Universiteit Utrecht

the banking system is either expensive (normal banks) or provide a very low quality of service (post office bank)

the language of instruction is English. i havelearned to read and write in English before learning to do so in my maternal language so that English is almost my native language. This is ideal in a country such as Holland. it is not merely a fairy tale, everyone there really does speak English (and many speak French as well). Considering, the discovery of a new language never a flaw, I prefered to go on exchange in a country where my main activities would be in English having the opportunity to learn a bit of a new llanguage such as Dutch.

Utrecht is a very agreable city to live in and to learn in. If you have a chance to settle your accomodation in advance, I warmly advice you to do so. I had very good accomodation during the first three months. However at the moment I have to move places which, regardless of the nuisance it mght bring, is a place which is not as good as the first one where I could live more independently.

between McOconnel's the Irish pub, the Jazz places, Parnasos, choices are endless. so many places to see and cozy places to go to.

The Netherlands is very well known for its difficult accomodation. Utrecht is all the mre a sensitive place on this issue. It is extremely difficult to find housing. Native students are on waiting lists for three or four years! Most of the housing is with shared toilets and bathroom. I have just left my first accomodation living-in with the landlord and now, after three months, the housing office has found me a place where I share sanitaries with six other people. I hope I will find something else soon but for the moment it will do.