Unleashing Your Potential Dear Students

Home , Rotterdam School, Utrecht University

Liberal Arts & Sciences 2021-2022

Unleashing your potential Dear Students,

A very warm welcome to Erasmus University College.

Your bachelor education is a very important part of your life, in terms of your professional and personal development. Corner stones of our education are our close community, our strong ties with the city of Rotterdam and our parent university, the Erasmus University.

Liberal Arts and Science education asks more from you than being willing to train your cognitive abilities and to be hard-working. We expect you to develop your mind and personality on many levels during the three years of your study. You will not only learn about many different disciplines and topics, but also engage actively with problems and challenges of today and the future. This engagement can take many forms, and conversation and debates with your teachers and fellow students will be an important aspect. We will invite you to critically examine your attitudes and assumptions. Next to this, we will jointly explore with you the connectedness our lives have with the direct environment and with the whole world. With specific attention to how we can live up to our roles as responsible world citizens.

I look forward to welcoming you as a member of our educational community,

Sincerely yours,

Prof. Dr. Gabriele Jacobs, Dean of Erasmus University College

Colofon Design: Kris Kras context, content and design Figures and graphs: Gabija Bubnyte Photography: Eric Fecken

No rights can be obtained from the contents of this brochure.

2 Table of contents

Welcome to our college 4 Facts and figures 5 Curriculum overview 6 Majors and minors 8 Extracurricular activities 12 Live in Rotterdam’s city centre 14 Student life 16 After EUC 18 Application and admission 20 Practical information 21 Visit us 22

3 Welcome to our college

eur.nl/en/euc/education/curriculum

rasmus University College (EUC) is the more than simply gaining knowledge; there is a international undergraduate honour’s focus on both academic and personal growth. Eprogramme of Erasmus University No matter what path you choose, the skills, Rotterdam. EUC offers an intensive three-year international perspective, and friendships you Bachelor programme (BSc) in Liberal Arts and develop at EUC will be a solid foundation for Sciences, taught entirely in English. your future. Our programme is designed for those who seek an academic challenge and offers an Residential and small-scale exciting opportunity to develop yourself both As a residential college located in the heart of intellectually and socially. You will gain critical, vibrant and cosmopolitan Rotterdam, EUC is analytical, and communication skills preparing home to a diverse student body and faculty who you for an active role in today’s society. work together to create an open and stimulating environment. We offer a broad and diverse curriculum in which you explore multiple academic Our programme is based on small-scale, active disciplines and develop an interdisciplinary learning and on interaction with faculty who outlook, whilst also gaining in-depth knowledge are passionate about their fields. We offer both in a particular field by selecting a major. academic and professional guidance, and a variety of extracurricular activities to ensure you Studying Liberal Arts and Sciences at a are part of the community. University College University Colleges were first introduced to the With its central location and state-of-the-art Netherlands in 1997 in response to a growing facilities, EUC is an inspiring place to interact and demand for a more holistic approach to higher learn, both in and outside the classroom. education. University Colleges offer a broad curriculum based on the Liberal Arts and Sciences tradition.

Our students are encouraged to think beyond traditional disciplines. Our programme is about

4 Facts and figures

Liberal Arts & Sciences: Small-scale, intensive and interdisciplinary

3 year bachelor Interdisciplinary On-campus housing programme (BSc) education in the 1st year

Student to faculty ratio Active learning

English language Diverse In Times Higher programme environment Education

5 Curriculum overview

eur.nl/en/euc/education/curriculum

ur programme offers an inspiring Years 2 & 3: combination of flexibility and structure: EUC offers a wide variety of majors within the O flexibility to explore different academic fields of Economics & Business, Humanities, Life fields, with structure to ensure that the Sciences and Social & Behavioural Sciences. knowledge you gain is specific and valuable for Your major will allow you to explore the field of further studies and careers. your choice in greater depth.

Our programme is divided between an Academic You can complement your curriculum with a Core, a major (including a capstone), and combination of electives. This allows you to electives which can be selected from our course gain insights from a discipline other than your offering. Finally, you have the option to go on major, tailoring your course combination to suit an exchange programme or take off-campus your interests (more information on p.8). courses (including minors offered by Erasmus University). During your third and final year, you will complete a capstone (Bachelor thesis), Year 1: Academic Core demonstrating your mastery of a certain topic In the first year you will take twelve courses, related to your major. The capstone is the of which nine make up the Academic Core. culmination of your journey of becoming an The Academic Core consists of five disciplinary independent researcher. courses, which will broadly introduce you to several fields of study, as well as four In your third year, there is also the opportunity to skills courses, centred on “academic writing, enrol in off-campus courses or study abroad at methodology and research design.” one of our many partner universities throughout The remaining three courses are electives. the world.

At the end of the first year you will declare a major (for a complete list of majors, see p.8) Build your profile: combine disciplines and broaden your education

6 Sample Curriculum

Academic Core (45 ECs), Major (75 ECs), Electives (60 ECs)

Big History Core Economics Brain & Behaviour Modernity

Quantitative Year 1 Human & Society Qualitative Research Research Methods Basestone Project (60 ECs) Methods & Analysis & Analysis Scientific Practice: An Invitation Elective Elective Elective

Major course Major course Major course Major course

Year 2 (60 ECs) Major course Major course Major course Major course

Elective Elective Elective Elective

Capstone

Year 3 (60 ECs) Off-campus courses* / Exchange* Major course Major course

Elective Elective

Quad 1 Quad 2 Quad 3 Quad 4

Academic Core (incl. skills courses) Major course Elective *Optional

Binding Study Advice Counselling and study guidance EUC follows the Dutch system of Binding At the start of your studies, you will be assigned Study Advice (BSA) to make sure students a Student Counsellor who advises you on are on track academically. This means you academic development, assists you in planning need to obtain full credits (at least 60 ECs) your curriculum, and provides general support. by the end of the first academic year in order You can also meet with your Student Counsellor to continue your studies. EUC offers study for confidential advice, guidance and support advice; if there are concerns about BSA you on personal and practical matters, from dealing will work on a corrective study plan with one with stress to family problems. You can contact of our Student Counsellors. the Residential Officer about any housing related questions.

7 Majors and minors

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Major Minor Each student chooses a major as a central To gain more knowledge in a field other than component of their curriculum. During your your major, you can choose to take a minor, second and third years, you follow courses which is a set of six related courses offered by within the major which will build a solid EUC. Imagine the interesting possibilities for foundation in a particular field. shaping your own curriculum!

You will conclude your major with a capstone project, exploring a topic of your choice under the guidance of a supervisor. Minors Majors Arts, Culture & Society MinorBusiness Biological Aspects of Global Health ToCultural gain more Analysis knowledge in a field other than Biomedicine yourEconomics major, you can choose to take a minor, Business whichEconomics, is a set Businessof six related & Society courses offered by Contemporary Global Order EUC.Humanities Imagine the interesting possibilities for Economics shapingInternational your own Law curriculum! International Law Life Sciences Life Sciences PleaseMolecular note: & the Cellular above Biology courses are subject to Neuroscience change.Neuroscience Political Philosophy & Critical Theory MinorPhilosophy, Politics & Economics Political Science & International Relations ToPolitical gain more Philosophy knowledge & Critical in a field Theory other than Psychology yourPolitical major, Science you can & Internationalchoose to take Relations a minor, Sociology whichPre-Med is a set of six related courses offered by Sustainability EUC.Psychology Imagine the interesting possibilities for Visual Cultures & Media Literacy shapingPublic &your Global own Health curriculum! Work & Organisations Sociology Sustainability For our full curriculum catalogue, see: eur.nl/en/euc/education/curriculum

8 Programme offering

Public & Global Health Life Sciences Sociology Neuroscience RAL Psychology OU I LI A FE Pre-Med S E S C E I B C E International Law & C L IE SILLS A E Molecular & Cellular I C S S C Biology

Political Science & S International Relations ACADEMIC Sustainability CORE

C Political Philosophy &

Business O S

S S I L L E B I Critical Theory U O T S I M I IC A E S M SS & U Economics Humanities

Cultural Analysis Economics, Business & Society Philosophy, Politics & Economics

9 Active, small-scale learning

EUC’s approach to education is that of small- together as a group. From the analysis, the scale, interactive and empowering learning students formulate research questions to answer environments. Working in groups of 12 to 15 in their self-study and report their findings in the guided by a tutor, students engage and contribute following meetings. to the learning process. In these sessions students develop complex A main focus at EUC is the student-centred problem-solving and argumentation skills, and educational method of Problem Based Learning learn to do so through collaboration. An active (PBL). In a PBL session students are presented learning environment helps students to be with a ‘problem’ which they discuss and analyse independent and take ownership of their learning.

10 Dr. Marisela Martinez Claros

Senior Lecturer in Life Sciences

I have been working at Erasmus University with group dynamics, and we must be able to College since 2013, and I feel privileged to identify the needs of the individual. be part of an institution that offers a unique We teachers are, just like our students, a very learning experience to the students. Through particular group. We love our work, and we small-scale, intensive education, we establish care about our students. If you are passionate a safe environment where students can flourish. about what you do, it shows, and that will affect students to be equally passionate. In the In our classrooms, students don’t hide in the sessions, I see myself just like another student crowd, there is plenty of interaction between (with a little bit more experience). My main goal the students and the faculty member who is to inspire students to be lifelong learners. guides the session. This gives us (as teachers) significant responsibilities, too. We have to work

“My main goal is to inspire students to be lifelong learners.”

11 Extracurricular

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n addition to your curriculum, you will Engaged Citizens Programme have opportunities to explore and develop The Engaged Citizens Programme (ECP) is Iyourself through extracurricular activities. Two an interdisciplinary programme for inquisitive selective programmes are offered by EUC that students who enjoy, and consider it important, run alongside the regular programme for the to engage collectively with public issues. duration of an academic year. With a combination of theoretical training, Arts & Culture Programme group projects and inspiring guest speakers, this The Arts & Culture Programme (ACP) involves programme fosters learning and critical thinking. a small group of students exploring the relationship between art and science. The need The ECP offers modules on documentary for greater interdisciplinary cooperation to making, case writing, and personal development. address complex issues of today (such as climate The co-creative nature of the Engaged change and the refugee crisis) has resulted in a Citizens Programme allows students to tailor growing number of arts/sciences collaborations. the programme to their needs and interests under the guidance of the coordinator(s). As ACP aims to be at the forefront of educating such, students play an active role in driving the students in combining different types of programme and work towards the success of knowledges to approach complex issues. each session. Students are exposed to several artistic disciplines (film, dance, literature, visual art, Languages design), explore arts/sciences collaborations, and Together with the Language & Training Centre at work on merging their own academic practices Erasmus University, EUC offers language courses with artistic ones. ranging from Mandarin to Dutch in beginner and advanced levels. Courses last one semester and The students also organise a series of events are aimed at daily conversation, phonetics, basic for the community to disseminate art while grammar and reading and writing. developing organisational and collaborative skills.

12 Extracurricular Arts & Culture Programme eur.nl/en/euc/ education/arts-culture- programme

Engaged Citizens Programme eur.nl/en/euc/education/ extracurricular/engaged- citizens-programme

13 Live in Rotterdam’s city centre

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n your first year, you will live together with For your second and third years, you will need your peers. This is a requirement as it allows to find housing of your own. Rotterdam has I everyone to get to know each other and many diverse neighbourhoods, each with their become part of our community. Living away own character. There are numerous websites, from home can be challenging, but sharing this agencies and Facebook groups that are experience with your peers will create a sense dedicated to finding housing in the city. of home. Discover a new city Student housing A dynamic and vibrant city, Rotterdam is ready You will live at EUC’s student housing, named for you to explore. With restaurants serving food LUCIA – a safe and modern student residence in from all over the world, cosy cafés and large the centre of Rotterdam. Conveniently located, it parks, Rotterdam has a lot to offer. Additionally, is a ten-minute walk from the EUC building and many international companies have their offices just five minutes from the central train station. here, providing numerous internship and job opportunities. You will have a fully furnished studio with your own bathroom and kitchen. The residence The city also boasts a large and diverse cultural comes equipped with common areas, a terrace, offering. Highlights include a major international a bike storage and laundry facilities. film festival (IFFR), countless live music venues and festivals such as the famous North Sea Rent: € 662 per month (students are eligible Jazz, a plethora of theatres and cinemas for rent benefit (huurtoeslag) of approx. (De Doelen, Lantaren Venster), world-class € 190 a month from the Dutch museums (Kunsthal, Boijmans van Beuningen), government). and a leading contemporary art scene (Witte de Deposit: 2 months’ rent when booking your With, WORM). accommodation One-time administrative fee: € 200 With its own international airport, excellent train Municipal taxes: approx. € 45 per month* connections to Dutch and European cities, and Amsterdam Schiphol airport just a half an hour * All amounts are valid only for the academic away, Rotterdam has unsurpassed connections year 2020-2021 with the world.

14 “Part of what attracted me to EUC was the promise of the city. After only a few weeks I felt like I truly belonged here” Eva Aarts

Student, Major in Sustainability

While studying at EUC I was already passionate sediments. A year later, we created our very about the climate crisis and debate around the own start-up which develops circular building subject. Two courses in particular, The Climate materials from dredged sediments. Since then, Crisis and Biobased Economy, have provided we have won an innovation contest and started me with the tools and motivation to become an several pilot projects. active member in the climate movement. Part of what attracted me to EUC was the Whilst following the Biobased Economy course, promise of the city. After only a few weeks I felt which is part of the ‘Think Green’ minor offered like I truly belonged here. Studying at EUC and at EUC, we visited BlueCity in Rotterdam. This being in the heart of Rotterdam allowed me to innovative hub aims to rethink business models put theory into practice. The stimulating and for a more sustainable and circular future. Our reflective environment of this college, along with trip to BlueCity motivated me to participate the support and enthusiasm of both the students in a six-week challenge, in which, along with and faculty members, has and continues to three others, I created a business model for inspire me to play an active and contributing alternative uses of the waste stream dredged role in society.

15 Student life

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Get involved! The Student Academic Affairs Council (SAAC) Life at a University College is about more than represents the interests and voices of the just studying. Student-run organisations at our students at EUC. SAAC organises various campus organise events and activities, allowing events, such as workshops and information you to discover new interests and passions while sessions, providing opportunities for professional connecting with others and developing life-long development and academic guidance. friendships. The committees The Erasmus University College Student Becoming active in student bodies allows you to Association (EUCSA) is the umbrella organisation develop organisational skills and gain experience. that together with over a dozen committees EUCSA has numerous committees, including organises activities and events for the EUC Film & Photography Co., the Charity Co. which community. Before the year starts, EUCSA and EUC organises fundraising events, the Music Co. work together on the introduction programme. which sets up jam sessions, the LGBTQ+ Co. During this programme incoming students attend which organises events to raise awareness and a series of events to get to know the programme, aims to create safe spaces for the community. the city and each other.

“Being in a committee allowed me to meet lots of people with whom I might otherwise not have come in contact with.” Elise Chalcraft

Student, Major in Sociology

At EUC, there is a lot of flexibility to create your Being in a committee allowed me to meet lots own events and traditions! Introduction Week of people with whom I might otherwise not is the first student experience most first years have come in contact with, from different will have, and it was a fantastic, jam-packed years and majors. week of activities which helped me to get to know everyone. Living together in the first Being a student at EUC means you become year really helped to create strong bonds with more independent. Finding a balance between my fellow classmates and also encouraged academics and social life can be tricky at me to join events I may have never thought times. That is why being in a committee can of approaching before. I was a member of the effectively structure your time. It helped me Graduation Team and the Charity Co. where keep a really nice balance between the two. we organised events such as the Graduation Week, a potluck dinner with refugees, Christmas clothing swaps and a Butler Auction.

17 After EUC

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Liberal Arts and Sciences degree opens First career steps a lot of doors. As an EUC graduate, you You may also, of course, decide to pursue a A will hold an internationally recognised career in the corporate world, work for a public Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree from Erasmus organisation, or even create your own start-up. University Rotterdam. You will be eligible for Master programmes worldwide in a variety of Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates are in fields. Depending on your major the options are demand in a dynamic 21st century labour wide open! market because of their: • Critical outlook on issues facing societies Postgraduate studies globally and willingness to tackle them; Through the different majors at EUC, we • Versatility in approaching complex issues prepare our students for the entry requirements from multiple angles; to a wide variety of Master programmes, both • Ability to translate their perspective into at Erasmus University and at other universities, smart, creative and interdisciplinary solutions; in the Netherlands and around the world. • Independence in conducting scientific Some programmes, such as specialised Master research; and programmes, may require a pre-Master before • Cultural awareness and understanding, enrolment. having worked and lived with individuals from different backgrounds. Our graduates have been accepted into Master programmes at universities including: Alumni Community of EUC Being a part of our community extends • Bocconi University • School of Oriental and even after your graduation. At EUC we value • Erasmus Medical African Studies (SOAS) the importance of building long-lasting Centre • Sciences Po Paris connections with our alumni. • Imperial College • University of Edinburgh London • Utrecht University ACES, founded in 2015, is the alumni • Johns Hopkins • Wageningen University community of EUC students which aims to University • HEC Paris create a network between graduates, current • King’s College London • Copenhagen Business students and the college. ACES organises a • London School of School series of networking events and reunions which Economics • ESADE Business & Law allows our community to stay connected. • Oxford University School • Rotterdam School of Management

“At school I loved a lot of subjects and I couldn’t decide which one I wanted to pursue. EUC taught me it is okay not to limit yourself to just one discipline. That notion stayed with me. After finishing EUC, I completed a Master’s degree in International Management and now I’m learning programming. Furthermore, I have worked in education, marketing, and software development. It’s beautiful how all those fields intertwine and skills and knowledge from one can help a lot in developing another. Most importantly, at EUC you learn how to learn and how to find pieces that you need to go further. While my journey might still take me somewhere else, I can see myself launching a tech start-up where all my skills will come together.”

Joanna Wytrzyszczewska, Alumna

“Shortly after graduating from EUC, I started a one-year internship at a biotechnology company in San Francisco to get some work experience. Here I realised that next to the academic foundation, studying at EUC has given me valuable tools to succeed in the working world. Being confident to ask questions, the ability to run meetings, knowing how to work with different kinds of people, looking at issues critically – people with those skills are highly valued. The variety of my experiences has helped me make it into a Ph.D. program at the University of Michigan, where I am now studying Chemical Biology.”

Robert Benisch, Alumnus

19 Application and admission

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Is EUC for you? selected on the basis of their grades and letter of Are you eager to challenge yourself motivation. We evaluate candidates holistically, academically? Do you want to learn about more taking into consideration your academic record as than just one subject? Do you want to make a well as your motivation for applying to EUC. positive change in the world? If your answer to these questions is yes, EUC Application deadlines might well be the place for you! All EUC students start in the fall, at the end of August. Begin your application process at least 10 business Below you will find practical information about days before the application deadline, as some steps our admission requirements and application require a few days of processing on our side. procedure.

General admission requirements Regular deadline: 15 January 2021 • Secondary school diploma that qualifies for Late deadline: 1 May 2021 university enrollment. A few examples: Dutch VWO, French Baccalauréat, German Abitur, International Baccalaureate and GCE Application procedure A-Levels The first step is to register with the Dutch student • A grade average of minimum 70% database Studielink (see www.studielink.nl, • Solid foundation in mathematics also available in English). Next, you will need • Proficiency in spoken and written English to submit your grade list and motivation letter • A desire to actively participate and engage in on our application portal. Applications that your studies meet our minimum entry requirements will be • A passion to learn in and outside the reviewed. Candidates that pass the written part classroom of the application procedure will be invited for an interview, in person or online. Selection procedure EUC accepts 218 first-year students per year. For more information about the application As an academically challenging programme, procedure and admission requirements, see: we have strict selection criteria. Students are eur.nl/en/euc/application-admissions

20 Practical information

eur.nl/en/euc/application-admissions/costs

Tuition fees overview of worldwide funding available: EUC tuition fees for the academic year studyinholland.nl/scholarships 2020-2021 are set as follows: • €4,400 for EU/EEA students* Introduction programme • €12,500 for non-EU/EEA students EUC organises an Introduction Week for you to get to know your peers and our college! *The Dutch government reduced tuition fees for first- year students in higher education in 2020-2021. Tuition The Introduction Week is dedicated to fun fees and potential reductions for the academic year activities to get you integrated into our 2021-2022 are to be determined. community, as well as providing you with practical information about living in Rotterdam. Our admissions office will help you with the You will also attend a welcome session by our application procedure, formal enrolment faculty and staff who will formally introduce you and advice on matters like immigration. The to the programme. International Student Handbook gives you all the practical information you need. Download it Additionally, EUC organises a One-Stop-Shop here: eur.nl/welcome where you will be able to open a Dutch bank account, register with the municipality, arrange Financial support health insurance and pick up a Dutch sim-card. EUC offers a limited number of full and partial scholarships for students who require financial aid. Scholarships are offered after the student has been successfully admitted. For more information and eligibility criteria, see: eur.nl/en/euc/application-admissions/financial- support

Nuffic, the organisation that promotes higher education in the Netherlands, provides an

21 Visit us

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f you feel this programme might be for you, Student for a Day we invite you to come and visit us! Meeting You can also visit us as a student for a day I the students and faculty members and during most of the year. You will follow one of experiencing the space will help you to get a our student ambassadors and join their classes. better sense of whether EUC is the right fit for you. You will get a glimpse of what the life of an EUC student is like and have the opportunity to ask Open days our ambassadors about their experiences. For a first introduction, come to one of Erasmus University Rotterdam’s Open Days. EUC will be Student for a Zoom present along with all other Erasmus University If you cannot visit in person, we offer an online Rotterdam Bachelor programmes. You will be sessions with our ambassadors. Together, you able to meet some of our staff and students will discover Problem Based Learning and and attend information sessions that will explain explore the campus and housing through our our curriculum and what it is like to study in the virtual tours. It is a great opportunity get a Netherlands. personal taste of EUC and ask all your questions.

Experience Day If you would like to learn more about our college and what it would be like to study at Open Days EUC, join us for an EUC Experience Day! • 14 November 2020 We have four Experience Days throughout the • 13 February 2021 academic year in which prospective students learn more about our programme, meet our Experience days staff and current students, and get a tour of our • 4 November 2020 building and student housing. • 9 December 2020 • 24 February 2021 Visit the EUC campus online: http://bit.ly/virtual_tour_euc_full

22 “I highly recommend visiting an Experience Day”

Hester van der Weij

Student, Major in Business

When I was only 15 years old, I started visiting organised by the student associations EUCSA and Universities. My dreams varied from becoming a SAAC. It is these ingredients mixed, that make EUC captain on a cruise ship, to becoming a technical a tight-knit community. I highly recommend visiting designer or an entrepreneur. It seemed that an Experience Day, during which you will participate choosing a programme meant counting out most in a PBL class, walk around the studios in LUCIA and of my other passions. When I came across EUC, meet students and staff. It is how I found out that which embodied every one of my interests (except applying to EUC was the next step. for becoming a captain), I knew right away that it was the perfect choice for me. Starting the programme, I was afraid that my English would not be up to standard due to my dyslexia. I started by attending a general information session However, thanks to the steep learning curve, I about Liberal Arts and Sciences at the Erasmus grew confident in my fluency in both writing and University Rotterdam Open Day. Then, I participated speaking within a few weeks. Through the variety of in an Experience Day, during which I got a real taste courses offered at EUC it is possible to pursue many for becoming an EUC student. different interests, as well as bring the second year in sharp focus. I decided to continue with a major in For me, EUC stands out due to the small-scale Business and a minor in Economics. To top it all off, Problem Based Learning (PBL) classes, living I recently became a student ambassador! I hope to together in LUCIA in the first year and the activities welcome you soon at an Experience Day!

23 Is EUC for you?

Are you curious Are you motivated Are you socially Are you about multiple to study intensively engaged and wish to eager to learn from subjects and different to reach your full help make a change in teachers and other perspectives? potential the world? students?

Inclusive. Inspiring. Interdisciplinary.

General e-mail: [email protected] Application Admissions phone: +31 (0)10 408 9830 Admissions e-mail: [email protected] deadlines

Address: Nieuwemarkt 1A, 15 January 2021 (regular) 3011HP Rotterdam 1 May 2021 (late) (Opening hours 09:00-17:00 weekdays)