Pre Departure Briefing 2012
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- 3. Agenda • Impression of the Netherlands • Before departure • Arrival in the Netherlands • Life and study in the Netherlands • After graduation Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 4. An impression ofthe Netherlands
- 5. The country • Gateway to Europe • Weather • People • Religion • Tourism Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 6. Travelling through Europe • Schengen possibilities • Transportation options Cities to visit: • London • Brussels • Berlin • Rome • Paris • Barcelona And many more.. Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 7. The weather Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 8. The Dutch • Forthright way of communication (language, body language, environment) • Values (truth, time orientation, yes-no, independent, friendship) • Calvinism (hard work, sober, no-nonsense) • Mindset “You can do it yourself” • Punctual • Privacy is important • Announce your visit • Male/female equality Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 9. Religion • Churches • Prayer rooms • Ramadan • Halal food available at ethnic markets and in some institutions’canteens. Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 10. Top 10 touristdestinations 1. Van Gogh Museum 2. House of Anne Frank 3. Rijksmuseum Amsterdam 4. Keukenhof 5. Delft (historic city centre) 6. Kröller-Müller Museum 7. Delfshaven 8. Madurodam (Holland in miniature) 9. Kinderdijk (famous windmills) 10. Archeon (technology museum)
- 11. Before your departure Arrange your documents! • Collect your passport and visa from the Dutch embassy • Check validity of date of entry on your visa Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 12. Checklist • Valid passport, entry visa, and birth certificate • Marriage certificate (if applicable) • Medical insurance • Diplomas or certificates you already possess • Admission letter + tuition fee receipts • Scholarship letter (if applicable) • Evidence you have enough money to stay • Housing contract (if applicable) • Address of university, telephone number of your contact person at the university • Tools like cell phone, laptop, camera (and don’t forget the chargers) • Summer and winter clothes • Medicine (check with the airport the medicine you are allowed to take) Take both original and duplicated copies of these documents! Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 13. Booking a flight Arrange your ticket through an international agency or airline, such as: KLM www.klm.com Approximate costs: .. Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 14. Rules: luggage Freebaggage allowance (fly with KLM) • Economy Class • 1 item of check-in baggage, each max 23 kg, max.158cm (l + w+ h) • 1 hand bag measuring 55*25*35cm (not exceed 12kg) • Business Class • 2 items of check-in baggage, each max.32kg, max.158 cm (l + w + h) • 1 hand bag measuring 55*25*35cm (may not exceed 18kg) For on the plane, in your hand luggage • Comfortable clothing and shoes • Book to read • Some cash (there are cash machines in the arrivals hall at Schiphol airport) • Medical records, prescriptions for any medication • Important documents Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 15. Rules: liquids Specialrules apply for liquids, creams, pastes, gels and aerosol cans. You may only carry these in your hand baggage in small amounts not exceeding 100 ml ( 3.4 oz) per article. Exceptions: - Medicines - Special diet food to be consumed during the flight Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 16. Arrival at SchipholAirport • Passport control: show them your passport & visa, admission letter, return ticket and evidence of finance • Pick up your luggage • Are you being picked up at the airport? • If not, head for the airport train station and buy a ticket for your destination • train information can be checked on www.ns.nl Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 17. Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 18. Important things todo upon your arrival Register at the Dutch institution / international office The institution will assist you to register at the town hall/immigration service register with IND for the temporary residence permit make an appointment with GGD for the TBC health check open a Dutch bank account Don’t forget to register with your own embassy! Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 19. More things todo Open a bank account (ABN-AMRO, Rabobank, ING, and more) Don’t forget to bring passport & visa, residence permit, address in the Netherlands Arrange your housing Buy a mobile phone (T-Mobile, Vodafone, KPN, Orange, Tele2 and more) Get a (second hand) bicycle!
- 20. Student housing • In a student room: a shared house, with other students • On-campus (but not common) • Ask the help of your institution!
- 21. Study in theNetherlands • Different education system • Different teaching style • Education shock?! Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 22. Code of Conduct(CoC) • Guarantee of the education quality in the Netherlands • Condition to recruit international students • Responsible organization: DUO • List of Dutch institutions that signed the CoC • Complaint: ask the CoC contact person at your host institution Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 23. Academic year • From September til June (42 weeks) • Semesters (4 months), trimesters (3 months) and blocks (6 weeks) • At the research universities, there is usually a formal ceremony to mark the start of the academic year Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 24. Credits and gradingsystem • European Credit Transfer System • 1 ECTS = 28 hours of work • Grading scale 1 (very poor) – 10 (outstanding) • Lowest passing grade is 6 • Difficult to score a 10! The Netherlands Your country 9.5-10 Excellent 1% 8.5-9.4 Excellent 5% 7.5-8.4 Very good 23% 6.5-7.4 Good 30% 5.5-6.4 Pass 30% 0-5.9 Fail 11% Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 25. Lectures • Different types of lectures • Independent, problem-based learning • Practical assignments • Group assignments and self-study • Work experience (internship) • Research • Essays, exams • Interactive • Students are expected to be assertive, be able to work independently and develop a ‘critical’ opinion. Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 26. Assessment and grading • Exams will consist of questions that ask to reproduce knowledge but also questions that ask for application, combining, criticizing and concluding. • Exams can be ‘closed book’ or ‘open book’. • Marking system is from 1 to 10 or 1 to 100, with pass mark of 6 or 60. • Most students get a mark between 6/60 and 8/80. • Grading is absolute with a fixed minimum score for passing. • Rules are rules. Norms for grading and assessment regulations are hardly ever deviated from. Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 27. The international classroom Key figures International students in the Netherlands (academic year 2009-2010) Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 28. Relation teacher-student formal --------------------------------------------x------- informal equal ----x----------------------------------------------- hierarchical • There is limited distance between teachers and students. • Dutch teachers are informal. They allow students to call them by their first name. • A teacher is very accessible and tends to be a true interlocutor for his/her students. Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 29. Relation between students individualists -------------x------------------------------------- group • Dutch students socialize with each other in study/student associations, sports clubs etc. • It may seem that friendships with Dutch students are less easy to establish compared to other countries. It is less common to eat together, or visit each other’s houses. • However, being part of an international classroom and/or living in students houses offers students the chance to meet students from all over the world Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 30. Interaction in classroom one way -------------------------------------------x--------- two way communication communication • In an international classroom it can be difficult to understand each other’s English. For example, a student from Ghana can speak English in an entirely different way compared to a student from Mexico. • Lecturers raise questions to students and the other way round, discussion is stimulated. • Team work as a method to learn from each other. Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 31. Direction of thelearning process lecturer ---------------------------------------x----------- student • There is less focus on the reproduction of knowledge. • Students need to develop and express their own opinions and creativity in applying their newly acquired knowledge. • Students are expected to study actively and independently. • Lectures are often not compulsory. • Mix between detailed instructions and open assignments. Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 32. Aim of thelearning process understanding ----------------------------------------x------------ professional of theory and/or academic skills • Memorizing and understanding are seen as valuable but only as the first step of learning. More emphasis is put on development of academic and/or professional skills. • Students are expected to use the knowledge (applying, combining, selecting, and concluding) and develop an own opinion and critical attitude towards knowledge. • For most Dutch students getting a passing grade is sufficient (6). • Dutch students are more process-oriented (knowing how to apply their newly acquired knowledge) instead of result driven (getting the highest grade for an exam). Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 33. Use of resources many ------x------------------------------------------------ few • International students will have to get used of the specific resources that they have at their disposal in the Netherlands like for instance Blackboard i.e. the online learning community/environment used by many Dutch higher education institutions. • Students are expected to have basic practical skills already (computer skills, lab skills, field skills) • Lectures are used to introduce the topic; not to present all content. • More compulsory and recommended literature available than students can study in the time available. Students are expected to have skills in selecting literature and selecting the relevant sections for detailed study. Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 34. Education shock • Dutch education style can differ from the style at home • You bring a set of values and expectations from your own country, culture and education • The difference can result in frustration, feeling offended and fear at first • Start with an open mind and postpone judgement! (Source: Ieneke ten Dam) Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 35. Student life inthe Netherlands • Welcome reception for international students • Where to buy food? • Shopping • Transportation • Networking • Visiting people • Not feeling well? • Public holidays Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life in the Netherlands After graduation
- 36. Welcome reception Dutch institutionsorganize welcome receptions for international students. Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 37. Culture shock 1.Tourist phase / honeymoon 2. I-hate-this country phase 3. Adjustment phase 4. Mastery phase Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 38. Culture shock symptoms • Angry about minor inconveniences • Irritability • Withdrawal from people who are different from you • Extreme homesickness • Sudden intense feeling of loyalty to own culture or groups • Overeating or loss of appetite • Boredom • A need for excessive sleep • Feeling sick often (headaches, stomach aches) • Depression • Loss of ability to work or study effectively • Unexplained crying • Marital or relationship stress • Exaggerated cleanliness Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 39. How to overcomea culture shock • Hang out with people/friends • Join the sports club at your institution or in town • Join a student club • In case of difficulty: contact student counselor • Stay in touch with your family and friends Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 40. Not feeling well? • Health insurance: valid from date of departure • Don’t forget to extend the policy beyond the end date of your enrolment • Basic medicines (paracetamol) available at supermarkets and drug stores • Otherwise go to a GP or family doctor (huisarts) • Diagnosis • Go to a pharmacy (apotheek) for medicines In case of an emergency: • Call 112 (police, fire, ambulance) • Hospital
- 41. Visiting people • Dutch tend not like spontaneous or unannounced visits • Coffee is always ready to be served! • Gift for your host: flowers, cookies or chocolates Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 42. Shopping • City centre • Shopping etiquette • Take a shopping bag with you • Paying in cash/by ‘chipknip’/pin • Bargaining is not customary • Eye contact and greetings • In general: Monday to Friday 9:00 - 18:00 hrs, Saturday 9:00-17.00 hrs • “Koopavond” - late night shopping: one evening each week shops close at 21:00 hrs (Thursday or Friday) • “Koopzondag” – Sunday trading: shops sometimes open on Sundays. Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 43. Where to buyfood? • Buy food at the supermarket (Aldi, Lidl and Bas = relatively cheap) (Albert Heijn, C1000, Super de Boer = relatively expensive) Some supermarkets are open from 8:00 hrs till 22:00 hrs • Avondwinkel: shops that are open till late at night from 22.00-6.00 hrs (expensive!) • Ethnic shops such as Asian (Indonesian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai) Moroccan, Japanese, Indian etc. • Open air market: 1 or 2 times a week • University canteens • Restaurants (some expensive), some cafes offer cheap ‘dagmenu’s’ • Dutch food Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 44. Dutch food • Dutch way of eating: one hot meal a day (lunch or dinner) • Typical Dutch food
- 45. Transportation • Bicycle • Train • Tram/bus • Metro (Amsterdam & Rotterdam) • Taxi – very expensive • OV-card Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 46. Bicycles • Buy a second hand bicycle (€25 - €100) • Always lock your bike and switch your lights on at night. Preferably attach your bike to a bike stand, railing, lamppost, etc. • Observe the traffic rules. • Ride carefully! Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 47. Public holidays andtraditions 1 January New Year’s Day 6 April Good Friday 8-9 April Easter 30 April Queen’s Day 4 May Remembrance Day 5 May Liberation Day 17 May Ascension Day 27-28 May Whitsun 18 September Prinsjesdag 5 December Sinterklaas 25-26 December Christmas Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 48. Student life • Member of a club or association • Member of sports club • Hang out • Terrace culture Agenda Impression Before the Departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After the Graduation
- 49. Costs of living& part-time job Life and study in Holland €700 - €1,000 a month (total expenses) Two job options: 1. 10 hours a week, all year round 2. Full-time during June, July and August only • If you don’t work officially (zwart werk), you are not covered by insurance • Employers are not always willing to apply for the work permit for international students, which makes it difficult to find a legal part-time job in the Netherlands • We don’t recommend working while studying Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 50. Tips! • Get together with other students to cook an international dinner • Make a schedule for household chores, like cleaning and doing the dishes • Respect each other’s culture and customs • Try to get engaged in activities with other students at your institution or in your city. • Useful websites and Do’s Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 51. Websites • Embassy website: • Nuffic (Study in Holland, Nuffic Neso) www.nuffic.nl • Dutch Ministry of foreign affairs www.minbuza.nl/en/home • Insurance www.ips-lippmann.com • International Students www.myaon.nl/students www.internationalstudents.nl www.internationalstudy.nl
- 52. Do’s! Pleasedo join the student association in Netherlands AND Please join the Holland Alumni network when you finish your study programme! Stay in contact with Nuffic Neso!
- 53. After graduation Don’t forget to have your degree certificate authenticated!
- 54. Legalizing your degree DUO – IB-groep Diploma Recognition & Legalization Dept. • DUO – IB-groep has been appointed by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science to keep track of who can issue what degrees, and who can sign them. Check the information on their website. Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 55. Stamps You willneed three stamps for legalization: One from DUO – IB-Groep • Legalize signature One from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs • Provide official translation One from the Embassy (or Consulate) of your country in the Netherlands • Legalize signature and Dutch procedure Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 56. Job opportunities • The 12-month ‘search year’ • Work as a highly skilled migrant • Job agency for international students and graudates in the Netherlands Don’t forget to join in the Holland Alumni Network after your study! Agenda Impression Before departure Arrival Life and study in the Netherlands After graduation
- 57. Good luck andthe best of success with your study programme in Holland!
Editor's Notes
- #24 The academic year is 42 weeks long. The academic year is usually divided into semesters (4 months) or trimesters (3 months), some institutions organize their teaching in blocks (6 weeks). After each semester/trimester or block students take exams. It is important to stress this time schedule if students are used to taking exams just once at the end of an academic year. Holidays: Chistmas Universities of Applied Sciences have additional holidays (Autumn and Spring break)
- #25 a student’s workload is measured in ECTS credits. According to Dutch law, one credit represents 28 hours of work and 60 credits represents one year of full-time study. The grading system used in the Netherlands is on a scale from 1 (very poor) to 10 (outstanding). The lowest passing grade is 6. It is important to point out to students that 9s are seldom given and 10s are extremely rare and grades 1-3 are hardly ever used. Ambitious and result driven students can have difficulty excepting this way of grading; it is difficult to score a 10!