What we offer

Our goal is to help international students feel happy and at home in Leiden. We aim to bring students together, creates a sense of community and fosters a safe and tolerant living environment.

Residence Assistants

We have ‘Residence Assistants’ in all DUWO international student accommodation complexes in Leiden and Oegstgeest. Residence Assistants organise activities to help you settle in, get to know each other and learn more about Leiden and Dutch life. They also offer support in practical and personal matters, and can refer you to  Leiden University’s wide range of professional support staff if required.

Support

If you have questions or are experiencing difficulties, whether they are practical, personal or study-related, you are welcome to contact your Residence Assistant. If the Residence Assistant is unable to assist, he or she can refer you to someone who can, for example a counsellor, academic advisor, DUWO caretaker or the  international student adviser.

Social and welcome activities 

Are you nervous about arriving in a new city and meeting new people? You can ask your Resident Assistants to meet you at the station and show you around. He or she will also organise social activities to help you feel at home, for example film nights, debates and traditional Dutch festivities. To help you get the most out of your time in Leiden, your Resident Assistant will also introduce you to the wide range of sports and social activities on offer for Leiden students.

Pleasant living environment

Residence Assistants help ensure a pleasant living environment by making sure rules are followed and residents treat each other with mutual respect. If you experience a problem in your accommodation and don’t know what to do, whether it’s a leaking sink or an issue with a neighbour, you can turn to your Resident Assistant.