Exchange student Marlotte Roldaan in San Francisco: 'Just take the plunge'
Marlotte Roldaan, a master’s student in ‘Encyclopedie en filosofie van het recht’, set off for the United States in January 2024 where she spent five months studying in San Francisco. Her advice for anyone with doubts: ‘just take the plunge’.
Why did you decide to apply for a place on an exchange programme?
I'd always wanted to study abroad for a while. Leiden’s a great city, but after a few years you know it inside out and keep bumping into the same people. I thought it would be fun to study somewhere else where I could start again and where I didn’t know a soul. And the thought of going somewhere outside Europe really appealed to me.
How did you go about preparing?
My preparation was a bit mad because I’d initially missed the application deadline. At that time, I was writing my thesis, but I still really wanted to go on an exchange, even though I’d already started my master's degree. I actually just went to the OIC desk (Education Information Centre) and asked if it was still possible. They said yes and that I could specify my preferences. I was given a place at the University of California College of the Law (UC Law SF) in San Francisco. The university then gives you a list of all the things to arrange, like housing and your visa.
Did you run into any other problems when preparing?
I was really surprised at how expensive everything was. There’s a housing crisis in San Francisco just now and you can easily pay $1200 in rent. If you want to live on campus, rooms are even more expensive. You also have to arrange health insurance and that was quite expensive too. Afterwards, it turned out this wasn’t compulsory, so I recommend figuring this out well beforehand. Other than that, I got lots of help with everything that needed to be arranged. A UC Law SF employee was available 24/7 and helped with everything ranging from the embassy to customs.
Were your courses very different from in the Netherlands?
I took courses on legal ethics, the civil rights movement and US politics and constitution. Tutorial groups are a lot different to here in the Netherlands - they're very lively. Everyone was busy exchanging information and participating during these classes. In the Netherlands, tutorials are sometimes seen as something you have to go to, but don't really want to. I also got phone numbers of teachers I could call if I didn't understand something. That’s never happened in the Netherlands!
What’s your best memory?
I took some really cool trips during my exchange. My favourite was a road trip I took with an American friend who was moving to Colorado from California. We drove there in her car – that’s around 2,000 kilometres. We drove across salt flats near Utah and slept in the car. That's when I really noticed how big the US really is. There are so many different climates and nature is different in every place. I went on that trip just before returning to the Netherlands, so that was also a great way to end my time there.
What did you get from the exchange?
I think it made me a lot more confident. In San Francisco, I could really start from scratch because I didn't know anyone there. It made me step out of my comfort zone and discover everything by myself, on my own. It’s nine hours’ time difference with the Netherlands, so you’re on your own most of the time and have to get on with all the people you meet there. That worked out really well for me!
What tips would you give to other students considering going on an exchange?
The most important tip I can give is to just go! You’ll learn so many things. Of course, you don't have to go to the other side of the world. If you want, you can go closer to home. The advantages of that are that it’s often cheaper and you can still go home for Christmas, for example. Choose a climate you like or a language and culture that appeals to you, just take the plunge and learn to stand on your own two feet. Before you know it, you'll feel right at home!
Tekst: Wouter Geerts
Beeld: Marlotte Roldaan
Interested in exchange programmes?
If you want to go abroad via a university-wide exchange programme in autumn 2025 or spring 2026, you can apply until 23.59 on 15 January 2025.
More information is available here!
Text: Wouter Geerts
Photo: Marlotte Roldaan
Interested in doing an exchange?
Interested in doing an exchange in autumn 2025 or spring 2026? Register by midnight on 15 January 2025.
More information is available here!
