ARRIVAL
Accommodations upon arrival:
The arrival process to Rotterdam may overwhelm one at first, but once understood, will go quite smoothly. If immediate housing move is not available, book a hostel at least two weeks prior to arrival. HostelWorld.com or a simple search of “Rotterdam Hostels” will provided you several options for a few days stay until your permanent residence is ready. I stayed at the StayOkay Hostel near Erasmus MC and Museum Park. It was a simple hostel set up, clean, friendly, but not too social.
Once you first arrive to Holland, you will most likely land in Amsterdam’s airport. (Transfering to Rotterdam's airport is an option, but not worth the trouble). Once you walk out the gate, signs will direct you toward the train station section of the airport. Machines are available for you to purchase tickets to “Rotterdam Central.” These machines accept credit cards and cash (Euro). Locate your train’s platform and head downstairs to catch it. They come every twenty minutes or so, sometimes more. Once at Rotterdam Central, head to the front of the station to catch a tram or the back for a taxi. For a first timer, I would simply recommend taking a taxi. Although hostels are great places to crash for your first day or two, e-mail your landlord or Dutch buddy to see if you can move in early or stay with your buddy once you arrive.
Orientation:
Orientation depends on when one arrives to Rotterdam. Autumn students should expect a large take-over-the-town orientation, due to the flood of new students and plenty of new energy. Expect an overnight trip for all the new exchange students during the fall quarter. Winter quarter students should expect a small orientation, but one with several social dinners and introductions to fellow exchange students. Lastly, if one arrives for a spring exchange, expect a much more modest orientation with a simple social introduction to existing exchange students via a bowling night or such.
All orientations, however, will be thorough in covering topics relating to your exchange: The international exchange advisor will introduce you to the software systems at Erasmus: e-mailing, registering for exams, printing on campus; how to pay for things on campus and beyond, he/she will give you a tour of campus and its resources, provide you with maps and guides of Rotterdam, explain transportation, and answer all questions you may have. You are also paired up with a Dutch buddy, someone who will guide you during your study at Erasmus, another helpful resource. (Please note: You are paired up with your Dutch buddy before you arrive).
ACADEMICS
Instruction abroad:
Studying abroad at RSM Erasmus differs from the UW system, yet cannot be categorized as either differing in a "good" or "bad" way. Classrooms vary in size, content and style based on if you are taking a core or elective class. A core class will take place in a 700-person snug lecture hall with one professor speaking for an average of two hours. An elective class is held in a smaller 30-40-person classrooms, similar in structure to Balmer classrooms at the UW, and last up to three hours. There are no quiz sections for lectures.
Expect only a fraction of students to actually attend lectures for large core classes. Fifteen-minute breaks occur every hour and most everyone leaves the room in order to buy a snack, socialize or smoke. Dutch professors tend to lecture no matter how many students choose to socialize during lecture. Eating during class is also permitted and since the Dutch greatly enjoy sandwiches so anticipate your classmates munching down on them often. Professors employ office hours to better answer any questions you may have and it is best to ask your questions at break, after class or during office hours—never during class. You are also provided with a syllabus explaining each individual professor’s grading style. The overall system though, runs on a ten-point scale with ten equaling the US 4.0.
Erasmus has one large library furnished with study areas, computers and staff. In order to enter the library, one must deposit bag, purse, etc. in a locker in the lobby of the library. There are monitors checking as you walk in! You may place books and such in a plastic grocery-like basket if you wish to carry anything into the library. While computers are available in the library, they are limited in numbers; therefore, it may be best to use the third floor computer lounges in the business school. Many computers are ready for use in two computer classrooms in the b-school as well, and are open until 9 pm. Classes for group work (and in business there’s a lot of that) can be reserved at the “C” building, but cafeteria common space is used more often and is just as good. Lastly, I am used to UW’s almost 24/7 accessibility to all resources and facilities. Erasmus is completely closed on Sundays. Gated. Shut. No way in. Saturdays have very limited hours as well.
Quality and Content:
Just like the UW system, core classes touch the surface of a subject while electives delve much deeper into each subject.
Course/Instructor Recommendation:
The exchange experience is so much more than pure classroom work. Thus, I recommend taking the advised course load. This may mean two core classes and an elective or four core classes. Don’t overload.
Coursework Compared to UW:
Lecture attendance is not as emphasized here as it is at the UW. Keeping up on readings is vital as well as completing any homework you may have. The overall atmoshpere is a bit more lassie fare than the US university system, but that doesn't mean you can slack off.
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PROGRAM/STUDENT TYPE
Student Type:
In order to go on the RSM Erasmus University exchange, this type of student must be severely independent, outgoing, open to the unknown, flexible, able to quickly adjust to a new situation, considerate, friendly and prepared for an experience of a lifetime. This student does not need to know any Dutch. This particular program and its location is very suitable for English speakers. Most RSM students are from non-Dutch countries and English is the only shared language. Further, almost all Dutchmen under the age of 40 know English. It is a very comfortable environment.
Expectations: My expectations for this trip were to submerse myself in a new culture and experience international business with another nation’s perspective. I received this and so, so, so much more. I was able to interact with the Dutch everyday with little complication. I was offered an amazing education from professors who have taught all over the world and bring real world experience with them everyday. Case studies and local companies like Unilever, were used to help me understand the global scope of the business world in a completely new and very practical manner. With classmates from all over the world, I was able to hear about all kinds of business cultures and practices from almost every nation, every single day. The entire experience was one that I would strongly recommend to any global minded business student.
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PROGRAM/EXCHANGE SITE
Campus and Area:
Unlike the UW, Erasmus is a very modern campus with several high-rise buildings. The business school specifically has some twenty odd floors, equipped with escalators, cafeterias and even its own bar. On-campus food options vary from ala carte cafeterias to full on sit down Italian restaurants. Vending machines are everywhere, and are commonly stocked with black licorice, a Dutch must. While there are a few coffee stands on campus, more often than not, students buy their coffee, hot chocolate and tea from vending dispensers. Downstairs in the “B” building are the school store, bookstore, bank, hairdresser shop, copy shop and a few other little stores for when you’re in a jam. Most buildings are equipped with revolving doors, so get used to jumping in without stopping the rotation and receiving glares. The campus is also a major hub for modern art, which decks the area all over. There are plenty of “bike garages” for you to park your beloved bike, but make sure to lock up well or risk a stolen bike. The campus has a gym, tennis courts, and soccer fields. Trams 7 and 21 both have stops nearby. Campus is across the street from Excelsior’s soccer stadium, a large highway and apartment building complex. Erasmus is at the east edge of Rotterdam, on the north side of the riverbank. Yet a five-minute bike ride west will soon lead you to the rest of town and all of its conveniences. Overall the campus is very easy to access, orient, is well lit and safe.
HEALTH &SAFETY
Personally, I did not have any health or safety concerns in Rotterdam or the Netherlands at all. Holland is a very clean, safe, modern country with all emergency facilities and personnel easily accessible. Rotterdam specifically, is also a very safe city. As usual, one should use city common sense and be aware of their surroundings, but bike riding or walking home at night is relatively safe. If needed, taxis are also available. The only slight safety concern one may have surrounds the south side of Rotterdam. Most students and residents told us that it was a “bad” part of town and that one should not walk there alone. However, upon further lone exploration, Rotterdam’s south side is beautiful suburbia compared to U-District in Seattle.
PROGRAM/STUDENT TYPE
Student Type:
In order to go on the RSM Erasmus University exchange, this type of student must be severely independent, outgoing, open to the unknown, flexible, able to quickly adjust to a new situation, considerate, friendly and prepared for an experience of a lifetime. This student does not need to know any Dutch. This particular program and its location is very suitable for English speakers. Most RSM students are from non-Dutch countries and English is the only shared language. Further, almost all Dutchmen under the age of 40 know English. It is a very comfortable environment.
OVERALL EXPERIENCE
Expectations: My expectations for this trip were to submerse myself in a new culture and experience international business with another nation’s perspective. I received this and so, so, so much more. I was able to interact with the Dutch everyday with little complication. I was offered an amazing education from professors who have taught all over the world and bring real world experience with them everyday. Case studies and local companies like Unilever, were used to help me understand the global scope of the business world in a completely new and very practical manner. With classmates from all over the world, I was able to hear about all kinds of business cultures and practices from almost every nation, every single day. The entire experience was one that I would strongly recommend to any global minded business student.
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