Kostas (23), is in the Netherlands to do an internship for 9 months in R&D. He lives with a budget of €1,000 a month.
€1,000 a month sounds tight..or not?
Actually not at all, in my three months here I have even had a month in which I spent €800. I’m not really a party animal so I don’t spend too much on outings. I believe such a budget is totally doable.
Would you like to share your income and expenses?
Of course. My income is €500. Supplemented by savings from a summer job.
Expenses:
- Rent including GWE and internet: €500
- Health insurance: €120
- Groceries: €200
- Entertainment: 180
Wow, how did you find such a cheap accommodation?
With a bit of luck, persistence and lowering my standards. Initially I was looking for a studio. After a quick search I realized a studio with my income would be impossible. I looked for a student house. But I was getting rejected all the time. I was already looking for housing for six months and I had lost motivation. I thought I will never find a place to stay and I should cancel the internship. I contacted my internship supervisor and I asked if there is any way the company could help. He gave me the contact details of other students. One of them was leaving his room soon. I took over the lease. That meant that I could start with a two month delay on my internship. Both the company in the Netherlands and the university that I study were flexible. I am really grateful for this.
Tell me more about the house you live.
Beggars can’t be choosers! I am glad I found a place to live. Otherwise I would have to cancel my internship abroad. I have seven other roommates. Sometimes we had conflicts about the cleaning of shared spaces. Nonetheless, nothing could not be solved with some discussions. I really like it is close to the company that I work and I can commute by bike. Also shops are walking distance. All in all is a very good deal.
So you completely assimilated to the..Dutch transport system?
He he yes, I did what the other interns suggested. They told me to buy a cheap, ugly bike and a good lock. I walked in an second hand bike shop. I spent €70. Also I bought cloth protection for rain that costed about €25.
Has your lifestyle changed drastically in the Netherlands?
Less going out, more house parties. It’s not that different from student life back home. I also like that utilities are included in my rent, no separate bills for gas, water, and electricity. I do not go to the gym but I cycle a lot and I run, is free.
How much money do you save in a month?
Two of the three months I have been here I spent all my budget. I spent less in groceries but I decided to buy clothes. Last month I saved €200. It is not my plan to save during my internship but to not overspend.
Any tips you would like to give to students that would like to do internship in the Netherlands?
- Buy a good but old bike to avoid theft
- Look for student discounts, especially for health insurance and services like haircuts
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your internship supervisor or university
- Be flexible and open-minded when it comes to housing and lifestyle changes
Would you like to share your story? Get in touch at info@myexpatwallet.nl! The stories and budgets are real. The name, age, and nationality are fictional to protect the privacy of the persons concerned.
