Studying in Amsterdam by Anna, 2nd year student

Hello potential students in Amsterdam!

My name is Anna and I’m a 20-year-old student at Team Academy Amsterdam. As an international student from Germany, I found that moving to Amsterdam was a big change for me, even though it’s only a 2-hour drive from my hometown.

Before I started studying here, I used to visit Amsterdam occasionally with my friends for a weekend, but I never really saw the city as anything more than just a tourist destination with coffee shops, pubs, and canals. That’s why I never thought of studying here, but Team Academy convinced me and I’m glad I made the choice.

In just one semester, I discovered that Amsterdam has so much more to offer beyond the typical tourist attractions. Despite being the largest city in the Netherlands, it’s still relatively small with only about 900,000 citizens. This means everything is within a short distance and cycling is the preferred mode of transportation.

At first, cycling in Amsterdam may seem intimidating, but as long as you follow the rules and stay calm, you’ll quickly get used to it. Public transportation is also available, but cancellations and delays are common, especially with the tram.

I especially like going to the Jordaan and de Pijp. These districts are a bit more away from the crowds and offer a relaxed stroll through Amsterdam with small boutiques and cute cafés. Very popular and recommended are also the many small breakfasts in de Pijp, which is why you should definitely book in advance on weekends if possible to avoid long waits. You will find me most of the time either at the „ouef“ for a egg Benedict or at „Locals“ with some American pancakes;) 

De Pijp is also an excellent place to meet friends in the evening in one of the bars or restaurants to meet other students. In de Pijp you can also find my absolutely favourite Ramen Restaurant; „Takumi“, which you can easily recognise with the long queue in front…If you are looking for a
good spot to party, Leidseplein and Rembrandtsplein are the hotspots. This is where you’ll find most of the clubs, like Olive, Escape or Cocos Outback and there’s plenty going on until late at night. 

Ultimately, Amsterdam won me over with its friendly and welcoming atmosphere, the many small “secret spots” or hidden gems, and its diversity. It’s much more than just a weekend party destination, and I’m sure you’ll fall in love with it too. Studying in Amsterdam has been a great experience for me, and I hope you’ll also consider this vibrant city as your study destination.