A Semester of Learning and Growth

Exchange experience in Rotterdam: Studying, living, and exploring diversity in the Netherlands

As part of her third semester in the Master’s program International Health and Social Management, Valentina is currently spending her exchange semester at the Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands. In this personal report, she shares her academic highlights, cultural impressions, and insights gained from overcoming challenges during her time abroad.

Academic Highlights – Learning through Real-World Experience

One of the highlights of my exchange was a Field Session as part of the Patient Centered Care Delivery course. We visited Zorgbalans De Moerberg in Ijmuiden, an elderly care organization in North Holland that provides both temporary and long-term residential care. Their approach focuses on promoting independence and re-ablement, for example through innovations like the Medido electronic medicine dispenser.

Our task was to interview staff and residents using, for example, the PCPI-S framework, exploring how principles of patient-centered care (such as shared decision-making, engagement, and empathy) are practiced in daily routines. Through this experience, I was able to apply key learning goals of the course: understanding the motivation for implementing patient-centered care, evaluating shared decision-making models, and recognizing the importance of interprofessional collaboration and community involvement in improving health outcomes.

Beyond the academic aspect, it was a meaningful and human experience. Talking with residents, some of whom shared their stories in their private rooms, gave me a deeper understanding of how culture, independence, and empathy intersect in healthcare. It made me feel truly connected and welcomed during my time abroad.

Cultural Impressions – Diversity and Belonging in Rotterdam

Reflecting more broadly on my time in the Netherlands, I can truly say that I have felt remarkably comfortable and at home. As a native German speaker, I was able to understand much of the Dutch language, which made everyday life easier and allowed me to adapt quickly to the local culture.

What left the strongest impression on me, however, were the cultural events and student initiatives at Erasmus University that celebrate diversity and inclusion. Because I plan to write my master’s thesis on LGBTQIA+ topics, I decided to actively participate in several related events and community gatherings. My aim was to gain first-hand, ethnographic insights and to better understand how inclusion and identity are experienced within this context. I was genuinely impressed and deeply delighted by how diversity is lived here—not merely discussed as an abstract value, but truly practiced in everyday interactions.

Overcoming Challenges – Learning to Adapt and Stay Resilient

Of course, every exchange experience comes with its challenges. For me, the most significant one was adapting to an unexpectedly demanding course. Initially, I was supposed to take Health Economics as part of the Health Care Management master’s program, which is designed to provide more foundational knowledge with a slower pace and less emphasis on complex calculations. However, I was informed that this course overlapped too much with another one I was taking. As a result, I was advised to join the Health Economics course offered within the Health Economics and Law master’s program, which turned out to be considerably more advanced (the course would move quickly, assume prior knowledge in economics, and include a more challenging exam).

To overcome this challenge, I made a conscious effort to stay positive and proactive. I reached out to the program coordinators, who were extremely supportive and encouraged me to communicate openly with the teaching staff. I regularly asked questions in class, participated actively in discussions, and dedicated extra time to reviewing the literature and lecture materials. I also took advantage of additional resources, such as recorded videos and supplementary explanations for students with less prior knowledge.

Advice for Future Exchange Students – Prepare, Stay Calm, Stay Curious

Finally, if I could offer advice to future exchange students, it would be to prepare early and stay calm throughout the process. First and foremost, book an appointment at Rotterdam City Hall well in advance to register and obtain your BSN (citizen service number). This number is essential for many administrative tasks and the process can take several weeks.

Next, make sure to arrange health insurance and register with a general practitioner (GP) before you actually need one. In the Netherlands, GPs only accept patients who live within their local area, and if you wait until you are ill, it might be too late to find one who can take you.

In terms of academics, I recommend spending at least a week before the semester starts reviewing key readings and familiarizing yourself with the first course materials. Classes tend to be very reading-intensive, so practicing skimming techniques (learning to identify main ideas and arguments efficiently) can be extremely helpful.

Above all, keep a relaxed and positive mindset. Studying abroad inevitably brings challenges, but with good preparation, openness, and curiosity, it becomes an incredibly rewarding and transformative experience.

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