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Guides for life abroad

City face-offs, real student costs, and how to find your people. The stuff you actually want to know before you move abroad.

ReadAmsterdam vs Rotterdam for students (2026)

Amsterdam vs Rotterdam for students (2026)

Real costs, rooms, universities and nightlife compared, so you can pick the right Dutch city.

ReadWhat it really costs to be a student in Europe

What it really costs to be a student in Europe

2026 monthly budgets for 20+ cities, side by side.

ReadThe cheapest student cities in Europe 2026

The cheapest student cities in Europe 2026

Ranked on real student costs, not guesswork.

ReadBest cities for Erasmus 2026, ranked

Best cities for Erasmus 2026, ranked

By real student life, not just league tables.

ReadBarcelona vs Madrid for Erasmus

Barcelona vs Madrid for Erasmus

Beach city or big-city energy, which one fits you.

ReadLisbon vs Barcelona for students

Lisbon vs Barcelona for students

Sun, cost and nightlife, compared.

ReadBest cities for students who only speak English

Best cities for students who only speak English

And how far English really gets you.

ReadEurope's best student nightlife cities 2026

Europe's best student nightlife cities 2026

Where Erasmus students actually go out.

ReadHow to make friends as an international student

How to make friends as an international student

The part orientation week doesn't tell you.

ReadMoving abroad alone: build your crew in two weeks

Moving abroad alone: build your crew in two weeks

A day by day plan for your first fortnight.

ReadBeat homesickness in your first month abroad

Beat homesickness in your first month abroad

What actually helps, from students who did it.

ReadYour first week sorted: the new student checklist

Your first week sorted: the new student checklist

Registration, SIM, transport, bank, first night out.

ReadWhat to pack for a semester abroad

What to pack for a semester abroad

A no overpacking list, sorted by climate.

ReadErasmus 2026: the complete first-timer's guide

Erasmus 2026: the complete first-timer's guide

Everything you need before you go, student to student.

ReadStudent discounts in Europe, city by city

Student discounts in Europe, city by city

Transport, museums, food and the cards worth having.

ReadGetting around like a local

Getting around like a local

Student transport and shared mobility, by city.

ReadWhy join your city's student WhatsApp before you land

Why join your city's student WhatsApp before you land

How the people you'll meet are already chatting.

ReadWhat is a Welcome Festival?

What is a Welcome Festival?

The student kickoff event, explained.

ReadStudent life in your city: the local’s guide

Student life in your city: the local’s guide

One honest guide per city, for every TSL city.

ReadStudying abroad beyond Europe

Studying abroad beyond Europe

A student life look at Tokyo, Seoul, Sydney and more.

Find your city and your people

Join yours before you arrive and meet everyone at the Welcome Festival.

Find Your City