Housing in Leiden? Experiences of hosts & students - part 2

Since a couple of months, biology student Chanou van den Broek (21) lives on the top floor in the house of Nathalie de Moyer (59, teacher) and her dog in Wassenaar.

This blog is based on an article from Leids Universitair Weekblad Mare on June 2, 2022

We - at Hospi Housing - regularly get the question if Dutch students can also make use of our services. Yes, is the answer. Biology student Chanou van den Broek (21) is the perfect example. Since a couple of months she lives on the top floor in the house of Nathalie de Moyer (59, teacher) and her dog in Wassenaar.

Chanou van den Broek: 'I was looking for a place to live, but without much success. I joined different platforms and facebook groups since June last year. In November I saw a message on Facebook: 'check out Hospi Housing.'' Nathalie was tipped about Hospi Housing by a friend who said: 'This might be something for you.' Nathalie: 'I indeed thought it would be nice to share the house with someone.'

After signing up for Hospi Housing the search for housing took a positive turn for Chanou: 'Nathalie's house was the second match I had and I was her first choice.' Nathalie felt a connection from the beginning and also now, after a couple of months, everything goes well: 'She just does her own thing, everything goes very well.'

Chanou confirms: ''I feel at home and at ease here. A friend of mine had to sleep on someone's couch for half a year and because of that could not focus on his studies at all. I had the same in the beginning of the year, when I had to travel back and forth three times a week for two hours per ride. Then you don't have much time left. It is a different housing situation I had in mind, but I'm very happy with it. And in the meantime I continue looking for a room in Leiden.'

Nathalie understands that very well: 'At a sudden point I think a student should live in the city, to party and enjoy student life to the fullest. But until that time she can stay here as long as she wants. I have the space, I like to have someone around and it provides some extra income.'

Have you become enthusiastic about signing up as a host and providing accommodation to a student? Don't hesitate and register as a host!