Survival Guide - Capilano University

Foreign Student
Survival Guide
2010/2011
HZ University of Applied Sciences
International Office
Edisonweg 4
4382 NW Vlissingen
The Netherlands
www.hz.nl
PREFACE
HZ INTERNATIONAL OFFICE
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WELCOME TO THE NETHERLANDS!
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2010 – 2011 ACADEMIC CALENDAR
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STUDENT SERVICES
LIBRARY MEDIA CENTRE
OPEN LEARNING CENTRE
HZ REPRO
AUDIOVISUAL
HZ BOOKSHOP “DE RUYTER & FANOY”
HAIR SALON
COMPUTER LABS
SERVICEPOINT
HZ SPORT
ABOUT THE NETHERLANDS
LANGUAGE
CLIMATE
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND CULTURE SHOCK
CULTURE
SPECIAL DAYS
ALLOCATION PROCEDURES
HOTELS AND PENSIONS IN VLISSINGEN
GETTING TO KNOW VLISSINGEN
SURROUNDING AREA
COST OF LIVING
BANKING
THE CITY OF VLISSINGEN
SHOPPING
MAKING PHONE CALLS
CAFES AND BARS
CAFÉ SPEYK
RESTAURANTS
TRAVEL AGENCIES/OFFICES
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HOW TO GET TO HZ:
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TRANSPORTATION IN VLISSINGEN
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BY BIKE
BY BUS
BY TRAIN
TRAIN DISCOUNT TRAVEL CARD
BY TAXI
BY CAR
PARKING IN VLISSINGEN AND MIDDELBURG
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ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES
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HEALTH CARE AND INSURANCE
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HEALTH INSURANCE
LIABILITY INSURANCE
DOCTORS
DENTISTS
EMERGENCY INFORMATION
HOSPITAL
EMERGENCY SERVICES: 112
GENERAL POLICE NUMBER
„IN CASE OF EMERGENCY‟ (ICE) PROGRAM
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Preface
HZ International Office
On behalf of the International Office at Hogeschool Zeeland (HZ) University of
Applied Sciences we would like to take this opportunity to welcome you. Our
mission is to provide you with any information regarding your study abroad
programme here, address any questions or concerns you may have regarding any
school- or personal- related matters, and organize activities and events so that you
can make the most of your time here! From left to right, we are: Evelien
Clemminck (Introduction organizer, grants),Ilone van der Helm (International
Student Administration), Astrid Umbgrove (International Work Placement) and
Johannetta van der Vlies (Exchange Programs Coordinator).
In the coming months you will become very familiar with HZ as well as with
Vlissingen and the Netherlands. This booklet will inform you about all preparations
that must be made before you leave your home country and it can also be used as a
small reference guide throughout your stay. Please take some time to read through
it carefully! We wish you all the best in your studies and hope you enjoy all that HZ
and Vlissingen have to offer!
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Welcome to the Netherlands!
The Netherlands is one of the world‟s smallest countries. The longest distance you
can drive from north to south will take you about four hours in total. The
Netherlands is bordered by Germany to the east, Belgium to the south, and the
North Sea to the north and west. Because of its size and geographic position in
north-western Europe it has owed much of its existence to its international
relations. Right away you will notice how flat the landscape is and because of this
the wind is an almost constant feature of this country! You will also notice how
there is water everywhere: aside from the coast, lakes, rivers, and canals of many
types (ranging from the large transport arteries for barge traffic to the narrow
drainage ditches) crisscross the entire country.
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About HZ University of Applied Science
HZ is a Dutch university of applied sciences and is located in Vlissingen which is
situated in the province of Zeeland in the southwest corner of the Netherlands, on
the right bank of the river Schelde. HZ has consistently ranked among the top ten
universities of applied sciences within the Netherlands because of its flexibility and
personally-tailored programmes. HZ values the flexible programmes and learning
styles that are offered and all courses and study programmes are based on
practicality and geared towards the current job markets.
HZ is a relatively small institution with approximately 3500 students which allows
for smaller class sizes and a more personal educational experience. There are
about 400 international students attending HZ each year, making classes and extra
curricular activities very internationally focused. As an international student, you
will find yourself surrounded by students from all over the world and it‟s true that
living, working, and studying with other international students will give you the
best insight into other cultures and give you a better understanding of each
country‟s position from a global perspective.
Other Important Information
2010 – 2011 Academic Calendar
Autumn Semester:
Arrival and Introduction: 30 August 2010 – 3 September
Classes Begin: September 6th , 2010
Autumn Break: October 23th – November 31st 2010
Christmas Break: December 18th, 2010 – January 2th , 2011
Exam period: January 24th till February 4th 2011
End of Autumn Semester: January 30th , 2011
Spring Semester:
Arrival and Introduction: February 1st , 2011
Classes Begin: February 7th, 2011
February Break: March 5th – 13th , 2011
Good Friday: April 22nd , 2011
Easter Monday: April 25th , 2011
Queen‟s Day: April 30th , 2011
Spring Holiday: April 30th – May 8th , 2011
Ascension Day: June 2nd , 2011
Whit Monday: June 13th , 2011
Exam period: June 14th till June 24th , 2011
Re-Sits: July 11th till July 14th , 2011
Degree ceremonies: June 24th and July 6th , 7th , 8th , 13th and 14th July 2011
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Student Services
Library Media Centre
This is the meeting place for students to get together and work on their school
assignments.
Located in the main building and is open to all students of HZ
It has a wide collection of resources from books, magazines, and newspapers to
dissertations and databases
Contact:
Telephone: +31 (0) 118 489280
Email: mediatheek@hz.nl
Opening Hours:
Mondays 9.00 to 17.00
Tuesdays 9.00 to 19.00
Wednesdays 9.00 to 20.30
Thursdays 9.00 to 17.00
Fridays 9.00 to 13.00
Open Learning Centre
Study booths for students
Contact: +31 (0) 118 489277
HZ Repro
Located in the L building (L054)
Copy, binding, and laminating machines
available for students to put reports and other documents together.
Contact: +31 (0) 118 489293
Audiovisual
Students have good access to renting
audiovisual equipment such as laptops,
projector unites, and video cameras,
among many others. The AV
department also looks after audiovisual
productions, photography and
multimedia.
Contact: email: avdienst@hz.nl,
telephone: 0118-489-308
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HZ Bookshop “De Ruyter & Fanoy”
Located in the main building
Study and office equipment, textbooks and other books can be purchased here
Prepaid Chipknip cards can be purchased here
Open during school hours
Hair Salon
HZ has its own hairdressing salon located above the bookstore. You can go either
with or without an appointment and all prices are student-friendly!
Computer Labs
HZ has approximately 600 computers available for
students to use. They are located throughout the
university in the Media Library, group and
educational areas, and in laboratories and
simulation areas. They are always well-maintained
and updated to keep up with the developments in
the computer field.
Servicepoint
Located in A021 you will find the Helpdesk, the work experience agency (TWZ), and
the Servicepoint. You can contact the Helpdesk regarding computers, your HZ
student/email account, and information about how to connect to HZ‟s wireless
network. You can contact TWZ for information regarding work experience and
graduation, work experience contracts, part-time jobs on the side, and even about
work after graduation. You can contact the Servicepoint regarding HZ‟s various
administrative services as well as information about your timetables, collecting
your students cards, and applying for proof of registration.
Contact:
Helpdesk: email: helpdesk@hz.nl, telephone: 0118-489-277
TWZ: email: stage@hz.nl, telephone: 0118-489-111
Servicepoint: email: spoint@hz.nl, telephone: 0118-489-170
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HZ Sport
A large sports society for students and teachers
Between Monday and Thursday afternoons, members can take part in sports
using the facilities HZ Sports offers (for example, reductions on the prices of
sports centres and/or gymnasiums in or near Vlissingen)
Membership card costs approximately
€40/year and you will receive a free tshirt
Office is located in room F006
Contact Peter-Jan Mulder (head of HZ
Sports) by:
Telephone: +31 (0) 118 489317/06-13484435
Email: pmulder@hz.nl
About The Netherlands
Language
Almost everyone in the Netherlands speaks English well and they are proud of this
fact, so you should have no problems communicating with the locals.
Climate
Because of its proximity to the North Sea the Netherlands has
cool summers and mild winters which are typical of maritime
climates. Although, having said this, nothing can be less
predictable than the weather here! The weather can change
really quickly because of the strong winds. During the winter
months (December to March) there usually are not many days
below freezing; however, it is not uncommon to have a few days of snow. The
winters in the Netherlands are often wet and windy so make sure you have warm
clothes and a winter jacket with you. During the summer months (June to August)
the average temperature is about 20 degrees Celsius. A list of websites that will let
you know what the weather will be like is as follows:
BBC Weather
CNN
Yahoo
NWS
Weather Underground
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International Students and Culture Shock
Culture shock is a term used to describe the impact of moving from a familiar
culture to one that is unfamiliar. Leaving your home country and travelling to
study in another country can be a stressful experience and even though you
have prepared and planned for it, the extent of its effect on you may take you
by surprise. When familiar sights, sounds, smells, or tastes are no longer
available, you tend to miss them more. Also, when you are tired and jetlagged when you arrive, even the smallest things can be upsetting and blown
out of proportion. It is important to be able to identify these feeling and know
they are completely normal! Just remember you are on an adventure and have
a wonderful opportunity to learn and grow (even though you may be wondering
why you decided to leave home in the first place!) Here are some tips on how
to deal with culture shock:
Keep in touch with home (by phone, email, or web-cam)
Have familiar things around you (such as photographs)
Be physically active
Keep your sense of humour and try to see the value in every experience even if
it means laughing at yourself in the process!
Take advantage of the help from the International Office at HZ
Surround yourself with other international students who are in the same
position as you and who are most likely feeling the same way you do!
Culture
While your studies will keep you busy, make sure you take the time to explore as
much of the Netherlands as possible. It is a small country and it is easy to travel
around and you will find so much to do and see while you are here. The best source
of information is the Tourist Information Offices (www.vvv.nl) and
www.holland.com. They have maps, schedules of events, and can answer almost
any question you may have.
The three largest cities in the Netherlands are Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Den
Haag which each have their own special flavour and are definitely worth seeing.
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Amsterdam is the official capital of the country, is the social and cultural centre,
and is famous for it theatres, concert halls, museums and cafes. The city‟s
liveliness and its live-and-let-live attitude gives it an international reputation as
the place to have fun. The rest of the country looks to Amsterdam as an innovator.
Today, Amsterdam regards itself as the business “Gateway to Europe” because
hundreds of foreign companies have established headquarters here in order to take
advantage of its central location within the European Union. Visit
www.amsterdam.nl for more information.
Rotterdam is the second largest municipality in the Netherlands after Amsterdam
and is the industrial capital and the country‟s commercial capital. For over 40
years it was the world‟s largest international port and the world‟s busiest port by
cargo tonnage since 1962 until it was overtaken by Singapore and Shanghai in the
1990s. Bombs flattened much of Rotterdam in the Second World War and now it is
characterized by its modern buildings which sharply contrast with Amsterdam‟s 17 th
century buildings. Visit www.rotterdam.nl for more information.
Den Haag is the seat of government and diplomacy and the residence of the Queen.
It has a relatively dignified atmosphere recalling its colonial past. All embassies
and government ministries are located here, as well as the Supreme Court and it is
the largest Dutch city on the North Sea. Visit www.denhaag.nl for more
information.
Special Days
End of February: Carnival
Originally this was celebrated because it was the period preceding the forty
days of fasting before Easter. Now, this four-day-long celebration includes
parades, costume balls and large amounts of beer! To get the best carnival
experience it‟s best to go to the southern provinces of Noord-Brabant and/or
Limburg.
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April 1: April Fool‟s Day
Watch out! The Dutch are likely to play a joke on you today. It is a common
custom originating from 1572 when the Dutch outwitted the Spanish occupiers.
March or April: Easter (Pasen)
The second day of Easter is a public holiday and shops and institutions will be
closed.
April 30: Queen‟s Day (Koninginnedag)
This is the Queen‟s birthday and it is a national celebration as well as a public
holiday. Amsterdam becomes one large flea market as people line the streets
selling whatever they want and almost everyone wears orange.
May 4: Remembrance Day (Dodenherdenking)
All victims of the Second World War are commemorated on this day. All over the
country, people get together to lay wreaths at monuments and pay homage to
the victims. At 20.00h there is a two-minute silence. The Queen is present at
the ceremony in the Dam Square in Amsterdam and she puts a wreath on the
National Monument.
May 5: Liberation Day (Bevrijdingslag)
This is the day when the Netherlands was liberated in 1945. It is celebrated
every year, but as of 2000, it is an official holiday once every 5 years. People are
celebrating this fact with free-festivals happening in different cities throughout the
whole country.
Second Sunday in May: Mothers‟ Day (Moederdag)
Mothers are treated to breakfast in bed, flowers, and/or presents.
May or June (40 days after Easter): Ascension Day (Hemelvaartsdag)
This is a public holiday and shops and institutions will be closed.
Third Sunday in June: Fathers‟ Day (Vaderdag)
The same as mothers‟ day, except today Dad is the lucky one!
November 11: Sint Maarten
Similar to Halloween, children go to houses with handmade lanterns and sing
songs in exchange for fruit or sweets. This is only celebrated in the western part
of the Netherlands.
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December 5: Saint Nicholas (Sinterklaas)
Sinterklaas is often considered to be the brother of Santa Claus, and his
birthday is celebrated on this day. He rides a white horse instead of a sleigh and
is always accompanied by Zwarte Piet. In the evening, children put their shoes
near the stove or fireplace in hopes that Sinterklaas will surprise them with a
present (usually sweets). The evening of December 5 is called pakjesavond (gift
evening). People write funny verses for each other and give small gifts.
December 25 and 26: Christmas
The Dutch celebrate two days of Christmas: Eerste Kerstdag (the first day of
Christmas) and Tweede Kerstdag (the second day of Christmas). Many churches
hold special services and Christmas trees are elaborately decorated and kept
until the twelfth night.
December 31: New Year‟s Eve
This day is commonly called Old Year’s Day instead. This is the only time during
the year when the Dutch are allowed to set off fireworks themselves and at
midnight, everyone goes out into the street to wish friends, family, and
acquaintances a Happy New Year.
Accommodation
Allocation Procedures
Please find all information regarding accommodation on our website www.hz.nl,
accommodation section.
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Hotels and Pensions in Vlissingen
If you need accommodation for a few days or if friends and/or family are coming to
visit you, a list of hotel and pension choices in Vlissingen is as follows:
HOTEL
Grand Hotel Arion
Hotel Piccard
Hotel de Leugenaar
Hotel Elisabeth
Golden Tulip
Westduin
Hotel Boulevard
STARS
ADDRESS
TELEPHONE
WEBSITE
****
Boulevard
Bankert 266
4382 AC
Vlissingen
+31 (0) 118
410502
www.hotelario
n.nl
****
Badhuisstraat
178 4382 AR
Vlissingen
+31 (0) 118
413551
www.piccard.nl
***
Bouldevard
Bankert 132
4382 AC
Vlissingen
+31 (0) 118
412500
www.hoteldele
ugenaar.nl
***
Singel 2 4382
LA Vlissingen
+31 (0) 118
419289
Email:
Elisabeth@zeel
andnet.nl
***
Westduin 1
4371 PE
Koudekerke/
Vlissingen
+31 (0) 118
552510
www.goldentu
lipwestduin.nl
***
Coosje
Buskenstraat
130 4381 LH
Vlissingen
+31 (0) 118
412726
www.hotelboul
evardgarni.com
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N/a
Hotel Royal
Strandappartementen
De Gulden Storm
Hotel-Restaurant
Belgische
Loodsensocieteit
Badhuisstraat 3
– 13 3554 GA
Vlissingen
Boulevard
Bankert 634
4382 AC
Vlissingen
N/a
Boulevard de
Ruyter 4 4381
KA Vlisingen
Hotel Truida
STARS
HotelPension
Avylon
*
Pension
Marijke
N/a
Pension de
Singel
Pension
Wolff
N/a
*
www.hollandho
telroyal.nl
+31 (0) 118
440971
www.deguldens
troom.nl
+31 (0) 118
413608
www.bsoos.nl
+31 (0) 118
412700
www.hoteltruid
a.nl
N/a
N/a
PENSION
+31 (0) 118
412201
Boulevard
Bankert 108
4382 AC
Vlissingen
ADDRESS
Paul
Krugerstraat
134 4381 WJ
Vlissingen
Coosje
Buskenstraat
88 4381 LG
Vlissingen
Singel 104
4382 LC
Vlissingen
Aagje
Dekenstraat
93/95/97
4381 RN
Vlissingen
TELEPHONE
WEBSITE
+31 (0) 118
412410
www.hotelavylon.nl
+ 31 (0) 118
415062
www.pensionmarijke.nl
+31 (0) 118
411577
+31 (0) 118
414797
www.pensionsingel.nl
www.hotelpensionwolff.nl
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Getting to Know Vlissingen
Surrounding Area
The countryside to the west and north is
mostly rural. Zeeland‟s North Sea
beaches and numerous lakes make it
popular for tourism and an attractive
area to live in. To the east is a widereaching industrial area with port
activities and associated industries.
Zeeland Seaport is the third largest in
the Netherlands after Rotterdam and
Amsterdam. This area, along with the
Dutch-speaking part of Belgium and the
ports of Antwerp, Ghent, and Zeebrugge
forms a geographical unit. It is a major
industrial, commercial, and cultural centre within north-western Europe. The town
of Vlissingen and neighboring Middelburg, together, have a population of 90,000.
There are excellent train and motorway links between Vlissingen and its
neighboring cities. By car, Antwerp is only forty-five minutes away, Rotterdam is
one and a quarter hours away, Brussels is one and a half hours away and
Amsterdam is two hours away.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Vlissingen is relatively cheap compared to living in bigger cities
such as Amsterdam, and most students view the living expenses to be similar to
that of their home countries. The cost of living for a student living in Vlissingen is
between €550 and €700 per month and this includes rent, food, and insurance.
Costs can vary greatly, depending on your lifestyle, of course! Be sure to bring
enough money with you as the first few weeks are usually the most expensive since
you may need to purchase a bike, a mobile phone, and certain items for your
apartment. It is not easy to find additional funding once you are living in
Vlissingen.
The following are examples of typical prices of things in the Netherlands:
One-way train ticket from Amsterdam
to Vlissingen
€27,10
Rent per month
€250 - €330
Second-hand bike
€50 - €100
Groceries per week
€30 - €60
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Dinner at a restaurant (excluding
drinks)
Coca Cola or beer in a bar/restaurant
€15 - €30
€2 - €2.50
Bus ticket
€0.80 per zone
Mobile Phone
From €34.95
Banking
When you are living in the Netherlands for a semester or more, you will probably
find it useful to open a Dutch bank account. It is a good idea to ask if your bank at
home has any relationships with banks in the Netherlands, which may make the
decision of what bank to choose a bit easier for you. Find out what methods of
transferring money are available and what the costs involved are. Also, find out if
you can use your debit card (or cash card) from your home country in the banks in
the Netherlands to withdraw cash.
A list of banks for you to choose from in Vlissingen is as follows:
BANK
ADDRESS
ABN AMRO
Stadhuisplein 6
4382 LG Vlissingen
Coosje Buskenstraat 174
176
4381 LJ Vlissingen
Aagje Dekenstraat 1
4381 RM Vlissingen
Lange Zelke 1
4381 EW Vlissingen
Fortis Bank
ING Bank
Rabobank
TELEPHONE
+31 (0) 118 423500
+31 (0) 118 415160
+31 (0) 118 420010
+31 (0) 118 42800
** Rabobank has a special student package for students of HZ, so you may find it
most convenient to open an account with them. You can use this account (called a
Rabo StudentenPakket, in Dutch) as a normal account once you‟ve put money on it,
or you can transfer money into it from your home account. The Rabobank
StudentenPakket includes the following:
A Dutch bank account to make (automatic) payments and to receive money;
An international bank card to use in shops, public transport, etc.;
Online banking facilities;
Electronic bank statements;
Chipknip on the bank card, to make small payments at the HZ.
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Before you leave your home country you can order this bank card online at
http://rabobank.nl. Please note you will be charged a €10 administration fee.
Rabobank Opening Hours in Vlissingen and Middelburg:
Monday: 13.00 – 17.00
Tuesday: 9.00 – 19.30
Wednesday: 9.00 – 17.00
Thursday: 9.00 – 17.00
Friday: 9.00 – 17.00
Saturday: 10.00 – 13.00 (By appointment
in Vlissingen only)
*If your bankcard is lost or stolen, cancel your card immediately by calling
(0499) 499 112 or visit the nearest Rabobank during opening hours.
A chipknip is best described as a sort of electronic wallet that is very common in
the Netherlands. It is a microchip that you will see on most bank cards (or prepaid
chipknip cards) and you have to charge it on special machines before you can use
it. It is useful when making small purchases such as at parking metres, and you will
need one at HZ to pay for printing, making copies, buying snacks and drinks from
the vending machines, and making any payments at the library or book store.
*Even though credit cards are becoming more popular in the Netherlands, they still
are not used as frequently as in Canada, the United States, and France. You can
use them for larger purchases, for example, in retail stores; however, you cannot
use them in all supermarkets or train stations, so it is best to always have enough
cash or your Dutch bank card with you at all times. It is also important to know
that personal cheques and travelers cheques are not commonly used anymore.
The City of Vlissingen
Some interesting things to see in Vlissingen are:
Municipal Museum
Municipal Archives
Fort Rammekens
Michiel de Ruyter Statue
Shopping
During the Week
The larger supermarkets are
usually open between 08.00 and
either 20.00 or 21.00 during the
week
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The smaller grocery stores are usually open between 09.00 and 18.00
Other shops are usually open between 09.30 or 10.00 until 18.00
Every Friday there is an open-air market in the city centre of Vlissingen where
you can buy fresh produce, meat, dried fruits and nuts, and other Dutch treats
at really good prices. Every Thursday there is an open-air market in the city
centre of Middelburg.
*Some shops have different opening times so you should check the hours on the
doors
*On Monday morning most of the shops in the centre are closed. They usually
open at either 11.00 or 13.00. Between Tuesday and Friday shops open at about
09.30 and close at about 17.30. On Fridays, some shops have extra opening
hours until 19.00 or 21.00.
During the Weekend
On Saturdays shops are open from 09.00 until 17.00
On Sunday all major shops are closed in the centre of Vlissingen except:
o Albert Heijn, located on Gildeweg 6 (Open between 10.00 and
17.00)
o C1000, located on Hermesweg 25 (Open between 10.00 and 17.00)
Every last Sunday of the month shops have extra opening hours from about
13.00 to 17.00 in Vlissingen
Every first Sunday of the month, all shops in Middelburg are open from 13.00
to 17.00
The majority of the well-known stores will be found along the two main
shopping streets: Walstraat and Lange Zelke.
Food
You will save money if you do as much of your own cooking as possible; however,
convenience food is increasingly available and a growing number of restaurants
have a take-away service. You will probably spend between €30 and €60 a week on
groceries. Prices can vary between supermarkets, and most supermarkets have
their own label brands which can be cheaper. It is always a good idea to look
around and see which supermarket suits your budget and taste and it is important
to point out that prices can vary greatly.
Two important notes:
- The tap water here is perfectly drinkable so you
do not need to buy bottled water;
- The meat in the supermarket is not „halal‟.
Muslims have to buy there meat in the Islamic
specialty stores
The following is a selection of supermarkets in Vlissingen where you can do all your
daily grocery shopping:
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SUPERMARKET
ADDRESS
C1000 (€€)
Hermesweg 25,
4382 ND
Vlissingen
+31 (0) 118 416545
Albert Heijn (€€€)
Aagje Dekenstraat
16 4381 RZ
Vlissingen
+31 (0) 118 416281
Albert Heijn XL
(€€€)
Gildeweg 6 4383 NK
Vlissingen
+31 (0) 118 417414
Lidl (€)
Pablo Picassoplein
73
Vlissingen
Agrimarkt
(€€)
Papegaaienburg 5
4386 DA Vlissingen
Lidl (€)
Paauwenburgweg
63-77 4384 JC
Vlissingen
Lidl (€)
Papegaaienburg 6-8
4386 DA Vlissingen
Toko Mampir (€€)
Hobeinstraat 35
4381 PB Vlissingen
Islamitische Slagerij
Vlissingen
TELEPHONE
OPENING
HOURS
Mon–Thurs: 08.0020.00
Fri: 08.00-21.00
Sat: 08.00-18.00
Sun: 10.00-17.00
Mon-Thurs: 08.0020.00
Fri: 08.00-21.00
Sat: 08.00-18.00
Sun: CLOSED
Mon-Fri: 08.00-21.00
Sat: 08.00-20.00
Sun: 10.00-17.00
+31 (0) 35 5287400
Mon-Thurs: 08.3020.00
Fri: 08.30-21.00
Sat: 08.30-18.00
+ 31 118 460806
Mon- Fri : 8.3020.30
Sat: 8.30-18.00
Sun: CLOSED
+31 0800 5435463
Mon-Wed: 08.3018.30
Thurs: 08.30 – 20.00
Fri: 08.30-21.00
Sat: 08.30-19.00
+31 0800 5435463
Mon-Wed: 08.3018.30
Thurs-Fri: 08.3020.00
Sat: 08.30-18.00
+31 (0) 31 118
413661
N/a
Hobeinstraat 2
4381 PD Vlissingen
+31 6 47500369
N/a
Islamitische Slagerij
özçelik
Scheldestraat 55
4381 RR Vlissingen
N/a
N/a
Halal Slagerij
Bonedijkstraat 153
4382 HE Vlissingen
0118-441587
N/a
20
Home and Personal Products
Here is a list of drugstores where you can buy home and personal products as well
as medicines and vitamin supplements. Again, it is important for you to have a look
around and compare prices because they offer an extensive range of products but
many of these products you can buy from the supermarkets which are priced more
inexpensively than at these drugstores.
DRUGSTORE
DA (€€€)
Etos (€€)
Etos (€€)
Kruidvat (€)
Kruidvat (€)
De Rode Pilaren (€€€)
ADDRESS
Lange Zelke 50 4381 GA
Vissingen
Gildeweg 6 4383 NK
Vlissingen
Walstraat 104 4381 GS
Vlissingen
Lange Zelke 52 4381 GA
Vlissingen
Paauwenburgweg 4 4384
JE Vlissingen
Walstraat 91 4381 GG
Vlissingen
TELEPHONE
+31 (0) 118 412431
+31 (0) 118 414792
+31 (0) 118 417220
+31 (0) 118 410408
+31 (0) 118 468525
+31 (0) 118 430250
Post Office
The main post office is located in the centre of town on the street called Aagje
Dekenstraat. It is open from Monday to Friday between 09.00h and 17.00h.
For a list of prices to send mail, please ask someone at the Post Office. To send the
envelopes, you must go to the red mail boxes you will see on certain street corners
and put the envelope in the slot on the right for local mail, and in the left slot for
all other addresses in the Netherlands and abroad (it will say overige postcodes
over the slot meaning all other postcodes).
The post office (called Postkantoor in Dutch) address is as follows:
Aagje Dekenstraat 10 4381 RZ Vlissingen
+31 (0) 118 417510
21
Town Hall
All students, regardless of country of origin must register at the Town Hall. When
you register bring your Housing Contract and Passport or ID-card . Another
important thing to remember is to deregister at the end of your stay. To do this
simply let the Town Hall know that you are leaving and they will deregister you.
The Town Hall of Vlissingen is located at Paul Krugerstraat 1.
Opening hours are:
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday:
8.30 – 12.00 and with an appointment from 12.00 – 17.00
Thursday:
8.30 – 12.00 and from 16.00 – 19.00
With an appointment from 12.00 – 16.00
Friday:
8.30 – 12.00 and with an appointment 12.00 – 17.00
Making Phone Calls
You can also make long-distance phone calls from
the post office, if you do not have a phone, and it
offers better rates than if you were to call from a
prepaid mobile phone. For the regular phone
booths which are located on certain streets,
railways, and other public places, you will need a
telephone card which is also good for long
distances calls. You can purchase these in various
denominations from railway stations,
tobacconists, post offices, and other shops as well
as from HZ.
There is a store called „Phone Home‟ which is located where Scheldestraat and
Aagje Dekenstraat join and this is the best place to make long distance phone calls
and inquire about unlocking your cell phone or purchasing new sim cards.
To make an international call, dial 00 followed by your country code, then the
national area code (usually leaving off an initial 0) and then the local number.
Many countries have a Call Direct service where a free call in the Netherlands puts
you in touch with an operator in your own country where you can then arrange a
reversed-charge or credit call. To dial these services, dial 0800-022 and then a 4digit code for the country you want. A list of these codes is in the Amsterdam
Yellow Pages (Gouden Gids). The Dutch telephone book is available online at
http://www.telefoongids.nl and here you can fill in the name and city of who you
want to look up.
22
Cafes and Bars
You‟ll find these everywhere in Vlissingen! Both sell alcoholic and non-alcoholic
drinks, food, and coffee. The kitchen in a bar or café usually closes at 21.00. The
legal age to drink wine and beer is 16, and 18 for stronger alcoholic drinks.
The following is a list of some of the best cafes and bars for students:
CAFÉ/BAR
ADDRESS
TELEPHONE
Café De Dop
Bellamypark 4
4381 CJ
Nieuwendijk 9
+31 (0) 118
419274
+31 (0) 118
431267
Bellamypark 22`
4381CK
Vlissingen
+31 (0) 118
419476
Nieuwendijk 9
4381 BV
+31 (0) 118
419 274
Bellamypark 12
4381 CJ
+31 (0) 118
419274
Café Popeye
Café de
Concurrent
Café de Vic
Café Speyk
WEBSITE
www.cafededop.nl
www.cafepopeye.nl
www.conc.nl
www.tsapper.nl
www.cafespeyk.com
Restaurants
Vlissingen offers a wide range of restaurants
to suit all tastes and bank balances. It is also
worth noting that pubs often serve good and
inexpensive food. Most of the restaurants
are in the town centre, around Bellamy
Park, and on the Boulevard Bankert. Here
are some hints about the restaurants in
Vlissingen:
It is a good idea to reserve beforehand
Enquire beforehand if you want to pay with a credit card
All the restaurants and bars are non-smoking areas.
The Dutch eat early, around 17.00 pm; therefore, some restaurants will close
earlier than you may expect
23
A list of restaurants you may be interested in is as follows. For a complete list of
restaurants in Vlissingen and Middelburg please visit www.uitgaaninzeeland.nl.
RESTAURANT
ADDRESS
TYPE
TELEPHONE
Amigo
Nieuwendijk 71
4381 BL
Argentinian
+31 (0) 118 411943
CineCity Café
Spuikomweg 3
4381 LZ
Casual European
+31 (0) 118 415831
Arsenaaltheatre
Arsenaalplein 1
4381 BW
Theatre-Restaurant
with French
Cuisine
+31 (0) 118 430303
24
Grand Café/
Restauarant ParcCentral
Bellamy Park 34
4381 CK
Dutch/European
+31 (0) 118 414119
Grandcafe –
Restaurant
Stefano‟s
Boulevard Bankert
756 4382 AC
European
+31 (0) 118 418019
Ying‟s Wokpalace
Spuisstraat 67-69
4381 HP
Chinese and
Indonesian
+31 (0) 118
415151
Grieks
Restaurant Kreta
Palace
Walstraat 12-14
4381 EE
Greek
+31 (0) 118
415361
Chinese and
Indonesian
+31 (0) 118
414766
Da-xin
Beursplein 5-7
4381 CA
*By law, all prices include tax and tips. The price you see is the price you pay.
Normal Dutch practice in restaurants is to just round up to the nearest euro for
smaller amounts, and the nearest €3 for larger amounts. Do not feel obliged to
leave a tip: it is not expected.
Travel Agencies/Offices
Here is a list of the travel agencies in Vlissingen, all of which are located in or near
the city centre:
TRAVEL AGENCY
ADDRESS
TELEPHONE
Arke Reisbureau
Walstraat 66
4381 EG
+31 (0) 118 411165
D-Reizen
Walstraat 113
4381 GG
+31 (0) 118 801118
You can also visit the following websites for travel information:
www.virgin.com
www.easyjet.com
www.transavia.com
www.go-fly.com
www.cheapflights.co.uk
www.airline-network.co.uk
www.ryanair.com
www.wizzair.com
25
How to Get to HZ:
By Car: HZ is located very close to the A58 highway. When you arrive at the traffic
lights at the end of the A58 (E312) highway, turn left. Immediately make a right
turn towards the train station. Cross the railway tracks and follow the road called
“Oude Veerhavenweg”. You will find the entrance of the HZ parking lot on your
right.
By Train: If you have landed at Amsterdam‟s Schiphol Airport, you will find the
railway station located beneath the arrival hall. There is a direct railway
connection to Vlissingen. You can find the train schedule online at www.ns.nl
(there is also an English version). The easiest way to get to Vlissingen by train is to
take the Intercity train so that you don‟t have to change trains. The Intercity train
usually leaves at 15 minutes past every hour from platform 5/6 but it‟s always a
good idea to double check this before in case there were any changes. The price of
a train ticket from Amsterdam to Vlissingen is €27,10
If you arrive at Rotterdam Airport you will have to take the bus to “Rotterdam
Centraal”, the main railway station in Rotterdam. Buses leave the airport every
twenty minutes and the bus ride takes about twenty minutes also. From there you
can take the train to Vlissingen, but be careful because sometimes you will have to
change trains in Roosendaal. The price of the train ticket from Rotterdam to
Vlissingen is €19,40
If you arrive at Brussels Airport, you will have to take the international train to
Roosendaal in the Netherlands where you will have to switch trains onto one going
to Vlissingen.
Transportation in Vlissingen
By Bike
The best and fastest way to get around Vlissingen and
the neighbouring towns is by bicycle. In a country of
16 million people, there are about 12 million bicycles!
You can buy a new bike from about €150, but for your
purpose it is best to buy one that has been previously
owned because it will be much more affordable (they
usually start at about €50). There are a couple of stores around town that sell used
bikes and you can also find some at the train station. You can go to the shop at the
train station or the “Fietsenmakker”, as they usually have good prices. The
Fietsenmakker is located at Dreesstraat 8 in Vlissingen. Also, you can always ask a
Dutch person for their advice on where to buy one or if they know of anyone who is
looking to sell a bike.
26
For obvious reasons, it is so important to lock your bike to something solid when
leaving it unattended. Make sure you lock the frame as well as the front wheel
(otherwise they‟ll unbolt your front wheel, take your frame and someone else‟s
back wheel and have a complete bike!).
You are allowed to take your bike with you on most trains. You will need to buy an
additional ticket which you have to attach to your bike and this will cost
approximately €6,50. The main restriction is that you cannot transport bikes during
weekday rush hours (before 09.00 and between 16.30-18.00 Monday to Friday). This
does not apply to the months of July and August, however.
There are good facilities for cyclists, like special bike lanes and traffic lights.
The common word for bicycle is fiets, pronounced like “feats”. Some important
road sign translations for bikers (fietsers) are as follows and you should really
familiarize yourself with these terms:
Fietsers uitgezonderd: this sign does not apply to cyclists
Fietsers afstappen: cyclists dismount
Paal in wegdek: obstacle in road (used to hinder other traffic from entering cycle
paths)
Doorgaand verkeer: main through-road; non-local traffic
Slecht wegdek: road in bad condition
Zachte/gevaarlijke berm: soft/ dangerous shoulder
The following is an example of one of the many signs
designed for cyclists which you will find all over the bike
paths in the Netherlands: Cyclists are required to use the
mandatory cycle/ motor cycle track.
By Bus
Vlissingen also has good public transportation facilities. Buses are frequent, fast,
and dependable. There is a single ticket which is valid on all buses, trams and
metros. This is called a strippenkaart (strip ticket) and it can be purchased on the
actual buses, but it is much cheaper if you buy it from a tobacco shop, post office,
or railway station. It will cost €7.60 for 15 ticket, if we have a new way of
payment, the strippenkaart will only be valid till the 31st of December 2010
When you want to get off the bus, you have to press the red STOP button inside the
bus to indicate when the driver should stop at the next bus stop. The buses do not
run very late (the latest bus normally leaves the railway station at 23.00). To get
more information about all bus routes and schedules please visit
www.conexxion.nl. The buses that stop at HZ
are numbers 56 and the 57 Make sure to doublecheck with the bus driver that it is going in the
direction you want!
27
By Train
The Netherlands has a very reliable and efficient train system. It is really the best
way to travel around the country because you don‟t have to worry about traffic
jams and finding and paying for parking! There are three different kinds of trains in
Holland:
Intercity trains (which offers the fastest connections to the larger cities);
Sneltrein (high-speed trains to international cities);
Stoptrein (which make more frequent stops at some of the smaller cities)
You can find information regarding schedules and prices on the website www.ns.nl.
To find information regarding schedules when you are at the station, you will find
big yellow boards on the station concourse and on the platforms which will show
departure times and departure platforms. You will also be able to see the routes
which are displayed at the top of these yellow boards.
The blue and white information boards that you will see on the concourse and
platforms show the platform numbers, the departure times, the route that it will
take, and the final destination.
There are a few different ticket options, so make sure you purchase the right one
so that you don‟t pay more than you have to. The following options are available
Singles and Cheap Day Returns (Enkele Reis en Dagretour)
o It will be cheaper for you to buy a day return ticket than purchasing two
single tickets; however, your return journey must take place on the same
day as your outward journey. If you want to visit a few different cities on
one day, you can buy a ticket from the NS office that will allow this.
o
Day Travel Card (Dagkaart)
o This will allow you unlimited travel within the Netherlands for one day.
There is also an option to pay an extra €5 so that you can use other forms
28
of transportation such as bus, metro, or tram in the same day. This is
called an OV Dagkaart.
Weekend Return (Weekendretour)
o For the price of a day return you can travel between 19.00 on Friday
evening and 04.00 the following Monday morning.
You can buy your tickets from the NS ticket machines at every station; at the small
shops called “Wizzl” or “Kiosk” in the medium-sized stations, and from the ticket
offices at the larger stations. The NS ticket machines accepts Dutch bank cards and
the international bank (debit) cards with the Maestro logo on the back. The Wizzl
and Kiosk shops and ticket offices will also take the Dutch and international cards
with the Maestro logo on the back, but will not accept credit cards.
Train Discount Travel Card
If you plan on traveling by train once in a while you may find it worthwhile to
purchase a discount card for €55 that will give you a 40% discount on tickets for
travel within the Netherlands. You can use this discount during off-peak times (so
after 09.00 between Mondays and Fridays) and anytime during the weekends. This
card will also let you use the 40% discount on up to three people you are traveling
with! You can purchase one online; however, if you pay with cash in a ticket office
at any train station you will be given a temporary card that you can use until your
official card is sent to you in the mail (this usually takes up to three weeks). If you
purchase one online you will not be able to use the discount until you have
received the actual card in the mail. If you are going to purchase the card in the
station, you will need to bring an official Dutch passport picture of yourself and fill
out an application form. The form is in Dutch, so you can ask the person working in
the office to help you translate it, or you can bring it back to the International
Office and we can help.
o You can get the official Dutch passport picture of yourself taken at the
photo shop called “Foto Verschoore”. The address is Walstraat 109/111 and
it is in the city centre of Vlissingen. It will cost about €10 and you will
receive 4 or 5 copies.
29
By Taxi
Taxis are generally more expensive, but are of good quality and
reliable. You can order a taxi in Vlissingen through one of the
following companies:
TAXI COMPANY
Taxi Blaakman
De Gruiter
Vlissingen BV Taxi
Centrale
Taxibedrijf Akkerdaas
ADDRESS
Bedrijfsweg 12 4387 PD
Vlissingen
Industrieweg 17 4382 NA
Vlissingen
Industrieweg 17 4382 NA
Vlissingen
Van Hogendorpweg 28
4384 GZ Vlissingen
TELEPHONE
+31 (0) 118 468000
+31 (0) 118 591995
+31 (0) 118 416000
+31 (0) 118 582533
*Please note you do not need to tip more than rounding up to the next euro.
Also, many train stations have a taxi-sharing system called “Train Taxi‟s”. This is a
typically Dutch way of transport which involves sharing a taxi with other
passengers. The taxi will take you to and from over one hundred different railway
stations within the Netherlands at a reduced price. You will pay a fixed price of
about €4,60 per person, whatever the distance if you buy it at the station with your
train ticket. Train Taxi tickets can be purchased at the NS ticket offices or ticket
machines or you can buy it directly from the taxi driver in the car, but this will be
slightly more expensive (around €5). The Train Taxi will only cover a specific area
which you can check by looking at the information board by the Train Taxi pick-u
point or you can look it up on the Train Taxi website (www.treintaxi.nl). For train
taxi reservations call +31 (0) 118 472828.
By Car
The Netherlands has a network of modern, well-maintained roadways
that include high-speed expressways, limited access motorways, dual
highways and secondary roads.
Car rental terms and conditions vary from company to company. In
the Netherlands rates can range from €30 to €80 per day and in some cases there
are additional charges per extra kilometers driven. Rentals for one week or more
are available at special rates and if you book in advance you will often qualify for
reduced rates. Some companies offer additional discounts during the off-season
and on weekends. A 19%, non-refundable VAT is applied to all rental rates. Please
make sure you have a drivers‟ license that is valid in the Netherlands
You can rent cars in Vlissingen from the following companies listed below.
30
COMPANY
Avis Autoverhuur
Budget-Rent-a-Car
Automobielbedrijf
Dijkwel
ADDRESS
TELEPHONE
Marie Curieweg 1-5 4389
WB Ritthem
Marie Curieweg 5 3134 XR
Ritthem
Industrieweg 27-29 4382
NA Vlissingen
+31 (0) 118 469312
+31 (0) 118 465250
+31 (0) 118 417711
*If you need a car for a longer period of time, Budget-Rent-A-Car is ideal because
of its special deals on weekend rentals
and because they have a lot of reasonably
priced models to choose from. There are
several
rental offices throughout the Netherlands
and you will save money if you do not rent
it at Schiphol airport (although if you,
your friends, or family are just arriving it
would be the most convenient and worth
the extra charge!). You
can check prices and make reservations
with Budget online by visiting www.budget.com. Also note that Budget allows you
to drop off the car at a different location than if was originally rented from. The
following companies have rental offices located in the plaza at Amsterdam‟s
Schiphol Airport:
COMPANY
TELEPHONE
WEBSITE
Avis Rent-A-Car
+31 (0) 20 655 6050
www.avis.nl
Budget-Rent-A-Car
+31 (0) 20 6041349
www.budget.com
National-Rent-ACar
+31 (0) 20 3164081
www.nationalcar.c
om
Hertz
+31 (0) 20 5020240
www.hertz.nl
Europcar
+31 (0) 20 3164190
www.europcar.nl
Sixt
+31 (0) 20 4059090
www.e-sixt.com
Parking in Vlissingen and Middelburg
If you are coming to Vlissingen by car here are some tips you
can take to avoid getting a fine or being towed:
If you do not have a free parking authorization please note you may be towed if
you do not purchase a parking ticket from the parking meter.
31
Do not park if there are signs at the entrance of the street stating “alleen voor
vergunninghouders”. This means it is reserved only for cars who have
authorization to park in this area
Outside the city centre where there are no signs saying “betaald parkeren”, you
can park your car free of charge
In the big parking lot next (not underneath) to Cine City (the movie theatres)
you can park free of charge
In the evenings you can park for free from 18.00 until 09.00. (except the
shopping evenings on Fridays in Vlissingen and Thursdays in Middelburg you can
park for free from 21.00 until 09.00)
Parking is free in the city centre on Sundays
If you have an apartment within the centre you can buy parking authorization
once you register as a resident of Vlissingen at the City Hall
o Once you have this registration you have to go to the police office to buy
the authorization – In Vlissingen it will cost about €42 for a year.
Attractions and Activities
The following are a few places you can visit while you‟re living in Vlissingen:
ATTRACTION
TELEPHONE
WEBSITE
Nautical Centre „Het
Arsenaal (Largest
Nautical Attraction in the
Netherlands)
+31 (0) 118 415400
www.arsenaal.com
Het Arsenaal Theatre
(Theatre and Bar)
+31 (0) 118 430303
www.arsenaaltheatre.nl
Carrousel/Cue Action
(Billiards and Restaurant)
Carrousel : +31 (0) 118
430152
Cue Action: +31 (0) 118
430265
www.carrouselamusement.nl
Cine City (Movie Theatre)
+31 (0) 118 415831
www.cinecity.nl
Reptielenzoo Iguana
(Reptile and Insect Zoo)
+31 (0) 118 417219
www.people.zeelandnet.nl
Het Vrijburgbad
Swimming Pool
+31 (0) 118 486820
Email:
vrijburgbad@optisport.nl
32
Health Care and Insurance
Health Insurance
As a foreign student in the Netherlands you must have health insurance. Students
from all EU countries must have an international health insurance card. You will
have to apply to the appropriate authority in your country before departure for
exact information. Students who are privately insured must check that their
insurance covers them for their entire period abroad. Non-EU students need Dutch
health and liability insurance. You can find more information about this at
http://www.nuffic.nl/international-students/how-to-prepare/insurance
Liability Insurance
Under Dutch law, people are liable for damage done to other people‟s belongings.
You are strongly advised to take out liability insurance.
Doctors
The Dutch system is organized around the general practitioner or “huisarts”.
Everyone has a “huisarts” and he or she is the first one you go to when you have a
medical issue that needs attention. If you need treatment from a specialist, the
“huisarts” will refer you to one. You will have to make an appointment to see a
“huisarts” between 9.00 and 10.00. If you need a doctor on weekdays after 18.00h
or on the weekends, you must call the “Huisartsenpost” at 0900-1985. This address
is Koudekerkesweg 86, 4382 ED Vlissingen. Please note that seeing a doctor here at
these times is three times as expensive as seeing a doctor during office hours. It is
not customary for a patient to make an appointment directly with a specialist. You
will usually need to send a copy of the referral letter from the “huisarts” along
with the claim for reimbursement you send to the insurance company. The
specialist will send reports back to the “huisarts” who keep a complete medical
record for each individual in his or her practice. Make sure you know the procedure
for making claims with your insurance company. Often you must first pay the bill
yourself (in cash) and submit a receipt with your claim, so make sure you keep all
receipts. Following is a list of some doctors in Vlissingen:
DOCTOR
ADDRESS
TELEPHONE
F.A. v.d. Berg en A.M.M.
Termeer
Rosenburglaan 1 4385 JE
+31 (0) 118 465253
33
J.F.M. Bergen
Ambachtsveld 39 AV OostSouburg
+31 (0) 118 461500
F.A.N. Bronzwaer
Singel 13 4382LL
+31 (0) 118 412525
Dhr. Hamelinck
Badhuisstraat 46 4381 LT
+31 (0) 118 412950
J.M.G. Roebroeck
Lelienplaan 2 4382 PC
+31 (0) 118 412225
N. Kapteijn/ Mw. C,
Wattel. G.T. v.d. DriestDijkgraaf
Lekstraat 6 4388 SP OostSouburg
+31 (0) 118 461630
P.B.A. Crama
Huisartstenpraktijk
Westerbaan 16 4386 CR
+31 (0) 118 468021
H. Meijer
Kanaalstraat 70 4388 BP
Oost-Souburg
+31 (0) 118 461212
W.N. Osterman
De Kempenaerstraat 2
4384 KB
+ 31 (0) 118 479791
Dentists
If you need a dentist while you are in Vlissingen, here is a list of dentists you can
contact. Please note dentist‟s bills are quite expensive in the Netherlands.
DENTIST
ADDRESS
TELEPHONE
Drs. R.J. Arratoon
Badhuisstraat 45 4381 LN
+31 (0) 118 414643
A.P. de Looff
Badhuisstraat 140 4382 AP
+31 (0) 118 413881
P.H.E. Cappenberg
Alexander Gogelweg 59
4384 EV
+31 (0) 118 465557
P. Malland
Tobagolaan 6 4383 AM
+31 (0) 118 478290
34
D. Ruissen
Kanaalstraat 91 4388 BL
Oost-Souburg
+31 (0) 118 461347
H. Steunenberg
Westerbaan 18 4386 CR
+31 (0) 118 460104
R.P. Reddingius
Singel 26 4382 LA
+31 (0) 118 412644
Smallegange en
Oosterhoff
Gerbrandystraat 176 4384
NM
+31 (0) 118 465326
A.A. Paul en G.J. de
Witte
Doornenburg 31 4385 EJ
+31 (0) 118 478811
Dentistpractise Vanneste
– Gabriёla
L. Eemstraat 3 4388 RH
Oost-Souburg
+31 (0) 118 461530
Pharmacies
For medicine prescribed by a doctor you must go to an “apotheek” (pharmacy) to
pick it up. Here is a list of pharmacies in Vlissingen:
PHARMACY
ADDRESS
TELEPHONE
Paauwenburg Apotheek
Dreesstraat 2/A 4384 DC
+31 (0) 118 470717
Papegaaienburg
Apotheek
Papegaaienburg 26 4386
DA
Badhuisstraat 30-36 4381
LT
Sande Apotheek vd
Singel De
Singel 9
+31 (0) 118 466345
+31 (0) 118 412066
+31 (0) 118 412730
Emergency Information
Hospital
In case of an accident or emergency, every hospital will provide first aid. Look for
the entrance marked “EHBO” or “Eerste Hulp”. Take your insurance papers with
you if you can, but if you do not have them you will not be turned away. If you
need urgent treatment but are well enough to travel, you can make your own way
to the Accident and Emergency department or ask a friend to take you. Most
35
general practitioners also run an on-call” service so that you can contact a doctor
24 hours a day. The address and phone number of the hospital in Vlissingen is as
follows:
HOSPITAL “ZIEKENHUIS WALCHEREN”
Koudekerkseweg 88
4382 EE Vlissingen
Tel: +31 (0) 118 425000
Emergency Services: 112
If you need immediate medical assistance, call 112. The call is free and an
operator will ask you which emergency service you need (Fire, Police, Ambulance).
General Police Number
If you need to contact the police, but it is not an emergency (such as your
neighbour‟s music is too loud etc.) you can call 0900-8844. You can also find the
police station at:
Molenstraat 1 4381 HW Vlissingen.
„In Case of Emergency‟ (ICE) Program
Designed to enable first responders (paramedics,
firefighters, police officers) to identify people and contact their next of kin to
obtain important medical information
People are encouraged to enter in their emergency contact person(s) in their
mobile phone book in the following format ICE1-mum, ICE2-dad, ICE3 etc.
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We hope this guide has answered many of your questions and has given you some
insight into life in Vlissingen that will make the transition from your home country
to here as easy and enjoyable as possible! If you have any further questions, please
feel free to contact the International Office or your programme coordinator.
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