SSH’s Proxima Peak Accommodation: More Time for Exchange Students & Great Social Contact
If you’ve ever wondered how Groningen handles its annual rush of international students looking for housing at the start of the academic year, one solution that’s proving successful is Proxima’s peak accommodation. This flexible housing option, organized by SSH, opened again this year and once more helped students ease into life in the city.
What Is Proxima Peak Accommodation?
Proxima is a student residential complex on the Zernike Campus designed specifically to help with the peak housing demand that happens every September. As new international and exchange students arrive, many still haven’t found permanent housing. At the same time, outgoing students haven’t yet vacated their rooms. This overlap can create pressure on the housing market.
That’s where SSH’s peak accommodation comes in: it provides temporary living space for students who still need time to find long term housing. Proxima houses hundreds of students during this busy period, making it easier to settle into Groningen without rushing your housing search.
More Time for Exchange Students
This year, Proxima’s peak accommodation also included a special option for exchange students who are studying in Groningen for about six months. Because exchange stays often don’t align perfectly with the academic calendar, finding housing can be tricky. Especially if you arrive after many contracts are already full, or start looking for housing too late.
To help with this, SSH sets aside extra beds specifically for exchange students, offering them housing for up to six months so they don’t have to relocate in the middle of their semester.
Social Contact & Community Vibes
One of the biggest benefits of the Proxima accommodation isn’t just the roof over your head: it’s a social environment.
With shared facilities like kitchens, study rooms, and outdoor spaces, students in Proxima have plenty of opportunities to meet each other and build connections early in their time in Groningen. This social contact can make a big difference when you’re new in town and trying to make friends.
Looking Ahead
If you’re coming to Groningen for the first time and struggling with housing at the beginning of your stay, it’s worth checking whether options like Proxima’s peak accommodation are available when you arrive. SSH usually opens bookings before each semester and publishes details on their site and places can fill up quickly. Make sure to check out the websites of SSH and At Home in Groningen regularly, as the starting dates of the bookings will be posted there!