 Deciding to study abroad is not only choosing a new university, but also a new country and therefore a new home. And in your case, the Netherlands will be your new home, at least for a few years. And of course, we want you to have the time of your life here. So in this video, we will explain what life as an international student in the Netherlands can be like. Let's start with an important practical matter. After you have moved to the Netherlands, you will need to register with the municipality of the city that you live in. This is really important because if you don't do it, you could get a fine. After you have registered with the municipality, you will receive your so-called BSM. There is your unique citizen service number that you will need for a lot of official matters in the Netherlands and for things like applying for a job. At the international office, we can help you with making an appointment at the city hall. You will get more information about that after your arrival. And we will help you in any way we can, but please note that it's always your own responsibility to be officially registered in the Netherlands. Well, that was the boring official part. Let's get on with the more personal part about living in the Netherlands. How to connect with people and make new friends. What color is this card? Red, right? Well, not exactly. You forgot to consider my perspective. And exactly that is what can happen when people from different backgrounds meet. And you will probably meet a lot of them while living in the Netherlands. Of course, speaking the same language definitely helps to understand each other. Luckily, the Netherlands is one of the top English-speaking countries worldwide, with more than 90% of the population speaking English. Communication shouldn't really be a problem then. However, we strongly recommend you to learn Dutch as well during your time at Saksen. Not only will this increase your job opportunities during and after your studies, but it also helps you to connect with Dutch people in a much more personal way. There are language courses at Saksen for our international students, so you should definitely take a look at them. But even when you master the Dutch language, you could stumble upon some cultural differences. And the following is probably the most notorious one, the Dutch directness. The Dutch are known for saying exactly what they think even when they're not asked for their opinion. Some say it's written overwhelming, others say it's nice because it's honest and open. The Dutch openness is definitely a nice part about living in the Netherlands. As you can just be like you are, and you will be accepted like that no matter what. Either way, you should prepare yourself by learning about the differences to your home country, so that you have the right expectations. There are lots of videos about the Dutch culture, which will definitely broaden your horizon and help you in connecting with people. Connecting with people is definitely an important thing. It's always good to have friends around you, with whom you can share experiences and new impressions, but also to whom you can talk to when you are homesick or having challenging times in your studies. But how do you make friends when living in the Netherlands? Well, just by going out and having a great time. You should start by taking part in our introduction week for all the first year students right before your studies start. Another great way to get to know new people are our study associations. Those are groups of students who organize parties and other free-time activities, which are often related to the field of your study program. You should definitely check them out. Click the link in the description. Throughout the year, there are also many events at Saxon, like sports or cultural events. A perfect opportunity to socialize, have fun and meet new people. The most important thing is to not be afraid. Dutch people are open and welcoming, and moreover, there are way more international students like you who also want new friends. Well, that was it for now. Don't forget to check out the links in the description if you want to know more about Dutch culture. See you in the next video.