Scope on the Globe

During your study at HU, there are many enriching opportunities for an international experience that will give you a taste of a different culture, where you can meet new people and maybe even learn a new language. It will benefit your personal development as well as your study career.

If the situation allows it, you can of course study abroad at one of our partner universities or do an internship at a foreign company, but you can also gain international experience right here in The Netherlands by doing an international minor, a summer school or become part of an international student organization.

On this page you can explore your options.

Study Abroad

If you want to study abroad, the first step is orientation. HU has a large number of partner universities to choose from, which you can find on our Partner University Portal.

To study at a partner university in the academic year 2024-2025, you need to apply between 4 January and 1 February 2024.

Are you going on study abroad within Europe? In that case you are probably eligible to receive an Erasmus+ Grant for Study!

Internship abroad

An internship abroad is a great way to experience a different work environment and gain international experience!

Are you going on internship abroad within Europe? In that case you might be eligible to receive an Erasmus+ Grant for Internship!

When you are going for a stay abroad outside of Europe, some institutes also offer the Holland Scholarship.

Grants and Scholarships

International minors in The Netherlands

Are you internationally minded, but unable or unwilling to go abroad for a full semester? Fortunately, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy an international experience!

You can for instance take an internationally-oriented HU minor. Most of these are taught in English and are open to international exchange students, which means that you will be studying in an intercultural classroom.

HU Minors

If you want to choose an international minor at a different higher education institution in the Netherlands, you can search on the Kies Op Maat (KOM) website.

KOM Minors

Summerschool possibilities

You can also combine your summer holidays with the study of a subject you are interested in during a summer school at a university abroad, or right here in the Netherlands.

These courses usually last a few weeks. You can also sign up for a course at the Utrecht Summer School and study together with international students from around the globe.

International Student Organisations

You can also gain international experience by becoming part of international student organizations.

You can, for instance, become a buddy or mentor for international students studying at HU with Buddy Go Dutch or the Erasmus Student Network (ESN), and help international students find their way around Utrecht and Utrecht Science Park.

Options per Institute

Do you want to know the possibilities within your study program with regard to international experience? Then please check your institute page.

You can also contact the study abroad coordinator of your study programme to help you orientate more focused.

After you graduate

Would you like to go abroad after graduation? Here are some of the options.

Continue with a Master’s degree or research at a university abroad. Students who have the Dutch nationality could be eligible for a grant from VSBfonds to help finance this (partially).

You could also choose to take a Gap year first and go travelling, do voluntary work or take a language course abroad.

Or you can try to find a job abroad.