- Architecture M. Sc.
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Buro Kettinghuls
- 09/2025 – 02/2026
During my Erasmus internship, I had the opportunity to live in Amsterdam and work at the architecture office buro Kettinghuls for six months.
Application/Finding an internship
About five months before starting my internship, I applied to many different architecture offices in the Netherlands, as I was particularly interested in improving my Dutch language skills and experiencing an international working environment. After several applications, I was fortunate to receive an offer from buro Kettinghuls in Amsterdam. With my internship, I then applied for an Erasmus grant.
Accomodation & Living expenses
©International Office
One of the biggest challenges was finding accommodation. The housing market in the Netherlands is extremely competitive, especially in Amsterdam. When searching for housing, it is important to respond to as many listings as possible and as quickly as possible. Temporary accommodation is generally easier to find than long-term rentals. I stayed in one shared apartment room for the first two months and then moved to another shared flat for the remaining four months. Although I had to move, it allowed me to get to know two different neighbourhoods and experience different parts of the city more closely. In general, living expenses are higher than in Aachen, particularly when eating out, which is why I mostly cooked at home. Supermarket prices also vary considerably, with stores like Dirk and Aldi typically being more affordable than Albert Heijn.
Everyday life/ the internship
©International Office
My working hours were from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Every day, we had lunch together in the office, usually consisting of homemade salad, bread, and cheese. This was a nice moment to connect with colleagues and as we were an international team it was fun to talk about different cultural experiences. During the internship, I worked on different projects and was given a variety of tasks. I drew plans, prepared visualisations, built models and supported the team in ongoing design processes. My colleagues provided guidance and were always willing to explain things, which helped me learn a lot in a short time. We also went on an office excursion to visit projects and construction sites in Almere, which was particularly exciting because I could see how plans are realized in practice. I really appreciated that there were two other interns at the office, as we would sometimes meet for a coffee before work or make plans together for the weekends, which truly enhanced my overall experience.
Free time/tips
©International Office
Besides work, I spent most of my free time exploring the city. Cycling is definitely the best way to get around Amsterdam, as it is fast and ideal for discovering different neighbourhoods. Especially during my first weeks in Amsterdam, I always took different streets with my bike. Over time, I visited many new places while also quickly finding my favourite bars and cafés. In September, ESN organized a picnic where I met other international students. From then on, we started organizing a monthly board and card game evening in a bar, which became a regular highlight. I also took advantage of the cultural opportunities the Netherlands has to offer. I highly recommend getting a Museumskaart, which allows you to access most museums in the country for a year. For everyone who is interested in photography, I can especially recommend Huis Marseille and Foam. Many Dutch cities are easy to reach by train, making day trips very convenient. I visited Utrecht and Haarlem with friends and also went on a bike trip to the sea, which was a wonderful experience.
Conclusion
I can highly recommend doing an Erasmus internship in Amsterdam. The city offers the cultural and social opportunities of a large metropolis, yet everything is easily accessible, almost like in a smaller city. Even though moving alone to a new city where you do not know anyone can feel intimidating at first, it is absolutely worth stepping out of your comfort zone. The experience helped me grow, both professionally and personally, and created memories that will stay with me for a lifetime.
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