Accommodation for International Students in Kerkrade
More than 6,000 international students are enrolled at RWTH, and a large number of those come to Aachen from far away regions of the world. As Vice-Rector Doris Klee explains, “It is particularly hard for these young people to find accommodation in Aachen or the Aachen region.” Against this backdrop, RWTH Aachen and Parkstad Limburg have now signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the provision of housing: a new housing complex is to be established in Kerkrade, the Netherlands, offering 75 apartments especially for international students.
As Tim Weijers, the deputy mayor of Kerkrade, explained, “each of the 75 inhabitants will receive a Dutch student visa, which allows him or her to live in the Netherlands. We were able to achieve an agreement with the Dutch immigration authorities that makes this possible.” Furthermore, students will be able to use the Euregiobahn trains commuting between Kerkrade and Aachen, which makes it possible for them to reach Aachen by train.
The size and furnishings of each apartment vary with price, but the rent, including heating, shall not exceed 350 Euros. Furthermore, as a step towards promoting community life in the housing complex, it is planned that the students also have access to a common room and a swimming pool.
The RWTH International Office offers support with applications for both student visas and accommodation: housing@rwth-aachen.de.