Inflation, rising energy costs, rent that is too high: today’s student faces a lot of monetary problems. Especially international students have headaches, became apparent on Monday after walking around the introduction market.

The Dutch freshmen of today are the last generation with a study loan. Meanwhile, more inflation and higher energy costs cause everything to become more expensive. How much do students worry about money? And about what part exactly?

Lynn Widdershoven (19) and Meike de Vries (18) think plenty about money. They’re both from the south of Limburg and are still looking for a room. ‘The few rooms that are available, are very expensive’, Widdershoven states. ‘But you don’t have much choice.’

De Vries nods. ‘Groceries are expensive as well. At the moment we don’t have to buy those – since we still live at home – but that time will come. I’m not looking forward to it.’

Pay attention

Jeroen Lamers (20) starts laughing when asked how much he spends. ‘Yeah, a lot’, he admits. He is a second-year student and has been studying for a year now. ‘I go out about twice a week. Each night I spend at least 40 euros. That adds up.’

‘If my expenses suddenly go up one day, I have a problem’

He notices that everything is becoming more expensive. ‘Last year you paid 10 euros for a pitcher of beer (usually 1,8 litres, ed.) at De Professor, that is now 12,50 euros. And I still would like to find a room and live on my own. I’m currently borrowing 150 euros, so that will have to go up a lot. But if pay attention well, everything should turn out okay.’

Lamers already does that: he orders less food and cooks more himself. He also pays attention to the prices in grocery stores. ‘I’m not too worried about everything. It will be okay.’

More worries

Many international students do not have that attitude. Sara Coca Oteo (18) for example. She is from Spain and is starting her second study (psychology) at Radboud University this year. There is no loan for internationals, so she has to do everything herself.

‘My parents pay my rent, but they can’t do much more’, says Coca Oteo. ‘So I work in a bar for 30 hours a week. I can only just make ends meet. But if my expenses suddenly go up one day, I have a problem.’

‘I was shocked when I walked into the supermarket’

That was a case not too long ago. For an English test, Coca Oteo had to travel to Amsterdam. The test and train ticket cost 200 euros, which caused her monthly expenses to be much higher than normal. ‘In the end, my parents stepped in. But that is exactly what the problem is: I can not save and thus have little freedom. It is pretty hard sometimes.’

Parents are paying

The Bulgarian Neveua Stoyauova (18) shares these worries. For now, her parents pay for everything, soon she will have to find a job herself. ‘I first want to get to know the city and get used to life here’, says first-year philosophy, politics, and society student. ‘But eventually I want to become independent.’

Her main issue: because the Netherlands uses a different currency, everything is twice as expensive compared to Bulgaria. ‘I was shocked when I walked into the supermarket. And you can’t do anything about it. Luckily my rent is not too bad, even though it still a major expense. I hope I find a side job soon. That can be quite complicated for international students.’

Fortunately, Coca Oteo can reassure her. ‘Finding a job will be okay. And indeed, you will become independent and self-reliant. That is great.’

Translated by Jan Scholten