Things You Need to Know - UvAgsss.socsci.uva.nl/english/downloads/TYNTK.pdfThings You Need to Know 2012 ... In this booklet we have included things that students normally ask about

Things You Need to Know 2012‐2013

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Things You Need to Know

Before Coming to the GSSS 2012 – 2013


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Welcome You will soon be coming to Amsterdam to start your studies at the Graduate School of Social Sciences (GSSS). 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 normally 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. Do not expect to find everything 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. Before your arrival and once you are here, you might want to visit our website at http://www.gsss.uva.nl/ and the website of your specific programme at http://www.student.uva.nl/english . There you can find extensive information concerning our school. 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/. The information desk of the school 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 GSSS Prof. Dr. Mark Rutgers Dean


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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 Prins Hendrikkade 189b PHK or GSSS‐PHK

2 Service & Information Centre

Central information desk for general questions about the UvA, ASVA helpdesk

Binnengasthuisstraat 9 SIC

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

Oudezijds Achterburgwal 237

BG5

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

Oudemanhuispoort 4‐6 OMHP

4 Allard Piersonmuseum Classrooms, museum 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 (research) master’s and undergraduate certificate programmes, GSSS information desk, support staff of the college of social sciences and the disciplinary master’s programmes sociology and anthropology

Kloveniersburgwal 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 (inter)disciplinary (research) master’s programmes international development studies, metropolitan studies and the college of social sciences

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

A more detailed map can be found at the UvA Start magazine. 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 ......................................................................................................................................................... 2

LIST OF UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS ......................................................................................................................... 4

ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................................................................................ 6

1. WHAT TO DO BEFORE COMING TO THE GSSS/ TO AMSTERDAM? ................................................................... 7

1.1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................................... 7 1.2. STUDYING ABROAD ................................................................................................................................................. 7 1.2.1 Visa .............................................................................................................................................................. 7 1.2.2 Accommodation.......................................................................................................................................... 8 1.2.3 Insurance ..................................................................................................................................................... 8

1.3 DUTCH LANGUAGE CLASSES ....................................................................................................................................... 8

2. WHAT TO DO UPON ARRIVAL (JANUARY/FEBRUARY) ..................................................................................... 9

2.1 THINGS YOU NEED TO DO ON THE FIRST DAY(S) ............................................................................................................ 9 2.1.1 Go to the housing corperation ‐ Students with university housing only .................................................. 9 2.1.2 Check in with the GSSS ............................................................................................................................... 9 2.1.3 Go to the Service & Information Centre (SIC, also International Student Affairs Office) ........................ 9 2.1.4 Activate your UvA email address ............................................................................................................. 12

2.2 OTHER THINGS YOU NEED TO DO WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK(S) OF YOUR STAY IN AMSTERDAM ............................................ 12 2.2.1 Attend the GSSS Orientation (compulsory) ............................................................................................. 12 2.2.2 Library Skills Workshop ............................................................................................................................ 12

3. WHO WHAT WHERE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF AMSTERDAM: OFFICES ............................................................. 14

3.1 THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AT THE BUSHUIS/OOST‐INDISCH HUIS .......................................................... 14 3.1.1 Who is Who at the GSSS? ......................................................................................................................... 14

3.2 THE SERVICE & INFORMATION CENTRE – SIC .............................................................................................................. 17 3.2 The International Students Affairs Office ................................................................................................... 18

3.3 THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT NETWORK – ISN .......................................................................................................... 18

4. WHO, WHAT, WHERE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF AMSTERDAM: FACILITIES ....................................................... 19

4.1 LIBRARIES ............................................................................................................................................................. 19 4.2 COMPUTER FACILITIES ............................................................................................................................................ 19

5. GENERAL THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT STUDYING AND LIVING IN AMSTERDAM .............................. 21

5.1 ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT ...................................................................................................................................... 21 5.1.1 Books and readers .................................................................................................................................... 21 5.1.2. Studying with a disability ........................................................................................................................ 22

5.2 WORKING BESIDES YOUR STUDIES ............................................................................................................................. 22 5.3 TELEPHONE .......................................................................................................................................................... 22 5.4 GETTING AROUND ................................................................................................................................................. 23 5.4.1 Bicycle ....................................................................................................................................................... 23 5.4.2 Train .......................................................................................................................................................... 23 5.4.3 City transport: Buses, Trams and the Metro ............................................................................................ 24

5.5 SAFETY ................................................................................................................................................................ 24


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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 EEA European Economic Area GSSS Graduate School of Social Sciences IC Department responsible for computer facilities at the UvA (InformatieseringsCentrum) IND Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (Immigratie‐ en NaturalisatieDienst) INTT UvA 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) UvA University of Amsterdam (Universiteit van Amsterdam)


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1. What to do Before Coming to the GSSS/ to Amsterdam? 1.1. Introduction Within some time you will become a student of the Graduate School of Social Sciences (GSSS). The GSSS encompasses all the master's and research master's programmes in the social sciences, both in Dutch and in English. The information provided in this booklet is valid for all GSSS master’s programmes. Please read it carefully. Where possible, the title will indicate the target group. If you are already in the Netherlands or even a student at the University of Amsterdam (UvA), it would be useful to take some time to read the relevant pieces. The way things are organised at the GSSS can be different from what you were used to in your previous studies at the UvA or any other Dutch educational institution. All international students will also receive the UvA Start Magazine. It contains a lot of information on studying in the Netherlands and at the UvA. During your studies at the GSSS you will become part of an international student community. Enjoy the diversity and cherish the unavoidable culture‐clash. 1.2. Studying abroad Studying abroad implies a lot of organising. Most of this organising and arranging you do once you have arrived here in Amsterdam. However, there are a lot of arrangements you can and even need to make 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://studentenserviceplein.uva.nl/en or, for issues related to visa procedures, www.studyinholland.nl and http://www.uva.nl/visa. 1.2.1 Visa 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 a master’s student and you think you need a visa and you have not received information from us so far, please contact us at [email protected], phone +31 (0) 20 525 5168. 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. If you are a resident of Pakistan, an interview at the Dutch embassy or consulate will be part of your visa procedure. Deadlines for Pakistani students are one month before the regular deadlines. Without a visa it is not possible to travel to the Netherlands and therefore it is not possible to study at the GSSS. 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 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 quite 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. 1.2.2.1 University Housing The GSSS offers housing to all its international fee‐paying students for the maximum period of one year. As a rule, exchange students cannot get housing through the GSSS. They should contact their exchange coordinator. University housing is not guaranteed for exchange students. They will receive a letter by email from their department informing them if they have been assigned to a room or not. Reservation procedure and guarantee A few weeks after receiving your letter of acceptance, you will also receive an email with an invitation to go online and apply for housing. You will be asked to fill in a housing application form and submit it. You will then, about a week later, be contacted by the housing department with more information about your housing. If you have arranged housing yourself, please inform the Housing Officer Ms. Renée Sterk immediately by e‐mail: [email protected]. In general housing is guaranteed for all international fee‐paying GSSS students. However, if conditions mentioned in the letter of acceptance have not been met before the corresponding deadline, housing is no longer guaranteed. If you cancel the reservation for a room, housing is also no longer guaranteed. Maximum duration of one year University housing is only offered for a maximum of one year and is only meant to settle yourself easily in Amsterdam during the first hectic period of your studies and to get acquainted with the Dutch culture and habits. As some Master's students will stay longer than one year, they will need to find housing themselves in the private sector. It is strongly recommended to start looking for private accommodation as early as possible to avoid having to do this during the thesis‐writing period. 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 www.studeren.uva.nl/housing. 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 GSSS. For more information about the rules about insurance in The Netherlands: http://www.uva.nl/insurance.

1.3 Dutch Language Classes The INTT, the UvA’s Institute for Dutch as a Second Language, offers a variety of Dutch classes from absolute beginners to advanced students. You will find detailed information on their website http://www.hum.uva.nl/intt. Your programme manager will send you an application form for the language courses.


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2. What to Do Upon Arrival (January/February) 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 there where you need to be! 2.1.1 Go to the housing corperation ‐ Students with university housing only Students who have been offered a student room will receive an email from the housing corporation with all the necessary information. It is very important you follow the instructions that have been sent to you. So please check your email regularly, including your spam inbox. What to do there At the office of the housing corporation you will have to pick up your key, sign your lease agreement (if you have not done so yet) and pay the deposit and the first rent payment and administration fees. They will be able to guide you further to the location of the room assigned to you. 2.1.2 Check in with the GSSS Address: Kloveniersburgwal 48. (See map, building number 7) What to do there Upon first arrival, you should go to the GSSS and check in at the Information Desk. If you are a conditionally accepted student, you may need to hand in missing documents at the Admissions Office. 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: Cross central station square and at the first intersection with traffic lights turn left onto

the Prins Hendrikkade. Keep walking past the St. Nicolaas church on your right and turn right onto the Geldersekade, just before the Schreiers Tower. Keep walking straight on with the canal on your left hand and past the Nieuwmarkt. After a few minutes you will find the Kloveniersburgwal 48 on your right hand. This walk will take you about 20 minutes.

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 Kloveniersburgwal 48 immediately at your right hand side.

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) Please note: All international students should have received an email with an invitation to book an appointment at the International Student Affairs Office. What to do there ‐ International students At the International Student Affairs Office you need to:


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

receive a letter stating your pre‐registered status at UvA and finalize your university registration (international master’s students), please see 2.2.3.1;

receive information on how to open a bank account;

receive information about, and ‐ if applicable ‐ finalize your application 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. What to do there ‐ Dutch students You only need to go to the Service & Information Centre if you need assistance with finalizing your university registration. For information on finalizing the UvA registration, please see 2.2.3.1. 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 card (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 Finalise your University Student Registration ‐ master’s students In order to be a master’s student at the University of Amsterdam and as such use the facilities the University offers and receive grades, all students must be officially registered at the UvA before 1 February. Students will be registered at the UvA when :

1. all relevant documents have reached the Central Student Administration (CSA) 2. full tuition payment (or the first of instalments) has reached CSA’s bank account (you should

have received payment instructions by mail)


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Once you are registered your UvAnetID will be activated, so you can use the digital services the university offers, and you will receive a student card, which you can use to check out library books and to get a discount at the university restaurants and certain book shops. You will receive instructions on how to register for your master’s programme. You will need a decision of admission to the master's programme or preparatory programme (toelatingsbeschikking). The Registrar's office will forward this document directly to the Central Student Administration for you, and email you when they have done so1. If you do not yet have a Dutch bank account, you should transfer your tuition fee to the university before coming to the Netherlands. From experience we know that it can take a very long time before an international transaction is completed (up to a couple of weeks). Please use the payment instructions you have received earlier. If you already have a Dutch bank account, you can pay in instalments. The university will then debit your bank account in monthly instalments. If you wish to do so, you can indicate this on the form of payment you will get together with your registration form.

If you have any questions regarding your forms and/or payment instructions you can email Sarah Kobus at [email protected]. 2.1.3.2 Registration With the Immigration Office and/or the City Council ‐ International Students 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). 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 For information about the costs for a residence permit, please check the above mentioned website. Your residence permit is based on your studies at the GSSS. Once you have graduated, we will inform the Immigration Offices accordingly.

At the appointment at the SIC the UvA will assist you with the registration with the City Council. For the registration with the City Council you will need to bring the following documents:

Original lease agreement

Passport 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 find some more information through [email protected], phone +31 (0) 20 525 5168. For more information on the short visa procedure, see 1.2.1.

1 If you are conditionally accepted, our Registrar’s Office cannot send the official decision of admission (toelatingsbeschikking) to the Central Student Administration. This paper is only given out once you are fully accepted, so once you have fulfilled all your conditions.


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2.1.4 Activate your UvA 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 GSSS Orientation (compulsory) The general and obligatory GSSS orientation meeting for takes place shortly before the start of the academic year. During this meeting you receive useful information about the UvA and the GSSS. The meeting is followed by the official opening of the “academic year” and drinks. There will be some opening words by the director of the GSSS and a lecture by a prominent UvA academic to trigger your intellectual curiosity. Your programme manager will inform you when the orientation will take place. Students who arrive in early January to attend the Intensive Introduction Course to Research Methodology will have a short orientation meeting at the beginning of that course. They should attend the general orientation meeting nonetheless. In the few weeks after that, there will be different information meetings and workshops:

academic information sessions

master meetings of the specific master’s programme you are in

plagiarism meeting

skills courses A more 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. 2.2.2 Library Skills Workshop In the first month of the semester the GSSS organises library skills courses 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 GSSS information desk. 2.2.3 Academic Writing in English – skills course In the second month of the semester the GSSS organises an academic writing in English – skills course in collaboration with the British Language Training Centre in Amsterdam. The skills course aims at non‐native English speaking students who need to improve their skills in writing academic texts in English.


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You can sign up for the writing skills course at the GSSS information around the beginning of March. Further information will follow in the first month of the semester.


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3. Who What Where at the University of Amsterdam: Offices 3.1 The Graduate School of Social Sciences 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, 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 Website: http://www.gsss.uva.nl/ 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 – 18.00 hrs. For opening hours of other computer rooms: http://diensten.uba.uva.nl/com/maps . 3.1.1 Who is Who at the GSSS? Every programme has its own Programme Manager or Programme Coordinator, and every master’s programme also has a Programme Director and an Academic Advisor (Track Coordinator for the Sociology tracks). The Programme Director is the one responsible for the academic contents of the programme, and for maintaining the quality and intellectual substance of the Master’s programme. He or she is usually also head of the Admissions Committee of the programme. Programme Managers/Coordinators are directly responsible for the everyday functioning of the programme. They organise and coordinate the programme. The Academic Advisor/Track Coordinator/ Study Advisor is in some cases the same person as the Programme Director, but not necessarily so. He or she advises students on a purely academic level and has to approve the student’s final choice of courses and the choice of the supervisors in the thesis‐writing stage. The GSSS Information Desk is your first point of reference. Whether your question is more academic or more practical by nature, you should first go to the information desk. You can send an e‐mail to [email protected], give them a call at +31 (0)20 525 3777. If they don’t know the answer the can always you direct to people who can.


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Joint European Master in International Migration and Social Cohesion (MISOCO) Programme Director: Prof. dr. Jan Rath Programme Coordinator: Emilie van Tol Programme Manager: Drs. Marieke van Leeuwen Master’s programme Conflict Resolution and Governance (CRG) Programme Director: Dr. David Laws Programme Coordinator: Drs. Roos Krootjes Study Advisor: Drs. Geertje Haverkamp Master’s programme in Contemporary Asian Studies (CAS) Programme Director: Dr. Barak Kalir Academic Advisor: Dr. Barak Kalir Programme Manager: Drs. Marieke Brand Master’s programme in Cultural and Social Anthropology (CSA) Programme Director: Dr. Alex Strating Programme Managers: Drs. Marieke Brand, Drs. Lieve de Coninck Master’s programme in Human Geography (HG) Programme Director: Dr. Jochem de Vries Programme Manager: Dhr. Jan Stammes Master’s programme in International Development Studies (IDS) Programme Director: Prof.Dr. Isa Baud Academic Advisor: Dr. Niels Beerepoot Programme Coordinator: Drs. Edwin van der Vlist Study Advisor: Drs. Lieve de Coninck Master’s programme Medical Anthropology and Sociology (MAS) Programme Director: Dr. Alex Edmonds Academic Advisor: Dr. Trudie Gerrits Programme Managers: Drs. Marieke Brand, Drs. Lieve de Coninck Master’s programme in Political Science, track Bestuur en Beleid (BB) Programme Director: Dr. Anne Loeber Programme Coordinator: Drs. Roos Krootjes Study Advisor: Drs. Geertje Haverkamp Master’s programme in Political Science, track European Union in a Global Order (EUGO) Programme Director: Dr. Otto Holman Academic Advisor: Dr. Daniel Mugge Programme Coordinator: Drs. Roos Krootjes Study Advisor: Drs. Geertje Haverkamp Master’s programme in Political Science, track Internationale Betrekkingen (IB) Programme Director: Dr. Rob Hagendijk Programme Coordinator: Drs. Roos Krootjes Study Advisor: Drs. Geertje Haverkamp


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Master’s programme in Political Science, track International Relations (IR) Programme Director: Dr. Brian Burgoon Academic Advisors: Dr. Reinoud Leenders, Dr. Daniela Obradovic Programme Coordinator: Drs. Roos Krootjes Study Advisor: Drs. Geertje Haverkamp Master’s programme in Political Science, track Politieke Theorie en Gedrag (PG) Programme Director: Dr. Tjitske Akkerman Programme Coordinator: Drs. Roos Krootjes Study Advisor: Drs. Geertje Haverkamp Master’s programme in Sociology, Algemene Sociologie (AS) Programme Director: Dr. Olav Velthuis Programme Manager: Drs. Marieke van Leeuwen Master’s programme in Sociology, track Comparative Organisation and Labour Studies (COLS) Track Coordinator: Dr. Johan De Deken Academic Advisor: Drs. Valentina Di Stasio Programme Manager: Drs. Marieke van Leeuwen Master’s programme in Sociology, track Cultural Sociology (CS) Track Coordinator: Dr. Alex van Venrooij Programme Manager: Drs. Marieke van Leeuwen Master’s programme in Sociology, track Gender, Sexuality and Society (GSS) Track Coordinator: Dr. Rachel Spronk Academic Advisor: Dr. Marie‐Louise Janssen Programme Manager: Drs. Marieke van Leeuwen Master’s programme in Sociology, track Migration and Ethnic Studies (MES) Track Coordinator: Dr. Sébastien Chauvin Programme Manager: Drs. Marieke van Leeuwen Master’s programme in Sociology, track Social Problems and Social Policy (SPSP) Track Coordinator: Dr. Patrick Brown Programme Manager: Drs. Marieke van Leeuwen Master’s programme in Sociology, track in Urban Sociology (US) Track Coordinator: Dr. Walter Nicholls Programme Manager: Drs. Marieke van Leeuwen Master’s programme in Urban and Regional Planning (URP) Programme Director: Dr. Jochem de Vries Programme Manager: Dhr. Jan Stammes Research Master International Development Studies (RMIDS) Programme Director: Prof. Dr. Isa Baud Academic Advisor: Dr. Michaela Hordijk Programme Manager: Drs. Edwin van der Vlist


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Research Master Social Sciences (RMSS) Programme Director: Prof. Dr. Herman van de Werfhorst Assistent Programme Director: Dr. Tom van de Meer Programma Manager: Drs. Edwin van der Vlist Research Master Urban Studies (RMUS) Programme Director and Academic Advisor: Dr. Marco Bontje Programme Manager: Drs. Edwin van der Vlist Other GSSS Offices Information Desk phone + 31 (0) 20 525 3777 e‐mail: [email protected] Admissions Office e‐mail: apply‐[email protected] Housing Office phone + 31 (0) 20 525 7295 e‐mail: [email protected] Renée Sterk Visa Office phone + 31 (0) 20 525 5168 e‐mail: [email protected] Sarah Kobus Registrar’s Office e‐mail: registrar‐[email protected] Iris Vuurmans 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 (undergraduate), will receive information on how to open a bank account, as well as start their registration with the Immigration Office. International Master’s students will need to go there to finalize their UvA registration. Dutch students can also receive help with their UvA registration, upon request. The SIC houses a large documentation centre with information for all students about other Dutch universities and studying abroad. 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: [email protected] Opening Hours: every weekday 10.00 – 17.00 hrs.


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3.2 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. Every foreign student receives an information package from them prior to coming to Amsterdam, consisting of a Confirmation Form and the International Student Guide. You must complete the form and return it to them as soon as possible in order to be enrolled as a student. If you are offered housing through the UvA, you will receive relevant information from this office too. The International Students Affairs 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) 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. Attend the ISN Orientation (optional, targeted at International Students) If you are interested in participating in the introduction period, please send an email to info@isn‐amsterdam.nl. You can also apply for a Dutch student coach. Information about ISN and their orientation is also included in the Start Magazine of the International Student Affairs Office, which you receive at your home address before you come to Amsterdam. Also check http://www.isn‐amsterdam.nl/ for more information. Students from the Netherlands are not able to attend this introduction as a student, but they can sign up as coach to a group of international students. Address Vendelstraat 2 1012 XX Amsterdam Map: next to Service & Information Centre (building number 2) 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://www.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 GSSS organises library skills courses 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/ For up‐to‐date opening hours of all libraries and study centres please consult the UBA page: http://diensten.uba.uva.nl/com/maps/ 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://diensten.uba.uva.nl/com/maps/ 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 to pay for printing. You can have texts and illustrations scanned at the desk. You can register with your


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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 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/.


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5. General Things You Need to Know About Studying and Living in Amsterdam 5.1 Academic Environment 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 little structure. There are two to eight contact hours per course per week and there is 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. Please note that all programmes are designed to be studied full‐time. Master’s programmes are designed to be completed within one year. A research master’s programme is designed to be finished in two years. 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. A 12 EC course demands between 12 and 18 hours of work per week, including going to class, reading, visits to the library and computer centres, consultation with the lecturer and fellow students, and making assignments. 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 GSSS and the UvA. If you are unclear on those rules please contact your lecturer or Programme Manager. Also check the GSSS Rules on your programme website on http://www.student.uva.nl/ for information on how to quote and how to avoid plagiarism. 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. and can be quite expensive in The Netherlands. Books can be bought at Athenaeum Bookstore, Spui 14,


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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.2 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 at the GSSS, please contact your programme manager as soon as possible. If you already experience a chronic illness or learning disability, you should bring proof from your doctor or home university. If the (minor) disability occurs while studying at the GSSS, contact your programme manager to discuss the possibilities. 5.2 Working besides your studies All studies at the GSSS are considered full‐time studies. 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. All students who need this tewerkstellingsvergunning and who wish to work for more than 10 hours a week must obtain written permission from the GSSS. Such permission is not granted automatically and should fit with the student’s study plan. 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 a maximum of 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.

2 The Book Exchange http://www.bookexchange.nl/ or De Slegte (Dutch only: http://www.deslegte.com/meer‐weten/klantenservice/boeken‐verkopen).


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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. For international calls you can also use the shops above, but 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 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 parks run by the municipality: (Dutch only) http://www.amsterdam.nl/parkeren‐verkeer/fiets/fietsenstallingen/. 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) offers a pimp my bike workshop at the beginning of the semester and costs € 60,‐, which includes a second hand bike. 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.


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Dutch Rail (NS) also offers a number of discount passes. The most attractive pass is the Dal Voordeel for € 60,‐ per year 3. This card allows you to buy second‐class train tickets at a 40% discount when 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 one year. 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.

3 Rate of May 2012


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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 GSSS cannot be held responsible for the contents of the information of third parties in the Things you Need to Know Before Coming To the GSSS 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 the GSSS.


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Graduate School of Social Sciences

Visiting and courier mail address: Postal address: Kloveniersburgwal 48 P.O. Box 26 1012 CX Amsterdam 1000 AA Amsterdam

The Netherlands The Netherlands

http://www.gsss.uva.nl

Documents

Things You Need to Know - UvAgsss.socsci.uva.nl/english/downloads/TYNTK.pdfThings You Need to Know 2012 ... In this booklet we have included things that students normally ask about