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arrival and first days in holland before you leave home chapter 1 before you leave home okay so you have decided to go and study in the netherlands or holland if you like congratulations you have made an excellent choice this country has many outstanding institutions for higher education now that you have decided on what and where to study and have been accepted there are some practical things you will need to take care of 4 living in holland living in holland 5

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p. 2

before you leave home before you leave home final preparations before leaving home include getting your papers like passport and visa and insurances organised taking care of financial matters housing and so on mind you it can be difficult to find proper housing at reasonable prices especially in cities like amsterdam utrecht rotterdam and the hague there are many options for arranging the accommodation that suits you best but considering the housing shortage make sure you start looking for a room as soon as possible you may ask your host institution to help you or you may have a look on the internet websites like www.easykamer.nl and www.kamernet.nl are two dutch room-finding services with an english language section the rooms offered on these sites are particularly well-suited to students check below is a short checklist that might come in handy while you are busy packing for your stay and study in holland passport make sure it is valid or in some cases your birth certificate your entry visa check for correct dates check chapter 2 for information about residence permits diplomas or certificates you already possess you might consider leaving the originals at home and making good-quality copies to take along official letter from your host institution stating that you have been accepted insurance papers health liability etc driver s license make sure it is valid for the duration of your stay abroad and find out whether you may use it in the netherlands www.rijbewijs.nl 6 living in holland living in holland 7

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p. 3

arrival and first days in holland arrival and first days in holland chapter 2 arrival and first days in holland make it the start of a successful new phase in your life welcome to holland you have arrived welcome to the netherlands the country where you will be spending a period of time studying meeting new people and having fun hopefully your stay here will be pleasant useful and successful make it the start of a great new phase in your life whether you are just starting your studies for the first time in the netherlands or continuing a previous study programme at first you will have to make a lot of choices to get organised enjoy your stay 12 living in holland living in holland 13

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p. 4

arrival and first days in holland arrival and first days in holland passing customs whoever enters holland from outside the european union eu must have a valid passport and in some cases you will need a visa as well if you are a passenger arriving at amsterdam airport schiphol the fifth largest airport in europe or any other dutch or closeby european airport this will be checked on your departure to holland and again on arrival follow the arrivals and exit signs to passport control after passing through the control desk you will arrive at the luggage carrousels located on the ground floor once you have reclaimed your belongings you can go to the customs security control if you have nothing to declare you may simply pass through from outside the european union eu you must have a valid passport imports as a student it is not very probable that you will be carrying large amounts of money but nevertheless you should be aware of the fact that all passengers entering or leaving the european union with 10,000 or more in cash must declare this to the customs officials in addition to banknotes this regulation also applies to other negotiable instruments such as cheques all merchandise imports must be reported to the customs office too please note that not all medicines or medicinal herbs are allowed welc ome t chec o ho for more information visit the customs website www.douane.nl english k bef oreh offer and s an airpo if your in stitut rt pic ion k up servi ce 14 llan d living in holland living in holland 15

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