Living in the Netherlands

Studying in the Netherlands

Mention the Netherlands or Holland and many people will think of clogs and windmills. The Dutch do not mind, but if truth be told, the Netherlands is traditionally a country of commerce and transport.

To give you an idea of just how large the Dutch logistics sector is, consider the following. The earth is home to 6.4 billion people, making the Dutch population of 16 million seem miniscule by comparison. These 16 million are only 0.267 percent of the world’s population, and yet the Netherlands is still the world’s eighth largest exporting country.

The Netherlands has been called “The Gateway to Europe”, and with good reason. With 1.48 million tons of goods shipped in 2005, Schiphol Airport was the third largest cargo airport in Europe. The Port of Rotterdam handled 348 million tons of goods, making it Europe’s largest port by far, as well as the most modern. The brand new railway line for transporting freight to Germany also makes Rotterdam the gateway to Central Europe. None of this should come as a surprise; the Dutch have been in shipping and transoprting for the last four hundred years.( www.hollandtrading.com)

“Netherlands are continental Europe’s primary power in higher education”
Higher education in Holland enjoys a worldwide reputation for its high quality. This is achieved through a national system of regulation and quality assurance. The Times: “Netherlands are continental Europe’s primary power in higher education”. In Holland there is reason for satisfaction. According to the annual Times Higher Education Suplement ranking, “a total of 28 nations have at least one institution in the 200. Virtually every university in Australia is in the rankings, with 12 representatives, while the Netherlands, with 11, emerges as continental. Europe’s principal power in higher education”, the Times says.

Holland has also received international acclaim for its ground-breaking Problem-Based Learning system, which trains students to analyze and solve practical problems independently through emphasis on self-study and self-discipline.

Value for money

Education in Holland is not free, but tuition fees are reasonable. The latest Worldwide Cost of Living Survey shows that the cost of living in Holland is modest compared with cities like New York, London, Paris and Beijing.

1,300 programmes in English

Holland was the first non-English-speaking country to offer courses taught in English. The Dutch higher education institutions together offer about 1,300 international study programmes and courses which are taught entirely in English. This makes Holland the front-runner in continental Europe.

Source: EVD, NUFFIC

Bank account

For information about opening a Dutch bank account check http://www.eur.nl/english/essc/registration/practical/opening_a_bank_acc... or ask a board member. We're here to help you.

Social-fiscal Number

After registration with the municipality you receive a Burger Service Nummer; if this registration is not possible for you for whatever reason, then you have to apply for a Social-Fiscal Number at the tax-office in Rotterdam. Non-EU-students can only do so after obtaining their residence permit. For more information on this: 0800-0543. EU-students can of course apply for this without a residence permit.

Cost of VISA/Residence permit

Visa

Foreign students and guests from non-EU/EEA and VISA required countries who are staying in the Netherlands longer than 3 months, have to apply for a permit for temporary stay (i.e. Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf = MVV). In order to obtain the visa (MVV) students need some proof of solvency or scholarship with a minimum of € 752,82 per month for the period of their stay. The fee for your visa will be € 250. The university prepays this for you when applying for your visa by the so called Accelerated Visa Procedure; upon arrival you are expected to reimburse the university and also to pay the costs for the temporary residence permit. You can do this in the Erasmus Student Service Centre, room CB-07 in the Main Lecture Hall, opening hours daily from 9.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Temporary residence permit

After arrival in the Netherlands, students have to apply for a temporary residence permit at a cost of € 188; this amount applies if you needed a visa to enter the country.

Students who don't need a visa also have to apply for a temporary residence permit when staying longer than 90 days. The fee is € 433.

You have to pay the fee for your residence permit when you register at the Erasmus Student Service Centre (main lecture hall, room CB-07).

When you pay by credit card an extra fee will be charged. In that case one pays € 197,40 or     € 451,65.

Cost of living

To have a reasonable living standard in the Netherlands, you should have an income of approximately € 740,00 per month or € 8,880 per year (excluding the tuition fee).
Here is an example of possible expenditures per month:

Furnished Accommodation, including gas and electricity € 425.00
Medical insurance € 36.00
Telephone costs € 22.00
Food € 136.00
Books, going out, clothing, public transport, etc. € 121.00
Total costs per month € 740

To be able to make a few comparisons, here are some examples of food prices in the Netherlands:

Milk € 0.60 per litre
Bread € 1.20 per kilo
Coca-Cola € 1.20 per 1.5 litre
Minced meat € 2.50 per kilo
Bananas € 1.00 per kilo
Potatoes € 1.00 per kilo
Rice € 0.85 per kilo

How to get a bike?

There are different ways to buy a bike in Rotterdam. You can either look for it on internet or go to a second hand bike shop (we are assuming you don't want a new one). You can also check out our Facebook group: ESN-Rotterdam Marketplace.

To look for a bike on internet go to www.marktplaats.nl (it's the same as Ebay only in Dutch). The only problem is that the whole site is in Dutch, and the advertisements as well. But we will give you a quick crash course Dutch.

The homepagge gives these search forms;
Wat zoekt u? = What are you looking for?
Alle groepen = All groups
Postcode = Postal code or zip code
Alle afstanden = All distances

What do you need to fill in?
The first search form (wat zoekt u?): fill in fiets (bike in Dutch)
The second search form: choose fietsen en brommers (bikes and motorcycles)
The third search form: fill in your Ducth zip code/postal code
The fourth search form: choose the maximum distance between you and the advertiser (where you will get the bike). So don't choose a very long distance, because you need to look at the bike and bring it back with you!

If you hit 'zoeken' it is going to search for bikes. If you click on prijs (price) the advertisements are sorted from low to high (or the other way around). As we said, most ads are in Dutch, but most ads also have pictures. You can send the advertiser a message or maybe even call him (but remember that not always every one can talk English)

The other way to buy a bike is second hand bike shops. Prices vary from 30 euro until 250 euro. Those bikes are repaired so they should be okay. There is one near Blijdorp. The address is Noorderhavenkade 142. They are opened:
Monday till thursday from 10h00 till 16h00
Friday from 11h00 till 15h00.
www.pluspuntrotterdam.info(website is in Dutch though)

Also most bikeshops sell second hand bikes (=tweedehands fietsen), ask them.

Health care

Medical care is of high quality in The Netherlands. It is, however, of the utmost importance for you to be properly insured, since medical costs can be very high, especially when you need specialised help. Dutch health insurance usually covers the costs of admission to hospital and medical treatment, medicines, visits to general practitioners (GPs) and specialists. Once medical insurance has been settled, a person can make use of the Dutch health care system. Dutch health insurance usually covers the costs of admission to hospital and medical treatment, medicines, visits to family doctors and specialists.

General Practitioner

In first instance the family doctor (huisarts) takes care of medical questions or medical help. For lesser illnesses, the family doctor holds office hours, but only by appointment. Most general practitioners speak English, but it is important to check if they participate in your insurance company. For more specialised expertise family doctors can send patients to specialists, dentists, eye doctors by referral. The ESSC office can refer students and staff to a family doctor and dentist in Rotterdam who are willing to help foreign guests in particular.

Pharmacy

Most medicines are only available on prescription. You will receive the prescription from the general practitioner and you can get your medicine(s) at a pharmacy (apotheek). The chemist's (drogist) sells medicines such as aspirin and cough medicine, which require no prescription, over the counter. There is always a pharmacy open, also at weekends. Every pharmacy has a notice stating which one is open during the weekend and in the evenings.

Hospitals

The most important hospitals in Rotterdam are: • Erasmus Medical Centre (Erasmus MC), Dr. Molenwaterplein 40, tel. (010) 463 9222 • St. Franciscus Gasthuis, Kleiweg 500, tel. (010) 461 6161 • IJsselland Ziekenhuis, Prins Constantijnweg 2, tel. (010) 258 5000 • Medical Centre Rijnmond-Zuid (MCRZ), Groene Hilledijk 315, tel. (010) 290 3000

Other Health Care Organisations
First Aid (EHBO)

At the casualty department of one of the hospitals, you can get emergency help 24 hours a day. Ask for the EHBO-post (pronounce: ae-haa-bae-o). The emergency telephone numbers are: Ambulance: 112 Fire brigade: 112 Police: 112 Drugsline: (010) 414 5493

Area Health Authority (GGD)

The Area Health Authority for Rotterdam and its surroundings aims at promoting the health of the population. The GGD has a preventive as well as a caring mandate. Most vaccinations can be obtained at the GGD (for instance vaccinations for people who plan to go to the tropics). Foreigners who come to The Netherlands do not usually have to be vaccinated at the GGD. However, people coming from high-risk areas (in non-western countries) are advised to have a test for tuberculosis at the GGD. Address: GGD, Schiedamsedijk 95, 3011 EN Rotterdam, tel. (010) 433 9933

Psychological help

If you have psychological problems, the RIAGG can help you. The RIAGG is an organisation for ambulatory mental health care. The telephone numbers are: North-West Rotterdam, tel. (010) 440 2402 South Rotterdam, tel. (010) 496 0899 North-East Rotterdam, tel. (010) 400 4699

Help for crime victims

'Slachtofferhulp' offers first aid and emergency relief after shocking events such as crimes and traffic accidents. The organisation also offers discussion groups for women who have been raped and for victims of anti-homosexual violence. Address: Bureau Slachtofferhulp, Westersingel 6, 3014 GM Rotterdam, tel. (010) 436 0144

Sexual health

Contraceptives such as the pill can be bought on prescription from a doctor. Condoms can be bought at practically every supermarket or at the chemist's. Some public places have condom dispensers. If you need a morning-after pill or the like, you can turn to you local doctor or the Rutgers Stichting.

Women's Shelter

'Blijf van mijn Lijf' means 'Keep away from Me'. It is a shelter for women who have been battered or threatened with violence by their partner. Women with a drug problem, women with serious psychiatric problems and women whose safety cannot be guaranteed are not admitted. Tel. (010) 418 9929

AIDS and HIV - Assistance

Aids - infoline (in Dutch): 06 - 0222220 Aids - infoline (in Chinese): 06 - 0223338 Aids - infoline (in Moroccan): 06 - 0992255 Aids - infoline (in Turkish): 06 - 0994488 Group counselling for HIV-positive men and women, partners and relatives. Address: Humanitas, Pieter de Hoochweg 110, 3024 BH Rotterdam, tel. (010) 425 0107

Housing

If you would like to rent a place it is necessary to find something that suits your needs. Before you start looking, think carefully about what you want. Do you want an apartment sharing with other students or on your own, where do you want your room, what size, and perhaps most important: how much rent can you afford? There are different ways to look for accommodation. The easiest way is to look on various notice boards on the university campus, e.g., near the entrance of L-building, notes saying ‘kamer aangeboden’ (room to let). When you call, they will usually make an appointment in order to get acquainted and see the room.

Most places will belong to a private landlord. You may also make your own note requesting a room, however the number of reactions could be disappointing

Stadswonen

Address: Struisenburgdwarsstraat 109
Tel: 010-8007200
E-mail: mail@stadswonen
Internet: www.stadswonen.nl

This agency, Stadswonen, provides rooms and apartments in Rotterdam for international students, researchers, staff and other guests of the university, who are looking for furnished rooms for a maximum period of 12 months. Do bear in mind that room prices will vary (most rooms are between € 500,- and € 600,- per month) depending on availability and your personal requirements. It is very difficult to guarantee furnished accommodation for every international student, given the current tension in this segment of the housing market.

You can put yourself on a waiting list in order to find a room. Make sure you always keep yourself posted about your status or else you might end up without a place to stay. If you are really in need, you can also place an urgent request.

Should you require the services of Stadswonen, reservations for accommodation can only be made via the contact person of your host faculty. For more information: www.shortstay.nl.

Commercial companies

Internet: www.dsv.rotterdam.nl and www.wonen.rotterdam.nl

You can also register with commercial companies that let accommodation. The disadvantage is that most of them request (high) registration fees, mediation and administration charges. Besides, the majority of the rooms they let are expensive and small. A list of these commercial companies can be obtained from the ‘Dienst Stedenbouw en Volkshuisvesting’ information centre. Of course, you can always put an advertisement in the local newspaper or decide to rent independent accommodation.

Jongeren Informatie Punt (J.I.P.)

Address: Mathenesserlaan 173
Tel: 010-4362544
rotterdam@remove-this.jip.org
www.jip.org/rotterdam

J.I.P. (Youth Information Centre) is there to answer not only all your questions about benefits, work, schooling and training/education but to mediate for rooms (limited number) and sometimes flats. J.I.P. has an office and a bus. You can come along to the consultation hour.

There are more possibilities, like renting a room from a Dutch student who goes abroad, however this does take more time to find a appropriate room.

Medical insurance

Students younger than 30 years old who are not working are entitled to private health insurance. This also applies to students older than 30 years who are staying no longer than 3 years.

Please note that if you start working in the Netherlands you will need a different health insurance policy. For more information about healthcare insurance policies in the Netherland please see www.nuffic.nl.

Private health insurance

Erasmus University strongly recommends an AON or Lippmann Insurance. Both companies have a long and outstanding history in the field of medical insurances for foreign students and staff.

AON Insurance

Aon Students Insurance provides a complete and affordable insurance package for students, interns, teachers and researchers staying in The Netherlands. The package includes all necessary - and mandatory - insurances required for an educational related stay in The Netherlands, such as medical expenses, travel, liability, legal assistance and personal possesions. The insurance premium is calculated per day, there are no set-up costs, administrative fees or any other charges.

Visit the website: https://www.students-insurance.eu

Lippmann Insurance

Erasmus University Rotterdam offers also the possibility for an insurance passport for foreign students an staff via the Lippmann insurance company (W.B.D. Lippmann Group). The insurance costs 35 euro per month and it covers not only acute medical and dental help, but also personal liability insurance, law assistance and the loss of luggage (to a maximum of 1,363 euro). Application forms are available at the Erasmus Student Service Centre.

Bringing your local insurance policy

It is also possible to bring your own insurance policy to the Netherlands if you do not have to take the basic healthcare insurance. In this case you have to bring with you your EU Health Insurance Card (http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/healthcard/index_en.htm). Upon arrival in the Netherlands you send a copy of this form, including your address in the Netherlands, to this Dutch insurance company:

ANIS Zorgverzekeringen
P.O. Box 4200
3800 EE Amersfoort

When you consult a general practitioner or when you are referred to a hospital, the invoice will directly be send to ANIS Zorgverzekeringen.

Public transport

In Rotterdam the public transport is in hands of the RET. They take care of the busses, trams and metro.

If you want to travel in Rotterdam you need to buy a ticket. At this moment there are two different tickets, however this is going to change on January 29th, 2009. We advise you to use a CHIP-card. This is the newest method.

There are three different CHIP-cards;

• personal CHIP-card
• anonymous CHIP-card
• one-usage CHIP-card

If you travel in Rotterdam a lot in Rotterdam you should buy a subscription. With this you will be able to travel in different zones of Rotterdam, where you can travel depends on your subscription. You can only buy a subscription with a personal CHIP-card. If you want to get one, it is best to go to one of the servicepoints of the RET. They can tell you exactly which subscription is best suitable for you. Bring a photo and your id, so you can apply for it right away. You should know that making the card takes a period (depending on amount of applications).

If you don't want a subscription you can also take a anonymous CHIP-card. This one you can reload, you will pay per kilometre travelled. A anonymous card you can buy at the servicepoints of the RET or in the machines, which you can find on any metro station.

Addresses RET Serviceshop:
Coolsingel 141
Monday-Friday 09:00 - 18:30 (on shopping nights until 21:00)
Saturday 09:00 – 17:00
Sunday 12:00 – 17:00

They also have other sales adddresses at Central Station, Metro station Beurs, Zuidplein, Spijkenisse Centrum and Capelsebrug.

www.ret.nl (Unfortunately only in Dutch, but try to grab a Dutch friend to help you!)

Renting a room

What you need to know when renting a room? Key deposits & rent deposits

Sometimes you will be asked to make an advanced payment for ‘key deposits’ when renting accommodation from private persons or companies. The reason is to ensure them that you will rent the room, however the law forbids this. If this is the case then you should ask for a receipt of payment. This receipt is proof of payment and can be used to claim back your repayment (via the courts).

A (room) rent deposit is not forbidden by law. This is only the case when the deposit is less than the rent of the room (without service and energy costs).
Again ask for a receipt of payment, this amount will be refunded when you leave your room clean and in a decent condition.

Carrying/takeover costs

Tel: 0800-4887243
Internet: www.huurcommissie.nl

Occasionally previous tenants can give you the option to purchase their already installed curtains or carpets, however never immovable objects like bath tubs or tiles. It is not an obligation to pay for these so-called takeover costs, although sometimes it can be a bargain. If you should feel afterwards you have paid too much for the takeover costs, contact the Huurcommissie (rent committee) to ask if the amount was fair. It is also possible to ask the Huurcommissie to undertake actions on your behalf.

Rent

In The Netherlands, the level of rent is regulated by law, including students rooms. It works on a points system, you can easily find out yourself the fairness of your rent. The ‘Nederlandse Woonbond’ can help you with this kind of problem.

If the rent you have been asked to pay is not in accordance with the amount following the points system, you have, with the help of the rent committee, three months after payment of rent has commenced in which to request repayment of the difference from the landlord. Only an annual fixed increase of the rent is allowed, at a percentage which is officially set by law. If you pay more rent than is allowed by law, or if the accommodation is badly maintained, no increase in rent is allowed. Should this be the case, you have six weeks to send a written complaint to the landlord. For more information: www.woonbond.nl.

Rental Contracts

Rules and agreements with regard to the use of accommodation are stated in a rental contract. Normally a verbal agreement is also accepted as legal contract.

A rental contract offers you many rights (e.g. undisturbed when using the accommodation and validating the rent with the Huurcommissie), but also responsibilities. Logically you should also pay your rent on time, be a good tenant and not be a nuisance. A standard rental agreement can be obtained from the ‘Dienst Stedenbouw en Volkshuisvesting’, www.dsv.rotterdam.nl.

Rent Subsidy

Under very strict requirements, subsidies are given for renting independent residences. If your house has its own front door, kitchen, toilet etc, you can apply for this subsidy (depending on your income). For more information you should request the brochure ‘Huursubsidie’ from the ‘Ministerie van VROM’. For further information you can call the ‘Postbus 51’ information line or pick up the brochure ‘Studentenhuisvesting’ from the Post Office or the library. Postbus 51, Tel. 0800-0851 (free) Internet: www.postbus51.nl and www.vrom.nl.

Getting a Visa

Students from non-EU/EER and VISA required countries staying for a period longer than 3 months, have to obtain a permit for temporary stay (MVV- Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf). In most cases the university can apply for this visa by a so-called ‘Accelerated visa procedure’. If students do NOT qualify for this procedure, they have to apply for a visa themselves by following a 'regular visa procedure'.

For info on VISA go to www.eur.nl/english/essc/registration/practical/immigration/.