A forward-looking country, proud of its past
Windmills, tulips and clogs. That’s probably what comes to mind when you think of the Netherlands. And those icons remain close to the nation’s heart. But they don’t play a big part in modern life. The Netherlands is an advanced, vibrant, multicultural land. It is quite small, but has a population of more than 16 million, making it one of the most densely populated countries in the world.
Visiting the Netherlands
Open and easy-going
You won’t find Dutch people stand-offish. They are open, tolerant and happy to chat, especially to people from abroad. Nearly everyone here speaks at least a little English, and many people are proficient in other languages too. The Dutch love to socialise in cafés, bars and restaurants, and they really enjoy their sport. Students from other countries normally settle in quickly and enjoy their stay.
Studying in the Netherlands
Dutch culture
Study finder
Zwolle
Windesheim is in Zwolle, a provincial capital northeast of the country’s geographic centre. With a population of over 110,000, Zwolle is an economic hub with a rich history. At its heart, cobbled streets thread their way between great churches and imposing monuments to the city’s mercantile past. Around this inner district is a dynamic modern town. Large enough to provide all the amenities of twenty-first century life, yet small enough to keep them close at hand.
Zwolle map
More about Zwolle
Lots to do
Zwolle is a thriving cultural centre, with a lively café scene. Windesheim students have their own pub, Het Vliegende Paard, with Internet access and good food at reasonable prices. Zwolle frequently hosts major national and international events, including festivals and concerts. The city also has plenty of venues, attractions and sports facilities that are open all year round.
Check out Het Vliegende Paard’s website
Getting around
Because the Netherlands is small, you never have far to go. Even our two most distant cities –Groningen in the north and Maastricht in the south – are only about 300 kilometres apart; that’s less than 200 miles. Amsterdam, one of the world’s great capitals, is just an hour from Zwolle by train. Most of the country is served by efficient, cheap public transport. And, being so flat, with bike paths everywhere, the Netherlands is cyclist’s paradise.
Rail travel planner