So, you’ve decided to study at The Royal Academy of Art, The Hague (KABK). You've applied and are waiting to hear if you've been accepted onto your chosen programme. In the meantime, it never hurts to already look ahead to what might come next. If you are accepted, you might be moving cities; you may even be moving countries.
We've compiled some advice and tips for prospective students to explore while they're finishing applications or already waiting to hear back!
Discovering The Hague
Before you arrive in The Hague it can be hard to know what to expect. Its grand reputation precedes it — the International Criminal Court, The Peace Palace, the royal family, that Girl with that Pearl Earring. However, scratch the surface and you find a vibrant city of contrasts. It’s international, yet it feels like a village. It’s by the sea, and yet it is also very green. Exciting contemporary art rubs shoulders with the Vanitas still lifes of the Dutch Masters. It is a place that many people come to only to study, and yet they stay after graduation because it is possible to live a balanced creative life here.
There is a lot to discover, and a lot to learn.
But how do you get started?
5 tips to start you KABK journey
Get the Bureaucracy out the way
When moving to a new country, there is always a certain amount of bureaucracy to handle, however — if you focus on dotting those i’s and crossing those t’s early — you can enjoy starting your studies without the boring stuff hanging over you.
If you are a non-EEA student, after having uploaded the required documents, and paid all the required fees, the KABK will start the entree visa and/or residence permit for you. For a full explainer of the next steps of your journey, read about the residence permit process.
Find a place to call your own (and register!)
Getting a room in The Hague is the best-case scenario when studying at the KABK. However, nowadays it is getting harder and harder to find a place. Word-of-mouth tends to rule, so make it known (as far ahead of time as possible) that you are looking to friends, friends-of-friends, on social media or by registering on room.nl. Here are some more housing tips.
The neighboring municipalities of The Hague, such as Rijswijk, Voorburg, Leidschendam, Ypenburg, Wateringen, Nootdorp and Zoetermeer tend to be less of a challenge to find a spot. And you’ll be in good company — many KABK students make up the overspill in these surrounding municipalities.
As long as you are registered, and can get to your classes on time, being in a nearby town is not a problem.
Next, it's time to register with the Municipality. This is how non-Dutch students receive a citizen service number (BSN). Having one of these makes life a lot easier — you need a BSN to get a bank account, health insurance, register with a family doctor, find a job, and many more things besides.
Transport: Getting from K to A to B to K
If you have found a place to live in one of the aforementioned satellite towns, then working out the best and most affordable way to get from A to B is essential. You’ve probably heard the legend that there’s more bikes than people in the Netherlands. Well, luckily, most cities have the cycling infrastructure to match, with consistent cycle paths and conscientious drivers. A bike is generally the quickest way to get around in the centre of The Hague, and further afield too.
For longer distances the tram, train, and metro are generally efficient and reliable. Via these you can be in Rotterdam in 30 minutes, and Amsterdam in under an hour. Both Schiphol Airport and Eurostar departures are speedily accessible too. More transport information.
Discover The Hague's art and culture hotspots
It’s not just KABK you need to travel to! The Hague is full of cultural spaces worth visiting, from high-profile museums to independent, experimental galleries, to underground spaces set up by recent (or not so recent!) graduates. It can be easy when you first move to a new city to feel overwhelmed, and maybe even a little shell-shocked. By making time to visit these spaces you can begin to feel more at home. You will soon get to know the local scene, meet people, perhaps even get a little inspired. A whole art and design eco-system exists here — you’ve just got to hop on your bike and follow the trail.
Additionally, The Hague has no shortage of bars and eateries to enjoy at your leisure. Don’t be scared off by horror stories about Dutch cuisine, The Hague has a vast array of local and international options. Whether you’re into classic pilsner and a cube of cheese, or an orange wine and some small plates, there’s something for you.
Finally, The Hague is known for having some of the most legit Indonesian cuisine, and some of the freshest herring (and other seafood) due to its spot on the coast. There is also, like in much of the Netherlands, a proud snackbar culture, the intricacies of which (oorlog or speciaal?) are like a language in themselves.
Take time for yourself
In the flurry of arriving, finding a place to live, getting all your bureaucracy in order, and meeting a bunch of new people, it’s important to remember to take time for yourself. You are likely coming to The Hague towards the end of summer, when the weather is often still pleasant. This is (famously) not always the case in the Netherlands, so it’s worth making the most of it. Clear your head with a walk (or swim!) at the beach, in the dunes, or in one of The Hague’s many parks. Connecting with nature has been shown to have positive effects on mental health, lowering cortisol levels and boosting serotonin and dopamine — something you’ll really need after all that paperwork!
Additionally, be sure to take time and space for yourself within the academy. As well as your scheduled timetable, check out the workshops, keep an eye on the portal and physical notice board for lectures or events that you might enjoy, or get to know student initiatives like Green Office. Your scheduled classes are a great starting point but there is always much more to discover beneath the surface at KABK.
Finally, in the Netherlands, ‘gezelligheid’ is the real king. This is the concept of cosiness, a relaxed and fun social atmosphere. Make sure you take time for this, whether it’s hanging out with new classmates, or calling with friends or family back home. If you are feeling overwhelmed, connecting with a friendly face will always help.
Want more inside info about what living in The Hague is really like? Check out this video in which KABK students and graduates discuss their experiences, and why they often choose to stay after completing their studies.