Wittenborg’s Student Housing: Where Students Find Home and a Community

04.01.2024

Accommodation Provides Residents with Security and Comfort

One year ago, in January 2023, Wittenborg opened the doors to its new student housing facilities on De Ruyterstraat 5. For students facing the housing crisis in the Netherlands, it has been more than just a place to stay – it has become a warm and comforting, safe space.

With 75 cosy units, each having its own kitchen, bathroom, shower and toilet, De Ruyterstraat 5 is not just about extra rooms. It reflects the institution’s care for its students, and it is a way of saying “We’ve got your back”.

Wittenborg has a long-standing commitment to providing accommodation for students. In addition to the complex at De Ruyterstraat 5, the school has 70 other rooms in different locations around Apeldoorn, offering a total of 145 student apartments.

Beyond the numbers, De Ruyterstraat 5 is a place where students can feel secure and find peace of mind when they arrive in the Netherlands, knowing that they will not need to face any challenges related to housing.

From late-night study sessions to shared laughter in the common spaces, the building also contributes to creating a real sense of community, becoming a vital part of its residents’ journey at Wittenborg.

Chamathi Suleka, a bachelor’s student from Sri Lanka specialising in Marketing, Communication and Information (MCI), recalls that she was really excited to hear about the student housing services during her admissions interview.

“I immediately said yes. It relieved the stress of finding accommodation before arriving in the Netherlands and gave me a sense of security knowing that I would be living with fellow Wittenborg students. Having spent over two months in the student housing, I feel at home and safe. The housing department is amazing, always ready to help in any situation. I've made great friendships with fellow residents, and I highly recommend Wittenborg student housing.”

Suleka’s view is shared by Iranian pre-master’s student Helia Ostad Asadollah Malayeri. "Not having to worry about finding a place to live before coming to the Netherlands in the current housing crisis was definitely a big relief for me. The studio was nice and clean, and I particularly appreciated that I didn't have to share the facilities with others,” Malayeri said.

For MBM student Mohamed Reda Chibani, from Morocco, one of the best aspects of living in the student accommodation is its close-knit community.

“The fact that we were assured a place to stay really made me and my family relieved. The student housing was much better than I imagined. Very new, clean and private! I also got to know so many people from both my country and other cultures and I was able to make lots of friends. In this close-knit community, we're not just neighbours; everybody’s like family to each other. We help each other out when needed, and I think that is the best part.”

Wittenborg's president, Peter Birdsall, emphasises the school's commitment to providing students with the best possible experience. "Wittenborg has, for many years, said that international students should not be recruited by Dutch universities if there is no suitable available accommodation for them. Student accommodation is an essential factor in making an international student’s study abroad a success. For that reason, we spend a lot of time and effort working to create better and more student accommodation in Apeldoorn,” he stressed.