
Useful |
0
“Leiden Archaeology: Elite Playground, Working-Class Nightmare”
A S
Belgium, Undergraduate
, 2020
Overall
I studied Archaeology at Leiden as a first-generation, neurodivergent, international student from an immigrant working-class background. Tuition and housing were struggles. As for the facilities: the library is decent most labs most labs are limited to visual analysis with almost no opportunities for bio-chemical or direct research. The exams mostly consist out of standardized multiple-choice exams which disadvantage neurodivergent students, and actual mentorship is non-existent.
Course selection still is limited and follows a “first-come-first serve” mentality which is unprofessional and limiting the students. Internships and field schools are often traumatic experiences for the students . The Archaeology student association TERRA was socially toxic during my time, dominated by attention-seeking bullies who slandered and exploited fellow students. Marginalized voices: including mine (because yes, the working class and intra-European immigrants also count as marginalized), were repeatedly silenced, and DEI committees and student support staff often failed to protect students while sometimes engaging in exclusionary or discriminatory (even racist) behaviour themselves. People decorate themselves with topics of social justice and redefining it in a way so that it only serves them. This raises significant questions about the state of affirmative action at a neoliberal/ conservative university that publicly claims to value inclusion.
Open discussion of Marxism and leftist perspectives is actively discouraged, making it clear that critical engagement with inequality is unwelcome in the faculty.
Leiden is the perfect environment for rich, conservative students who failed to get into Oxford or Cambridge. They have failed so hard that they now have to step on the people from below, taking opportunities from ordinary people and the proletariat. The system reproduces inequality, elitism, and capitalist logic at every turn, and field schools, internships, TERRA, and other social structures often reinforce this hierarchy.
“The higher nobility struggles against the monarchy, the bureaucrat against the nobility, and the bourgeois against them all, while the proletariat already begins to find itself struggling against the bourgeoisie.” —Marx, 1844
Read more >
Careers
Regarding the career office, guidance was available only if you actively requested it which is a significant barrier for first-generation students who may not know how or feel comfortable seeking help. The service should be far more proactive. We had orientation in our second year was lackluster at best, consisting of a reading of memorized information with no dynamic engagement or real preparation for students’ futures. During my time, many students obtained jobs through supervisors or staff who abused their positions within the faculty, reflecting a culture of nepotism. Six years after graduation, I still do not have a job.
Read more >
Pros
Beautiful city of Leiden and generally kind locals Pretty faculty buildings and a decent library
Cons
Tuition, housing, and food are expensive; labs are limited; exams disadvantage neurodivergent students; mentorship and career guidance are minimal. Field schools, internships, and social structures favor wealthy, conservative students, and DEI programs of

Useful |
0
anonymous
China University of Mining & Technology Beijing, Beijing, China
Computer Science / IT, Graduate, Independent
Languages
Language of instruction: English
Local language was: Different than language of instruction
Was learning English a key decision factor?
No, it wasn't.
Was learning the local language a key decision factor?
No, it wasn't.
How much did you improve your English?
My level before: Did not speak it
My level after: Basic phrases
How much did you improve your the local language?
My level before: Did not speak it
My level after: Basic phrases
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
Most people in the Netherlands speak English more or less, and I picked up languages quite well too. I thus do not have the problems communicating with them here. :)
Read more >

Useful |
0
anonymous
China University of Mining & Technology Beijing, Beijing, China
Computer Science / IT, Graduate, Independent
Overall
I wish I had known...
I would like to learn Dutch. It would be rather a pity to I that after staying here for several years without speaking the language of this country.
Read more >
In my opinion:
I loved it but I'm not sure everybody would.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
Well, though I did have some difficulte times here, I do enjoy my life here in this university, and in this city, through which I have learned a lot to sharpen my academical skills and shape my characters.
Read more >
During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career