Student life at Leiden University extends beyond academic study through a wide range of social, cultural and extracurricular opportunities. Students share their experiences of orientation weeks, student associations, sports, volunteering and university events, offering an insight into different ways to become part of the university community. Their experiences show how university life can combine academic studies with meeting new people and exploring activities outside the classroom.

What Is Student Life Like Outside Your Studies?

Leiden University students can explore a variety of social and cultural activities alongside their studies. One student describes participating in a play, spending time with friends and attending some of the many cultural events taking place around the university.

Different organisations regularly arrange events, allowing students to choose activities that match their own interests.

Join Student and Study Associations

Student associations can become an important part of both social and academic life at Leiden. Students in the video discuss participating in international student organisations as well as associations connected to their academic programmes. One Art History student served on the board of their study association and helped organise academic trips. Students travelled with professors and fellow Art History students to destinations including Vienna, Edinburgh and Vilnius.

Explore Sports and Other Activities

Sports communities provide opportunities to stay active while connecting with other students. Students describe taking part in university football and organised surfing events.

One student is also secretary of the sports committee within their association. The group organises activities ranging from surfing events to film screenings, with further events planned throughout the year. Students can explore other interests too, including activities such as cooking classes.

Get Involved in Volunteering

Volunteering can provide another way to become involved outside academic studies. One student shares their experience volunteering with UNICEF and their plans to continue participating in volunteering activities. Opportunities like these can allow students to explore personal interests while gaining experiences beyond their degree programme.

Make the Most of Orientation Week

Orientation Week can help new students discover the university, their city and the wider student community. Several students describe their orientation experiences as an important part of beginning their studies. One student attended HOP Week in The Hague, where activities introduced participants to the city through restaurants, clubs, parties and barbecues.

Learn More About Your Programme

Orientation also provides practical academic information for new students. During introductory activities for Bachelor’s programmes, students received guidance about their schedules and study programmes. One student describes the process as highly organised, including bracelets identifying different study programmes, which helped them navigate their first days without feeling lost.

Meet New People From the Beginning

Orientation can also provide an early opportunity to form friendships. One student describes it as one of the best decisions they made when beginning university and says they remain friends with many of the people from their original orientation group.

Other students similarly highlight the social side of the experience and how it helped them learn more about university life.

Discover Associations Early

Information events during orientation can introduce students to associations and extracurricular opportunities from the beginning. Students describe the information market as particularly useful for discovering the range of organisations available. Exploring these opportunities early can make it easier for new students to identify communities and activities that match their interests.

The experiences shared by Leiden University students show how student life can combine academic study with social activities, sports, volunteering and student associations. From Orientation Week onwards, students can discover their university and city, form new friendships and explore extracurricular opportunities that reflect their interests.

How StudyNet Can Help?

StudyNet supports students exploring Leiden University and other international study opportunities. StudyNet Group can help you compare universities and programmes, understand your options and navigate the next stages of the international university application process.

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