Bijbanen van studenten in Rotterdam

What is a “bijbaantje” in the Netherlands?

A bijbaantje is a Dutch student’s side job. The word breaks into bij (“alongside”) plus baan (“job”) plus the affectionate -tje ending: literally “little alongside-job.” Most Dutch teenagers have one, often starting at fifteen, and the cultural assumption is that you should: it pays for the kamer (rented student room), the avondje uit (night out), the summer trip with friends. The big employers are supermarkets (vakkenvullen, kassa work at Albert Heijn or Jumbo), horeca (waiting tables), and small shops.

In this Rotterdam vlog, students count off their bijbaantjes: “Ik werk in supermarkt Jumbo en ik werk in een recreatie” (“I work at supermarket Jumbo and I work in recreation”). Standard menu.