information guide for exchange students

INFORMATION GUIDE
FOR EXCHANGE STUDENTS
CREATING TOMORROW
INFORMATION GUIDE FOR EXCHANGE STUDENTS 2
This is a publication of:
Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
School of Economics and Management
International Centre
AMSTERDAM UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES 3
CONTENTS
1. 2. WELCOME TO THE AMSTERDAM UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
4
THE NETHERLANDS
6
3. INTERNATIONAL CENTRE
3.1 Services
3.2 Contact details
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4. EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES AT THE SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT
4.1 Exchange students
4.2 Admission requirements
4.3 Visa and residence permit
4.4 Credits and grading system
4.5 Dutch education system
4.6 Course registration
4.7 Lecture timetable and academic calendar
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5. FACILITIES
5.1 Computer facilities
5.2 Buying readers and textbooks
5.3 Payments at the SEM
5.4 Library and reading room
5.5 Administration offices
5.6 Restaurant and café
5.7 Sports and recreation
5.8 Student organisations
5.9 Student counselling, legal counselling and special needs
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6. 7. ACCOMMODATION
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ARRIVAL IN AMSTERDAM
7.1 Arrival Day
7.2 Introduction Days
7.3 Registration with the Municipal Administration
7.4 Getting around
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8. PRACTICAL INFORMATION
8.1 Cost of living
8.2 Bank account
8.3 Financial matters
8.4 Public transport
8.5 Dutch language
8.6 Health and other insurances
8.7 Important telephone numbers and addresses
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INFORMATION GUIDE FOR EXCHANGE STUDENTS 4
CHAPTER 1
WELCOME TO THE AMSTERDAM
UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
The Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (AUAS) is a
university of applied sciences with several locations across
the city of Amsterdam. The university has seven schools, with
academic programmes catering for a total of 44,000 students.
The AUAS is among the largest comprehensive universities of
applied sciences in the Netherlands. One of its largest schools
is the School of Economics and Management (SEM). The SEM
offers a wide variety of programmes in economics, business
studies and related disciplines.
Founded in 1846, the School of Economics and Management
prides itself on a long history of first-rate business education.
With approximately 14,000 students, including approximately
2,800 international students, it is one of the largest universities
of its kind in the Netherlands. Formed in October 2004 as a
result of the merger of the former HES (Higher Economic School)
and the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, the SEM is
the largest school within the multidisciplinary AUAS. Unlike traditional universities, the AUAS has always emphasised the practical
application of theoretical knowledge. At the SEM, students are
trained for middle and upper management positions in organisations in both the private and public sectors. Graduates earn
a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Recognising the
growing importance of global markets, the school is constantly
adapting and developing its business courses to respond to new
international dimensions and demands.
The school is located in the business district of Amsterdam, in a
modern building next to the Ajax football stadium, Amsterdam
ArenA. Living and studying in Amsterdam is a unique experience.
The city is a colourful centre of culture and entertainment, with
close to one million inhabitants of many different origins and cultural backgrounds. Amsterdam is famous not only for the beauty
of its architecture but also for the relaxed and friendly attitude
of its population. Amsterdam is a true student city, with over
110,000 students.
Amsterdam is a city with many faces. It is a unique historical city,
with impressive buildings along the old canals and world-famous
cultural attractions such as the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh
Museum. Though it feels like a metropolis, everything can easily
be reached by bike. Amsterdam’s central location, with easy
access to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and the Port of Amsterdam,
makes it the ideal gateway to Europe. Brussels, Paris, Madrid,
London and Berlin can all be reached within a matter of
hours. Many large companies also have their headquarters
in Amsterdam, including ABN AMRO, Heineken, TomTom
and Philips.
International exchange students benefit from a multicultural environment both at the AUAS and in the wider city of Amsterdam.
This information guide is intended to inform exchange students at
the SEM about key matters relating to enrolment and living in the
Netherlands, ensuring they make the most of your stay.
If you have any questions not answered in this guide, please do
not hesitate to contact us.
We hope you will enjoy your time at the School of Economics
and Management and will do our best to make your stay here as
rewarding and pleasant as possible.
Kind regards,
International Centre
Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
School of Economics and Management
AMSTERDAM UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES 5
INFORMATION GUIDE FOR EXCHANGE STUDENTS 6
CHAPTER 2
THE NETHERLANDS
The history of the Netherlands as an independent nation began
in 1568, when the province of Holland led the country in a war
for independence against the Spanish empire and in defence of
Protestant and economic freedom. Independence was declared
in 1581, and in 1648 the nation gained international recognition
as the Republic of the United Provinces of the Netherlands. In
1813, following a period of French occupation, the Netherlands
became a unified state and a constitutional monarchy under King
Willem I of Orange.
The Royal Family
When the Netherlands became a monarchy in 1813, the House
of Orange was appointed to rule. Today, the reigning head of
state is King Willem-Alexander. Under the Dutch constitution,
the monarch has immunity and government ministers are
responsible for governing the country, making the monarch’s
role essentially ceremonial.
Geography
The Netherlands has a population of around 16 million people,
making it one of the most densely populated countries in
Europe. Situated in the northern part of Western Europe, the
country is bordered by Belgium, Germany and the North Sea.
By car, it takes roughly four hours to drive from north to south.
Amsterdam is the capital, and the seat of government is in The
Hague.
Wet feet
The western and northern parts of the country are between one
and six metres below sea level. The soil is mostly peat and clay, in
a landscape dissected by canals, rivers and estuaries. Most of the
land is used for farming and grazing. The territories below sea
level were once lakes or part of the sea, until pumping stations
and mills were used to drained them dry. These stations run
continuously to prevent flooding, while coastal areas are protected by natural dunes and manmade dykes. The Flevopolder
and the Noordoostpolder are the two polder regions most
recently claimed from the sea as part of the country’s neverending struggle against the water. When the province of Zeeland
was hit by a disastrous flood in 1953, the Delta Works were built
to straighten and strengthen the shoreline with a system of new
dykes, dams, sluices and bridges.
Climate
The Netherlands has a maritime climate with moderate
temperature variations across the four seasons. July and August
are on the warm end of the scale with average temperatures
between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius. The winter months are colder,
with some frost and snow.
Dutch society
Traditionally, the Netherlands is a trading nation and has enjoyed
a very strong economy for many centuries. Trade, logistics,
agriculture, banking and food have been the strongest drivers of
the Dutch economy. The country’s central location gives it prime
access to international markets, and the Port of Rotterdam is the
largest port in Europe. The Netherlands is a multicultural society,
particularly in the cities. Amsterdam is home to 178 different
nationalities and many more ethnicities – more than any other city
in the world. This multi-ethnic mix emerged during the twentieth
century when many people from the former Dutch colonies in
Indonesia, the Moluccas, Surinam and the Dutch Antilles came
to live in the Netherlands. In the 1950s and 1960s, southern
Europeans, Moroccans and Turks came here to ease the shortage
of factory workers. Refugees from all over the world, as well as
other groups of immigrants, complete this diverse cultural picture.
More information about studying in the Netherlands
To get a better idea what it is like to study in the Netherlands,
watch the film Study in Holland, which can be found on
www.youtube.com/studyinholland.
AMSTERDAM UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES 7
CHAPTER 2
INTERNATIONAL CENTRE
3.1 SERVICES
The International Centre of the School of Economics and
Management provides a variety of services for students, with an
International Services Department divided between an Outgoing Team and an Incoming Team. The Outgoing Team provides
services for SEM students completing a semester abroad at one
of our numerous partner schools. They can be contacted for all
administrative procedures and advice about practical matters
regarding other universities and countries.
The Incoming Team is responsible for admissions, housing in
Amsterdam, visa and residence permits and introductory activities
for incoming exchange students. If you have any questions about
your exchange period in Amsterdam, you can contact one of
the Incoming Team’s International Relations Officers or visit our
service desk during opening hours.
3.2 CONTACT DETAILS
Room 4.109 (office) and Atrium (service desk)
Service desk opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 09.00-13.00
Incoming Team e-mail address: incoming.sem@hva.nl
Outgoing Team e-mail address: outgoing.sem@hva.nl
Website: www.amsterdamuas.com
/sem-exchange
Visiting address
International Centre
Room 4.109
Fraijlemaborg 133
1102 CV Amsterdam
Postal address
P.O. Box 22575
1100 DB Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 (0)20 523 69 60
Fax: +31 (0)20 620 68 01
INFORMATION GUIDE FOR EXCHANGE STUDENTS 8
CHAPTER 4
EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES AT THE SEM
Exchange students can join us for a Fall semester, Spring
semester or full academic year at the SEM. The academic year
runs from August to July, with the Fall semester running from
the end of August to the last week of January and the Spring
semester from the end of January to mid-July.
4.1 EXCHANGE STUDENTS
An exchange student is a third-year student who studies at an
institution in a different country for one or more semesters,
generally under the terms of a bilateral agreement between
their home university and, in this case, the SEM. Most stay for
only one semester. The SEM offers the same lecture programme
in both semesters (with some exceptions). Our semester-based
modules are designed to offer foreign students a challenging
learning experience, with a mix of business courses, role plays,
language training and courses on European integration.
4.2 ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Exchange students first need approval from their home
university to study at the SEM. To apply, fill in the application
form, which can be found on our website at
www.amsterdamuas.com/sem-exchange.
Applications must include:
1 - completed application form;
2 - a clear copy of a valid passport (the page(s) with
photograph, name, nationality, signature, date of issue and
passport expiration date);
3 - a transcript of records from the home university;
4 - a photocopy of an international medical insurance certificate.
All the required documents should be sent as scans to:
incoming.sem@hva.nl. Please do not send paper copies by post.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Fall semester 1 May
Spring semester
1 November
4.3 VISA AND RESIDENCE PERMIT
The immigration officer at Immigration Affairs
handles all visa and residence permit applications.
Upon acceptance, the immigration officer will contact you
directly regarding the procedures.
Visa application
Whether you need a visa (known as an MVV in Dutch) depends
on your nationality. Students who are not a citizen of an EU/EEA
country, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Iceland, Norway,
Sweden, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea
or Japan need a visa. If you are unsure about the status of your
nationality in this respect, please feel free to contact the
International Centre.
Residence permit
All students entering the Netherlands with a visa also have to
apply for a residence permit. Citizens of the USA, Canada, Japan,
New Zealand, South Korea and Australia do not need an entry
visa but must still apply for a residence permit.
AMSTERDAM UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES 9
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR STUDENTS OF CHINESE NATIONALITY
All students of Chinese nationality must meet a number of
additional requirements before their visa applications can be
approved. This is a measure taken by the Dutch Embassy, with
has appointed Nuffic to carry out the inspection. This inspection
consist of two parts: a verification of the students’ diploma(s)
and of the validity of IELTS test/TOEFL IB test scores. The IELTS
test or the TOEFL IB test is mandatory for all Chinese students.
The minimum required overall score on the IELTS test is 6.0
(with no scores below 5.5) and the minimum score on the
TOEFL IB test is 80.
Please note that if you fail to send in all the necessary forms or do
not meet the requirements, the School of Economics and Management will not be able to process your application. This means your
housing and/or visa applications may be suspended until further
notice and that your visa may be issued late or not at all.
More information about visas and residence permits can be found
on our website: www.amsterdamuas.com/immigration.
4.5 DUTCH EDUCATION SYSTEM
Programmes at the AUAS include a considerable number of contact hours each week. In addition to this, students are expected
to spend a significant amount of time studying on their own, using the library and computer resources. The amount of self-study
time needed in addition to class attendance can be substantial.
The majority of courses are taught in classrooms rather than
lecture halls, in groups of no more than 35 students. This informal context ensures ample opportunity for interaction between
teachers and students, and open discussions are very common.
Students are expected to attend the courses for which they have
registered. In practical courses (e.g. language or computer labs,
case studies) requiring active student participation, attendance is
mandatory. Team spirit, an open-minded attitude and a measure
of self-discipline are vital to complete your courses successfully.
Modules may include assessed coursework such as essays, presentations or midterm exams, but the final exam always accounts
for the highest percentage of the final mark. Therefore, students
should aim to begin revising for final exams early in order to
avoid an excessive workload towards the end of the semester.
4.4 CREDITS AND GRADING SYSTEM
ECTS credits
ECTS stands for ‘European Credit Transfer System’, developed as
part of European Union (EU) programmes to promote student
mobility. The ECTS created an internationally recognised standard
for describing and weighting courses in order to facilitate student
exchanges. It is based on an average student’s overall workload,
including lecture attendance, practical work, personal study time
and exam revision. Under the ECTS, one credit represents a 28hour workload, and the standard workload for one semester is
30 credits.
Grading system
Under the Dutch system, which is used at the School of Economics
and Management, grades are awarded on a scale of 1 to 10, with
1 representing the worst possible result and 10 representing the
best. The minimum passing grade is 5.5. Only rounded grades
are reported on the final transcript of records. For example, a
grade between 6.0 and 6.4 is rounded down to a 6, while a
grade between 6.5 and 6.9 is rounded up to a 7.
Passing grade:5.5-10
Failing grade:1-5.4
1 = extremely poor
2 = very poor
3 = poor
4 = unsatisfactory
5 = almost satisfactory
6 = satisfactory
7 = good
8 = very good
9 = excellent
10 = outstanding
(Note: 5.5 is the lowest passing grade)
Every course is a self-contained unit within the module-based
programme, each with specific aims and a separate grade and
credits. Courses are taught either in blocks of seven weeks or
over 14 successive weeks interspersed with short breaks. Each semester is rounded off with oral and written examinations, usually
held over a period of two weeks.
INFORMATION GUIDE FOR EXCHANGE STUDENTS 10
4.6 COURSE REGISTRATION
Exchange students take courses from our international study
programmes. The School of Economics and Management offers
Bachelor’s programmes that are taught in English. Courses for
exchange students are all part of the third or fourth year of these
Bachelor’s programmes.
4.7 LECTURE TIMETABLE AND ACADEMIC CALENDAR
Lecture time
Lecture hour
08.30-09.20
1
09.20-10.10
2
10.10-10.20
break
10.20-11.10
3
11.10-12.00
4
12.00-12.50
5
12.50-13.40
6
13.40-14.30
7
14.30-15.20
8
15.20-16.10
9
16.10-17.00
10
17.00-17.50
11
An updated version of the Course Book for Incoming
Exchange Students will be published on our website
(www.amsterdamuas.com/sem-exchange) for each
semester. Most courses are offered in both semesters, unless
otherwise indicated. Note that the range of courses on offer is
subject to change.
17.50-18.40
12
18.40-19.30
13
19.30-20.20
14
20.20-21.10
15
21.10-22.00
16
22.00-22.50
17
Apart from attending lectures, students are expected to spend
a considerable amount of time preparing for classes and exams.
Each contact hour requires an equal amount of time in private
study.
An updated academic calendar is published on our website every
year. Please be sure to check these dates when booking flights.
Class and exam timetables cannot be adjusted to accommodate
late arrivals or early departures. Similarly, exams (and resits)
abroad are not facilitated.
Students are advised to register for no more than 30 credits per
semester (permitted maximum: 33).
After the registration deadline, your timetable is fixed: there is no
‘add/drop period’ once the semester has begun. For this reason,
it is a good idea to consult your study adviser at your home
university before finalising your course registrations.
English-language requirement
As all courses in the exchange programme are taught in English.
We rely on our partner universities to ensure that students who
come to study at the SEM have sufficient proficiency in English
(equivalent to IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL IB 80.) Students are unlikely to
pass their exams or obtain the necessary credits if they do not
possess this level of English.
Fall semester
End of August – end of January
(including exam resits)
Spring semester
End of January – mid July
(including exam resits)
Please be aware that it is NOT possible to join the programme
after the start of the lectures.
Introduction period
Before classes start each semester the International Student
Network Amsterdam organises an introduction period in which
incoming exchange students can participate.
Visit our website for the full academic calendar:
www.amsterdamuas.com/sem-exchange.
AMSTERDAM UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES 11
CHAPTER 5
FACILITIES
5.1 COMPUTER FACILITIES
Students at the SEM are free to use the school’s computer
facilities. An AUAS student ID and password will be provided
after admission, which students can use to log into the student
network and access the intranet and Internet. Students also have
their own personal page on the intranet. The ICT helpdesk on
the ground floor can be contacted for any questions related to
the computer facilities.
Administration staff and lecturers use the intranet for most communication with students. The intranet is also where students
register for courses and exams, view timetables, make timetable
alterations, view exam results and can find specific information
relating to courses, degree programmes, regulations and other
important matters relating to the School of Economics and Management. If a lecturer is absent this is also posted on the intranet.
As from the 2014-2015 academic year, some of this information
will also be available for smartphones. Several apps have been
developed to keep students informed of the latest timetable
changes and any absences.
There are several locations in the SEM building (e.g. the library
and the project areas on the third and fourth floors) where students can use computers or connect to Wi-Fi on their laptops.
5.2 BUYING READERS AND TEXTBOOKS
Study materials can be ordered online at Océ HvA weblisher. For
instructions, see hva.oce.nl. Readers ordered by students based
at the Fraijlemaborg location can be collected from the Repro
Department, located on the first floor in room 1.030 (the corridor behind the bookshop). Textbooks can be purchased at the
Study Store in the Atrium on the first floor.
5.3 PAYMENTS AT THE SEM
Inside the SEM building, payments can be made using a student
card or debit card. It is not possible to pay in cash or by credit
card. Copy/scanning machines inside the building only work with
a AUAS student ID card and require print credits (Dockeys) to
print, copy or scan. Print credits can be purchased using a credit
card or debit card issued by a Dutch bank.
During the Introduction Days, the International Centre will be
available to assist students with opening a Dutch bank account.
5.4 LIBRARY AND READING ROOM
Room 0.043 (ground floor + first floor)
Opening hours:
Monday:
08.30-18.00
Tuesday:
08.30-20.30
Wednesday: 08.30-18.00
Thursday: 08.30-20.30
Friday:
08.30-17.00
Saturday: 12.00-16.30
E-mail:
bibliotheekfb@hva.nl
Library website:
www.bib.hva.nl
Telephone:
+31 (0)20 523 60 46
The library stocks all of the compulsory course literature as well
as various business and management-related publications. One
reference copy of all compulsory literature is also always available
and cannot be borrowed or taken outside the library. The majority
of the collection can be borrowed, with the exception of newspapers and journals. The library has subscriptions to newspapers
and journals including the Financial Times, Wall Street Journal,
Handelsblatt, Le Figaro, El País, The Economist, Harvard Business
Review, Businessweek and Der Spiegel.
In addition to its physical collection, the library also has a digital
collection with databases including Business Source Premier and
Science Direct (journal articles), LexisNexis and PressDisplay
(newspaper articles), Euromonitor (statistics, country and market
information) and Netlibrary and Safari Books Online (e-books).
Facilities available in the library include computer terminals,
photocopiers, printers, scanners and a quiet study area.
Students are always welcome to visit the
library’s information desk for any
questions about the library
and collections.
INFORMATION GUIDE FOR EXCHANGE STUDENTS 12
5.5 ADMINISTRATION OFFICES
Student Administration Office
Room 1.010
Opening hours:
09.00-13.00
Monday to Friday:
Saturday: closed
E-mail:
bedrijfsbureau-fmb@hva.nl
For matters regarding address changes, formal admission statements etc., please contact the Student Administration Office.
Please be sure to let us know if an address in your home country
or the Netherlands has changed.
Results Administration Office
Room 1.008
Opening hours:
Monday: 09.00-13.00
Tuesday: 09.00-13.00 and 17.30-19.30
Wednesday:
09.00-13.00
Thursday: 09.00-13.00 and 17.30-19.30
09.00-13.00
Friday:
Saturday: 09.30-13.30
bedrijfsbureau-fmb@hva.nl
E-mail:
This office provides information on examination results, the
registration of marks and credits, administrative matters relating
to exams and other practical matters such as course timetable
changes.
5.6 RESTAURANT AND CAFÉ
Restaurant
Location: First floor, next to the escalators
Opening hours:
Monday: 08.30-16.00
Tuesday:
08.30-19.00
Wednesday:
08.30-16.00
Thursday: 08.30-19.00
Friday: 08.30-16.00
Saturday: closed
The restaurant in the SEM building serves a full menu of hot and
cold foods. The entrance is situated on the first floor.
Café
Location: Ground floor, next to the reception desk
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 08.00-17.00
Saturday: 10.00-14.00
The café is located on the ground floor, to the left of reception.
A full menu of hot and cold drinks and snacks are available here.
5.7 SPORTS AND RECREATION
Students can participate in various sports and recreational activities for very reasonable prices at the University Sports Centre
(USC).
Science Park 306
1098 XH Amsterdam
Tel: +31 (0)20 523 89 55
For more information, visit www.usc.uva.nl.
5.8 STUDENT ORGANISATIONS
International Student Network (ISN) Amsterdam
The ISN Amsterdam is a student-run non-profit organisation
for international students at the AUAS and the University of
Amsterdam (UvA). Part of the Erasmus Student Network (ESN),
which is a large international organisation of student networks
throughout Europe, the ISN was founded in Utrecht (the Netherlands) in 1990. The ISN aims to facilitate the social and cultural
integration of international students into Dutch society, and in
Amsterdam in particular. The ISN organises introduction periods,
parties, drinks receptions, weekend trips, excursions and other
cultural and sports activities. For more information, visit
www.isn-amsterdam.nl.
Babylonix
Babylonix is the student association for students at the School
of Economics and Management, with a Board composed of
SEM students. Besides social activities, they also organise book
fairs and have a website on which students can find mock
exams to help during revision. For more information, visit
www.babylonix.com.
AMSTERDAM UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES 13
5.9 STUDENT COUNSELLING, LEGAL COUNSELLING
AND SPECIAL NEEDS
The SEM supports international students with practical matters such as housing, visa and residence permit, as well as with
specialised counselling to aid with academic and socio-cultural
affairs.
Student counselling
Students with special needs or a problem should contact staff
at the International Centre. If they are unable to help, they will
provide a referral to the student counsellor for international
students.
Student counsellors for international students:
Mr Dinant Leegstra or Mr Daan Verhamme
Room 4.067
Please contact the counsellors during walk-in consultation hours
first, at which time further appointments can be scheduled.
Consultation hours
Monday to Friday: E-mail:
10.00-12.30
studentcounsellor.ibs@hva.nl
Special needs
Around 6% of students at the AUAS have a disability or a
chronic disease, which can include physical impairments, RSI,
asthma, diabetes and various learning disabilities such as dyslexia
and ADHD.
If you have a disability or illness that poses or could pose a problem
in relation to studying, attending classes, finding accommodation,
etc., please contact one of the student counsellors, for advice and/
or information about available services and facilities. If you know
that you will require special assistance, we strongly advise you
to contact the student counsellor before enrolling at the AUAS.
In order to make any necessary arrangements, you will have to
provide a basic medical report. If this is not possible or if you
have any further questions, please contact one of the student
counsellors.
INFORMATION GUIDE FOR EXCHANGE STUDENTS 14
CHAPTER 6
HOUSING
The School of Economics and Management has agreements with
two housing corporations in Amsterdam (DUWO and De Key) for
exchange student housing. Rooms are available for one or two
semesters at various locations in Amsterdam.
Students can opt for either a single studio with private facilities
(private bedroom, kitchen and bathroom) or for a single room
with shared facilities (private bedroom plus kitchen and bathroom shared with 1-3 other students). All rooms have an Internet
connection. Rental prices vary between €350 and €550 p/m and
rent includes Internet access, electricity, water and heating.
It does not include local taxes. Students pay a housing fee,
deposit and an administration fee to the housing corporation.
Rooms are allocated subject to availability. The housing
corporations try to fulfil students’ requests for either shared or
single accommodation when allocating spaces, but cannot
guarantee that individual preferences can be met.
Please note that the rental period for housing is fixed. It is not
possible to get a refund in the event of late arrival or departure
before the end of the rental period. Signature of the rental
contract obligates you to fulfil the rental conditions.
For further information about housing, visit our website:
www.amsterdamuas.com/sem-exchange.
AMSTERDAM UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES 15
CHAPTER 7
ARRIVAL IN AMSTERDAM
7.1 ARRIVAL DAY
An official Arrival Day is organised for students who are renting a
room from one of SEM’s affiliated housing corporations.
Students who arrive during the weekend or outside office hours
will have to arrange their own accommodations for the weekend or night. There are numerous hostels and small hotels in
Amsterdam. For more information about hostels in Amsterdam,
visit www.hostelsclub.com or contact the Amsterdam tourist
board: www.amsterdam.info/accommodation.
If you are unable to attend the Arrival Day, please contact
the International Centre for instructions, either by e-mail at
incoming.sem@hva.nl or by telephone on +31 (0)20 523 69 60.
7.2 INTRODUCTION DAYS
Students should plan to arrive at least one week before lectures
start in order to attend the introduction programme.
The introduction programme is organised by the International
Centre in cooperation with the International Student Network
(ISN) and Babylonix business students network.
The programme includes:
- general welcome meeting and separate meetings with
International Centre staff;
- explanations of residence permit procedures and registration
with the municipality of Amsterdam;
- information sessions on opening a Dutch bank and other
essentials;
- tours and social activities;
- a welcome party.
The introduction programme is free of charge and is highly
recommended as a way to get to know the School of Economics and Management, Amsterdam and your fellow exchange
students.
Information about the International Student Network (ISN) can
be found on www.isn-amsterdam.nl. Information about Babylonix can be found on www.babylonix.com.
The exact dates of the Introduction Days and Arrival Day will be
communicated by the International Centre by e-mail.
7.3 REGISTRATION WITH THE MUNICIPALITY OFFICE
All students are obliged to register their residential address at
their local municipality office. The School of Economics and
Management can arrange appointments with the Amsterdam
municipality office for exchange students. You will need to bring
a valid passport (with registration sticker and/or visa application)
and a copy of your rental contract to this appointment. If you
are staying in the Netherlands for more than one year, you will
also be required to present a birth certificate. Registration with
the municipality office also entails an application for a BSN
(Burgerservicenummer, or ‘Citizen Service Number’), which
you need in order to be able to legally work, open a bank
account and use healthcare services (e.g. doctor or hospital) in
the Netherlands. If you open a Dutch bank account during the
Introduction Days at the AUAS, you can do so without a BSN.
7.4 GETTING AROUND
The Netherlands has an excellent public transport system.
The following provides an overview on travelling to various
locations.
How to get to the SEM by public transport
The journey planner on 9292.nl/en helps you plan a journey to
and from any destination in the Netherlands by public transport.
The address of the School of Economics and Management is
Fraijlemaborg 133, Amsterdam.
Train
The school building is within walking distance (approximately five
minutes) of the Bijlmer ArenA train and metro station.
Metro
There are regular direct metro services (lines 50 and 54)
between Bijlmer ArenA station, Amstel Station and Centraal
Station in Amsterdam. Students should disembark at either
Strandvliet or Bijlmer ArenA station. The school building
located midway between these two stations and is a fiveminute walk from both.
From Bijlmer ArenA train and metro station: At the bottom of
the escalators, turn right towards Amsterdamse Poort, a large
shopping centre. On your right, you will see Hotel Hampton
(Hilton), which has a narrow passageway on the right side.
Walk under the viaduct and you will see the school building
on the right-hand side at the end of the street, around
150 metres away.
From Strandvliet metro station: At the bottom of the stairs, turn
towards the apartment buildings on Boris Pasternakstraat. Turn
right and walk approximately 200 metres until you reach the
traffic lights. The school building is just across the street, on the
left-hand side.
Car
The school building can easily be accessed from various major
motorways, including the A1, A2, A9 and A10. On all of these
motorways, simply follow the blue ANWB Transferium signs,
then follow the road into the tunnel underneath Amsterdam
ArenA (do not drive into the P+R Transferium) and turn right
onto the first road after leaving the tunnel.
INFORMATION GUIDE FOR EXCHANGE STUDENTS 16
CHAPTER 8
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
The following websites provide practical information:
Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (AUAS):
www.amsterdamuas.com
Studying in Holland:
www.studyinholland.nl or www.nuffic.nl
Information about Amsterdam:
www.iamsterdam.nl
8.1 COST OF LIVING
Students living and studying in the Netherlands for one year typically spend between €700 and €1,000 per month.
The amounts below are intended to give an indication of the
expenses for a single student, but can vary depending on your
personal budget and lifestyle.
Food:
Rent:
Public transport:
Textbooks/readers:
approx. €200 per month
€400 - €550 per month
approx. €60 per month €400 - €600 per semester
Eating out/going out:
Cinema: Concerts: €25 - €50 per month
€10 - €15 per month
€25 - €75 per month
8.2 BANK ACCOUNT
Upon arrival in Amsterdam, all exchange students receive
information on how and where to open a bank account in the
Netherlands. The SEM also has special arrangements with one
Dutch bank.
In order to open a bank account, you need a BSN (Burgerservicenummer, or ‘Citizen Service Number’), which will be issued
to you by the municipality of Amsterdam upon registration. The
International Centre can assist foreign students with this registration at the Municipal Administration office in Amsterdam, which
is mandatory for all students staying in Amsterdam for more than
four months.
Students should bear in mind that it will take a couple weeks
before they will be able to use their Dutch bank account and
should therefore make sure to have enough money for the first
few weeks.
8.3 FINANCIAL MATTERS
From 1 January 2002, the euro has been the official currency in
the following countries within the EU: Belgium, Germany, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Austria,
Portugal, Spain, Greece, Slovakia, Slovenia, Cyprus and Malta.
Paying in cash is still common, but debit and credit cards are
becoming more standard for amounts above €15. In addition,
there is a number of exchange offices in the centre where you
can convert currency and Travellers Cheques into euros (for a
small fee). Tipping is common in restaurants and in bars; as a
rule, a tip of 5-10%.
Currency exchange offices
Amsterdam has many currency exchange offices. One of the
largest chains is GWK. Here you can not only exchange foreign
currency but also buy/cash travellers cheques, arrange travel
insurance, cash euro cheques and use cash-on-card services for
practically all credit cards. GWK offices can be found at major
railway stations, in the city centre and at Amsterdam Airport
Schiphol. Some GWK offices are open 24 hours a day, and most
are open seven days a week from early in the morning until late
at night. For more information, visit www.gwk.nl.
AMSTERDAM UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES 17
Credit cards
All major credit cards are widely accepted, but students should
not take this for granted. If in doubt, ask in advance. Cash-oncard services are available for selected American Express, Diners
Club, MasterCard and Visa cards. All GWK currency exchange
offices and Change Express offices also accept these cards. It is
not unusual to be asked for a matching ID when paying with a
credit card in shops, and you will also likely be asked to enter the
card’s PIN. Although almost universally accepted, paying by credit
card is not very common in the Netherlands, especially for small
transactions.
Cash dispensers
Students can withdraw money from cash dispensers using a
foreign bank card (provided it has a Cirrus logo) or credit card.
Some ABN AMRO cash dispensers also accept cards bearing the
PLUS logo. Also check your card and the machine for EDC, EC
and Maestro logos. Withdrawing money on a credit card overseas can incur additional fees.
8.4 PUBLIC TRANSPORT
The ‘OV-chipkaart’ (Public Transport Chip Card) is the main
means of payment for all public transport. The OV-chipkaart can
be topped up with credit in euros for travel anywhere within the
Netherlands. There are different types of cards with varying rates
and applicability. The card is available for purchase at all train stations and on the website. Visit www.ov-chipkaart.nl for details.
For more information about public transport (metro, bus and
tram) in Amsterdam, visit www.gvb.nl. For more information
about trains in the Netherlands, visit the website of Nederlandse
Spoorwegen (Dutch Railways) at www.ns.nl.
Please note: When using public transport facilities, you may be
asked to show your ticket to a ticket controller. Failure to present
a valid ticket can result in a fine of approximately €35 plus the
price of the ticket. Under Dutch law, everyone is obliged to
identify himself with a (passport, ID card or driving licence) if so
requested by police or similar authorities. Failure to do so can
result in a police fine of €60. For this reason, always be sure to
carry an ID with you.
8.5 DUTCH LANGUAGE
European students wishing to learn Dutch can take an Erasmus
Intensive Language Course (EILC), which is offered by a number
of Dutch universities. For more information, please visit the Nuffic website: www.nuffic.nl. Beginner’s Dutch courses are also
offered at the School of Economics and Management as part of
course preparations. Please note that there is a limited number of
places available in this course.
To learn more, see the following website:
www.dutchlanguage.info/dutch/phrases.asp
8.6 HEALTH AND INSURANCES
Healthcare
Students who are enrolled at the School of Economics and
Management and who are resident in Amsterdam can register
with the student health services. Registering for this service
does not place you under any obligations, it only ensures that
you have access to a general practitioner (GP) in Amsterdam.
To register, simply complete the following form online:
www.amsterdamuas.com/health.
Insurance
All students must arrange their own health insurance before
leaving their home country. Verify that repatriation of remains
and medical evacuation to your home country are covered by
your insurance and check that your policy provides international
coverage. The School of Economics and Management is not
responsible for students who are not insured.
Insurance for third-party liability, accident, theft and
household effects
All students are advised to verify that their insurance covers theft
(including theft from your student housing), loss of belongings
and liability (third-party coverage). Ask your home insurance
company about this. If you would prefer a Dutch insurance policy, two good options for students are the IPS/Lippmann group
(see studentinsured.com/en for more details) and Aon Student
Insurance (see www.aonstudentinsurance.com/students/en).
INFORMATION GUIDE FOR EXCHANGE STUDENTS 18
8.7 IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS & ADDRESSES
For full information about Dutch area codes and a telephone
directory, visit www.detelefoongids.nl/en
Calling abroad from the Netherlands Health
00 + (country code) + (area code) + (local subscriber number)
Doctor/general practitioner
(020) 525 2878
UvA/HvA Studentenartsen/Student Health Services
Calling the Netherlands from abroad
Address: Oude Turfmarkt 151
(International access code) + 0031 + (area code [e.g. 20 for Amsterdam]) (near the Munttoren in the city centre)
+ (local subscriber number)
Emergencies during office hours (020) 525 2889
Emergencies outside office hours and in weekends (088) 003 0600
General emergency numbers: police, ambulance and fire department
In life-threatening situations 112
Please note that you must be registered with
Police for non-life threatening situations
0900 8844
Student Health Services to use this service. (e.g. to report a crime)
Register online on www.amsterdamuas.com/health
Police Station Amsterdam-Amstelland (020) 559 9111
(regional switchboard)
Hospitals
Website: www.politie-amsterdam-amstelland.nl
Sint Lucas Andreas Hospital (020) 510 8911
Address: Jan Tooropstraat 164, Amsterdam
The School of Economics and Management
General number of the School of (020) 523 6311
Student Administration Office (room 1.010)
AMC/Academic Medical Centre (near the SEM building)
(020) 566 9111
Address: Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam Zuidoost
Economics and Management
(020) 523 6437
OLVG (Onze Lieve Vrouwen Gasthuis) Hospital
(020) 599 9111
Address: Oosterpark 9, Amsterdam
International Centre
(020) 523 6960
(first-aid near the city centre)
Atrium opening hours: Monday to Friday: 09.00-13.00
Dentist
E-mail: incoming.sem@hva.nl
Academisch Centrum Tandheelkunde Amsterdam (ACTA) Housing
Stichting DUWO (student housing corporation) (020) 598 0888
Address: Gustav Mahlerlaan 3004, 1081 LA Amsterdam
(020) 543 1100
E-mail: info@acta.nl
Website: www.acta.nl Address: Uilenstede 108, 1183 AM Amstelveen
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 08.30-17.00
GGD
Website: www.duwo.nl GGD (Municipal Health Service, also for vaccinations) For technical problems or repairs
(020) 342 9666
De Key (student housing corporation)
(020) 621 4333
Address: Nieuwe Achtergracht 100, 1018 WT Amsterdam
Fax: 020 - 555 52 77
Address: Hoogte Kadijk 179, 1018 BK Amsterdam
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 08.30-16.30 E-mail: shortstay@dekey.nl Website: www.shortstay.dekey.nl E-mail: info@ggd.amsterdam.nl
Website: www.gezond.amsterdam.nl
(020) 555 5911
AMSTERDAM UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES 19
Telephone and fax
Lost luggage
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol 0900 724 4746
Information about telephone/fax numbers in the Netherlands
0900 8008
(€0.90 per inquiry, plus mobile phone costs if applicable) Website: www.schiphol.nl
Information about telephone/fax numbers abroad (€1.15 per inquiry)
KLM (Dutch airline)
(020) 649 9123
0900 8418
Note: Not every telephone network provides this service.
Website: www.klm.nl
Tourist information
Public transport in the Netherlands General information number for all public transport: Amsterdam Tourist Office (VVV) 0900 9292
0900 400 4040 (€0.40 p/m)
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 09.00-17.00 Opening hours:
Address: Stationsplein 10, Amsterdam (in front of the main entrance Monday to Friday: 06.00-00.00 of Amsterdam Centraal Station)
Saturday/Sunday/public holidays: 07.00-00.00 (€0.70 p/m)
Website: www.iamsterdam.nl Website: www.9292ov.nl Municipality Office Amsterdam
Address: Amstel 1 (Town Hall), 1011 PN Amsterdam Nederlandse Spoorwegen (Dutch Railways) Website: www.ns.nl
Public transport in Amsterdam
GVB (bus, tram, metro)
GVB Customer Service
Opening hours: Daily: 08.00-22.00 Website: www.gvb.nl
Information about bus services in and outside Amsterdam
Website: 9292.nl/en
(020) 551 4911
0900 8011 (€0.10 p/m)
(020) 624 1111
Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
School of Economics and Management
International Centre, room 4.109
Fraijlemaborg 133
1102 CV Amsterdam
The Netherlands
T: +31 (0) 20 523 69 60
F: +31 (0) 20 620 68 01
E: incoming.sem@hva.nl
W: www.amsterdamuas.com/sem-exchange
www.facebook.com/IBSHvA