“The only thing Groningen has to offer is cows and eierballen.” 

This statement could not be further from the truth. Yes, I must say, compared to cities like Amsterdam, Frankfurt, or London, Groningen may have more cows. However, even with the surrounding farmland, the city has so much to offer.

1. Where is Groningen? 

For those of you not too familiar with its location, Groningen is in the northern part of the Netherlands. The city is approximately 2 hours from Amsterdam and around 45 minutes from Leeuwarden (home to our Campus Fryslân!). It also borders Germany and is roughly three hours away from cities like Hamburg. 

2. Why Groningen?

Something you might hear a lot of people say is that Groningen is “small”, there is “nothing to do”, or “who even goes there?” At least these were the things I heard from my Dutch friends when I was applying to my Bachelor’s programme. After living here, though, I can confidently say they were wrong. 

One of the beauties of Groningen is how close everything is to one another. The city spans approximately 5 km from one end to the other, making even a 20-minute bike ride seem too long. Additionally, the public transport infrastructure is also top-notch (with the occasional hiccups, of course).

3. Why was Groningen coined the “Youngest city in the Netherlands”?

This title is one of pride. With 50% of inhabitants being under the age of 35 - I know you may be thinking “35?... young?” - a large portion of this group consists of students. This means the city is designed to support students and help them succeed!

From sports clubs to culture centres, there is truly something for everyone here! When you feel displaced in a new city, sports can be a bridge to making new friends and clearing your head.

There is a wide variety of sports offered. Groningen has approximately 50 different sports clubs, ranging from football to underwater hockey to fencing and many more. All the clubs are also affiliated with the ACLO (an umbrella organisation that also offers individual classes and sessions). You can decide to start your morning with Pilates or even Zumba. If they offer it, you can do it!

If you would rather connect through creative activities, the USVA might be just for you. You can join a choir, take part in a play or even learn how to paint using oil paints as your medium. You can meet other students or other people new to the city!

4. Nightlife in Groningen

Another thing that makes Groningen such a student city is its nightlife. Would you like a low-key night with friends? Most bars and clubs are about a 3-minute walk apart. You can park your bike at home or in one of the underground bike parking spaces and just walk around. Sometimes, you may even go out with friends, without planning anything, and find yourself not getting home until 4 am.

5. A place for learning

Now that I’ve highlighted the more social aspects of studying in Groningen, it is also important to focus on the educational aspects. The city is our campus. This means that every corner has a University building, and almost every faculty also has its own library/study spots.

Personally, I enjoy studying in the UBs study rooms; however, others may prefer one of the many cafes in the city or even one of the faculty study spots. The first couple of months are the best time to see for yourself what the best place to study is!