Fall & Spring
There are four room types for students who attend the program. Room requests are assigned by seniority in descending order (by credits earned and cumulative GPA) and any documented accommodations.
- Single rooms (9) - 3 of these rooms will be allocated to the RAs chosen for the semester.
- Double rooms (5)
- Triple rooms (18)
- Quads (3)
We do everything possible to assign compatible roommates. However, the best roommates are those who are considerate of others and understand the challenges and benefits of community living.
- Each room is different, but nearly all rooms have “high beds” (bunk beds) that you must climb into by ladder (except for single rooms, which do not).
- Each bed is a twin long (same as Emerson twin beds).
- The following is provided at Kasteel Well: fitted sheet, pillow & pillow case, comforter & comforter cover
- Every bunk bed has a desk and wardrobe underneath.
- In each room, there are one or two sinks with a small wall mirror and shelf for standing toiletries.
- There is no air-conditioning at the castle and each room may not be heated as warmly as you are accustomed. Be sure to consider this when you are packing.
- Any student with a documented physical disability who cannot climb up the ladder into bed should contact osa_castle [at] emerson.edu (osa_castle[at]emerson[dot]edu) to discuss housing options.
Bathroom Facilities
Gender diversity is welcome at Kasteel Well. Students may use the restroom that best suits their gender identity. Individual shower and toilet rooms are located on each dormitory floor. The number of facilities on each floor depends on the number of students. There is capacity for everyone. Some of the facilities are newly renovated and quite nice.
- Each private shower room has a door with a lock on the inside. It is important to note that the showers may be considered “narrow” for some students, as they are built to Dutch standards, not American.
- Some restrooms are marked either male or female, but students may use either.
On-Campus Housing in Boston
The Office of Housing and Residential Education (HRE) will contact students who will be enrolled at Kasteel Well during their semester abroad. HRE will provide information to students about housing options and preferences for their next semester back in Boston. View information about on-campus residency requirements for your return semester to the Boston campus. For more information, contact the Office of Housing and Residential Education directly via email at hre [at] emerson.edu (HRE[at]emerson[dot]edu) or by phone at 617-824-8620.
Kasteel Well Dining Hall and Meal Plan
The castle serves buffet-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner Monday through Thursday and brunch and dinner on Friday through Sunday. Meals mainly consist of meat, fish, potatoes, eggs, bread, cheese, soup, salad and deli bar, crepes, French toast, and sandwiches. Most of the food is boiled or fried. Vegetables and fresh fruit are served on a daily basis; however, it may not include the variety you are used to. There are the occasional pizza, taco, spaghetti, and mac 'n’cheese nights.
Meal times are consistent and strict. Each meal is served for one hour, and mealtime ends about a half hour before classes start.
- M-Th Breakfast is served 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
- M-Th Lunch is served 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- M-Th Dinner is served 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- F-Su Brunch is served 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- F-Su Dinner is served 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Be sure to inform the dining hall of your food allergies! We have had hundreds of vegetarians and vegans who have participated in the program; they always found food to eat. The catering staff will do their best to accommodate your needs, suggestions, and requests.
There are no snacks served between meals. You can buy snacks and microwaveable meals from Sophie’s Kitchen or there are small fridges in most of the hallways that you are free to use to store small amounts of food. We recommend that you take advantage of this to store snacks and light meals that you can buy in town or from the grocery truck that visits the castle once a week on Mondays during the lunch hour.
Summer
The housing and dining during the summer program are different than the meal plan and housing offered in the fall and spring terms.
Lunch/Brunch
The castle serves buffet-style breakfast and lunch Monday through Thursday in the dining hall at the castle. There is also a brunch on Sunday in the dining hall.
Dinner
Monday through Thursday plus Sunday evenings you will have dinner at 6:00 pm at the Grote Waaij Restaurant (10 minutes walk from the castle). The dinners at the Grote Waaij Restaurant are part of your meal plan; you do not have to pay for them.
Housing
Each room is different, but nearly all rooms have “high beds” (bunk beds) that you must climb into by ladder. Each bed is a twin (long) and every bunk bed has a desk and wardrobe underneath. Each room has a sink and wall mirror in the room. Two blankets and a pillow will be provided for you. Linens will be provided.
It is best to work out roommate choices ahead of time. If two of you want to live together, you must write each other’s names on the housing form we will send to you. Participants who don’t request specific roommates will be assigned roommates. If you don’t know whom you want to room with, we will try to match you with someone compatible, based on answers to questions asked on the housing form.
Any student with a documented physical disability who cannot climb up the ladder into bed should contact Student Accessibility Services to discuss options.