Living abroad
For a city as small as it is, Rotterdam has a lot to offer. Known as the Gateway to Europe, Rotterdam is a city located amongst a maze of rivers and is the world’s biggest port. For one, it is a city with a lot of diversity, which you will see and experience during your stay here. You can find countless number of museums, quaint café’s and a dash of every possible culture. Public transportation is in plenty but if you don’t want to bother with it, I would highly recommend buying a bike. It offers an amazing sense of freedom and you’ll get a taste of the city, entirely yours.
Experience the old world charm of the Delfshaven lined with buildings from the 18th and 19th century, the Dubbelde Palmboom Museum and one the main attractions of Rotterdam, the Boijmans van Beuningen Museum which houses such famous artists as Rembrandt and Andy Warhol.
For a shopping experience of a lifetime, don’t forget to walk on the Lijnbaan, Europe’s first pedestrianised shopping strip, experience the craziness of the Kubus homes, the drama of the many churches in the city and the thrill of being able to hop on a ferry and go to some of the most historic cities in Europe within 30 minutes. Rotterdam also boasts of two excellent schools, the Rotterdam School of Management, one of the best amongst Europe's business schools, and the Erasmus University.
Having nearly been raised to the ground during WWII, the city has been rebuilt with some interesting buildings and then the not quite so beautiful ones. Whatever they may look like, they are sure to evoke some emotion in you. And, even though at first sight, Rotterdam may not have the character of Amsterdam, it is a city you need to discover. It is a city that seems to be in rapid motion, continuously growing and developing and therefore, letting you see a new side to it time and time again. It almost seems like it wants to remain a well-guarded secret and wants you discover it. That to me is a fascinating and mysterious aspect of Rotterdam, making it a city that everybody experiences in their own special and unique way.
To find out more you can visit the official site of the city, http://www.rotterdam.nl. The site is also available in English.
— Rakhee Yadav-Oranje