Are you already making preparations for your upcoming move to Groningen this fall? I understand how thrilling such an opportunity can be, but moving to a different country, let alone a new city, often presents its own set of challenges. Therefore, I would like to provide you with some essential tips and recommendations to ensure your move goes smoothly and successfully. 

Hi! I am an Indian student here at RUG, and the tips I provide today come from my personal experience.  Take a moment to consider these essential factors, as they will undoubtedly contribute to a smoother and more enjoyable experience as you settle into your new life in Groningen!

1- Check your acceptance thoroughly to see if the university requires anything else from you. Is it a provisional or conditional acceptance? It is important to understand what kind of acceptance letter you received from the university. If it is a conditional letter, chances are that you have either applied with an incomplete list of scores from your previous education, or the university requires further documents regarding your studies. On the other hand, if you receive a provisional acceptance letter, this means that the university needs certified copies of your scores, degree or diploma sent from your previous educational institution. Personally, when I had mailed my certified documents, it took a month for them to reach the university. If you have completed these steps already, then you are set to receive a decree of admission!

2- If you’re a Non-EU student like me, then make sure to have submitted your fees and proof of sufficient funds to obtain your visa/MVV and residence permit. After receiving the decree of admission, the ISD will apply for a visa/MVV on your behalf. In order for them to do so, you are first required to have paid your tuition fee and also provide proof of funds along with the visa application and application fee. You will only acquire the Residence Permit if the ISD applies on your behalf as the educational institution is needed to sponsor your visa.

3- I would strongly recommend not to book your flight tickets before securing your Visa. It's important to keep in mind that this is the busiest season, and the visa process can take some time. For example, when I applied for my Visa, I had to wait 2 weeks for the earliest appointment, then another 16 days to receive my visa in the mail. This could vary from embassy to embassy or consulate to consulate. Ideally, you should have already taken care of the previous steps. This also means that your visa application will either be under process or you'll have a confirmed appointment in the near future.

4- It's incredibly important to have a rental contract in place before you arrive in Groningen. This is essential for registering at the municipality and obtaining a Burgerservicenummer (BSN), regardless of whether you're a student from the EU/EEA or a non-EU country. I would like to highlight the current housing crisis in the Netherlands, and the university strongly advises you to consider not starting your studies here if you haven't secured accommodation by the 1st of August. To reduce unwanted added stress, I would suggest making sure to have a place to stay before you arrive in Groningen!

5- Another tip would be that you travel with international insurance from your home country, as it might take a moment to arrange for the Dutch student health insurance. I also had international coverage until I finalized my Dutch health insurance after arriving.

6- I would also highly recommend organizing all the necessary documents you might need during the initial two months of your stay in the Netherlands. For me, creating a dedicated folder for these documents proved to be extremely beneficial, while having physical printouts was especially useful. Take the time to carefully compile essential documents such as Passport, visa-related documents, insurances, proof of accommodation, and any other paperwork that may be relevant to your specific situation.

These are some things that I found to be a bit stressful during my transition, but getting through them step by step and then finally getting to come to Groningen was totally worth it! I also know this is a highly anticipated time so, I would definitely suggest you to keep these tips in mind to make the transition a bit easier for you as well. If you have any further questions, be sure to check out the FAQs on our website.