What do you look for when choosing where to study abroad? Kristin sought a “place to feel calm while studying — somewhere green, clean, and peaceful,” she says. Coming from a smaller town, Julia from Germany didn’t want to relocate to big cities like Amsterdam or Rotterdam. Instead, she shortlisted universities located in smaller towns with course descriptions that appealed to her.
They both decided on Radboud University, where students leave feeling more prepared for their careers than those at any other Dutch university, while also rating its student guidance and programme atmosphere highly (National Student Survey 2026).
The university may have caught Julia’s attention first, but it didn’t take long for the city of Nijmegen, the oldest in Netherlands, to win her over. “As a city, it is peaceful, but at the same time, there is always something to do, which also makes it exciting when you want it to be! That balance is something I quickly learned about.”
Below, Julia and Kristin share what makes Nijmegen a great place to study and live.
At Radboud University, your classes, study spaces, and more are all within walking distance. Source: Radboud University
Green spaces, good coffee, and plenty to do
You could easily spend an entire day at Radboud University’s green Heyendaal campus. With everything close together, you’re never far from a café, restaurant, supermarket, or somewhere to work out. And when the weather is good, there are plenty of reasons to head outside. Lawns with picnic tables, wooded areas, and a large park sit between the campus buildings. In the summer, Julia especially enjoys “the grass outside for sunbathing and fresh air.”
Prefer to spend your free time being more active? Radboud University offers over 80 sports and cultural activities on campus, so there’s always something new to explore. “The sports centre also has a sports bar, where I love spending time after working out — whether that’s grabbing a protein shake or protein beer, playing a round of billiards, or enjoying the terrace during summer,” Julia adds.
And student life doesn’t stop when you leave the Heyendaal campus.
Small-city charm with a lot going on
Whether your ideal weekend involves a festival, a good meal (or several), some time outdoors, or exploring somewhere new, Nijmegen has it all. “You certainly experience its motto, ‘Old City, Young Vibe,’” says Julia.
It’s an easy description to understand once you start exploring. The city is home to green parks, museums, and theatres, as well as open-air festivals. “It has a really nice charm, and there’s always something to do. There are plenty of student discounts and initiatives, and the city is really young,” says Julia. “You could say it’s the best of both worlds.”
With so much to see and do, the good news is that getting around Nijmegen is easy. For Kristin, a bike is usually all she needs. “It is the quickest and most convenient form of transport,” she says. For trips beyond the city, simply swap two wheels for a train; you can even cross the border into Germany.
Nijmegen may be the oldest city in the Netherlands, but with its young, international crowd, it certainly doesn’t feel stuck in the past. Source: Radboud University
Come to study, find somewhere to belong
Moving somewhere new can come with one big question: how am I going to make friends? In Nijmegen, English is widely spoken, and with more than 45,000 other students studying across the city, there are many ways to meet new people.
Kristin met some great people during the introduction week itself. “Later on, I got involved with sports clubs and attended practices regularly — this proximity made it very easy to make friends,” she says.
It helps when the city makes settling in easier too. Compared to larger cities in the Netherlands, Nijmegen is one of the more affordable student cities, with rooms ranging from US$406 to US$754 (350 euros to 650 euros) per month.
“Living in Nijmegen was one of the best decisions I made for my academic journey. The city is quiet and safe, so I could relax and focus on my work,” says Kristin.
Julia has grown equally attached to Nijmegen. “Even if I do end up moving away, the city will always have a special place in my heart,” she says.
Could you see yourself studying and living in Nijmegen? Stay up to date or join a virtual or in-person event to discover more.
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