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The International City: Discover the 180 nationalities of Amsterdam

Tue 25 Jul 2017

Amsterdam is famed for its warm welcome and hospitality. Find out more about the Amsterdam’s in-ternational outlook, its 180 nationalities and how this could have a positive impact on your studies.

With its densely populated centre criss-crossed by many canals, Amsterdam draws visitors from all over the globe. At first glance, it’s clear to see that it’s a popular destination; it has a rich culture, busy nightlife and lots of opportunities. It has a thriving international community and its welcoming atmosphere means that many global businesses and students alike have put their roots down here.

It attracts over 7 million international travellers every year (according to Wikitravel) and is home to over 2,900 international companies (according to The Drum). English is the city’s unofficial second language while the city’s streets are peppered with international bookstores, libraries and cultural activities.

Some of the biggest brands in the world have set up headquarters in Amsterdam. Internet connection speeds are almost as speedy as train connections; the city is very switched on to inviting the international community to make its home there. But it has a distinctively international feel and tolerance which continues to attract people from across the world.

A history of warm welcomes

This welcoming atmosphere stems from a history of encouraging people from abroad to settle in Amsterdam, dating back to 1275. The Dutch capital attracted academics and creatives who fled their own countries in pursuit of more liberal environment, making it a hot-bed of diversity.

Over the centuries, Amsterdam has been a refuge for those fleeing persecution too. This mass migration has paved the way for the international outlook we see in the city nowadays. As languages, faiths and knowledge spread, the city has grown more tolerant, and more diverse.

This has had huge benefits for the city’s trade, as connections grew. It became the hub of publishing - indeed, many texts banned in other countries were published by Dutch printers, due to its liberal values.

As a result there is a culture today of liberalism, international collaboration and exchange. We see this in the form of many exchange programmes, including the University Pathways Programme, which allows students to live and study in the city itself. It’s a melting pot of people, ideas and experiences, which only serves to continue to attract a diverse crowd.

Home to 180 nationalities

It is this very history that underpins the diverse city you see today; a city that is home to over 180 nationalities. Amsterdam’s is a place where minds meet, no matter where they’re from.

At a time when Europe faces a rise in nativism, Amsterdam’s international outlook offers much-needed respite. Today, 1 in 10 students in Holland is an international student (according to studyinholland.nl), showing that the city is continuing to attract people from all over the world.

This range of backgrounds coupled with Amsterdam’s high levels of tolerance make it an excellent place to live and study. Find out more about the 180 nationalities project here.

How Amsterdam’s international outlook can improve the study experience

The intellectual and cultural curiosity that has spanned Amsterdam’s history is very much a part of day-to-day life now. This is present in the education system, offering excellent study opportunities. Many courses are taught in English, for example.

According to iamsterdam.com, more than 6000 students from 127 countries enrolled in a Bachelor or Master’s programme in the previous year. This internationalism is particularly evidence in the arts and creative industries. Most students arrive from Germany, Italy, Greece, China and the UK, but the city attracts students from all over the globe.

Such a big student population offers students room to learn not just academically, but also from peers from different backgrounds and places. Students can meet new friends from across the world.

On a practical level, the many international shops, cafes and markets means that students are never far from the familiar. Amsterdam offers all the excitement of living abroad with the warm welcome that makes you feel instantly at home.

Find out more about the ONCAMPUS courses being offered in Amsterdam giving you the opportunity to study in this eclectic city. Click here


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