{"id":170504,"date":"2024-08-13T15:08:25","date_gmt":"2024-08-13T13:08:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=170504"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:27:25","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:27:25","slug":"eurekaweek-on-a-shoestring-how-to-save-money-and-still-have-fun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2024\/08\/13\/eurekaweek-on-a-shoestring-how-to-save-money-and-still-have-fun\/","title":{"rendered":"Eurekaweek on a shoestring: how to save money and still have fun"},"content":{"rendered":"

The introductory week of Erasmus University promises to be one of the best weeks of your life, but if you\u2019re not careful, Eurekaweek can become quite expensive. Fortunately, there are many ways to save a little money without sacrificing fun. What budget do you need, and how can you save money while still enjoying yourself? Tip: don\u2019t forget to go to the student associations.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Bonus tip: you can try to get free gadgets at the campus day market.<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEsther Dijkstra<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

First, the basics. A ticket to the Eurekaweek sets you back 92 euros, which is a very average amount compared to other introduction weeks in the Netherlands. Groningen (48 euros) and Nijmegen (58) are quite a lot cheaper, but it\u2019s too late to go there now. The price of the Eurekaweek is as low as possible already: the organisation doesn\u2019t turn a profit. <\/p>\n

Your ticket in Rotterdam includes a daily lunch and two dinners. Excluding food and drinks, this is all the money you actually need to partake in the Eurekaweek.<\/p>\n

Student houses to sleep<\/h2>

Then, you\u2019ll need a place to sleep. Yes, you could commute from your parents\u2019 house in Roelofarendsveen, but you\u2019ll miss out on a lot of nightlife fun. A better option could be staying at student association houses, which you can book via their Instagram pages. These are mostly free or only ask for a small charge. <\/p>\n

Another option is staying in the sports building on campus. You can choose this option while booking your ticket. Space is limited\u2013only 200 people can stay here (and it\u2019s pretty much sold out now). It will cost you 85 euros for a bed. But be aware that you will be sleeping in a sports hall with your sleeping bag as your only option for privacy.<\/p>\n

Other alternatives<\/h2>

Couldn\u2019t find a place in a student association house and don\u2019t want to sleep in a big hall? A hostel could be another option for you. Eurekaweek offers a 10 percent discount at the Stay Okay hostels. A bed in an eight-person dorm costs about 150 euros for four nights, excluding the discount. The cheapest option we could find online for a bunk bed in Rotterdam is 108 euros. <\/p>\n

Want to save money on sleeping? Make sure to make friends in advance and sleep over. Or go home with a date every night. If all else fails, we do have a huge famous bridge you could sleep under (just kidding, please don\u2019t do this!).<\/p>\n

Eat for free<\/h2>

Then, you\u2019ll need to eat. Good news: most of the food will be free of charge. Eurekaweek will provide you with a daily lunch. On one night, you can eat at Erasmus Sport for free. After that, student association parties are your cheapest bet. They will charge you some money for dinner, with a maximum price of five euros. Don\u2019t know how to get there? You\u2019ll get 15 euros on your balance at two shared scooter companies. <\/p>\n

Last but not least, drinks. You won\u2019t find cheaper prices than these during your time in Rotterdam. While an average pub now charges at least 3 or 4 euros for a plain beer, at Eurekaweek the prices will usually be lower. The cheapest way to get drinks is at student association parties. For example, RSC\/RVSV charges only 1.50 euros for a beer. At events catered by Eurekaweek, beer costs 2.80 euros, and soda 2.30 euros. This only applies to events organized by Eurekaweek, such as the Cantus, Sports & Play, and the festival on Thursday. At other events, such as the Maassilo Take-Off Party and Rotterdam Roulette, the venues charge their own (much higher) prices. If you\u2019re really trying to save and live as healthily as possible, there is always free tap water! Bring your own bottle or buy one at the bar.<\/p>\n\n\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t

De redactie<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t