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.