Elena welcomes you to Breda
The 19-year-old Elena has been living in a room at Haagdijk for two years now and is studying Tourism at Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUas). Although she could also have studied in Rotterdam, Breda felt like the right choice from the very beginning. And she has not regretted it for a moment.
Small enough to feel at home
Elena comes from a small village where there are no universities nearby. When she had to make a study choice, she hesitated between Rotterdam and Breda. "In the end, Breda simply suited me much better. It’s a bit smaller, but you do have all the facilities of a big city." According to her, this makes it the ideal student city. "Everything is within easy reach. Whether you go to school, want to go into the city, or meet friends, you can basically do everything by bike."
Studying in Your Own Way
For a good study session, Elena has several favourite spots. "I prefer studying on the BUas campus or just in my room. But also De Nieuwe Veste or Valkenbergpark are nice places when the weather is good." It’s that variety, she says, that makes studying in Breda pa
International friendships
One of the biggest surprises since she has been living in Breda is the people she has met. "BUas has many international students and I really like that. Because of that, I have made friends from all kinds of different countries." Outside the lecture halls, there are plenty of opportunities to meet new people too. "I am involved with ESN Breda. Various activities are organised there, and the nice thing is that Dutch students are also welcome."
Cozy Atmosphere in the City
If Elena had to name a few favourite spots in Breda, Valkenberg Park would be high on her list. "Maybe it's not really a hidden gem, but it remains a really nice place to sit and relax." She also believes Irish pubs shouldn't be missing. "There's always a gezellig atmosphere there. They are places where you easily meet up with friends."
These are Elena’s tips: Make use of what Breda has to offer.
For new students, Elena has a few practical tips:
1. ESN Breda
"Take a look at ESN Breda's Instagram. It's really a great way to quickly meet new people, including international students."
And finally, she has one warning that many students from Breda will probably recognise:
2. Watch your bike
"Don't just leave your bike anywhere, but use a bike parking. Otherwise, there's a good chance it will suddenly be gone."
They also welcome you
Curious about more student stories & tips? Read the stories of Pip, Fenna, and Robin here. They'll show you the way!
Are/were you also a student in Breda?
Are you or have you been in a student in Breda just like Pip? Let us know!
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