Learning Dutch

The good news? Almost everyone here speaks English, and you’ll quickly notice that people switch to English without hesitation. Because of this, many international students don’t feel an immediate need to learn Dutch.

But even learning a little Dutch can open doors for you. It helps you navigate daily life more easily, connect with local people, and understand Dutch culture from the inside. People genuinely appreciate it when you try, and it often makes making friends and building a network much easier.

Knowing some Dutch is also incredibly helpful, sometimes even necessary, if you want to do an internship or find a (part-time) job during your studies. And later, when you’re looking for a full-time position after graduation, having Dutch on your CV will definitely give you an advantage.

To prepare for your stay, you can start learning some basic Dutch. These free or low-cost apps make it easy to get started:

• Duolingo
• Babbel

Once you’re in The Netherlands, you’ll find plenty of options to continue learning:

• Ask about Dutch language courses at HU with your study career coach or the International Office. 
• Check how HU’s Student Support Centre can help you.
• Take Dutch evening classes in Utrecht at Babel.
• Join the free Language Café Utrecht.
• Follow a beginners’ course with other international students via ESN Utrecht.
• Take an online class through Taalthuis.
• If you’re studying International Business at HU, you can choose Dutch as an elective from your first year (starting at beginners level).