After your acceptance to the host university, it is time to prepare for your move abroad!
Attend pre-departure session
All students going on exchange must attend this session in which we discuss the issues you will come across in preparing your exchange, your travels and your courses. The exact date and time will be announced in an invitation at a later stage. Incoming students studying at Erasmus University Rotterdam will also be present, so this is your opportunity to get to meet the people that can host you abroad.
Plane tickets
You are probably eager to book your ticket to your exchange destination. We recommend you not to book your ticket until the partner university has sent you an acceptance letter and informed you about the academic calendar and introduction days.
Make sure you participate in introduction days, whether they are mandatory or not. Introduction activities are a great way to meet other international and local students who might well become your friends during the rest of the semester.
Visa
Depending on your nationality and destination, you might need a visa to study at the host university. You need to find out what is required for you, but usually the host university will provide you with guidelines and/or documents you need. The embassy or consulate of the country of your destination can provide you with more information.
Please note:
- A tourist visa will not suffice; you will need a student visa.
- If your host country does not have an embassy in the Netherlands, please visit the nearest location in one of our neighbouring countries.
- If you need to make an appointment, book it on time, but make sure you can have all required documents by the time of the appointment.
- If you need to provide proof of your departure, buy a return ticket before applying your visa.
- You may need to provide proof of sufficient financial means (the required amount will be announced by the embassy or university).
Insurance and health care
If you are going on exchange, make sure you are properly insured. Requirements differ from country to country. Inquire in advance, as to whether or not your insurance policy is valid abroad. Consider supplementary insurance, special statements (in English) from your insurance company and third-party liability insurance. Take into account the cost of health care in your host country.
If your insurance does not cover your stay abroad, you may take out a supplementary insurance for students. Please visit EUR International Office’s website for more information about these insurances or visit Zorgverzekering.org for information specifically related to your health insurance in combination with a stay abroad.
At some universities you are required to take out a new insurance policy locally. If you are going to study at a university in Canada, the United States or Australia, it is often compulsory for you to join their “Health Insurance Plan”.
Check before departure with the partner university, GGD/Municipal Health Service, the vaccination clinic of Erasmus MC, the Travel Clinic or at www.lcr.nl whether you require any specific vaccinations for your travel destination and what you need to know and do to stay healthy in your host country.
Housing
The partner university will send information about housing to the selected students. Many universities will help you to find accommodation; some even guarantee housing for international students. Some universities offer their own housing facilities (for example on a campus). Please check the rules and regulation of university housing before booking.
If you need to find housing yourself, please check the website of Housing Anywhere. Another option is to join Facebook groups for exchange students set up by the partner university or to contact students that went on exchange to the partner university before.
Preparation for your safety
Prior to departure, please browse the website of the ministry of foreign affairs of your country for information of your destination.
In addition, make sure to check off the safety list that the International Office EUR has created to ensure you are fully prepared.