Pre-departure information
Please note: each participant of Utrecht Summer School 2010 (who has paid) should see a pre-departure document available in his/her account on this website. In the event that the following information deviates from this document, the information in your account is leading.
The information below relates to courses taking place in Utrecht, The Netherlands. In case your course will take place in Florence, Biella, Breukelen (Nyenrode), Berlin, Tartu, London, Barcelona or any other course location, please find the information in your personal account. The information below does not apply to those locations!
The information below relates to courses taking place in Utrecht, The Netherlands. In case your course will take place in Florence, Biella, Breukelen (Nyenrode), Berlin, Tartu, London, Barcelona or any other course location, please find the information in your personal account. The information below does not apply to those locations!
BEFORE YOU LEAVE
What to bring
Please check if you require a visa, which can be obtained at the Dutch embassy or consulate in your country.
Insurances
You should take out a travel insurance which covers medical costs, liability, accidents and expatriation to your home country in case of emergencies. If you need a doctor while being in the Netherlands you first have to pay the bill, that you can send to your insurance company afterwards to be reimbursed. (See also Health Services.)
- Valid passport (an ID card is not valid unless you are an EU citizen)
- Travel insurance which covers medical costs, liability, et cetera
- Cash for meals, drinks, etc.
- Creditcard and/or debit card
- If you bring electronic equipment: the voltage is 220 so you may need to bring a converter.
- Clothing: summer clothes, a sweater and a raincoat may be essential.
- Towels (not provided by Utrecht Summer school)
Please check if you require a visa, which can be obtained at the Dutch embassy or consulate in your country.
Insurances
You should take out a travel insurance which covers medical costs, liability, accidents and expatriation to your home country in case of emergencies. If you need a doctor while being in the Netherlands you first have to pay the bill, that you can send to your insurance company afterwards to be reimbursed. (See also Health Services.)
UPON ARRIVAL IN THE NETHERLANDS
Schiphol Airport Amsterdam – Utrecht Central Station (33 minutes)
By train: Schiphol train station is situated directly below the airport. You can pick up a free baggage trolley from the platform. Via Schiphol Plaza you can walk straight to the departure or arrival hall. Train tickets are available from the yellow ticket machines near the platforms at Schiphol Plaza or from the ticket offices, which are situated close to the red/white-checked cube at Schiphol Plaza. Trains depart for Utrecht about every 15 minutes. Buy a one way ticket (enkele reis) to Utrecht Central Station (€ 7,70). There is a direct train to Utrecht every half hour. You can also take the train to Duivendrecht, where you will need to change trains (watch out for pickpockets!): find your way to the upper platform, from where the train to Utrecht will depart. Intercity trains are faster than local trains. When in doubt, you can always ask someone at the ticket office. You will soon notice that almost everyone in the Netherlands speaks English fairly well. For journey advises and time tables you can also check: www.ns.nl/en.Eindhoven Airport – Utrecht Central Station (74 minutes)
From the arrival hall at Eindhoven airport you can walk to the bus stop. With bus nr 401, starting at Eindhoven Airport, Eindhoven Central station is accessible in approximately 15 minutes. You can buy a ticket in the bus.
Train tickets are available from the yellow ticket machines near the platforms at Eindhoven Central station or from the ticket offices in the central hall of the station. Buy a one way ticket (enkele reis) to Utrecht Central Station (€ 12,80). There is a direct train to Utrecht every 15 minutes. Travelling from Eindhoven Central Station to Utrecht Central station takes 50 minutes. For journey advises and time tables you can also check: www.ns.nl/en.Utrecht Central Station – Registration Desk (Janskerkhof 30) (5 minutes)
When you arrive in Utrecht you can take either a taxi (but that is very expensive) or you can take the bus. If you would like to take a bus, you will need to buy a so-called "strippenkaart" (the Dutch bus ticket). This strippenkaart costs € 7,60 and depending on the zone you are travelling to it will probably account for 7 busrides. You can also buy one-way or return tickets on the bus but these cost € 2,40 so the strippenkaart is much cheaper. When you enter the bus, you give your strippenkaart to the driver who will (again, depending on the zone) stamp two "strippen". When you stamp it yourself you will always have to skip one "strip": when you start a new card, you begin to stamp at number two. You can buy the strippenkaart at the Kiosk at the Central train station, in supermarkets, tobacco shops, or in the service offices of the bus company.To get to Janskerkhof 30 (where you will pick up your key) you can take the city bus number 11 (direction De Uithof) or 3 (direction Burg. Fockema Andreaelaan). Get off at stop "Janskerkhof". Cross the street and you are at a square called "Janskerkhof", walk to the left, around the big church and on your right side you will see a small white house (attached to the church), this is our office.
Address Summer School Office
Janskerkhof 30/30a
3512 BN Utrecht
T: +31 (0) 30 253 4400
You can also walk from the Central Station to the Registration Desk (10-15 minute walk):
- From the station, walk past the Vredenburg
- Follow the Lange Viestraat
- Continue past the Oude Gracht and Neude square to the Janskerkhof
- Janskerkhof 30A is located next to the church "Janskerk" in the centre of the square.
ACCOMMODATION
Registration & key pick up address
Janskerkhof 30A, Utrecht
(For directions see above)
Housing
Generally speaking, your accommodation will be available from the Saturday before the start of the course until the last Friday of the course. A room is booked for each one of you in a student dorm. You shall have to leave your room on Friday morning, before 12 noon. You can pick up your key at the registration desk. The address of your accommodation will be given to you upon arrival.
The three possibilities to pick up your key are:
You shall have to leave your room the last Friday of the course in the morning. In case the course ends on a Thursday, your lodging is still available until the Friday. Hand in your key to your course leader before 12 noon!
Late arrival and departure
For alternative accommodation before / after the course you should book a hostel.
Cheap options are :
- Low budget hostel Strowis
www.strowis.nl
- Hostel B&B Utrecht
www.hostelutrecht.nl
- Hostel Stay Okay in Rhijnauwen in the suburb Bunnik
www.stayokay.nl
About your accommodation
All rooms are furnished and have shared facilities, such as kitchen and bathroom. The beds are supplied with only a mattress. You will receive a duvet plus pillow and sheets, pillow cases and a duvet cover. You may take the duvet cover home afterwards. There are no towels, so bring your own. Please take care that nothing of the inventory is missing on your leave.
Residence behaviour
There are few rules concerning behaviour in the residences, but all students are expected to behave with due consideration for their neighbours, and respect for property. During the week it is expected that the hours between 24:00-07:00 are reasonably quiet, and that you respond to the requests of neighbours to turn down loud music, etc. There is no curfew, but for security reasons the buildings should be locked at night and you should not admit visitors unknown to you. Please take care of your keys, and never leave them in your door. Please keep communal areas tidy, wash up after meals, and keep the bathrooms as you would like to find them. Since the rooms are student rooms, no hotel rooms, you have to take care of cleaning it yourself and also put your garbage in the garbage can!
In case you have any complaints, please use the housing contact form which is available in your personal accounts. In case of accidents or sudden illness requiring immediate action, call the general emergency number, tel. 112 (24 hours a day) or the Emergency Service at the hospital nearest to your home. For less urgent matters you call the police at 0900 8844. During day time you can ask your contact person for advice.
For more information, see: About Utrecht & the Netherlands
Janskerkhof 30A, Utrecht
(For directions see above)
Housing
Generally speaking, your accommodation will be available from the Saturday before the start of the course until the last Friday of the course. A room is booked for each one of you in a student dorm. You shall have to leave your room on Friday morning, before 12 noon. You can pick up your key at the registration desk. The address of your accommodation will be given to you upon arrival.
The three possibilities to pick up your key are:
- Saturday from 12.00 to 16.30 hrs
- Sunday from 12.00 to 16.30 hrs
- Monday during the first day of the course. Only if you cannot make it in the weekend. Please contact your courseleader if you are planning to arrive on Monday!
You shall have to leave your room the last Friday of the course in the morning. In case the course ends on a Thursday, your lodging is still available until the Friday. Hand in your key to your course leader before 12 noon!
Late arrival and departure
For alternative accommodation before / after the course you should book a hostel.
Cheap options are :
- Low budget hostel Strowis
www.strowis.nl
- Hostel B&B Utrecht
www.hostelutrecht.nl
- Hostel Stay Okay in Rhijnauwen in the suburb Bunnik
www.stayokay.nl
About your accommodation
All rooms are furnished and have shared facilities, such as kitchen and bathroom. The beds are supplied with only a mattress. You will receive a duvet plus pillow and sheets, pillow cases and a duvet cover. You may take the duvet cover home afterwards. There are no towels, so bring your own. Please take care that nothing of the inventory is missing on your leave.
Residence behaviour
There are few rules concerning behaviour in the residences, but all students are expected to behave with due consideration for their neighbours, and respect for property. During the week it is expected that the hours between 24:00-07:00 are reasonably quiet, and that you respond to the requests of neighbours to turn down loud music, etc. There is no curfew, but for security reasons the buildings should be locked at night and you should not admit visitors unknown to you. Please take care of your keys, and never leave them in your door. Please keep communal areas tidy, wash up after meals, and keep the bathrooms as you would like to find them. Since the rooms are student rooms, no hotel rooms, you have to take care of cleaning it yourself and also put your garbage in the garbage can!
In case you have any complaints, please use the housing contact form which is available in your personal accounts. In case of accidents or sudden illness requiring immediate action, call the general emergency number, tel. 112 (24 hours a day) or the Emergency Service at the hospital nearest to your home. For less urgent matters you call the police at 0900 8844. During day time you can ask your contact person for advice.
For more information, see: About Utrecht & the Netherlands
