International Student Handbook 2018 Edition
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Welcome to Erasmus University Rotterdam! International Student Handbook 20/21 edition Disclaimer: This handbook contains updates regarding the COVID-19 situation and is updated regularly. For the most recent version please check this page and choose the link to International Student Handbook. Version: 5 June 2020 The Rector Dear student, Welcome! As a foreign student, you have made one of Any adventure has its challenges. As does studying and Magnificus the most exciting decisions in your life: leaving your living in the Netherlands. A new culture with new country to study at Erasmus University Rotterdam customs, a new language, red tape, groceries with (EUR). We consider it an honour that you have chosen strange names, health care, public transport, biking … welcomes us to be your partner in laying the foundation of your To help you prepare for this journey, we have career! compiled relevant information about living and you! studying in Rotterdam and the Netherlands. I can imagine you may have had second thoughts about studying abroad, after the COVID-19 virus and its In this handbook, you will find everything: from consequences dominated the lives of you and your travelling information to information on orientation family and friends. I deeply feel it is our responsibility, programmes at your new university. We hope this not only to meet your expectations about the quality handbook will help you in preparing your stay and will of our programmes, but to keep you safe and healthy help you to find your way around Rotterdam. during your stay as well. You as an international student add a new dimension Erasmus University is firmly rooted in Rotterdam and to our academic community, further enhancing our its region. With one of the biggest ports in the world, international reputation. I sincerely look forward to Rotterdam has a strong international flavour, counting welcoming you at Erasmus University Rotterdam. 173 different nationalities. I wish you a successful and safe stay at our university By choosing our university, you have made the and a wonderful time in Rotterdam and the decision to come to Rotterdam and to live in the Netherlands. Netherlands. An educational adventure in itself! My advice: work and study hard, but enjoy your stay in the Best regards, Prof. Rutger Engels, Netherlands to the fullest. Take the time to experience Rector Magnificus Erasmus University Rotterdam the city and the Netherlands. They have so much to offer! Prof. Rutger Engels 2 Contents 1 Pre-departure 3 All you need to know 4 Rotterdam and information about studying here the Netherlands Accommodation 5 Dutch educational system 18 The Netherlands and the Dutch 25 Immigration procedures 6 Erasmus Student Service Centre 19 National holidays and celebrations 25 Pick up residence permit, tuberculosis check 6 Student Information Network Online 19 Language 26 Insurance 7 Language & Training Centre 19 Climate 26 Finances 8 Advice and counselling 19 Rotterdam 26 Costs of living in the Netherlands 8 Working in the Netherlands 20 Getting around 27 Travelling from your home Student organisations 21 Health 28 country to Rotterdam 9 Religious and multicultural associations 22 Emergencies 29 Travelling from Schiphol Airport to Rotterdam 9 Erasmus Sport Center 22 Shopping, supermarkets and markets 30 Students under 18 10 International Student Experience Blog & Vlog 23 Rotterdam Pass: lots of discounts! 30 Checklists 11 EUR Student Panel 23 5 Contact / 2 First days at Erasmus Further information University Rotterdam Faculty information 32 Campuses 13 Useful addresses and links 34 Orientation programmes 14 Maps 37 Registration at City Hall 14 Opening a Dutch bank account 15 Getting a mobile phone or SIM card 16 Checklist 16 3 Pre-departure information 4 Fizz Cobana Accommodation Lastly, on a 20 minutes cycling distance from campus, the EUR has 20 Friends apartments reserved that allow Student housing in the Netherlands is not arranged for the accommodation of 44 students. For 665 or 742 by the university. Finding a room is your own euro, you can rent a fully furnished apartment sharing responsibility and can be really challenging sometimes. facilities with either 1 or 2 fellow students. We therefore advise you to start your search for accommodation as soon as possible, at least three HousingAnywhere months before you arrive. There are some reserved This online housing platform lists the rooms of Dutch rooms for 25% of our yearly incoming internationals, students who are temporarily going abroad for their but since the amount of reserved rooms is scarce, study. This platform contains a safe transaction system experience learns that by the end of May, there is no and landlords are always verifiedThe rooms are located reserved accomodation left. Visit www.housing.eur.nl all over Rotterdam and are often furnished. The to find more information about accommodation monthly rent for most rooms is between €300 and providers, Rotterdam’s neighbourhoods, etc. and start €800. your search now. Private market Main accommodation options Since we are unable to offer rooms to all of our new Reserved short stay accommodation: SSH and Xior international students, a number of you will have to “ To be entirely honest, the only thing I knew Erasmus University Rotterdam has reserved almost look for a room on the private market. about the Netherlands before applying to 800 fully furnished rooms at Rotterdam’s largest There are several online platform connecting students Erasmus University was that it’s known for provider of student housing, SSH, which can be and accommodation providers. The rooms are situated cheese and stroopwafels. Looking back now rented for 12 months or less. The rooms are located all over Rotterdam and the monthly though, some of these difficult moments on the Woudestein campus or very close to this rent varies from €325 to €1,000. You can find more have turned into some pretty funny stories campus. The monthly rent for most rooms is agencies on our website. and lessons.” between €435 and €680 including services. Temporary accommodation: Stayokay and other hostels Sydni In 2015 Xior Student Housing build a brand new If, for any reason, you cannot move into your American, master student student building on the corner of the campus. We accommodation when you first arrive in Rotterdam, or have reserved 259 studio apartments for our if you have not arranged any accommodation in International students. All the rooms are fully advance, you can easily book a room in a hostel. Corona update furnished and you will have your own kitchen and Stayokay offers a long stay special for 1 week, 2 weeks We understand you might have questions bathroom. about housing in Rotterdam after the or 4 weeks. You can find more information on their COVID-19 virus. If you need help or advise website. Other possibilities are ROOM Rotterdam, King Note that all reserved accommodation has a fixed please do not hesitate to contact us via Kong Hostel en Hostel Ani & Haakien. [email protected]. rental period of 1 year. If you plan on studying for more then 1 year in Rotterdam, you have to start looking out for future residence during your stay. 5 Erasmus University College students If you need an entry visa and/or residence permit, For new full degree students of Erasmus University Erasmus University Rotterdam will start the application College (EUC), you do not need to arrange housing as procedure on your behalf. You will receive detailed EUC has arranged housing for you. It is a requirement information after you have been admitted to the for first year students of EUC to live in the newly programme of your choice. A number of supporting renovated residence in the city centre for the full documents are required for the application: duration of their first year (12 months). Every student • Proof of sufficient financial means (meaning: has their own room, bathroom and kitchenette and a bank transfer); has access to several common rooms and an outside • Copy of a valid passport; terrace. After the first year, EUC students will have to • Copy of your residence permit or visa (if you be on the lookout for their own accommodation. are currently living in another EU country). www.eur.nl/en/euc/campus/housing • More information: www.eur.nl/immigration. “ I have never been to the Netherlands before. Housing allowance Pick up residence permit, Quite frankly I had to check where even Depending on your income and housing situation, you tuberculosis check Rotterdam was on the map. Finding a place to might be eligible for housing allowance. Housing live took months. And then I packed. I had no If you need a residence permit to study in the allowance is a compensation given by the Dutch idea what I was getting myself into. But I knew Netherlands, the application procedure must be started government to people who have a low income and I wanted it. Yes, I know it sounds corny. But I before your arrival in the Netherlands. The Immigration a relatively high cost of rent. One of the conditions for really did. And I’m going to give a grand and Naturalisation Service (IND) needs your biometrics the housing allowance is that you live in an statement here as an explanation, so hold for issuing your residence permit. Your fingerprints will independent unit. Students with a short stay housing your breath: because the only program in the be scanned at the Dutch embassy or consulate in your (at SSH or Xior) contract for a year or less are not whole of Europe – yes, the whole of Europe – home country (if you need an entry visa), or at the IND eligible for the housing allowance. Contact the Dutch that combined all my interest was the MA of office in Rotterdam upon your arrival (if you do not Tax Authorities (Belastingdienst) for more information: Arts, Culture and Society at the Erasmus need an entry visa).