it is legally required to have this while studying and/or working in the Netherlands!
- Healthcare allowances
Other things that are good to know:
- Is my drivers license valid in the Netherlands?
- Can I work in the Netherlands?
- Can I vote in the Netherlands?
- Getting a bike: at De Ganze Fietsen you can get 10% off a purchase under €250 as a member of Esperia!
- Lost your bike? Here is what to do!
- Where do I find a doctor and/or dentist?
Meet Wake Up Student Psychology & Coaching.
Student life could be fun but challenging at the same time. The Student Psychologists (NIP®) at Wake
Up Student offer psychological guidance and coaching for students aimed at common challenges:
✔ Psychological complaints
✔ Study choice to career guidance
✔ Effective study habits
✔ Balancing study and daily student life
Make an appointment for personal psychological guidance and coaching via www.wakeupstudent.nl or
send an e-mail to info@wakeupstudent.nl. As a member of your association, you are entitled to a
free first consultation. Contact us and we’ll set you up for a free first consultation within a week with
one of our Student Psychologists!
How your study association can boost your motivation!
Many students I speak with aren’t actively involved in their study association. In fact, study associations have been struggling since the pandemic began. They’re having trouble filling committee and board positions and are seeing low turnout at fun and interesting activities. That’s a shame, because a student association can offer something that students often lack: motivation!
The Student Service Centre (SSC) is the center of expertise in the field of student counseling at the University of Groningen. The SSC employs student deans, psychologists and trainers to help students with their studies in various areas. Among other things, the SSC offers RUG students support with:
Study skills
Study delay
Psychological complaints
Studying with a disability
Financial matters
Laws and regulations
For more information, check their website.