Welcome You will soon be coming to Amsterdam to start your studies in the Undergraduate Certificate Programme, organised by the College of Social Sciences (CSS). We have prepared this information package about what you need to know before coming to Amsterdam and starting your studies here. We are well aware that arriving in a new city and at a new university causes some extra anxieties. We hope the enclosed information will facilitate your arrival and integration in our school and culture. In this booklet we have included things that students most often ask about or need to know. As all students, regardless of background, receive the same booklet, some of the information may not apply to you (such as visa procedures). Please feel free to skip those pages or to just read them to get a better idea of the things fellow students will have to arrange. You may also have questions which are not addressed here. Please let us know if you think some information is missing that should have been included or if you find that some of the information provided has changed. In the first two weeks of the semester orientation meetings will be organised during which we will provide you with further information on some of the issues contained in these pages. Also, you can find a Student Handbook, which includes most of the information you need to study successfully at the CSS on the website of your programme http://www.student.uva.nl/ucp. Before your arrival and once you are here, you might want to visit this website of your programme because there you can find extensive information concerning the Undergraduate Certificate Programme in Social Sciences (UCP) For more general information on studying in the Netherlands, please visit the website of Nuffic, the Dutch organisation for higher education: http://www.nuffic.nl/en. Our information desk is always available to answer your questions. For more detailed questions or any concerns you might have, you can turn to the Programme Manager appointed to you. You will find the necessary information and addresses enclosed in this booklet. Please feel free to contact them about any questions or concerns you might have. We are looking forward to meeting you. On behalf of the staff of the UCP Dr. Johan Post Director College of Social Sciences

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Map of University Buildings

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List of University Buildings Nr. Name Description Adres Code 1 Prins Hendrikkade Classrooms, computer room Prins Hendrikkade 189b PHK 2 Service &

InformatieCentrum Central information desk for general question about the UvA, ASVA helpdesk

Binnengasthuisstraat 9 SIC

2 Binnengasthuis Classrooms, computer room with helpdesk, university restaurant, academic staff of political science department

Oudezijds Achterburgwal 237

BG5

3 Oudemanhuispoort Classrooms, small computer room, academic staff and library of law department

Oudemanhuispoort 4-6 OMHP

4 Allard Piersonmuseum Museum, Unversity Library departments Oude Turfmarkt 129 OTM 5 Universiteitstheater Classrooms, university theatre Nieuwe Doelenstraat 14-16 UT 6 Spinhuis Classrooms, academic staff of sociology

and anthropology Oudezijds Achterburgwal 185

SPH

7 Bushuis / Oost-Indisch huis

Classrooms, library of social sciences, computer rooms, staff of English taught master’s and undergraduate certificate programmes, information desk, support staff of the college of social sciences and the disciplinary master’s programmes sociology and anthropology

Kloverniersburgwal 48 OIH

8 P.C. Hoofthuis Classrooms, computer room, library and academic staff of faculty of humanities

Spuistraat 134 PCH

9 Bungehuis Classrooms, library and academic staff of faculty of humanities

Spuistraat 210 BH

10 CEDLA Centre for Latin American Research and Documentation

Keizersgracht 395-397 CEDLA

11 Roeterseilandcomplex / Nieuwe Prinsengracht / ‘G’ building

Classrooms, academic and support staff of the college of social sciences and the disciplinary master’s programmes human geography, planning and development studies

Nieuwe Prinsengracht 130 REC-G

12 Roeterseilandcomplex / Roetersstraat / ‘E’ building

Classrooms, library and academic staff faculty of economics, computer room, university restaurant,

Roetersstraat 11 REC-E

This is only a selection of the most used buildings. In total, the university is spread over more than 60 buildings.

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Table of Contents WELCOME ............................................................................................................................................................ 1

LIST OF UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS ............................................................................................................................ 3

ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................................................................................... 5

1. WHAT TO DO BEFORE COMING TO THE CSS/ TO AMSTERDAM? ....................................................................... 6

1.1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.2. STUDYING ABROAD ................................................................................................................................................. 6 • Registration for Dutch Language classes (optional). .................................................................................... 6 1.2.1 Visa – Short Visa Procedure ....................................................................................................................... 6 1.2.2 Accommodation.......................................................................................................................................... 7 1.2.3 Insurance ..................................................................................................................................................... 7

1.3. REGISTERING FOR COURSES ...................................................................................................................................... 8 1.4 DUTCH LANGUAGE CLASSES ....................................................................................................................................... 9

2. WHAT TO DO UPON ARRIVAL ......................................................................................................................... 11

2.1 THINGS YOU NEED TO DO ON THE FIRST DAY(S) .......................................................................................................... 11 2.1.1 Go to the housing cooperation - Students with De Key or Duwo university housing only .................... 11 2.1.2 Check in with the CSS, Undergraduate Certificate Programme Social Sciences ..................................... 12 2.1.3 Go to the Service & Information Centre (SIC, also International Student Affairs Office) ...................... 12 Binnengasthuisstraat 9 (see map, building number 2) ..................................................................................... 12 2.1.4 Activate your UvA login and email address ............................................................................................. 14

2.2 OTHER THINGS YOU NEED TO DO WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK(S) OF YOUR STAY IN AMSTERDAM ............................................ 14 2.2.1 Attend the UCP Orientation (compulsory) .............................................................................................. 14 2.2.2 Attend the ISN Orientation (optional) ..................................................................................................... 14 2.2.3 Library Skills Workshop ............................................................................................................................ 15 2.2.4 Meet your Programme Managers ............................................................................................................ 15

3. WHO WHAT WHERE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF AMSTERDAM: OFFICES .............................................................. 16

3.1 THE UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATE PROGRAMME AT THE BUSHUIS/OOST-INDISCH HUIS .................................................... 16 3.1.1 Who is Who at the Undergraduate Certificate Programme? .................................................................. 16

3.2 THE SERVICE & INFORMATION CENTRE – SIC .............................................................................................................. 18 3.3 THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT NETWORK – ISN .......................................................................................................... 18

4. WHO, WHAT, WHERE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF AMSTERDAM: FACILITIES ........................................................ 20

4.1 LIBRARIES ............................................................................................................................................................. 20 HTTP://UBA.UVA.NL/EN/LOCATIONS ............................................................................................................................... 20 4.2 COMPUTER FACILITIES ............................................................................................................................................ 20 4.3 RECEIVING MAIL ................................................................................................................................................... 21

5. GENERAL THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT STUDYING AND LIVING IN AMSTERDAM .............................. 22

5.1 ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT ...................................................................................................................................... 22 5.1.1 Books and readers .................................................................................................................................... 22 5.1.2. Studying with a disability ........................................................................................................................ 23

5.2 WORKING BESIDES YOUR STUDIES ............................................................................................................................. 23 5.3 TELEPHONE .......................................................................................................................................................... 23 5.4 GETTING AROUND ................................................................................................................................................. 24

5.4.1 Bicycle ....................................................................................................................................................... 24 5.4.2 Train .......................................................................................................................................................... 24 5.4.3 City transport: Buses, Trams and the Metro ............................................................................................ 25

5.5 SAFETY ................................................................................................................................................................ 25

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Abbreviations ASVA Student union BG5 University building with restaurant and computer room and -helpdesk (BinnenGasthuis) CIEE Council on International Educational Exchange CSA Central Student Administration CSS College of Social Sciences EEA European Economic Area IC Department responsible for computer facilities at the UvA (InformatieseringsCentrum) IND Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (Immigratie- en NaturalisatieDienst) INTT Institute for Dutch as a second Language ISN International Student Network MVV Entrance visa (Machtiging Voorlopig Verblijf) Nuffic Netherlands organization for international cooperation in higher education OIH University building with library, classrooms and computerroom (Oost-Indisch Huis) OMHP University building with many classrooms (OudeManHuisPoort) REC Cluster of University buildings on east side of the city centre (RoetersEiland Complex) SIC University building with general helpdesk en student councillors (Service- en

Informatiecentrum) UB University Library (UniversiteitsBibliotheek) UCP Undergraduate Certificate Programme UvA University of Amsterdam (Universiteit van Amsterdam)

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1. What to do Before Coming to the CSS/ to Amsterdam?

1.1. Introduction Within some time you will become a student in the Undergraduate Certificate Programme in Social Sciences (UCP). The UCP is part of the College of Social Sciences (CSS) which was founded in January 2009 and encompasses all Bachelor programmes in the social sciences, both in Dutch and in English, taught at the University of Amsterdam The information provided in this booklet is valid for all students in the Undergraduate Certificate Programme in Social Sciences. Please read it carefully. Where possible, the title will indicate the target group. If you are already in the Netherlands please still take some time to read the relevant sections. All international students will also receive the UvA Start Magazine. While this contains a lot of information on studying in the Netherlands and at the UvA, it lacks certain specific information as it is sent to all international students . This booklet offers much more elaborate information, especially on visa and housing, than in the UvA Start magazine. During your studies at the CSS you will become part of an international student community. Enjoy the experience. 1.2. Studying abroad Studying abroad implies a lot of organising. Much of this organising and arranging you will do once you have arrived here in Amsterdam. However, there are a number of things you can and even need to do before coming here. This includes arranging your:

• Visa (if necessary) • Accommodation • Insurance • Registration for Dutch Language classes (optional).

Please read this booklet very carefully. The same and more information can be found on the Internet at http://www.uva.nl/en/education , for issues related to visa procedures, http://www.nuffic.nl/international-students/preparation-stay/preparing-your-stay/visa-and-permits and http://www.uva.nl/visa. 1.2.1 Visa – Short Visa Procedure All students should have received information on visa procedures by now. To enter the Netherlands for study purposes, people from most countries need a visa. A visa is not needed if you are a citizen of one of the following countries: a member state of the EU, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Switzerland or Monaco. If you need a visa, the UvA will apply for your visa, using an accelerated procedure that saves a lot of time. If you are an exchange student and you think you need a visa and you have not received information from us, please contact your exchange coordinator immediately. A visa application takes approximately 5 weeks, but can sometimes take longer. More information on visa and residence permits can also be found on: http://www.uva.nl/visa.

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1.2.2 Accommodation 1.2.2.1 University Housing Like most Dutch universities, the UvA does not have a campus. As in other major cities in Europe the demand for housing in Amsterdam is very high and accommodation is expensive. There is an extreme shortage of student housing. The UvA can only provide housing to 6% of its Dutch student population and to 30% of its foreign student population. The CSS offers housing to all its international fee-paying students for the maximum period of one year and does its very best to accommodate exchange students as well. However, for this group housing is not guaranteed. Exchange students receive information concerning housing and housing procedures through their exchange coordinator. Reservation procedure and guarantee A few weeks after receiving your (conditional) letter of acceptance, you will receive an e-mail with an invitation to go to the UvA online system (called EMBARK) and apply for housing. You will be asked to fill out a housing application form and submit it. You will then be contacted by the housing department with more information about your housing. If you have arranged housing yourself, please inform your housing officer/exchange co-ordinator. If you cancel your room reservation , housing is no longer guaranteed. Note: if you do not meet the requirements for acceptance a possible room offer will no longer be valid.

Maximum duration of one year In case you receive a room offer please note that university housing is only offered for a maximum of one year. 1.2.2.2 Housing: The Private Sector If you have not been assigned a room you will have to find a room by yourself in the private sector. Information on private accommodation is given in the UvA Start Magazine sent by the International Student Affairs office. You can also find information on http://www.uva.nl/en/education/other-programmes/practical-matters/housing/housing.html . 1.2.3 Insurance Health insurance is mandatory for all who live, work and study in the Netherlands, so also for the international students of the CSS. For more information about the rules about insurance in The Netherlands: http://www.uva.nl/insurance. Depending on your nationality, you can arrange for health insurance with an insurance company in your home country. Alternatively you can get health insurance AON Student Insurance: https://www.students-insurance.eu/index.jsp?language=en. You can register online .

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1.3. Registering for Courses Registering for Courses Deadline submitting your study plan: 7 December 2012. All UCP students should register for their courses by submitting their digital study plan. The link to the digital study plan will be send by e-mail to all (conditional) accepted students in the week of 19 November 2012. Your study plan lists all courses of the Undergraduate Certificate Programme in Social Sciences for the relevant semester which are open to you depending on your academic background. Some courses are only accessible for students with specific backgrounds, and for most courses a limited number of places is available. That is why you need to prioritise your courses on your study plan and need to include alternative choices. In case a course is compulsory for you to take, please arrange for proof of this in advance (see below). The normal fulltime course load is 30 EC per semester. Students should take a minimum of 24 EC per semester. The maximum number of credits per semester you are allowed to register for is 40 EC. You cannot take more than 80 EC per year. Please note it is not possible to add and/or change courses after 29 June. That is why we strongly recommend you to choose the maximum of 6 courses on your study plan. We will register you for a course load between 30 and 40 EC (depending on your choice and depending on the number of credits you wish to take). You will then have some flexibility to drop a course after the two first weeks in the semester. The course catalogue 2012-13 for the Undergraduate Certificate Programme in Social Sciences is available at: http://studiegids.uva.nl/web/uva/sgs/en/p/62_sce_3096.html Students can also choose one or two modules from the Undergraduate Certificate Programme in Humanities, see: http://studiegids.uva.nl/web/uva/sgs/en/p/951.html The schedules are available at:https://rooster.uva.nl/?startdate=2012-11-6&newLocale=en_GB (search for the specific course) and as a PDF at http://student.uva.nl/ucp/schedule.cfm Please note that the schedules are subject to change; we advise you to check the schedules regularly. Academic Calendar In the Undergraduate Certificate Programme in Social Sciences we offer courses of 12 EC or 6 EC. The semester is officially divided in 3 blocks. Most English taught courses are offered in block 1 and 2. As a rule 12 EC courses are taught in block 1 and 2, 6 EC courses are taught in one of the first two blocks. • Block 1: 4 February 2013 – 29 March 2013

(25-29 March: exam period) • Block 2: 1 April 2013 – 31 May 2013

(27 -31 May: exam period) • Block 3: 3 June 2013- 28 June 2013 Official Holidays (UvA closed):

• Good Friday: 29 March 2013 • Easter Monday: 1 April 2013 • Queen’s Day: 29 and 30 April 2013 • Labour Day: 1 May 2013 • Liberation Day: 5 May 2013 • Ascension Day: 9 and 10 May 2013 • Whit Monday: 20 May 2013

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Procedure for registration 1. In order to make your choices, please consult the course catalogue. In case a course description is not available yet, see if you can find relevant information in the 2011-2012 course catalogue ( http://studiegids.uva.nl/web/uva/2011_2012/en/p/62.html ) but keep in mind information for 2012-13 may differ. Decide in which 6 courses you are most interested. 2. Look carefully at the lecture times of the courses in order to avoid overlaps. Not all lecture times are known yet. Please keep checking the schedule for updates: http://rooster.uva.nl/ and http://www.student.uva.nl/ucp/news.cfm If you find out that you have a time clash after turning in your study plan please contact the International Office Social Sciences asap. Please note: we do not check your study plan for time clashes! 3. You have received or you will receive an e-mail soon with a link to your digital study plan. Fill out the digital study plan prioritising your courses, number 1 being your first choice. Submit the form no later than 7 December. You will need to take into consideration that this study plan will act as the basis of your final registration. You will in principle not be able to review your choice of courses afterwards. We will register you for 30-40 EC taking into account the order of priority you have indicated, but there is no guarantee that we will be able to offer you a place in the courses you have listed as your first choice. We will contact you before the start of the semester to let you know in which courses you have been placed. 4. If your home university obliges you to take certain courses, please indicate this on the first page of your study plan. After submitting your study plan you will be able to download the necessary form (pdf).The form needs to be signed/stamped by your coordinator for approval and then sent to us by 7 December. If it is not possible to reach your coordinator before 7 December, please send in the form anyway and ask your co-ordinator at your home university to send us an e-mail later stating which course is obligatory for you to take. Please note: We cannot guarantee you will be placed in the courses you are obliged to take. Please make sure you have alternatives. 5. If you wish to take a course from the Undergraduate Certificate Programme in Social Sciences which is not listed on your study plan, or a course from another programme/department of the University of Amsterdam please indicate the title and if possible the course code in the relevant field on the last page of your study plan. Please also write down the priority number for this course. Important other notes 1. You can only get credits for courses you have registered for through your study plan. If you fail to complete a course after having registered for it, the course will show up as ‘incomplete' on your transcript. Failure to show up at the first session can lead to exclusion from the course. 2. Graduate students in the Undergraduate Certificate Programme of Social Sciences who wish to enrol as non-degree students in courses offered at Master's level will need special permission per course from the Admissions Committee of the Master's programme of which the course is part. Your Programme Manager can inform you about this. Requests should be sent to the Admissions Committee at the address mentioned below. 3. You are allowed to drop a course in the first two weeks of the semester. Only in exceptional cases students are allowed to add courses after the semester has started. These instructions are also published at http://student.uva.nl/ucp/object.cfm/D78DA065-FD9F-474E-8053CEE2F12D51DF 1.4 Dutch Language Classes We have also included as attachments an information flyer and registration form from the INTT, the UvA’s Institute for Dutch as a Second Language. They offer a wide range of Dutch classes, from absolute

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beginners to advanced students. Please note that if you wish to enrol in one of the classes, you have to register for them well in advance, since they fill up quickly. Make sure your programme manager signs the form. Please check http://intt.uva.nl/ for more information.

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2. What to Do Upon Arrival 2.1 Things You Need to Do on the First Day(s) The first day(s) will be very hectic for you. Here’s an overview of the things you need to do, where to do them and how to get where you need to be! 2.1.1 Go to the housing cooperation - Students with De Key or Duwo university housing only Address De Key: Hoogte Kadijk 179-189 Address DUWO: Uilenstede 108 De Key and DUWO are the housing cooperations through which the UvA arranges the accommodation for most of its foreign students. Those of you who have signed up for a student room will receive an email from De Key/DUWO with all the necessary information. It is very important you follow the instructions that have been sent to you. What to do there At the office of De Key/DUWO, you will sign the lease, pick up your keys and make a payment (or show proof of a previous payment) for the first month rent. This payment can be made with a credit card, or with a bankcard that uses the Maestro system. If you prefer to pay in cash, you must go to one of the GWK Travelex offices in Amsterdam and make the payment there. The housing corporation will inform you about this procedure. The housing corporation does not accept payment in cash or cheques. Please make sure that your credit card will not expire before the end of your lease. How to get to De Key from Amsterdam Central Station (see map) Take bus 22, in the direction of Indische Buurt. Leave the station through one of the exits at the south (city centre) side. Walk towards the tram stops located on the far left (east) side of the station. You can buy a ticket on the tram, but it is cheaper to buy an electronic public transport pass (OV-chipkaart1). Get off at the bus stop called Zeeburgerdijk, which is near the windmill, close to the beer brewery on the Zeeburgerdijk. From there it is a 5-minute walk to De Key. Across the road from the bus stop you will see a petrol/gas station, called Texaco. Walk towards it and take the road just past the petrol/gas station onto the Hoogte Kadijk. Walk until you get to Hoogte Kadijk 179-189. (De Key is situated behind the Amsterdam Zoo, Artis). How to get to DUWO from Amsterdam Central Station As Central Station take metro 51, direction Amstelveen Westwijk, and get out at stop Uilenstede. Go down the stair/elevator, turn left and follow the signs to DUWO. How to get to DUWO from Amsterdam Airport From Schiphol Amsterdam , please take the NS-train to Amsterdam Zuid Station. At Amsterdam Zuid Station switch to the metro 51, direction Amstelveen Westwijk, and get out at stop Uilenstede. Go down the stair/elevator, turn left and follow the signs to DUWO. On 30 January 2013 the UvA will provide a pick-up Service from Schiphol Airport to UvA-affiliated housing corporations. More information can be found at: http://www.uva.nl/en/education/bachelor-s/practical-matters/transportation/pick-up-service/pick-up-service.html

1 http://en.gvb.nl/reisinformatie/reizenmetovchipkaart/Pages/Reizen.aspx

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2.1.2 Check in with the CSS, Undergraduate Certificate Programme Social Sciences Bushuis: Kloveniersburgwal 48 . (See map, building number 7) What to do there Upon first arrival, you should go to the Bushuis and check in at the Information Desk. If you are a conditionally accepted student, you may need to hand in missing documents. Feel free to ask any questions you may have here. Also, you should check out the building and the facilities, since you are going to spend a lot of time here! How to get there from Amsterdam Central Station (see map, building number 7): On foot: Leave the train station through one of the exits on south (city centre) side. Cross

Central Station’s square and the crossroads with two sets of traffic lights. Carry straight on along the Damrak, a busy street with many tourist shops until you get to Dam square. At Dam square turn left past the Bijenkorf department store and Hotel NH Krasnapolsky until you get to the corner of the Damstraat. Turn left into the Damstraat and walk straight on until you get to Kloveniersburgwal (the third canal). The building on your right hand side is the Bushuis.

By subway: Leave the station through one of the exits on the south (city centre) side. Enter the

subway station and take any of the subway lines (51, 53 or 54). Exit the subway at the first stop ‘Nieuwmarkt’ and leave the subway station in the direction of the Nieuwe Hoogstraat. At the Nieuwe Hoogstraat turn left and cross the bridge. Turn left after crossing the bridge and you will find the Bushuis immediately on your right hand side.

By tram: Leave the station through one of the exits on the south (city centre) side. Walk towards

the tram-stops located on the far left of the station. You can take any of the following trams: 4, 9, 16, 24 and 25. You can buy a ticket on the tram, but it is cheaper to buy an electronic public transport pass (OV-chipkaart). Take the tram to Dam Square (1 stop). Walk past the Bijenkorf department store and Hotel NH Krasnapolsky until you get to the corner of the Damstraat. Turn left into the Damstraat and walk straight on until you get to Kloveniersburgwal (the third canal). The building on your right hand side is the Bushuis.

By taxi: Leave the station by the main exit (close to platform 2). You can get a taxi at the taxi

stand just to the right of the main exit. It will cost you about € 10 to Kloveniersburgwal 48.

2.1.3 Go to the Service & Information Centre (SIC, also International Student Affairs Office) Binnengasthuisstraat 9 (see map, building number 2) All students should have received an email with an invitation to book an appointment at the International Student Affairs Office. If you have not received an email, please get in contact with your programme manager or exchange co-ordinator. What to do there: At the International Student Affairs Office you need to:

• pick up your UvA student identification card (or a letter stating that you are enrolled, in case the card is not ready yet)

• receive information on how to open a bank account (only if you will be staying in The Netherlands for more than 6 months)

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• receive information about, and - if applicable - apply for residence permit and/or registration with city council, please see 2.2.3.2.

Do not forget to bring your passport or EU identity card and a passport photo (if you need to apply for a residence permit, see 2.2.3.2). The International Student Affairs office will not accept any other form of identification, such as a driver’s license. How to get there from Amsterdam Centraal Station On foot: Leave the train station through one of the exits on south (city centre) side. Cross

Central Station’s square and the crossroads with two sets of traffic lights. Carry straight on along the Damrak, a busy street with many tourist shops. Cross the Dam, with the Royal Palace on your right and the national monument to your left and continue walking along the Rokin. Just before you get to the canal on the left-hand side, with the canal boat operator called Kooij on the corner, cross the bridge, turn left towards the water and cross the street and the bridge. Walk into a small street called Grimburgwal. At the end of the Grimburgwal there is a complex of University of Amsterdam buildings. If you walk to the right, you will see a modern round building. This is the Service & Information Centre, which houses the Office of Foreign Relations This walk to the Office of Foreign Relations should take you about 15 to 20 minutes.

By tram: Leave the station through one of the exits on the south (city centre) side. Walk towards the tram-stops located on the far left of the station. You can take any of the following trams: 4, 9, 16, 24 and 25. You can buy a ticket on the tram, but it is cheaper to buy an electronic public transport pass (OV-chipkaart). Get off at the stop called Spui. Turn left towards the water and cross the street and the bridge. Walk into a small street called Grimburgwal. At the end of the Grimburgwal there is a complex of university buildings. If you walk to the right, you will see a modern round building. This is the Service & Information Centre, which houses the International Student Affair Office.

By taxi: Leave the train station through one of the exits on south (city centre) side. You can get a taxi at the taxi stand at the right side of the station. It will cost you about € 10 to the International Student Affair Office.

2.1.3.1 Registration With the Immigration Office and/or the City Council If you are a non-EU/EEA student and plan to stay for a period of three months or longer, you must apply for a residence permit to legally stay in the Netherlands. Most students will take care of this application in advance through the UvA online system (EMBARK). For students residing in Amsterdam an appointment for registration with city council will be made by the University. Students residing outside of Amsterdam will need to make their own arrangements. EU/EEA-nationals do not need a residence permit but need to register with the City council nonetheless. They can also apply for a residence permit, which may be necessary in order to work, apply for subsidized housing, student funding etc. Whether this is advisable or not, please inform yourself at the Immigration Office (IND) at http://english.ind.nl/residencewizard/verblijfwijzer_content.asp?proc=komen&lang=en. More information on residence permits can also be found on: http://www.uva.nl/visa. At the appointment at the SIC (or in some cases at De Key Housing co-operation) the UvA will assist you with the registration with the City Council.

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For this you will need to bring the following documents: • Original lease agreement; • Passport.

As long as you are waiting for your residence permit, it is difficult to travel outside the Netherlands. Or rather, it is possible to travel to another country, but for some students, depending on the nationality, not possible to then enter the Netherlands again. You will need to apply for a so-called return-visa in order to make a trip abroad. For more information about the residence permit and the required documents, please visit the UvA website at: http://www.uva.nl/visa. You can also contact your programme manager/exchange co-ordinator. For more information on the short visa procedure, see 1.2.1. 2.1.4 Activate your UvA login and email address The UvA’s student email will be handled by Google Apps for Education. This means that you can use your UvA student email address to access Google’s email functions, to create and share documents and to work with others online. You can activate your UvA email address via http://id.uva.nl/gogoogle. Go to one of the main Computer Labs (These are called Studiecentra, see map and the Who is Who and What is Where section for locations) in order to activate your UvA login and email address. You can do this as soon as you have your student ID card or your provisional letter of registration (obtained at the Service & Information Centre). You can open the webmail version of your student email in all common browsers. You can access webmail via: http://email.student.uva.nl. Log in with your UvAnetID and password. Use of Google Apps is not compulsory. Students that do not wish to use Google Apps will not be eligible to use a UvA email address (@student.uva.nl). If the UvA wishes to contact you by email, it will use the email address that you have specified in Studielink. 2.2 Other Things You Need to Do Within the First Week(s) of Your Stay in Amsterdam 2.2.1 Attend the UCP Orientation (compulsory) Just before the start of the semester a welcoming and information meeting will be held, usually followed by drinks. More information about the UCP Orientation will be sent to you by e-mail. In the first weeks of the semester, there will be different information meetings and workshops. A detailed orientation programme will be sent to you by e-mail a few weeks before the beginning of the semester and will be provided upon arrival in Amsterdam. Also check your student website http://student.uva.nl/ucp/news.cfm 2.2.2 Attend the ISN Orientation (optional) The International Student Network (ISN) is a non-profit student organisation founded by Dutch students, to assist international students in finding their way around the UvA and the city. They offer a variety of activities; the most important of which is the introduction period at the beginning of each semester. You can also apply for a Dutch student coach. Information about ISN and their orientation is included in the START magazine, sent to you by mail from the International Student Affairs Office. Also check http://www.isn-amsterdam.nl/ for more information.

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2.2.3 Library Skills Workshop In the first month of the semester the UCP organises library skills workshops in collaboration with the Information Specialists of the UvA library. This workshop is optional but we recommend that every student participates. The library skills course covers an explanation of the use of the library catalogue and the use of the digital library system. You can sign up for a library skills course at the information desk. 2.2.4 Meet your Programme Managers Your Programme Manager will schedule an appointment with you just before or in the first weeks after the start of the semester, or will inform you on the open office hours where you can just come by. For more information on programme managers, see the Who is Who section. 2.2.5 Finalise your course registration On Friday 15 February 2013 at the latest you need to finalise your course registration. An explanation on the procedure for this in the UvA SIS-system will be given at the orientation meeting at the start of the semester. If you have questions concerning the course registration form you can contact your Programme Manager.

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3. Who What Where at the University of Amsterdam: Offices 3.1 The Undergraduate Certificate programme at the Bushuis/Oost-Indisch Huis

The building at the Bushuis/Oost-Indische Huis (OIH) is the building where you will find the information desk, the mailboxes, a canteen and computer room and the staff ranging from the Programme Managers to the Admission’s Officers. Visiting and courier mail address: Kloveniersburgwal 48 1012 CX Amsterdam Map: Building 7 General information: Phone: + 31 (0) 20 525 3777 Fax: + 31 (0) 20 525 3778 Opening hours information desk: weekdays, 10.00-14.00 hrs. Opening hours Bushuis computer room: Monday – Thursday, 08.45 - 21.00 hrs, Friday, 08.45 - 18.00 hrs and weekends from 10.00 – 1800 hrs.2 For opening hours of other computer rooms: http://uba.uva.nl/en/locations 3.1.1 Who is Who at the Undergraduate Certificate Programme? Programme Managers are directly responsible for the everyday functioning of the programme. They organise and coordinate the programme and are there to help and assist the students with all kinds of (practical) matters. Undergraduate Certificate Programme in Social Sciences Programme Managers: Gabriëlla Buisman phone +31 (0) 20 525 7371 e-mail: G.Buisman@uva.nl Emilie van Tol phone +31 (0) 20 525 8300 e-mail: E.R.vanTol@uva.nl Programme Co-ordinator: Heleen Straesser phone +31 (0) 20 525 4474 e-mail: H.M.Straesser@uva.nl Undergraduate Certificate Programme in Law, Culture and Society Programme Manager: Heleen Straesser phone +31 (0) 20 525 4474 e-mail: H.M.Straesser@uva.nl

Open Office Hours Location: Kloveniersburgwal 48 , room F108A/B Tuesday: 10:00 – 12:00 Thursday: 10:00 – 12:00

2 Subject to change. Check http://uba.uva.nl/en/locations for an up-to-date overview of opening hours.

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Affiliated Programmes: CIEE Programme Resident Director: Hannah Huber phone + 31 (0) 20 620 2269 e-mail: hhuber@ciee.org IES Abroad Programme Centre Director IES Abroad - Amsterdam: Chantal Omloo phone + 31 (0) 20 525 5468 e-mail: c.b.f.a.omloo@uva.nl Other Offices Admissions Office phone + 31 (0) 20 525 5581 e-mail: ucp-fmg@uva.nl Best time to call: between 10:00-11:00 hrs Registrar’s Office phone + 31(0) 20 525 3526 e-mail: registrar-gsss@uva.nl Iris Vuurmans Daniel Lameriks

From left to right: Gabriëlla Buisman, Emilie van Tol, Heleen Straesser

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3.2 The Service & Information Centre – SIC The Service & Information Centre (SIC) is the general information centre of the UvA. Here international students can pick up their student identity card and will receive information on how to open a bank account. The SIC can also assist with matters relating to your residence permit. Furthermore, the International Student Affairs Office, the Career Service, the Student Counsellors (studentendecanen) and the ASVA student union’s room service are situated here. There are information desks, for which you have to take a number and wait for your turn. If the staff of the Service & Information Centre cannot help you with matters of registration and housing, international students can ask for the Foreign Student Advisor in the same building. Or you can contact your programme manager. Address Binnengasthuisstraat 9 1012 ZA Amsterdam Map: Building number 2 General information Phone: + 31 (0) 20 525 8080 Fax: + 31 (0) 20 525 6613 Email: info@uva.nl Opening Hours: every weekday 10.00 – 17.00 hrs. 3.2.1 The International Students Affairs Office The International Students Affairs Office regulates and coordinates most aspects of international academic relations. It coordinates various exchange programmes and matters of registration such as the student identification cards for foreign students. The ISA Office sends you the UvA START magazine prior to your arrival in Amsterdam. The office is part of the Service & Information Centre of the UvA. For details on location and opening hours, please check the above mentioned information. 3.3 The International Student Network – ISN The International Student Network (ISN) - Amsterdam is a non-profit organisation founded by Dutch students of the UvA to assist international students in finding their way around the university and the city. The ISN tries to reach this goal by focusing on a wide array of activities such as movie nights, excursions, parties and weekly drinks on Tuesdays. The ISN is part of the Erasmus Student Network (ESN), which has 90 branches across Europe. At the beginning of each semester, an introduction period is organised by the ISN for all newly arrived international students studying at the UvA. This introduction period includes a guided tour of the city of Amsterdam and the main university buildings, and a boat tour through the canals. The introduction finishes with a huge party. If you are interested in participating in the introduction period, please register through http://www.isn-amsterdam.nl/ Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. The ISN co-ordinates a coaches programme through which you can apply for a Dutch student to be your mentor. During the introduction period, an official welcome to the UvA will take place. Several speakers, such as a member of the board of the UvA, will inform you about the university, Amsterdam and the Netherlands and its culture. This event is organised by the ISN in cooperation with the UvA. The ISN organises social activities and excursions through the semester. You can join them every week at the drinks (borrel) for international students.

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Address Nieuwe Achtergracht 170 1018 WV Amsterdam Map: Opposite Roeterseilandcomplex / ‘G’ building (building 11 on the map) General information Phone: +31 (0) 20-525 3721 Fax: +31(0) 20-525 4547 Email: info@isn-amsterdam.nl Website: http://www.isn-amsterdam.nl/ Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 13.00 - 17.00 hrs.

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4. Who, What, Where at the University of Amsterdam: Facilities 4.1 Libraries The UvA has approximately 30 faculty libraries all over the centre of Amsterdam. The central library however, the UB (Universiteitsbibliotheek) is the biggest of them all. It contains over four million books, 70.000 manuscripts, 500.000 letters and 125.000 geographical maps. There is also an online version available. You can borrow books from all faculty libraries and also access the digital library online. A detailed overview of all the libraries, locations and opening hours will be included in the information package upon arrival. For now it is sufficient just to mention the details of the central library (see below). The UvA Digital Library offers a wide array of digital resources such as catalogues, bibliographies, text & image databases and electronic journals. Furthermore, within the Digital Library you can access a number of services such as UvA-linker - the linking service to scientific information (http://uba.uva.nl/en). An instruction is indispensable to be able to make maximum use of the library during your studies in Amsterdam. It can be taken after you’ve picked up your UvA library card at the central UvA library. In the first month of the semester the UCP organises a library skills workshop in collaboration with the Information Specialists of the UvA library. The library skills course covers an explanation of the use of the library catalogue and the use of the digital library system. Address UB (Universiteitsbibliotheek) Singel 425 Map: Building without number near Spui General information Phone: + 31 (0) 20 525 2301 Fax: + 31 (0) 20 525 2311 Website: http://www.uba.uva.nl/en/ The Social Sciences library is located at the Bushuis building. For up-to-date opening hours of all libraries and study centres please consult the UBA page: http://uba.uva.nl/en/locations 4.2 Computer Facilities

All UvA students will be issued an UvAnetID. This UvAnetID consists of an username and password, and offers access to various digital UvA resources, such as MijnUvA, Blackboard and Surfspot. Various UvA study centres offer computer workstations with printers. Each computer workstation has a fast internet connection. Log in to the computer workstation using your UvAnetID.

More information on Blackboard will be provided during the Orientation and by your lecturers. The Information Technology Centre (IC) offers support in the field of information and communication services. Various UvA study centres offer computer workstations with printers. Each computer workstation has a fast internet connection. All computers are fitted with an USB-memory stick port. If you have a chipknip (See UvA Start magazine) you can use the laser printer. Please note that you have

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to pay for printing. You can have texts and illustrations scanned at the desk. You can register with your student ID card. You will receive a user name and password, so that you can log in at any workstation. Students can have free access to the Internet through the IC. A detailed overview of all the computer centres, locations and opening hours can be found here: http://www.student.uva.nl/english/studycentres/studycentres.cfm A detailed overview of available PCs per study centre can be found here (select tab available PCs): http://uba.uva.nl/en/locations In many buildings of the UvA wireless internet has been installed. For more information in this and on how to install this on your laptop please check the website: http://www.student.uva.nl/english/wireless/. 4.3 Receiving Mail Each student will be given a mailbox located in the Bushuis/Oost-Indisch Huis. Please make sure to check your mailbox regularly. This mailbox will be valid from the first day of the semester in which you are starting your studies in the UCP programme until your final date of registration. If, upon arrival, you do not yet have a mailbox assigned to you, let the person behind the information desk know. They will see to it you get one. You can have your mail forwarded to the Bushuis/Oost-Indisch Huis, but please note that the UCP is not responsible for any mail or packages send to you. Information relevant to the programme, flyers, and announcements from professors, will be made known to the students via their mailboxes. If professors have any messages or handouts for students, they also use the students’ mailboxes. The address for your family and friends to send regular mail to is: University of Amsterdam UCP Programme Student name: … Information Desk Bushuis Kloveniersburgwal 48 1012 CX Amsterdam The Netherlands Please make sure to stop by your mailbox once or twice a week to pick up your mail so that you will not miss any important information. You can always ask a fellow student to pick up your mail for you, if you are unable to pick it up yourself. Please note that the CSS cannot be held responsible for post and packages send to the students.

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5. General Things You Need to Know About Studying and Living in Amsterdam 5.1 Academic Environment In the Undergraduate Certificate Programmes all course work is conducted in English. This means that all papers and other forms of assessment are also in English. You may find that the educational system of the UvA is different from what you are used to. Adjusting to the new academic environment will be part of the challenge of your study programme at the UvA. The UvA educational tradition gives the student a lot of responsibility and initiative in an environment with limited structure. There are two to six contact hours per course per week with a strong emphasis on self-study and individual research. This requires self-discipline, planning, and initiative but it also gives you the opportunity to follow your own interests. Professors at the UvA do not always make a clear-cut distinction between required and recommended texts. Professors often provide a bibliography but no specific reading assignments, study questions or syllabuses. As a result, you may be lulled into feeling that the first part of a course is very easy and the last few weeks unbearably intense. You should be studying throughout the semester setting a reasonable pace so you can cover all the study material. Courses are given either as seminars or as lectures. Enrolment is limited to allow for a maximum of individual attention from and interaction with the lecturer. Seminars usually require a great deal of outside preparation on the part of the student, which the student then presents to the class in oral and/or written form. 1 EC equals 28 hours of study, including preparing and attending lectures. 30 EC per semester equals a full-time study load. Ask your lecturer early in the semester how to study for the course and how the course will be assessed if this is not absolutely clear to you. You will probably be expected to write an academic paper, which probably will be due at the very end of the semester, at the exact same time you are studying for final exams. Written exams often consist of open-ended questions. As to papers, their structure is more formal than in many other countries. Abbreviations and spelling errors are not acceptable. Also note that all papers at the UvA are reference papers, consequently rules about references, annotations and bibliographies are very strict. Accusations concerning plagiarism are taken very seriously and can lead to you being expelled from the UCP and the UvA. If you are unclear on those rules please contact your lecturer or Programme Manager. Also check the UCP Rules and Regulations and the “Guide on quoting and how to avoid plagiarism” (under Academic Paper) on your programme website on http://student.uva.nl/ucp/downloads.cfm 5.1.1 Books and readers Some courses will use books as course material, while for other courses you may be required to buy a course reader. Therefore you need to take into consideration that you will need to buy course material for most of your courses. The costs for readers and books can vary between € 20,- to € 100,- per course (if the costs per course are higher than € 100,- this will be indicated in the course description on: http://coursecatalogue.uva.nl/). Most books used for courses are imported from the U.S. and the U.K.

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and can be quite expensive in The Netherlands. Books can be bought at Athenaeum Bookstore, Spui 14, Amsterdam, unless your lecturer indicates you need to go to a different bookstore (also check: http://www.athenaeum.nl/) . Generally it is not possible to sell used texts back to a bookstore. Some second-hand bookstores do buy used text books from private sellers.3 Readers are now offered digitally. During the 1st lesson ask your lecturer if a reader is available for your course and where you should access it. 5.1.2. Studying with a disability If you are studying with a (minor) disability, and you wish that this is taken into account while studying in the UCP, please contact your programme manager as soon as possible. If you have a chronic illness or learning disability, you should bring proof from your doctor or home university. When the (minor) disability occurs while studying at the UvA, contact your programme manager to discuss the possibilities. 5.2 Working besides your Studies The Undergraduate Certificate Programme is a full-time programme. This means students will spend between 30 to 40 hrs per week on their studies. This leaves very little time for work. If students wish to work during their studies this is their own responsibility. By the time the student arrives in Amsterdam, the most current information on official procedures, required documents and some addresses of job agencies can be provided. According to the conditions of the student residence permit, foreign students from outside the European Union are allowed to work a maximum of 10 hours a week from September through May. For June, July, and August there are no known restrictions. They will usually need a permit to work (tewerkstellingsvergunning), which the employer will need to apply for. However, this process usually takes a long time and not many employers will apply for a permit as it is a lot of work. Students from countries within the European Union do not need a permit to work (tewerkstellingsvergunning), provided that the students are registered with the Immigration Office and the City Council. They should however, like all other students, be aware of the fact that they need to study full-time (be available for 40 hours per week), so more than 10 hours work per week is hardly possible. For more information also look at http://www.uva.nl/work.

5.3 Telephone It is not always possible to receive or make calls from your room. In some student residences there is only one (public) telephone (landline) per floor and sometimes none. Rooms in the private sector usually come without phone. It is advisable to get a mobile phone. Please check the internet for the best deals on mobile phones and mobile phone plans as this market is subject to constant changes. Mobile phone stores are found all over Amsterdam. There is also a variety of ‘telephone and internet-shops’ which offer good prices for long distance calls. You will usually find them in residential areas with a high percentage of new-comers, situated around the city centre. 3 Well-known second-hand study book buyers are The Book Exchange (http://www.bookexchange.nl/) and De Slegte (Dutch only: http://www.deslegte.com/meer-weten/klantenservice/boeken-verkopen/).

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For international calls it is cheaper, especially for transatlantic calls to use an international calling card or to arrange something with your credit card agency. International calling cards are available at telephone centres and some money exchange offices in Amsterdam. The costs for the cards may differ so it is advisable to shop around for the best rate for your country. With an international calling card, which can be used on any telephone, you can make a collect call or charge the call at the lowest available rates. In case of emergencies dial 112 (and not 911) and state whether you need the fire department, the police, or an ambulance. The operator will connect you at once. Don’t panic, speak slowly and clearly and give your address and phone number (English will be understood). Information about other telephone numbers in The Netherlands can be obtained at phone: 0900-8008; for information about telephone numbers abroad you can dial 0900-8418. To phone a number outside The Netherlands, dial 00 first, followed by the country code. For calling within the Netherlands from a landline you need a 7-digit number within the same city or a 10-digit number if you need to call to another city (area code + number). If you are calling a land line number from a mobile phone you will always need to use the 10-digit number. Dutch mobile phone numbers have 10 digits and always start with 06. All calls cost money, including local calls. To call a mobile phone number from a landline is more expensive than to phone to another landline. Landline calls are cheaper after 19.00 hrs. and during the weekends. 5.4 Getting Around 5.4.1 Bicycle The easiest, quickest and by far nicest way to get around Amsterdam is by bicycle. With only 750.000 inhabitants, Amsterdam is a relatively small and compact capital city, and everything is located within easy biking distance. Since - unfortunately - bike theft is quite common in Amsterdam, you should not invest too much in buying a new, state-of-the-art bicycle. You should however invest in a proper good lock (or better two). You can buy a good second hand bike and locks at most bike shops in town. Bargains on second hand bikes can often be found at the bike sheds run by the municipality: (Dutch only) http://www.amsterdam.nl/parkeren-verkeer/fiets/fietspuntstallingen/ Another good possibility is buying a used bike through the ASVA Student Union. By becoming a member of this union, you can buy a bike for € 45. The ASVA is located within the Service & Information Centre. The International Student Network (ISN) sometimes offers a pimp my bike workshop at the beginning of the semester, where you buy a second hand bike on the spot. A last option to buy a bike is from other international students that are leaving Amsterdam. Please, do not buy a bike on the street. It is very common that junkies try to sell you a stolen bike. This, needless to say, is illegal and you run the risk of being arrested. 5.4.2 Train The Netherlands have a very extensive and well-organised rail network. You can travel across the entire country by train. Please check http://www.ns.nl/en/travellers/home for more information on Dutch rail and for the journey planner. Dutch Rail (NS) also offers a number of discount passes. The most attractive pass is the Dal Voordeel for € 50,- per year 4. This card allows you to buy second-class train tickets at a 40% discount when

4 Rate of May 2012

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travelling between 9.00 -16.00hrs and 18.30 - 6.30hrs on weekdays. At weekends you are entitled to the 40% train fare discount all day. The card is valid for 12 months. 5.4.3 City transport: Buses, Trams and the Metro The best and quickest inner-city form of public transport is the tram, but Amsterdam also has an extensive bus network and a small but efficient underground system, the metro. For more information about Amsterdam public transport visit: http://en.gvb.nl/pages/home.aspx. On all these forms of public transport, you need to pay with an electronic pass called the OV-chipkaart. Please check http://www.ov-chipkaart.nl/allesoverdeov-chipkaart/?taal=en for more information about the public transport card. 5.5 Safety Amsterdam is a great city to live in. However, as any large city, it has its fair share of (petty) crime. Pickpockets are everywhere and move fast. Be constantly aware of your belongings when moving around, and do not take all your money, cheques, credit card and your passport with you at all times but just keep a minimum amount of money on you – preferably somewhere on your body.

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Disclaimer We have tried to make the Things you Need to Know Before Coming To the GSSS as accurate as possible, but nevertheless the information may not be exhaustive and completely up to date. The CSS cannot be held responsible for the contents of the information of third parties in the Things you Need to Know before Coming to Amsterdam or for any consequences from its use. No rights can be obtained from the information in the Things you Need to Know before Coming To Amsterdam.