Spending the holidays as an international student in the Netherlands often feels different from what you imagined. Your days might look quieter, your routines slower, and your city a little emptier. While many people head home for the season, others stay, building a version of the holidays that looks a bit more low-key but just as meaningful.

Whether you are staying because flights are expensive, the break is short, or your housing situation makes travelling complicated, you are far from alone. Every year, many international students spend the holidays in the Netherlands, navigating a mix of calm moments, reflection, and unexpected positives.

This is what the holiday season is really like for international students here, including the challenges, but also the small moments that often make it more enjoyable than expected.

When Going Home Is Not an Option

For many international students, going home for the holidays is not always realistic. Flights can be costly, visa situations may limit travel, or the break may simply be too short.

While staying behind can feel unfamiliar at first, it also comes with space to slow down. Without the pressure of travelling or packed schedules, the holidays can become a time to recharge, reflect, and reconnect with yourself. Missing home is natural, but it does not mean the season has to feel empty.

Many students find comfort in simple routines during this time. Cooking a favourite meal, planning regular calls with family, or setting aside time for rest can help the days feel grounded and intentional.

The Netherlands Gets Very Quiet

During the holidays, student cities in the Netherlands change pace. Campuses close, lectures pause, and daily life feels noticeably calmer. Administrative offices often slow down too, which can be inconvenient if you need something arranged quickly.

At the same time, the quieter atmosphere gives the city a different kind of charm. Streets feel less rushed, cafés are calmer, and there is more room to enjoy everyday moments. For some students, this becomes one of the most peaceful periods of the year, a chance to recover from a busy semester before everything starts again.

Housing Stress Does Not Disappear in December

Unfortunately, housing problems do not take a holiday break. December is a particularly tricky month for student housing in the Netherlands. Contracts often end before the year does, while new rooms start in January. This leaves many students stuck in an uncomfortable in-between situation.

Trying to subrent last minute, paying rent for a room you are not even in, or waiting for replies from people who are already offline for the holidays can be stressful. On top of that, housing scams tend to increase during this period, using urgency and holiday pressure to seem more convincing.

When everything else slows down, uncertainty around housing can feel bigger. That is why having verified information and clear agreements matters even more during the holidays, when fixing mistakes quickly is not always possible.

Creating Your Own Version of the Holidays

Spending the holidays abroad does not mean you have to skip them entirely. Many international students create their own smaller traditions, such as cooking food from home, organising a low-key dinner with friends who are also staying, or simply treating the time as a reset moment.

Some people travel within the Netherlands or nearby countries, while others stay in and enjoy the quiet. There is no “right” way to spend the holidays as an international student. The best approach is the one that feels manageable and comfortable for you.

If You’re Staying in the Netherlands, Here Are a Few Simple Ideas

If you are spending the holidays here, having a loose plan can help the days feel less empty without putting pressure on yourself. Some simple ideas many students find helpful include:

Planning one small activity per day, such as a walk, a gym session, or a café visit.
Hosting or joining a casual dinner with friends who are also staying.
Exploring your city without the usual crowds, from museums to neighbourhood walks.
Taking a short trip within the Netherlands or nearby countries without overplanning.
Using the quiet time to rest, clean your space, or reset before the new semester.

You do not need to turn the holidays into something big. Sometimes making them calm and steady is already enough.

Planning Ahead Makes Things Easier

If there is one thing that really helps during the holiday season, it is planning ahead. Knowing exactly when your contract ends, whether registration is guaranteed, and how subrenting works can make a big difference when offices are closed and responses are slow.

This is where access to verified student housing and transparent agreements can remove a lot of unnecessary stress. RentSwap focuses on verified rooms and clear arrangements, helping students avoid last-minute surprises, especially during busy periods like December. Whether you are staying, subrenting, or preparing to move in the new year, having things sorted early gives you peace of mind when you need it most.

You’re Not the Only One Staying

If you are spending the holidays in the Netherlands this year, you are not alone. Many international students are doing the same, balancing housing concerns, distance from home, and end-of-year stress.

It might not look like the holidays you imagined, but it can still be meaningful in its own way. And sometimes, getting through it calmly and safely is already more than enough.