BACHELOR Practical information MASTER

For new students of the Humanities UVA.NL SINGEL AMSTERDAM. PHOTO: EDUARD LAMPE www.student.uva.nl > [your programme] > A-Z Practical information

Content Where are we 4

Practical information 5

Learning Dutch 7

Computers and internet 8

Healthcare 11

Keeping safe 12

Social in Amsterdam 12

Transport 16

Colophon

• Ontwerp Crasborn Grafisch Ontwerpers bno • University of Amsterdam • Cover Eduard Lampe • Faculty of Humanities

University of Amsterdam, August 2015

No rights can be derived from this document.

www.student.uva.nl > [your programme] > A-Z 3 Where are we

Humanities' International Office

- P.C. Hoofthuis, room 0.11 - Spuistraat 134, 1012 VB Amsterdam - T: +31 (0)20 525 3094 - E: [email protected] Opening hours: Monday - Thursday 13:00 to 16:00 www.uva.nl/exchange-humanities

Graduate School of Humanities

- P.C. Hoofthuis, room 0.11 - Spuistraat 134, 1012 VB Amsterdam - T: +31 (0)20 525 4481 - T: +31 (0)20 525 3157 - E: [email protected] Opening hours: Monday - Thursday 13:00 - 16:00 www.gsh.uva.nl

Student Service Desk

- Amsterdam Roeterseiland Campus REC-C1.01 - Nieuwe Achtergracht 166 - 1051 LD Amsterdam - T: +31 (0)20 525 8080 Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 08:30-17:30 Temporary second location open from August 17-October 1: - Oudemanhuispoort Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 10:00-14:00 www.uva.nl/en > education > practical matters

Your address and phone

Please make sure that the Humanities’ International Office and Graduate School have your current address in Amsterdam, your e-mail address and mobile phone number.

Contacting teachers and staff

In general teachers and support staff at the UvA are easy to approach, though the response time to emailed questions may differ greatly. Though teachers and staff may be casually dressed and in general not very formal, everybody appreciates polite address and politely written emails. Be aware of different communication styles due to cultural differences. If you do not know who to contact or have questions on the best way to approach somebody, you can always ask the Humanities’ International office or the Graduate School of Humanities for advice.

www.student.uva.nl > [your programme] > A-Z 4 Practical information

UvA website

On the UvA website in the upper right hand corner is a search engine where you can search for information and contact details of teachers and other UvA staff. Many UvA services use online webforms for questions. These webforms are less personal but they will make sure your question is brought to the attention of the relevant person. Make sure to visit the current students website of your programme. Here you can find announcements, news, contact details and the A-Z listing. This list provides information on almost all educational and examination related student affairs, arranged in alphabetical order by key word. www.student.uva.nl/en > [your programme] > A-Z

Student counselling

It may so happen that you are prevented from completing your courses and/or graduating on time due to various reasons. For example, you may have lost your motivation because of doubts about your study choice, or maybe there are personal issues distracting you from your studies. There are various people at the Faculty of Humanities to which you can turn when in need of counselling, including: the relevant course lecturer; tutors, student councillors, programme coordinators and study advisers.

Study advisers

Each study programme has one or more study advisers who can assist you with any issues or questions you might have regarding your studies. The study adviser has a good overview of study possibilities, and is in close contact with both students and lecturers. This means that the study adviser can act as intermediary between both groups. To find out who the adviser is of your study programme and how to get in touch with them, visit: www.student.uva.nl > [your programme] > A-Z > Study adviser

Student Careers Centre

The career advisers at the UvA Student Careers Centre can help you with information, workshops and individual vocational counselling to find out what you want, get insight into your capabilities and competences, make choices and improve your application skills in order to achieve your career goals. They can help you make your CV and give you cover letter feedback. UvA graduates from all over the world find their way to interesting careers, whether in the Netherlands or abroad. The Student Careers Centre is specialised in advising international (non-Dutch) UvA graduates about job seeking in the international labour market. The Student Careers Centre is located: - Roeterseiland Campus, building E, 9th, 10th and 11th floor - Roetersstraat 11,1018 WB Amsterdam - T +31 (0)20 525 5387 - T +31 (0)20 525 8080, for quick queries or for requesting a one-to-one appointment: Tuesday to Friday, from 09:00 - 10:00. www.student.uva.nl > [your programme] > A-Z > Career

www.student.uva.nl > [your programme] > A-Z 5 Academic calendar UvA 2015-2016

First semester - Monday 31 August 2015 Start classes semester 1 - 31 August – 16 October BLOCK 1 - 19 – 23 October Exam period 1 (lecture free) - 26 October – 11 December BLOCK 2 - Data to be announced: Second semester course registration period - 14 – 18 December Exam period 2 (lecture free) - 21 December – 1 January Christmas recess. No lectures or exams. - 4 – 19 January BLOCK 3 (including assessment)

Second semester - Monday 2 February 2016 Start classes semester 2 - 1 February – 18 March BLOCK 4 - 21 – 24 March Exam period 4 (lecture free) - 29 March – 20 May BLOCK 5 - 23 – 27 May Exam period 5 (lecture free) - 30 May – 24 June BLOCK 6 (including assessment) - 11 July – 19 August Summer recess

Holidays (no classes)

- Friday 25 December & Friday 1 January - Friday 25 March 2016 Good Friday - Monday 28 March 2016 Easter (second day) - Wednesday 27 April 2016 Kings day - Thursday 5 May 2016 Liberation Day - Friday 6 May 2016 Collective closure (under reservation) - Monday 16 May Pentecost (second day)

www.student.uva.nl > [your programme] > A-Z 6 Learning Dutch

Dutch as a Second Language (INTT)

The Institute for Dutch as a Second Language (Instituut voor Nederlands als Tweede Taal, INTT) provides Dutch language courses to students from abroad, both intensive summer courses and longer-term courses. The Dutch language courses for international students are provided at various levels. Application forms are available at the International Office and Graduate Office. Exchange students and Master students get a discount if the International Office or the Graduate Office signs the application form. Some students can get a course refunded, for example students in the Global Exchange programme or students who need Dutch in their studies. For specific requirements ask the Humanities’ International Office or the Graduate Office Humanities. - INTT, P.C. Hoofthuis, room 504 - Spuistraat 134, Amsterdam - T +31 (0)20 525 4642, Tuesday to Friday 09:00 - 11:00 and 14:00 - 15:00 - Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday 11:00 to 12:30 and Thursday evening 17:30 to 18:30 - E: [email protected] www.intt.uva.nl

Hoi Holland app

Nuffic has created an app for IOS and Google play to help you learn Dutch and about Dutch culture. It is called Hoi Holland By playing Hoi Holland! you will learn some basics of Dutch. This app will help make everyday activities, such as grocery shopping or going to a restaurant, a little easier and more fun. It will also help you to connect with Dutch students and make new, Dutch friends! You can download the Hoi Holland in the App store or get it on Google play.

English Language Profiency Test (IELTS)

You can take an English language proficiency test at the IELTS. The UvA offers an opportunity to take an IELTS test to third year BA students, students who are going on exchange (BA or MA), and MA students who will be graduating soon. The test is free of charge. You will need to apply in person at the Student Service Desk.

Taalwinkel (Dutch language)

The Taalwinkel is an online consultation point for students and staff of the HvA and UvA. Students can watch short films about presentation techniques, take online language tests or work on their thesis. www.taalwinkel.nl

Student Language Exchange

The Student Language Exchange (SLE) is a Facebook forum where students can connect with each other to learn or practice languages. Common examples of posts include ‘My Dutch for your German,’ or ‘My English for your Spanish’. The SLE is a joint project of the International Student Network and the ASVA Student Union. www.facebook.com/groups/582102621811841 www.isn-amsterdam.nl/student-language-exchange

www.student.uva.nl > [your programme] > A-Z 7 Computers and Internet

Computer facilities are available in most UvA-buildings. To log on to a computer you need your UvAnetID and password. If you have your own laptop or mobile phone and want to make use of the wireless connection of the UvA, you need to download and install some software.

UvA-net ID

All UvA students will be issued a UvA-net ID, which consists of a username and password, and offers access to various digital UvA resources. Among other things, your UvA-net ID provides access to: - UvA network - SURFspot.nl (website where you can buy software and electronics with a discount) - Online library catalogue - Blackboard - Study space PCs - Practical training PCs

Student-ID card

A student-ID card is a personal card which serves as proof of identity for examinations, for instance. You will also need it to borrow books, and you can use the credit on your student-ID card to pay for beverages purchased from the coffee and tea vending machines and when using printers. You can pick up your student-ID card at the Student Service Desk during your START-appointment. You can load money on to your Student-ID card by topping it up. Many UvA locations have top-up points where you can put money on your student-ID card using a debit card. You can also top-up your student-ID card on the UvA website. You will incur a bank charge of €0.50 per top-up transaction. Student-ID cards can always be topped up free of charge at the top-up locations. Please note: Your student-ID card must be activated to make payments. If you have not yet activated your student-ID card, go to one of the service points to activate it. You can find where service points are here: www.student.uva.nl/en > [your programme] > A-Z > Student ID card

Student e-mail

As a UvA student you can choose to activate your student email address. The UvA uses Google Apps for Education for its student email addresses. With this email address you will be able to access Google’s email functions. You can also use this account to utilise additional Google Apps for Education functions, such as the digital storage space offered by Google Drive and Google Docs. The email address you receive from the UvA will have the following structure: [email protected] Please note, the UvA email address can only be used with Google Apps for Education. www.student.uva.nl > [your programme] > A-Z > Email for students

My UvA You can reach all UvA digital facilities through the MijnUvA/MyUvA-portal: www.myuva.nl Use your UvAnetID and password to log in.

www.student.uva.nl > [your programme] > A-Z 8 How to connect to the UvA Wireless:

To connect to UvA Wireless you need to download some software at a moment that you have an internet connection (e.g. 3G or connected to UvAguests). Follow the following steps: Step 1: Go to https://wifiportal.uva.nl. This page automatically checks your operating system in order to download the right software (e.g. Windows, Mac OS X or Android). Step 2: Check that the operating system is correct and click 'Join Now'. The software will start to download. Users with Mac OS X Lion and Mountain Lion operating systems should enter their [email protected]) before clicking the JoinNow button. Users with Mac OS X Tiger operating system can get instructions on the wifi portal on how to manually set up the wireless network connection. Step 3: Install the software on your device. www.wireless.uva.nl

University Library and Study rooms

With your Student-ID Card you have access to the libraries and can take out books for free. Almost all UvA-buildings have their own library. The P.C. Hoofthuis library offers an extensive collection of educational tools for practising languages, such as language courses, diagnostic tests, documentaries and films to anyone with a UvAnetID. All libraries have study rooms with or without computers. If you log on to Myuva.nl you can find which study room is crowded at that particular moment, and which one is not. The opening hours may differ for each library; you find these on http://uba.uva.nl/en/locations There is also a very extensive digital library you can search through whilst studying at home: http://uba.uva.nl/en On this page, you can click on ‘services’ and then on ‘courses and workshops’: you will find a range of possibilities to improve your library skills. If you want to get access to academic articles at home, you need to download a programme called UvAVPN, you can find this software through: www.student.uva.nl > [your programme] > A-Z > VPN (Accessing the UvA network) > Download software.

The University Library is located at: - Singel 425, Amsterdam - Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 23:45 - Saturday and Sunday from 09:00 to 22:00

15-minute computers

Most of the study centres have a small number of computers referred to as ‘15-minute PCs’. These workstations are designed for people who only need a computer for a short period for example to print something. After 15 minutes, the user is automatically logged out. You cannot immediately log in again to a 15-minute computer. If you want to continue working after 15 minutes, you will have to log in at a normal workstation.

Printing, scanning and copying

All UvA facilities with computers offer printing services. One black and white page costs €0.05. At the University Library (Singel 425) a colour printer is also available. A colour print costs €0.50. In a number of study centres, the multifunctional printers can also be used for scanning. The scans should be saved to a USB stick. Scanning is free of charge. You can pay for printing by loading money on to your student ID card.

www.student.uva.nl > [your programme] > A-Z 9 Blackboard

In most courses Blackboard is used for announcements, assignments, to publish literature etc. Please check at the start of the course if the lecturer is using blackboard or not. You can reach blackboard via www.MyUvA.nl or http://blackboard.uva.nl

Courses and Course Registration

To find your courses, please check the Course Catalogue and go to the overview of courses. The deadline for course registration for the first semester of study year 2015-2016, has passed. To see if it’s possible to register for a course after the deadline, contact your programme administration. To find out which Programme administration this specific course belongs to, please see: www.student.uva.nl > [your programme] > Contact You can drop a course until the end of the second week of the first block in which the course takes place. If you decide not to attend the class, make sure to cancel this course. It is very important that you do this, otherwise you will receive a ‘0’ on your transcript of records. You can drop the course by removing it in the overview of courses in your course planner. www.coursecatalogue.uva.nl When it's time again to register for courses for the next semester, you can read about each course in the course catalogue. You will receive an e-mail letting you know when to register for courses and when the deadline is. Then visit www.uva.nl/vakaanmelden and put your courses into your planner. When the registration starts be sure to officially register for the courses by checking the boxes next to each course and clicking register. Putting them in your planner is not enough.

Course Schedule

To find out when and where your courses will take place, log in to MyUvA and visit www.rooster.uva.nl. Click ‘Add timetable’ to search for the schedule of the courses you are taking. You can also use this website to see when your exams are scheduled. www.rooster.uva.nl

www.student.uva.nl > [your programme] > A-Z 10 Healthcare

Medical help and counselling

If you need to see a doctor, you can go to the UvA student doctors (Studentenartsen). After filling out the ‘Doctor Office registration form’ through the link below, you can make an appointment or go to the open consultation: - Monday to Friday 09:00 - 09:45 - Oude Turfmarkt 151, Amsterdam - T: 020 - 525 2878/4772 - T: 020 - 525 2889 Emergencies during office hours - T: 088 00 30 600 Emergencies outside of office hours and on the weekend www.huisartsenamsterdam.nl/english For dental help please contact the Dentist consultation agency (tandartsbemiddelingsbureau). They can help you to find a dentist in Amsterdam. - T: 020 - 570 9595

Student Psychologists If you are having problems with stress, homesickness, lack of motivation etc. you can contact the student psychologists. They are independent and guarantee anonymity. The student psychologists offer individual sessions in which they try to pin point what the problem is and try to help you through it. They also offer group sessions for mindfulness and stress-relief. You can contact them through the student service desk: - Roeterseiland Campus, building E room E9.04 - Roetersstraat 11,1018 WB Amsterdam - T: +31 (0)20 525 8080 / 2599 - E: [email protected] - Phone hours to talk to a psychologist: Tuesday-Friday 09:00-10:00 - Phone hours to make an appointment: 09:00-17:00

Emergencies and first aid

The emergency number in the Netherlands is 112. In the event of an emergency in a UvA building, such as a fire, serious flooding, etc., call the UvA's emergency number: 020 525 2222. This number can be reached at all times.

What should you do during an evacuation in a UvA building? If you hear the evacuation alarm (a slow whoop) then it is important to follow these instructions: Stay calm, gather your belongings and leave the building. Take the shortest evacuation route from your study location. Do this by following the green exit signs. Make sure to get to know this route (it is usually different from the route you take to the main entrance). After leaving the UvA building, proceed immediately to the assembly area. The company emergency response officers can show you the way. During an emergency evacuation, always follow the instructions of the company emergency response officers.

First aid In a UvA building, first aid is provided by company emergency response officers (BHV). These are UvA employees who have undergone training to learn what they should do in the event of an emergency, such as when someone becomes ill or has an accident. The porter of the building is the contact person for summoning the BHV team. The porters themselves have all done a BHV-training course. If something happens, call the porter or the UvA emergency number: T: 020 525 2222

www.student.uva.nl > [your programme] > A-Z 11 Keeping safe

Basic Street Smarts

Amsterdam is considered a very safe city by international students, but it is always a good idea to keep a few safety tips in mind:

• Program the emergency telephone number 112 (police/fire/ambulance) in your cell phone. To report something to the police you can call 1800-8844 • Don’t leave your valuables unattended, even if it is just for a moment. Purses, book bags, jackets, cellular telephones and laptops all make quick easy targets for thieves. • Wherever you are stay alert and tuned in to your surroundings. • Send the message that you're calm, confident and know where you're going. • Trust your instincts. If something or someone makes you uneasy, avoid the person or leave and head for a populated area. • Know the neighborhoods where you live and work. Check out the locations of police, restaurants and stores that are open late. • Stick to well-travelled streets. Avoid shortcuts through parks, parking lots or alleys. Travel in groups when possible. • Don't flash large amounts of cash or other tempting targets. • If someone tries to rob you, don't resist. • Report the crime to the police. Try to describe the attacker accurately. • Try to use automated teller machines (ATM) in the daytime. Have your card in hand, and don't approach the machine if you're uneasy about people nearby. • Have your house key in hand before you reach the door.

Basic Apartment Security

• Program the emergency telephone number 112 (police/fire/ambulance) in your cell phone. • Check your locks and doors to ensure that there are proper locking mechanisms in place. • Do not leave windows or doors unlocked, even when you're leaving for just a few minutes. • Let a friend or roommate know where and with whom you’ll be out, and when you will be returning. • Determine who is outside your door before you open it and never allow anyone you do not know to enter the building. • Record serial numbers and keep photos or descriptions of your valuables. Keep your valuables and your valuable papers and documents in a safe place. • Report unsafe situations in or round the building to the caretaker or resident assistant. • Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you feel unsafe. • Do know the emergency-doors, escape routes and the place of fire extinguishers.

Social in Amsterdam

Over the course of your studies at the University of Amsterdam, you will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy all the cultural, sporting and social activities Amsterdam has to offer. You can join a student association (not to be confused with your degree programme's study association) or play an active role in one of the various bodies representing student interests.

Study associations

We recommend joining your degree programme's study association at the start of the first year. This will help you with both your studies and social life: you will get to know your fellow students in far less time and participate in activities that relate to your chosen field of study. In many cases, membership also offers practical advantages, such as discounts on

www.student.uva.nl > [your programme] > A-Z 12 study books. www.student.uva.nl > [your programme] > A-Z > Study association For overview of all study associations of the faculty of Humanities you can also check: www.alpha-fgw.nl/studieverenigingen

Mensas

There are a few university mensas (student restaurants). These are perfect Meeting points. The most central mensa is: - Krater, Roetersstraat 11, Amsterdam (Roeterseilandcampus) - Opening hours: Monday – Thursday 8:00-22:00, Friday 8:00-18:00 www.uva.student.nl > [your programme] > A-Z > Restaurants, cafés and coffee bars

Sports

Student sports are organised by USC, located in a few different locations around the city, such as the UvA Sciencepark Campus and in the PC Hoofthuis building. Visit the website to see if there is a location near you. - T: +31 (0)20 525 89 55 - E: [email protected] www.usc.uva.nl

CREA: UvA’s cultural centre

CREA is located on Nieuwe Achtergracht 170, at the UvA Roeterseiland Campus. Here you find debate, music and live performances almost every day of the week. Bring your student card for reduced prices! CREA also has a nice bar with (relatively) cheap food and rents out small rooms to practice for example music or dance. CREA offers a wide range of workshops in among others art, photography, music and theater, but the workshops generally run for the whole semester and are mainly in Dutch. www.crea.uva.nl

Volunteer work

If you are looking for a way to spend your time meeting other (Dutch) people, while helping people in need, you could register on Amsterdam Cares. This organisation is known for its flexible volunteer activities, you will sign in for one activity at the time. www.amsterdamcares.nl

International organisations

In addition, there are student unions which represent interests of all students, such as ISN, ASVA and AEGEE. ISN: The International Student Network (ISN) is run by Dutch students specifically for international students studying in Amsterdam. ISN aims to facilitate the social and cultural integration of international students in Dutch society, and Amsterdam in particular. ISN organises the international student introduction and has a Buddy programme in which a Dutch fellow student will show you around the UvA and help you get settled. ISN also organise excursions, parties and weekly drinks throughout the year. If you would like to be kept informed of their activities, you can register on the ISN-website. - Nieuwe Achtergracht 170, CREA, Room 1.15. Walk-in: Mo-Wed-Fri 13:00-17:00 - E: [email protected] www.isn-amsterdam.nl

www.student.uva.nl > [your programme] > A-Z 13 AEGEE: With almost 500 members, AEGEE-Amsterdam is one of the largest student organisations in Amsterdam. This organisation is part of AGEE-Europe, a student organisation that promotes co-operation, communication and integration amongst young people in Europe. www.aegee.nl

AIESEC: Present in over 110 countries and territories, aligned with 2100 universities and with over 60,000 members, AIESEC is the world's largest youth-run organization. Focused on providing a platform for youth leadership development, AIESEC offers young people the opportunity to go on international internships, acquire leadership experience and participate in a global learning environment. www.aiesec.org

ASVA: The ASVA Student Union offers several services for students such as housing mediation and cheap bikes. See their website for information that can be useful for international students. www.asva.nl

Leisure

You can find many cultural activities through the websites mentioned below. Local students use freely spread magazines such as Uitkrant, the paper versions can be found throughout the university. If you want to know where to go out, where to have dinner or where to find a special shop, take a look at www.timeout.com/amsterdam. Here you can find the best things to do in Amsterdam, good restaurants and an overview of all the festivals and events in the city. They also have a magazine and a city guidebook that you can buy at the tourist office in front of central station. The Dutch website IENS features all restaurants, pubs and more, rated and with critics, mostly in Dutch. www.amsterdam.info www.amsterdamsuitburo.nl www.timeout.com/amsterdam www.IENS.nl

Music concerts

Main concert halls are Paradiso and Melkweg and for the really big concerts Heineken Music Hall and the Ziggo Dome. There’s an endlessly wide range of small podia and clubs throughout the city, like Bitterzoet, Dwaze Zaken, Club 8, Canvas, Westergashuisfabriek, Studio K, and more alternative places like OT301. Music lovers: pass by at Concerto (Utrechtsestraat 60) for an amazing collection of new and second hand music, cd and vinyl, in all possible styles. www.paradiso.nl www.melkweg.nl www.heineken-music-hall.nl www.ziggodome.nl

Classical Music, opera and dance

Main podia are Muziektheater and Concertgebouw. Last minute tickets for performances of the National Ballet are only € 15.- for students. The Concertgebouw sells tickets for all shows not sold out for € 12.50, starting 45 minutes before the show, to students under the age of 30 (this is called sprinten, in Dutch). www.hetmuziektheater.nl www.concertgebouw.nl

www.student.uva.nl > [your programme] > A-Z 14 Films

All films in cinemas will be in the original language with subtitles in Dutch. During the day the movies are cheaper than in the evening and during the weekend. Most of the time you can also get a discount with your student card. You can find listings of all films and film theatres on: www.filmladder.nl

Theatre tickets

Main theatres are Carré (Amstel 115-125), Stadsschouwburg (Leidseplein) and De Kleine Komedie (Amstel 56-58). Smaller, alternative theatres are centered in the street Nes, very close to UvA-buildings, like De Brakke Grond or Engelenbak. For comedy you can go to Boom Chicago in ‘het Rozentheater’ at Rozengracht 117. www.amsterdamsuitburo.nl (Dutch) www.iamsterdam.com (English) www.lastminuteticketshop.nl (ticket for this day, daily from 12:00 pm)

Museum year card

If you like to visit museums you can buy a ‘Museumjaarkaart’ (museum year card) for € 54.95 (for adults). This card gives you free access to museums in the Netherlands or a considerable discount. You can buy a Museumjaarkaart via the website (in Dutch only) and at the museums. The card is valid for one year. www.museumjaarkaart.nl

CJP-card

With ‘CJP-pas’ (Cultural Youth Passport-card) you can receive a discount on cinemas, books, cds, theatres, and other things. The card costs € 15.- and is valid for one year. You can buy the CJP-pas online (website in Dutch only): www.cjp.nl

Supermarkets

In Amsterdam you can find a lot of supermarkets. The most common one is Albert Heijn, with shops located at Dam square, Westermarkt, Nieuwmarkt and many more. Budget supermarkets in the city are Lidl and Aldi. A nice option for cheap food and good atmosphere are the open air markets as Albert Cuyp market, Dappermarkt and Noordermarkt. www.ah.nl (click on 'winkels' to find the nearest AH-supermarket) www.lidl.nl www.aldi.nl

Budget stores If you need basic things like paper, notebooks, towels, sheets, cosmetics or kitchen utensils, a good shop to take a look is HEMA (Kalverstraat 212, Nieuwendijk 174 and many more. They sell almost everything you might need for a good price. Blokker and Xenos also offer cheap kitchen stuff and all sorts of things which might come in handy. The V&D (Kalverstraat 203) sells clothes, jewelry, books and electronics. For basic furniture you could go to IKEA. To get there take metro 50 or 54 from Central Station to the station Bullewijk. This will take about 30 minutes from the center. www.hema.nl

www.student.uva.nl > [your programme] > A-Z 15 Transport

Bying a bike

Would you like to move around like a Dutch student? Buy a bike! It will cost you between € 60.- and € 170.-. Overall, it helps you to discover the city, as you are free to move and not bounded to circulation hours or routes. However, bikes do get stolen a lot, so it is really necessary to buy a good lock (or several ones) for your bike. Second hand bikes: There are 115 shops in Amsterdam that sell bikes: most of them sell second hand bikes as well. Please do not try and buy a bike that is offered to you on the street or around UvA buildings at a cheap rate. These bikes are often stolen and it is not allowed to buy such a bike. Student union: if you become a member of the ASVA (student union), you will be able to buy a bike for € 60.- (excluding locks). www.asva.nl (click on the English flag) Recyclebike: if you're here for a short time and buy a bike from Recycled Bicycles, they can buy it back (for half the price) before you leave. www.recycledbicycles.org

Fixing a bike Bike broken, flat tire? Besides the regular bikeshops, there are some social-work places that form part of a re-integration process, where they work for very good rates. You can also park your bike here for free for 24 hours and then for 50 eurocent for every next day. The locations are left to the entrance of shopping hall Kalvertoren, from the Singel, under the A-building of Roeterseiland (next to Weesperplein) and below trainstation Amsterdam-Zuid. If you have a flat tire, or a broken chain, and you’re not able to get your bike to one of these locations, you can also call a mobile bike service, like 'de mobiele fietsenmaker': www.drbeykonline.nl

Train The NS (Dutch Railroad company) is in charge of the railroads. At www.ns.nl you’ll find information about purchasing train tickets. There’s an English version with lots of information train travel. If you plan to travel by train often it is smart to buy a discount card (Voordeelurenkaart) and costs € 50.-. It entitles you to a 40% discount during off-peak hours on Monday-Friday and in the weekend all day. And you can take three other persons with you with the same discount. www.ns.nl

Using the OV-chipkaart system

The OV-chipkaart is the sole payment method for metro, bus, tram and the train. The cards are issued anonymously or for a named individual. Anonymous card: You can buy an anonymous card for € 7.50 at tobacco shops, supermarkets or public transport stations. You ‘load’ the anonymous smart-card at a Blue GVB machine. Individual card: You can apply for the individual card by post or online. You must supply a passport-sized photo and in the case of an online application, you scan your photo and upload it to the system. Go to www.ov-chipkaart.nl and click on 'English', then follow the steps or pick up the form at a station. For the individual card only you can choose to have your credit automatically upgraded from your bank account up to either € 10.- or € 20.- so you won’t waste time purchasing credit from the machine and won’t get ‘caught out’ on a trip with no credit. You can choose to cancel or initiate automatic payments on the OV-chipkaart website by filling in a paper form, which you can pick at any GVB service desk. Should you lose your individual card, call 0900 0980 to block it. www.ov-chipkaart.nl

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