Finding your way

around Leiden
2009 - 2010

2009 - 2010

leiden.edu

Leiden University. The university to discover.

 Colofon & Disclaimer
Production
International Office

Photography
www.beeldbank.leidenuniv.nl
With this booklet we hope to help you as a new Photo and Digital (UFB)
international student to find your way around Leiden
Editing
and the University. We would like to draw International Office
your attention to the website for international With thanks to ISN-Leiden
students in Leiden www.leiden.edu/students. This
Design
website serves as a reference if you do not have the ratiodesign.nl
booklet at hand; it also contains updates and a list of
forthcoming events. Print
Drukkerij Karstens, Leiden
If you have any suggestions for the next issue of this
booklet, please email masterbrochures@Leidenuniv. July 2009
nl, suggestions for the website can be mailed to Although the information in this brochure has
been compiled with the utmost care, Leiden
web@io.leidenuniv.nl. We value and appreciate your University will not accept responsibility for any
feedback! errors that may be contained herein. The reader
is urged to seek detailed information from the
website www.leiden.edu.
Contents
Word of welcome 05
Emergency numbers and 06
University addresses
Chapter 1 08
Important things to do after arrival
Chapter 2 10
Studying at Leiden University
• Introduction programme 10
• EL CID Introduction week 10
• Academic system 10
• Credit system 10
• Dutch grading system 10
• Types of degrees 10
• Academic calendar 11
• Course/Exam schedule 11
• University holidays 11
• Tests and exams 11
Chapter 3 13
Facilities at Leiden University
• Student support: counselling & 13
advisory service
- Study and exam help
- International student adviser
- Student counselling services
- Workshops
- Counsellor for legal and financial matters
- Student ombudsperson
- Students with disabilities
- Student Career Service
• Study associations 15
• Student associations 15
- International student associations
- General associations
- Sport associations
- Music associations
- Cultural associations
• Plexus student centre 20
• Visitors’ Centre 21
• IT & Computers 21
• Printing and photocopies 22
• Libraries 23
• Canteens 23
• Sports facilities 23
- Leiden University Sport Centre
- Student sport clubs
• University Newspaper (Mare) 24
- Leiden Academic Arts Centre 24
• Language Centre 24
• Administrative matters after registration 24
Chapter 4 26
Financial matters in Leiden
• Discounts 26
- Off-peak rail card
- Museum season tickets
- Leiden University Fund
- International student identity card
- CJP/Euro < 26 youth card
• International banking 26
- Banking
- ATM
• Methods of payment 27
- ATM
- Bank cards
- Cash
- Chipknip
• Getting a part-time job 27
Chapter 5 29
Facilities and services in the city of Leiden
• Medical assistance: GPs 29
• Specialists 30
• Emergency services/Hospitals 30
• Pharmacies 31
• Chemists 31
• Dentists 31
F i n d i n g you r w ay 3
• GGD (vaccinations) 31
• Special health care numbers 32
• Religion 32
• Religious student associations 32
• Churches, mosques & synagogues 33
• Getting around in Leiden, 34
the Netherlands & going abroad
• Bikes 34
• Trains 35
• Bus, trams and metro 35
• Taxi 36
• Planes & airports 36
• Hiring a car 36
• Travel agents 36
• Getting connected 37
• Internet cafés 37
• Phones 37
- Mobile phones
- Telephone (land lines)
- International calls
- Phone boxes
• Postal service 38
- Post offices
- Letter boxes
• Dutch media 38
- Television
- Newspaper and magazines
• Public libraries 38
- Study books and English Literature
• Launderettes 39
• Water & electricity 39
• Shopping & markets 39
- Supermarkets
- Markets
- Shopping centres
• Culture, recreation & going out 40
- Dinner & Drinks
- Indoor
- Outdoor
- Cultural
4 F in din g you r way
- Tourists Offices (VVV’s)
- Sleeping accommodation
• Housing Agencies 44
• Personal safety 44
• Testing of the air-raid alarm/siren 45
• Culture shock 45
• Smoking Ban 46
Chapter 6 48
Dutch Customs
• Interaction and personal social space 48
• Visiting someone’s home 48
• Arriving on time 48
• Dutch hospitality 49
• Greeting someone 49
• Typical Dutch festivities: Queen’s day 49
and The Relief of Leiden
Chapter 7 52
Useful books and websites about Holland
• Some books about Holland (in English) 52
• Some books about Leiden 52
• Important and useful websites 52
Chapter 8 53
Dutch for beginners
Chapter 9 56
Leaving Leiden
• Getting your degree 56
• Last check before leaving Leiden 56
Chapter 10
Maps and facts & figures about 57
the Netherlands
• Guide to the International Office 57
• Guide to University buildings 58
• Distances between Dutch cities 60
• Quick facts about the Netherlands 62
Word of welcome
As Rector Magnificus and President of Leiden
University, I am very pleased to welcome
you to Leiden.
Going to study in another country is an exciting
experience. Exciting, but possibly also at times
stressful, particularly at the start, when you
have no idea where to find things and you need
something urgently. In Dutch we say: you feel
like a cat in a strange barn. It may not translate
well into other languages, but it does express
the feeling experienced by newcomers.
You will, of course, find people around you
who are willing and able to help, particularly
experienced fellow students from abroad.
But to give you a head start, we are pleased to
offer you this brochure. What should you do if
you need a doctor or dentist? Where can you
find a church, synagogue or mosque? How do
you get a ticket for the bus? When are the super­
markets open? This is the kind of practical
information contained
in: ‘Finding your way around Leiden’. It is also
a handy introduction to Dutch society. It is a
well-known truth that a country reveals itself
by the way in which it organises its affairs.
I cannot conclude without stressing that in
choosing for Leiden, you have made a good
choice. We are proud of our University, and
also proud that you have chosen us.
Once again: welcome to Leiden, welcome to
Leiden University.
Paul van der Heijden
Rector Magnificus & President
F i n d i n g you r w ay 5
Emergency numbers and
University addresses
General emergency numbers Plexus student centre (for facilities
See also page 29 and student administration)
General and for emergency only: 112 (Studentencentrum Plexus)
(the national emergency number for police, Student Information Desk
ambulance and fire brigade) Kaiserstraat 25
• Ambulance: 071 521 26 46 071 527 80 11
• Fire brigade: 071 521 21 23 Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:00
• Police: 0900 8844 www.plexus.leidenuniv.nl
• Crisis service (in case of special or
emotional need): 0900 204 2040 Counsellor for legal & financial matters
Mr. Len Buis
• Police station Leiden, Plexus Student Centre
visiting address: Kaiserstraat 25
Langegracht 11, Leiden 071 527 80 11
• Police station Oegstgeest, Consulting days: Tuesdays and Thursdays
visiting address: lj.buis@ics.leidenuniv.nl (not for appointments)
Rhijngeesterstraatweg 33, Oegstgeest
• Emergency Department: Student Ombudsperson (for complaints)
Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Rapenburg 70
Albinusdreef 2, Leiden 071 527 36 57
Mon to Fri 10:00 - 12:30
University addresses
For more useful addresses and more informa- International Student Adviser
tion about the services listed below, please also Drs. Jantien Delwel
check Chapter 3 ‘Facilities at Leiden University’ Plexus Student Centre, PITSstop
For maps see Chapter 10. Kaiserstraat 25
071 527 32 45
Information points for international j.delwel@ics.leidenuniv.nl
students at Leiden University www.leiden.edu/students

University Visitors’ Centre (first meeting point) International Student Counsellor

Stationsweg 41 (opposite Central Train Station) Mrs. Geraldine O’Connor
Mon to Fri 08:00 - 18:00 Rapenburg 70
Sat 09.00-16.00, from April till September on 071 527 80 26
Sun 11.00-15.00 psychologen@ics.leidenuniv.nl
071 527 88 80 www.leiden.edu/students
visitors@io.leidenuniv.nl
www.visitors.leidenuniv.nl

6 F in din g you r way

Housing Desk
Plexus Student Centre
071 527 53 30
housing@ics.leidenuniv.nl
www.leiden.edu/studenthousing
International Office
Visiting address: “Gravensteen”
Pieterskerkhof 6
www.leiden.edu/askaquestion
Faculty of Archaeology
Reuvensplaats 3
P.O. Box 9515
2300 RA Leiden
+31-(0)71 527 23 90
www.archaeology.leidenuniv.nl
Faculty of Humanities
Lipsius Building,
Cleveringaplaats 1
P.O. Box 9515
2300 RA Leiden
+31(0)71 527 64 85
www.hum.leiden.edu
Faculty of Law
Kamerlingh Onnes Building (KOG)
Steenschuur 25, 2311 ES Leiden
P.O. Box 9520
2300 RA Leiden
+31(0)71 527 75 12
www.law.leiden.edu
Faculty of Medicine
LUMC Hippocratespad 21
P.O. Box LUMC 9600
Postzone V-O-P
2300 RC Leiden
+31(0)71 527 83 33
www.lumc.nl
Faculty of Science
Gorlaeus Laboratory
Einsteinweg 55, room B114
P.O. Box 9502
2300 RA Leiden
+31(0)71 527 69 90
www.science.leidenuniv.nl/e/
Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
Pieter de la Court Building
Wassenaarseweg 52
P.O. Box 9555
2300 RB Leiden
+31(0)71 527 36 00 / 37 00
www.fsw.leidenuniv.nl
Main University Library & Special Collections
Witte Singel 27
P.O. Box 9501
2300 RA Leiden
+31(0)71 527 28 00
helpdesk@library.leidenuniv.nl
www.bibliotheek.leidenuniv.nl
Library opening hours:
Mon-Fri: 08:30 - 22:00
Sat: 09:30 - 17:00
Sun: 13:00 - 17:00
Special Collections opening hours:
Mon-Fri: 09:30 - 16:45
F i n d i n g you r w ay 7
Chapter 1
Importa nt things to do upon arrival
First things to do upon arrival
There are few things that you have to take care
of immediately after arrival. In this chapter we
only address these issues in a general way, as
the exact way to arrange these matters may vary
from year to year. For specific information valid
at the time of your arrival, we would refer you
to www.leiden.edu/students as well as to infor-
mation sent to you upon acceptance and/or
provided to you upon arrival.
1 Access to your room
In general you will receive the key to your room
after payment of the rent and signing of the rental
agreement. Students are generally required to pay
the first month’s rent and a deposit before arrival.
2 Town hall registration (statement of
residency) & residence permit
You will need a statement of residency or
residence permit (not EU/EEA students)
in order to finalise your registration at the
University. Leiden University has made a spe­-
cial arrange­ment with Leiden Town Hall and
the Immigration Services to streamline both
applications. The University will provide you
with the application forms, check all required
documents, and arrange an appointment for
you to file the application at the Town Hall.
All students who have been accepted will be
notified where they can obtain the necessary
forms and which documents they should bring.
3 TBC test
According to Dutch law and in an effort to fight
the worldwide spread of tuberculosis, a lung
photo is required for all international students
who are not from the EU/EEA, Australia,
8 F in din g you r way
Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Monaco,
Surinam, USA, Switzerland and Liechtenstein,
and who will stay in the Netherlands for more
than three months.
4 Health and liability insurance
Students studying in the Netherlands are
required by law to have adequate health insu-
rance. You cannot obtain a residence permit
without it. Leiden University itself does not
offer insurance, but there are several insurance
providers which offer policies for students and
staff. One possibility is AON.
(www.students-insurance.eu)
5 Bank account
Leiden is able to help with arrangements for
opening a bank account. More information
about this will be provided upon arrival.
6 Registration & Student ID card
You will be provided with the University regi-
stration papers (which are required to finalise
your enrolment at the University) upon arrival.
Your student ID card will be issued after you
have met all registration criteria, including
financial obligations and Town Hall registration.
7 Study Abroad & Exchange Students
Sign up for courses
Non-degree students should finalise course
selection as soon as possible after arrival and
make sure that they are properly enrolled in
the individual courses of their choice.
Chapter 2
Studying at Leiden Un iversity
Introduction programme
Prior to the first and second semester, an orien­
tation programme is organised for new inter­
national students. This programme consists
of a general introduction to the University,
the faculties, the city of Leiden and student
organisations. Leiden students act as guides
and introduce their international guests to
the University, town and social events.
During these days, you will also meet
many other international students.
EL CID Orientation week
Every year in August, the EL CID (Enige Leidse
Commissie Introductie Dagen) organises an
orientation week for students. This takes place
three weeks before the start of the academic year.
Academic system
The bachelor’s programmes are taught in Dutch
and take three years; the master’s degree pro-
grammes are generally taught in English and
take one to two years. The MPhil programmes
(Research Masters) take two years.
Credit system
The study load in the Dutch university system
is specified in credits based on the European
Credit Transfer System (ECTS). An academic
year consists of 60 credit points. One credit
point is equivalent to 28 hours work and inclu-
des lectures/tutorials, reading, preparing for
tests, exams, the writing and assessment of
papers, etc. Leiden students do not receive
credits for courses they have failed.
Dutch grading system
Students receive a mark out of ten for their
examination courses.
10 F in din g you r way
Dutch grading system compared to American
grading system
Dutch American
10 A+ Excellent
9 A Very good
8 A- Good
7 B Good /Fair
6 C Satisfactory
5 D Not quite satisfactory
1 to 5 F Fail
The lowest pass grade is 6, while grades 9 and
10 are rarely given. It is good to know that in
the Dutch system teachers never give grades on
the basis of a normative curve and competition
plays little or no role. Marks are interpreted
independently by the student’s home university.
Types of degrees
Certificate
Exchange and Study Abroad students are awarded
a certificate for the courses for which they have
completed the course work and/or examination.
Upon return to the home university, students
must not forget to give their Leiden University
co-ordinator the final list of the courses they
have taken in order to complete their transcript.
Bachelor’s degree
Successful completion of any one of the bache-
lor’s programmes results in the conferral of a
bachelor’s degree.
Master’s degree
Successful completion of any one of the master’s
programmes results in the conferral of a master’s
degree.
PhD degree January 1st. (For study purposes only, the
Earning a doctorate takes at least 4 years of Plexus building will have limited opening
study and consists of independent and original hours during this holiday.)
research under the supervision of a professor.
More information about gaining a PhD degree Tests and exams
can be found on www.research.leidenuniv.nl. Each programme has a teaching and examina-
tion regulation (onderwijs- en examenregeling),
Academic calendar which contains detailed information on the
The academic year runs from September 1 types of exams, re-sits, if any extra time is offe-
through to July 30th. All faculties follow a red for certain students, and all other academic
semester calendar: the first semester lasts from rules and regulations. It can be obtained from
September until December/January. The second the relevant department or faculty. Evaluation
semester courses start in January/February. can range from written or oral exams to written
Please check the website for up to date infor­ papers and presentations, or other assignments.
mation: www.leiden.edu/students. Although midterm exams are held, a large num-
ber of courses set a major exam at the end of
Course/Exam schedules the course. It is common practice for the credit
Please contact your study adviser/programme points to be awarded only if a student passes
coordinator. the exam and never for attendance only, and
if re-sits apply. For more information:
University holidays www.leiden.edu/students.
The University will be closed on the
following days:
• University Foundation Day, Dies Natalis:
8 February, from 1 pm
• Easter: Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter
Monday (Goede Vrijdag, eerste Paasdag and
tweede Paasdag);
• Queen’s Day (Koninginnedag): April 30th;
• Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag): May 5th;
• Ascension Day (Hemelvaartsdag) and the
day after;
• Whit Sunday and Monday / Pentecost
(eerste and tweede Pinksterdag);
• Relief of Leiden (Leiden’s Ontzet): October 3rd;
• Christmas Day and Boxing Day
(eerste and tweede kerstdag) and New Year’s
Day (Nieuwjaarsdag): December 25th until

F i n d i n g you r w ay 11
Chapter 3
Facilities at Leiden University
Student support: counselling &
advisory service
Study and exam help
Student counsellors and psychologists are
available at the Plexus Student Centre daily
from 11:00 - 12:00.
For appointments, please call: 071 527 80 11
International Student Adviser
The international student adviser is part of the
student support network of Leiden University
for international students. The international
student adviser can provide students with
information on finding their way around
Leiden University and the city.
Mrs. J. Delwel
Kaiserstraat 25, at PITSstop
Walk-in hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
09:00 - 12:30 hrs
Mrs. Delwel can also be contacted by e-mail
j.delwel@ics.leidenuniv.nl or by phone 071 527 32 45
Student counselling service
The student counselling service has a team of
psychologists who offer individual counselling
for students experiencing personal, emotional
or interpersonal problems, or intercultural or
academic difficulties. Mrs. Geraldine O’Connor,
a native English speaker, is the international
counsellor, providing assistance specifically
for international students.
How to make an appointment with a
student counsellor
Visit the student counselling service during the
open consultation hour daily from 11:00 - 12:00.
Plexus Student Centre, Kaiserstraat 25
Walk-In consultation
For general questions about academic or
perso­nal problems, Mrs. O’ Connor is available
on Tuesdays, from 15:30 - 16:30.
She can also be contacted by email at
gp.oconner@ics.leidenuniv.nl or
psychologen@ics.leidenuniv.nl.
For further details, see www.leiden.edu/students
Confidentiality
The information provided by a student is
confidential and, as such, will not be divulged
to a third party without the student’s explicit
permission.
Workshops
A series of workshops is offered for internatio-
nal students. The workshops provide tips on
orienting to the new culture, effective studying
at Leiden University and social aspects of study-
ing abroad. They also offer the opportunity
to discuss and share ideas on topics that are
especially relevant to international students.
For information on workshops, go to
www.leiden.edu/students
Counsellor for legal and financial matters
The counsellor for legal and financial matters
provides students with an opportunity to
obtain advice and help on issues such as:
• legal matters
• complaint and appeal procedures;
• finances
• study delay due to special (family related)
circumstances, e.g. illness
• cancelling your enrolment due to illness or
special family circumstances
• Binding Study Advice for bachelor’s students
F i n d i n g you r w ay 13
Often, these difficulties arise in situations
where many different rules and regulations
apply. The student counsellor can analyse the
situation and in consultation with the student
identify the most appropriate solution.
Mr. Len Buis is a student counsellor who can
advise on problems which foreign students
may encounter in Leiden. The office hours for
consultation are Monday to Friday. The walk-in
consultation is from 15:30 to 16:30.
If he is not available, you can reach his collea­gues
Mr. Marcel Melchers, Ms. Romke Biagioni or
Ms. W. Yavozturk at Plexus.
How can I make an appointment?
Visit Plexus Student Centre
Office hours: Monday to Friday 09:00 - 17:00
To make an appointment: 071 527 80 11
Walk-in consultation 15:50 - 16:30, daily.
It is also possible to address a short question to
the counsellor by email: lj.buis@ics.leidenuniv.nl
Student Ombudsperson (complaints)
The University Ombudsperson is an indepen-
dent, neutral third party who assists students at
Leiden University in resolving complaints and
grievances through counselling and mediation.
Any student at Leiden University can request
the help of the Ombudsperson to investigate
his or her complaint.
An appointment with the Ombudsperson can
be made via the secretariat of the Department
of Information, Public relations and Student
Services (ICS), Rapenburg 70, 071 527 36 57
Office hours: Monday to Friday 10:00 - 12:30.
14 F in din g you r way
Students with disabilities
Students with disabilities ranging from physical
impairments to hearing or visual disabilities,
or any other functional impairments which
can delay study progress, can use a number of
extra facilities. Leiden University policy aims at
clearing as many obstacles as possible, to enable
students to study to the best of their abilities.
Counsellors are available at the Fenestra
Disability Centre for questions or problems
concerning studying with a handicap.
• Fenestra Disability Centre
Plexus Student Centre
Kaiserstraat 25
P.O. Box 9500, 2300 RA Leiden
071 527 80 25
fenestra@plexus.leidenuniv.nl
Walk-in hours:
Monday, Thursday, Friday:
10:00 - 12:00 hrs
Student Career Service
The Student Career Service supports (inter­
national) students and alumni of Leiden
University in exploring and making effective
career choices. The career advisers can help
students to develop self-awareness, discover
different job opportunities and, of course,
advise on taking action. Please note that the
Student Career Service is not a placement
service or a job agency.
For more information, please check:
www.leiden.edu/studentcareerservice
Study associations
Study associations are always connected to
a Faculty / Department and membership is
usually restricted to students from a specific
programme. Although social activities are orga-
nised, the study associations focus primarily on
study-related activities. For information, check
website: www.plexus.leidenuniv.nl
Student associations
Leiden houses many student associations which
vary from general associations to sport associa­
tions to music associations. In this booklet a
selection is made of all the student associations
active in Leiden.
International associations
International Student Network
The activities of the International Student
Network Leiden include: organising activities,
coordinating a mentor programme and pro-
viding information for international students
relating to their study period in Leiden.
For the mentor programme, ISN Leiden recruits
mentors from the current Leiden student body.
ISN Leiden consists of 2 boards that work closely
together: ISN Integration and ISN Representation.
For more information, please check:
www.isn-leiden.nl
ISN Common Room
In this common room, near Plexus, you can
chill, watch a movie or read a book with your
international friends or meet new friends.
The common room is open every week day
from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. and there will always
be an ISN Board Member there.
AEGEE
AEGEE Leiden is the European Students’ Asso­
ciation of Leiden. As a member of the AEGEE
Europe network, covering 240 cities in 40 coun-
tries, uniting 15,000 students, AEGEE is one of
the biggest students associations in Europe.
AEGEE Leiden is also very active locally:
social drinks takes place every week and we
organise fun activities every two weeks. We also
visit other AEGEE local organisations in the
Netherlands.
As a member of AEGEE Leiden, you are a
member of the entire European network.
This means that you can apply for all activities
that are organised by any AEGEE in Europe.
For more information, please check:
www.aegee.org / www.aegee-leiden.nl
DUNSA/SIB Leiden
The Dutch United Nations Student Association
(also known as SIB Leiden or DUNSA) is an
organisation that focuses on international
relations.
We organise international dinner parties,
movie nights, lectures and forums. We also visit
international organisations, for example in the
Netherlands, Belgium, China. We regularly meet
ambassadors from a great variety of countries
and each year we organise several trips abroad.
Our organisation is partially composed of theme
groups, each with a different focus. For example,
we have ones that focus on development issues
or international organisations and ones that
focus on specific continents. Many of our acti-
vities are in English and international students
pay half the annual membership, namely s 17.50.
For more information, please check:
www.sibleiden.nl
F i n d i n g you r w ay 15
Diversity
Diversity is a multicultural student association.
The main aim of Diversity is to advance the
participation and involvement of students with
an international orientation and/or multicultu-
ral background. To achieve this goal, Diversity
organises lectures and mentor programmes.
They also try to bring their members in
contact with potential employers. For more
information, please check:
www. diversityleiden.plexus.leidenuniv.nl
Email: Diversityleiden@plexus.leidenuniv.nl
Religious Student Associations
For more information about religious student
associations, please refer to chapter 5, page 32.
General associations
L.V.V.S Augustinus
Augustinus is currently Leiden’s largest student
association with more than 1600 members.
Augustinus was founded on 3 May 1893, and
was initially a Roman Catholic student associa-
tion. Nowadays, Augustinus has a wide diversity
of people and activities, and has developed into
a place where members can find what they are
looking for from a student association. Mondays
and Wednesdays are drink days and on Fridays
there is the opportunity to dance on the disco
floor. In addition, members are allowed to
introduce non-members to come and enjoy
the various activities.
Augustinus has its own restaurant and offers
good meals that are reasonably priced. Anybody
can reserve a table or just turn up from Monday
to Friday night. The restaurant is open from
17:30 to 20:45 hrs. For international students,
Augustinus has a special Erasmus regulation.
16 F in din g you r way
For more information, please check:
www.lvvsaugustinus.nl
Catena
Founded in 1952, V.S.L. Catena has for the past
five years been one of the five largest student
associations in Leiden and has developed and
maintained a unique personality throughout
its existence.
Open seven days a week (from 14.00 hrs
until late at night), Catena offers students
a place to sit, study, relax and meet up with
friends. Dinner is also served every evening.
Reservations need to be made before 16.00 hrs.
Catena also has its own movie theatre open on
Thursdays and Sunday with other facilities for
members. Membership of Catena is open to
all students for only s 6 per month. Members
are also allowed into seven national student
asso­ciations that Catena is linked to. For more
information please check www.vslcatena.nl
Minerva
Minerva is the oldest student association in the
Netherlands, founded in 1814, and we are still
going strong today. Famous members have
included Her Royal Highness Queen Beatrix,
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Willem-
Alexander of the Netherlands and NATO
Secretary General Jaap de Hoop-Scheffer,
to name but a few.
Although we are the oldest association and we
value our traditions, we have become a modern
student organisation with a wide range of
opportunities. At the moment, we have 1500
active members, who keep our cherished
association running.
Though there is ample opportunity to have
a drink at Minerva, we also encourage our
members academically. Examples are the Bright
conference which we organise together with
universities across Europe, and our affiliation
with the League of European Research
Universities (LERU).Once a month, on casual
Thursday, international students are welcome
to visit our association and discover what makes
Minerva so unique. For more information,
please check: www.lsvminerva.nl
SSR
SSR offers international students the opportu-
nity to explore Dutch student life in a relaxed
atmosphere. SSR organises a wide variety of
activities throughout the year, ranging from
our movie night, cultural activities or our gala.
Membership of SSR costs s 25 for 3 months.
For more information, please check:
www.ssr-leiden.nl

Quintus Sports associations

Quintus is one of the biggest student unions
in Leiden. It was founded in 1979, which made Asopos
it the fifth student union in Leiden back then, Asopos de Vliet is one of two student rowing
which is why it’s called Quintus. Quintus works clubs in Leiden. In the 45 years of our existence
with a system which is a little different from we have sent teams to national, European and
other student unions in Leiden. At Quintus, world championships. Students can row, cox
you join an existing group: a dispute. This is a and coach at every level in crews which train
group of people ranging in age and following
different studies. At Quintus, there are 27 of
these disputes: 11 for men, 15 for women and
1 for both (mixed). Each dispute has its own
character; they are all quite different, so there’s
always a dispute that suits you. As an interna-
tional student, your membership will be divided
into quarters of a year; your contribution is s 25
for each quarter and your maximum stay is one
year. Your membership will allow you to join
drinks nights, parties and a lot of union activities.
You can access the building like any regular
member, on Tuesdays there are drink nights
especially for international students and, in
consultation with the management, you can
join a few committees. We organise an intro­
duction day for international students four
times a year.
For more information, please check:
www.alsvquintus.nl

F i n d i n g you r w ay 17
from once a week to every day. Several of our
rowers and coaches are or have been rowing at
international level. The rowing season is made
up of different periods: in the first semester,
we start with the new freshmen, who learn to
row, and selections are held for each varsity
crew. These selections are usually completed
mid-November, when the newly composed
crew continues training for the National Indoor
Ergometer Championships in December. In late
February, the first regatta is held, after which the
competition season begins in earnest. For more
information, please check: www.asopos.nl
at Njord. Students can try rowing on
‘Het Galgewater’ (also called the Old Rhine).
For more information, please check:
www.njord.nl
Plankenkoorts
Plankenkoorts is a surfing association.
Plankenkoorts does not offer anything specifi­
cally for international students, but everyone
can join Plankenkoorts and participate in all
the activities. For more information, please
check www.plankenkoorts.com

Levitas
Levitas is a canoeing association. On Mondays
at seven there’s always a dinner prepared by
two of the students. Everyone is welcome to join
the meal; just leave a message in the guest book
on www.levitas.nl. If you want to try out some
of the kayaks, you can also leave a message in
the guest book or ask someone during dinner.
Membership for one year is s 50. In April, you
can become a summer member for s 25 and in
August or October you can buy a trial member­
ship for s 10. For more information, please
check: www.levitas.nl

K.S.R.V. ‘Njord’
Njord is a rowing association. ‘Njord’ was
founded in 1874 by a few members of the
‘Leidsche Studenten Corps’, nowadays better
known as student club ‘Minerva’. Njord was
the first student sailing club in the Netherlands,
and has since been followed by many others.
Since 1874, we have won many (inter)national E.L.S.Z.W.V. Aquamania
regattas, including Olympic triumphs up to Aquamania is one of the leading swimming
1996 (bronze W2x). clubs for students in the whole of the Nether­
Every Tuesday you can come and eat dinner lands. We combine the best of sports (water

18 F in din g you r way

polo and speed swimming in our case) with
the activities of every other student society.
Aquamania offers the possibility to practise
your skills three times a week. It doesn’t matter
if you’re a beginner of a pro, there’s room for
everyone! The cost of a whole year’s member-
ship is s 50; in spring there’s a reduced rate
sports card from the Leiden University sports
centre. For more information, please check
www.aquamanialeiden.nl
Music associations
Collegium Musicum
In this association, student choir and orchestra
Collegium Musicum, you can practise classical
music during your stay in Leiden. The orchestra
takes in only experienced musicians, but the
choir does not require any experience at all.
So if you would like to try singing, or you’ve
left your instrument at home, you can still join
our wonderful association. We perform a sepa-
rate programme each semester. You can be a
member for just one semester, which is as much
appreciated as membership for a longer period.
For more information, please check:
www.collegiummusicum.nl
Sempre Crescendo
‘Sempre Crescendo’ is the oldest music society
in Holland. Sempre has been making it pos-
sible for members to sing in an ensemble or
solo or to play an instrument since 1831. Our
orchestra, our choir and our madrigal (a small
choir) rehearse every Monday in the Minerva
Social Club under the expertise of professional
conductors. We make a variety of music from
classical to modern and from jazz to rock.
After every rehearsal there is a much antici­-
pated ‘happy hour’ in the blue room, better
known as ‘the Salon’. We perform a minimum
of three concerts annually, and our ensembles
are requested regularly for all kinds of events.
Our society is open to all students in Leiden
and the surrounding area.
For more information, please check:
www.sempre.corps.nl
The Leiden English Choir
Set up 30 years ago by a group of students in the
English department, the Leiden English Choir
has since expanded to include both students and
non-students from a wide range of backgrounds.
The Choir now consists of approximately 50
singers, both Dutch and international, united in
their enjoyment of singing and their interest in
English-speaking countries. The Choir performs
two concerts per year: the Chistmas Carol
Concert and the Spring/ early Summer concerts.
The Leiden English Choir is small enough for
new members to feel at home quickly, and the
monthly choir “borrel” (drink) is a good oppor-
tunity to get to know people. Rehearsals take place
on Wednesdays from 19:45 to 22:15 hrs at the Vrije
School on the Maresingel 3 in Leiden. If you are
interested in attending a rehearsal, please contact
Alma van der Wijngaard: 071 51 416 65
For more information, please check: www.lec.nl
Cultural associations
A.S.V. Prometheus
Prometheus is a cultural organisation that
arranges lectures on diverse topics every
Wednesday evening, from the fall of the dollar
to the Gilgamesh epos of the third millennium
B.C. and from Russian politics to Chinese
poetry; these subjects form only a part of the
F i n d i n g you r w ay 19
lectures offered. After an activity, we always
have a drink at café ’t Keizertje.
Other activities include excursions to museums
and theatres, weekends away and an annual trip
abroad. Apart from cultural activities, we also
have ‘social’ activities such as a stroll along the
beach or an afternoon of laser gaming. On top
of that, there are groups of people who share
a common interest: the guilds, such as the his-
tory guild, the movie guild and the game guild.
Prometheus has more than a hundred members
in all fields of study . All students are welcome
to join our organisation, but please do bear in
mind that lectures are mostly held in Dutch.
For more information, please check:
www.asvprometheus.nl
Plexus Student Centre
The aim of the Plexus Student Centre is to bring
together as many student facilities as possible,
all under one roof. A random selection of the
facilities on offer includes: four study rooms,
a computer room, a conference/presentation
room, the information desk for student affairs,
the study info-centre, a fitness centre, and
office facilities for a large number of student
organisations.
The motto of the student centre is “for and by
students”, which means that as many posts as
possible are filled by students. Plexus also deals
with the administrative matters after registra-
tion (See also page 22)
The centre is open seven days a week from early
morning to late evening. PomPom, the centre’s
lunchroom/café, also is opened during the week
from 11:00 to 13:30 for users of the building.
Kaiserstraat 25
Phone: 071 527 80 08
Fax: 071 527 79 85
www.plexus.leidenuniv.nl
The Visitors’ Centre
The Visitors’ Centre is one of the first contact
points for all visitors to Leiden University.
The Visitors’ Centre is located at the central
train station in Leiden and is a centre for
information about the University and the
city for all Leiden University visitors.
In August/September and January/February,
the Visitors’ Centre welcomes many of the inter-
national students who arrive in Leiden. The staff
help students to find their way around Leiden
and are able to provide visitors with practical
advice and assistance.
The Visitors’ Centre is open on weekdays from
08:30 - 17:00 hrs
Stationsweg 41 (opposite Central Train Station)
Phone: 071 527 88 80
Fax: 071 513 57 15
www.visitors.leidenuniv.nl
IT & Computers
Computer rooms
Computer facilities are available in the faculties,
the University Library and Plexus.
The opening hours of these rooms vary. At most
faculties, the computer rooms are available from
Mondays to Fridays and in the evenings. At the
Plexus Student Centre, the University Library
and some faculties, it is also possible to use the
computer facilities during the weekends.
Computers
The computers are equipped with standard
Microsoft Office with Word, PowerPoint, Excel,
Access and FrontPage. In general, supporting
software such as Acrobat Reader and Windows
Media Player is also available. Most computers
have USB ports and a disk drive. Not all the
computers are provided with a CD Rom drive.
Laptops and wireless internet
Students can bring their own laptop to most
computer rooms. Laptops can be connected to
the University network and the internet at most
faculties and Plexus. Wireless internet is also
available at Plexus and certain faculties, e.g.
the Faculty of Science.
ULCN Services
Leiden University has its own community
net­work, called: ULCN (University Leiden
Community Network). Students have access to
this network with their U-account. The U-­ac­
count consists of a user name and a password.
The U-account is given to students once they
have registered at the University. The U-account
gives access to the computers at the different
faculties, Plexus and the Uni­versity Library.
Also, it provides access to all the IT-related
services offered by ULCN. Not only is it possible
to access the ULCN network via the computer
facilities provided by the University, it is also
possible to log in at home, at internet cafés, etc.
U-mail
The U-account is accompanied by a personal
U-mailbox. This mailbox, with a storage capa-
city of 50 MB, can be used as a personal mail
address. It provides the same services as com-
mercial standard e-mail providers. It is also
used by the University to send students study-
related information.
U-twist
U-twist gives students access to their examina-
tion results. U-twist can also be used to register
for or cancel registration, for exams, courses
and work groups.
22 F in din g you r way
Blackboard
Blackboard is a digital learning environment
which facilitates communication between
lecturers and students. Students can enrol in
courses, take part in a discussion forum, and
plan courses using the task manager and the
calendar available. Lecturers place important
course announcements on Blackboard.
Online access to course materials placed by
the lecturers is gained via Blackboard.
U-LIP
U-Lip contains an overview of and gives access
to the bibliographic databases, full-text sources
and electronic journals (e-journals) owned by
the University.For more information about
ULCN, please check: www.ulcn.leidenuniv.nl
Printing and photocopies
You need a copy card both for printing and
copying document. Copy cards are available
from the copy card machines in the various
University buildings. Please note that copy cards
in your faculty may differ from those used at
other faculties or different libraries. Some of
the faculties have copy shops in the building.
You can also visit one of the many copy shops
in Leiden, where facilities such as faxing,
scanning and binding are offered:
Copy shops
• The Printer Copy Service
Hogewoerd 4b
071 566 53 67
• Lifo
Nieuwe Rijn 22
071 512 67 06
• University Printer Services
Stationsplein 240
071 527 31 14
Libraries
The main University Library is located at the
Witte Singel in the Faculty of Humanities area.
A number of specialist and faculty libraries are
spread throughout the city. The main library
has general and specialist reading rooms. Some
tips for using the libraries:
1. Your student ID card allows you to check out
books from Leiden University Libraries
2. You can access the Digital Library digital-
library.leidenuniv.nl , which includes >400
databases, >16,000 e-journals, >2,000 inter-
national newspapers, via internet with your
U-account from anywhere in the world, inclu-
ding from your own home
3. You can request or reserve books through the
catalogue catalogus.leidenuniv.nl before you
visit the University Library
4. Within the libraries you can make use of one
of the many computers with an internet con-
nection
5. In most libraries you can access the internet
through our wireless services with your laptop
or PDA
6. During exam periods the main University
Library is open till midnight
7. In the libraries you will find work spaces,
study areas, individual study rooms, reference
and reserve collections and much more
8. Do you have a question about our library
services? Do you need help finding scholarly
information? Ask a librarian! This can be
done online through www.library.leiden.
edu and there are helpful librarians in every
library!
For more information please check:
www.library.leiden.edu
University Main Library
Building 1169
Witte Singel 27, Leiden
Reception desk: 071 527 28 01
Information Services: 071 527 28 14
Lending Office: 071 527 28 13
Fax: Secretariat: 071 527 28 36
Lending Office: 071 527 28 11
helpdesk@library.leidenuniv.nl
uitleen@library.Leidenuniv.nl
www.library.leiden.edu
Canteens
A canteen or coffee corner with vending machi-
nes is available in most faculty buildings. Many
machines use a chip card only. Your bank card
may have a chip facility which you can reload,
or you can buy a chip card that works in the
same way as phone cards. Ask at the reception
desk of the respective faculty for information.
Sports facilities
Leiden University Sports Centre
The Leiden University Sports Centre offers
students the opportunity to choose from some
40 sports, ranging from yoga and aerobics to
rugby and rowing. For detailed information
contact the Leiden University Sports Centre.
• Leiden University Sports Centre (Universitair
Sportcentrum (USC))
Einsteinweg 6, Leiden
Phone: 071 527 46 10
Fax: 071 527 46 18
sportcentrum@ucs.leidenuniv.nl
www.services-facilities.leiden.edu/sport
F i n d i n g you r w ay 23
Plex-fit
The Plexus Student Centre also has a
fitness centre.
More information can be found on:
www.plexus.leidenuniv.nl
Student sport clubs
Independent of the Sports Centre, Leiden
University students are also actively involved
in specific sports. They have established
sports clubs which are only open to students.
They often work together with and use the
training facilities of the University Sports
Centre. An overview of the sports clubs
can be found on the website.
See also page 17
September, Most courses last at least 10 weeks.
Cleveringaplaats 1 (Lipsius, Faculty of Arts,
Building 1175), info@laktheater.nl
www.laktheater.nl (in Dutch)
Language Centre
The Language Centre is part of the Leiden
University Faculty of Arts. This Centre offers
various language courses and facilities for self-
tuition in practical language education. The
Language Centre offers also courses in Dutch
as a Second Language for international students
(including prospective students), members of
staff and the general public.
For further information see:
www.languagecentre.leidenuniv.nl

University Newspaper ‘‘Mare’’ Administrative matters after

Mare is Leiden University’s weekly newspaper. registration
It aims to offer both students and staff infor­ For administrative matters after registration
mation on university matters. Although Mare at Leiden University, please visit the Plexus
is in Dutch, there is one page reserved for inter- Student Centre. See page 19.
national students which contains a summar
of all the important news about university
life. You can pick up a copy of Mare in every
University building www.leidenuniv.nl/mare

The Leiden Academic Arts Centre (LAK)

The Leiden Academic Arts Centre (LAK) orga-
nises all kinds of cultural activities for both
students and staff at Leiden University. The LAK
also organises courses, workshops and weekends
during which participants can learn or improve
their skills in areas such as acting, sculp-
ting, painting, photography, music, dancing
and many more. These courses are offered
at a low cost. For students, even lower rates
apply. Courses generally start in February and

24 F in din g you r way

Chapter 4
Financial matters in Leiden
Discounts
Off-peak rail card (“Voordeelurenkaart”)
With the off-peak rail card you are entitled to
40% discount when travelling by train during
off-peak times. Enquire at the information desk
at Leiden Central Station or view the ticket and
pass types on the website of the Dutch railway
company (www.ns.nl) for more information.
Museum season ticket
An annual museum card gives free entrance to
more than 400 museums in the Netherlands.
You can buy this discount card at any of the
Museums.You can find further information at
the museums or check: www.museumkaart.nl
(in Dutch).
Leiden University Fund membership -
discount card
Leiden University students can become
student members for a year at a minimal
cost. Besides supporting a good cause (you
can choose from several options), membership
gives you a discount at many shops in Leiden.
More information is available on their website.
• Leiden University Fund (LUF)
Rapenburg 61
2311 GJ Leiden
071 513 05 03
info@luf.leidenuniv.nl
www.luf.nl
International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
The ISIC card gives you discount on transport
and at museums, shops, hotels and bars all over
the world. The card costs approx. s 10 (2008)
and can be obtained at the JOHO Company
26 F in din g you r way
(Stille Rijn 8-9) in Leiden.
More information can also be obtained from
the ISIC website www.isic.org.
CJP / Euro < 26 youth card
‘CJP’ is the Dutch Euro < 26 youth card
organisation that offers you discounts at more
than 1,500 locations in the Netherlands. You can
obtain discount on CD’s, at museums, movie
theatres, musicals or any other place that carries
the Euro < 26-logo. For more information, check:
www.cjp.nl or www.euro26.org/
choose “The Netherlands”
International banking
Banking
Depending on how long you intend to stay
in the Netherlands, it may be useful, indeed,
necessary to open a bank account. (Please also
check chapter 1).
Banks in Leiden are: ABN AMRO, ING Bank,
Fortis Bank, Rabobank, Postbank.
Most of the major banks are open on Monday
from 14:00 - 17:00 and Tuesday to Friday from
10:00 - 17:00.
Most banks are closed during the weekend.
ATM
You can find ATM’s from all banks in Leiden
scattered around the city. Most of them are
available near the station or in the Breestraat.
You can make unlimited use of your own bank
ATM, but bear in mind that you can only use
another banks ATM once every 24 hours.
Most banks exchange foreign currency. The
GWK exchange agency (Grenswisselkantoren)
exchanges most currencies. The Leiden branch
of the GWK exchange is located in Leiden
Central Train Station.
The opening hours are:
Monday-Friday: 08:00 - 20:00
Saturday: 09:00 - 17:00
Sunday: 10:00 - 17:00
Methods of payment
Credit cards
All major credit cards are recognised and accep-
ted in the Netherlands, some, however, more
then others. The most commonly used are
Visa and Eurocard/ Mastercard, with American
Express at the somewhat more up-market places.
Although the use of credit cards is not as wide­
spread as in other countries, in general they can
be used in hotels, department stores, restau­rants,
gift shops, petrol stations, car rental agencies,
etc. They cannot be used in supermarkets.
Although credit cards are widely used, not all
shops and restaurants will accept them. So be
sure to inquire first (if you do not see your
credit card sticker in the window or near the
counter).
In case of stolen or lost cards, the following
24-hour numbers are useful:
• Visa 0800 022 31 10
• American Express 020 504 86 66
• Eurocard and MasterCard 030 283 55 55
It is advisable to immediately contact the
emergency Global Customer Assistance Service
number in your home country.
Bank cards (debit cards)
Almost all shops accept payment with (Dutch)
bank cards (pinpas). It is wise to inquire first
when paying in smaller shops. You may be
charged 10 cents administration costs if the
amount to be paid is under s 10.
Cash
Dutch shops will only accept Euros. In general,
payments in cash are rounded up or down to
the nearest 5 cents.
Chipknip
Almost all bankcards in the Netherlands are
equipped with ‘chipknip’, which is easily recog-
nisable as the gold-coloured chip on your card.
It works like a digital wallet (knip is the Dutch
popular word for wallet), and it is designed to
pay small amounts of up to s 15. It can be re-
charged at almost every ATM in the Nether­lands,
a separate charger is available next to the ATM
machine. If you do not have a Dutch bankcard,
you can buy pre-paid chipknips. Chipknips are
widely used at the faculty buildings in Leiden
to buy food, drinks and copy cards.
Getting a part-time job
There are possibilities for taking a part-time
job and earning some money while studying.
In addition to the financial benefits, a job can
also offer other advantages: it can provide work
experience, bring you into contact with Dutch
(and other) people, make it easier to learn the
language and help you develop a network.
However, a part-time job is not meant to cover
your study costs, and it may affect your acade-
mic performance. In this respect, it is important
to note that all international students participa-
ting in an (under)graduate degree programme,
are expected to complete the programme within
a defined timeframe. It is difficult to extend the
F i n d i n g you r w ay 27
time allowed, and any such extension will lead
to extra costs that cannot be covered with the
income from a part-time job.
Main problems when looking for a job
Although not impossible, it is also not very
easy for international students to find a job in
the Netherlands. The main problems students
encounter when looking for a part-time job are:
• the language barrier: for many jobs it is also
necessary to speak some Dutch
• lack of understanding (on the part of students
and employers) of the rules, formalities and
duties involved;
• the long procedure involved in applying for a
work permit;
• the preconception that language problems may
cause difficulties and endanger work safety;
• the high cost for companies of hiring tempor­
ary personnel (through an employment agency);
• the unwillingness of employment agencies to
offer a contract to non-EU students for a fixed
period of time;
• the types of jobs available to students are
often undemanding and relatively low paid.
Regulations
Students originating from non-EU countries
are allowed to work part-time throughout the
year (but no more than 10 hours per week), or
28 F in din g you r way
they may do seasonal work full-time in June,
July and August. The employer has to apply
for a work permit (a so-called ‘tewerkstellings­
vergunning’). This is a lengthy procedure
(6 weeks) and requires good planning and
commitment from the prospective employer.
Furthermore, you will need to take into account
that you need to pay tax on the money you
earn, and please note that healthcare insurance
costs (it is obligatory to take a Dutch health
insurance when working in the Netherlands)
may also not make it worth your while to take
a part-time job.
More information: www.undutchables.nl,
www.leiden.edu/students and www.nuffic.nl
Student job agency in Leiden
Job agencies in Leiden that deal specifically
with student jobs, i.e. jobs with flexible hours,
on a part-time basis, internships, etc., are:
• SUSA
Steenstraat 10, Leiden
071 513 57 20
leiden@susa.nl
• ASA student
Breestraat 171
071 51 322 45
• Studentalent
Morsstraat 1
071 89 060 71
Chapter 5
Facilities and services in the city of Leiden
Medical assistance - GPs
The Dutch general practitioner (GP) or family
doctor is called a huisarts. He or she is your
main link to any specialist or hospital. Only in
real emergencies is it possible to go to a hospital
directly without being referred by a GP.
Please note that your health insurance will not
cover the cost of a non-emergency visit to the
first aid department of a hospital. If you are in
doubt about the urgency, you are advised to
phone the special GP emergency post first!
See below for details.
You are advised to choose a GP practising in
your neighbourhood, but not all doctors are
able to accept new patients. The first thing to
do is to register at a GP’s surgery. If you need
to visit a GP, in most cases you need to make an
appointment before you visit them. It depends
on the degree of urgency whether you will get
an appointment the same day.
Emergency post
After office hours and during weekends, there
is a special GP emergency post: ‘Huisartsenpost’
which you can phone: 0900 513 80 39.
It is located at the LUMC (Leiden University
Medical Center), Albinusdreef 2, Leiden.
Please note that this is for emergency cases only
and is more expensive than a regular visit to a
GP /family doctor during the weekly consulting
hours. Needless to say, your health insurance
will only reimburse you if it was indeed an
emergency.
More information is available through:
www.leiden.edu/students
GPs familiar with international
students
Health Centre Leidse Hout
This year, the Leidse Hout Health Centre has
started in the wooden building in front of the
Diaconessen hospital. The location is 10 minutes
walking distance from the railway station, it has
very good parking facilities and can be reached
easily by bus.
The two General Practitioners are Mr H.
Boender and Mrs A.M. van den Braken.
They work together with a team of psycho-
logists and physiotherapists. Furthermore,
patients have easy access to the facilities of
the Diaconessen hospital, including the X-ray
department and laboratory.
Foreign patients are welcome, and all staff can
communicate in English. Appointments for
consultation can be made at the reception.
You can also call the hospital on a special
telephone number that will be answered in
English: 071 51 377 50.
Apart from the normal services that both
doctors offer, Dr Boender is also specialised
in sexualogy.
Health Centre Leidse Hout
Located in the ‘De Schans’ building, in front
of the Diaconessen hospital
Houtlaan 55
2334 CK Leiden
Tel: 071 513 77 50
Websites: www.vandenbraken.praktijkinfo.nl
www.drhboender.huisartsen.nl
F i n d i n g you r w ay 29
Other GPs in Leiden experienced in dealing • A. M. C. de Lorm
with international students: Witte Singel 72
• Dr Boels (male) 071 512 49 61
Lammenschansweg 15/b
071 566 33 27 GPs in Oegstgeest
• Dr van Schie (female) • G.A. Voorzaat and J.J. van der Steenhove
Rijnsburgerweg 96 Boerhavenplein 19
071 517 71 00 (walk-in consulting hour from 071 517 74 61
07:30 - 08:30 every day) • J.E.M. van der Salm and L.H. van Berkel
• D. Bergmeijer (male) Hendrik Andriessenlaan 31
Oude Vest 59 071 51 562 00
071 513 44 85
• Dr J. Lindenhovius / Dr S. Akbaren Telephone Directory
(both female) You can also find other general practitioners
Bonairestraat 2 by looking in the telephone directory or in
071 522 28 22 the Yellow Pages (Gouden Gids) under
Or you can try one of the following Artsen-huisartsen (GPs).
doctors:
• A. Goslinga Specialists
Bernhardkade 36 In the Dutch medical system, the GP is your
071 521 79 60 gateway to any specialist. In most circumstances
• F.B. Kruis Huisartspraktijk it is advisable, even when it seems urgent, to
Minnebroersgracht 41 first phone your GP. Only in very severe cases
071 512 63 71 should you can call the emergency service
• G. A. E. Nering Bögel (male) (see details below).
Dahliastraat 26
071 512 44 03 Emergency Service/Hospitals
• M. H. C. Schaaf & J. Birnie For accidents and medical emergencies requi-
De Laat de Kanterstraat 32 ring immediate attention, you can go to one
071 513 43 45 of the following hospitals. However, whenever
• Dr Barnhoorn possible, you should call your GP first, who
Meloenstraat 39 will refer you to the hospital, if necessary.
071 576 89 18
• E. De Lange Hospitals:
Bronkhorststraat 43-45 • LUMC (Leiden University Medical Center)
071 521 20 25 Albinusdreef 2, Leiden
• J. R. Delver & A. A. Krispijn-de Baan Open 24 hrs a day, including weekends.
Lammenschansweg 15/b • Diaconessenhuis
071 513 01 77 Houtlaan 55, Leiden

30 F in din g you r way

 Open Monday to Friday from 08:00 - 17:00, Dentists (Tandarts)
excl. holidays. In general, the Dutch have a dental check up
• Rijnland Ziekenhuis, Elisabeth location twice a year. This is not compulsory for inter-
Simon Smitweg 1, Leiderdorp national students, but is recommended. If you
Open 24 hrs a day, including weekends. should require dental care, call any dentist and
you will be referred to the dentist on duty for
The national emergency number (for medical that day.
assistance, police or fire brigade) is 112. You should Normally, you will be helped swiftly, but do
only call this number in extreme emergencies. not be surprised if it takes a few days. As a rule,
you will be asked to pay cash, so make sure you
Pharmacies come prepared. If your insurance covers dental
If necessary, the GP will give you a prescription. costs, ask the dentist for a receipt to enable you
Prescriptions should be taken to the nearest to claim a refund from your insurance company.
pharmacy (apotheek). There is always a phar-
macy open, even in the weekends. Some addresses of dentists in Leiden:
• De Aloë • Albrecht
Levendaal 161 Boerhaavelaan 40
071 512 05 02 071 517 07 48
• Centraal Apotheek • Dickmann
Breestraat 74 Breestraat 58a
071 512 05 52 071 514 60 04
• Haven Apotheek • Groeneveldt
Haven 18 Marienpoelstraat 71
071 522 60 85 071 517 16 28
• Reyst • M2 Tandartsen
Steenstraat 35 Lammermarkt 218
071 512 01 36 071 514 47 66
• Snoep
The “night pharmacy” serving the Leiden area Rijnsburgerweg 94
is ‘De Nachtwacht’. It is open every weekday 071 517 56 36
from 21:00 - 08:00 and in the weekends from
21:00 - 10:00. GGD (Area Health Authority)
Doezastraat 2a, Leiden Vaccinations
071 566 50 19 Vaccinations necessary for people planning to
go to the tropics can be obtained at the GGD.
Chemists (Drogisterij) Foreigners who come to the Netherlands do
Chemists sell ‘over the counter’ non-prescrip- not usually have to be vaccinated at the GGD.
tion medicines, such as aspirin, cough medicine However, people from certain nationalities are
and toiletries. required to be tested for tuberculosis upon arrival.

F i n d i n g you r w ay 31
• GGD Zuid-Holland Noord
Parmentierweg 49, Leiden
071 516 33 33
Opening Hours: 08:30 - 17:00 (weekdays)
Special health care numbers
(Health: emotional, psychological & sexual)
• Crisis Service
(in case of special or emotional need)
0900 204 20 40
• Help for Victims of Crime
(Bureau Slachtofferhulp)
Langegracht 11, Leiden
071 525 87 97
• Drugs info line
071 526 91 11
• Social helpdesk (morning-after pill, sexually
transmitted diseases, second opinion)
071 514 63 92
• Birth control enquiries
- Organisation for Preterm
(De Rutgersstichting)
Haringkade 163, The Hague
070 355 28 45
info@rutgershuis.nl
- Medical centre for birth control
Kort Rapenburg 1, Leiden
Open: Wed 08:30 - 16:30
Monday to Friday 08:00 - 20:00
Sat 09:00 - 17:00
0900 09 69
info@gwn.nl
• Advice and information on homosexuality
COC / Monday to Friday from 17:00 - 21:00
071 522 06 40
info@cocleiden.nl
Religion
The two largest religious communities in the
Netherlands are Protestants and Catholics.
Third on this list is the Muslim community.
This is especially true in the bigger cities. A wide
range of different religious centres (churches,
mosques, a synagogue, and temples) can be
found in Leiden and its direct surroundings.
Religious student associations
There are different religious student associations.
Ekklesia (AFos: Activities for Foreign
Students Committee)
Ekklesia’s AFos Committee organises cultural
city trips through out the year for internatio­
nal students interested in getting to know the
Netherlands better. Once a month we also
organise an evening meal (always on Saturday)
for international and Dutch students. You are
warmly invited to share a meal with us and
fellow students.
For more information, please visit
www.ekklesia.leidenuniv.nl
Contrast
The four Christian student fraternities CSFR
Panoplia, Ichthus, Navigators and Gomarus
organise activities for international students by
means of Contrast. Contrast organises Cultural
Evenings on Fridays, about once a month. On
these evenings you can meet Dutch students
and other international students, have dinner
with them and learn about each other’s cultures.
Furthermore, if you are interested in Christian
faith, you can join the Discovery Group, in
which Dutch students take you along into the
Bible. Also, Contrast tries to set up dinner
appointments between international and Dutch
students by means of the Eat&Meet project.
Visit Contrast at www.contrast-leiden.nl for

32 F in din g you r way

more information or to check the calendar for Hooglandsekerkgracht 14, Leiden
the next Cultural Evening. Or send an email 071 514 17 53
to contrastmail@contrast-leiden.nl. Contrast gomarus@yahoo.com
is related to the International Fellowship of www.vgsl.nl
Evangelical Students: www.ifes-bis.nl. • ESV Ichthus Leiden (Christian)
071 523 10 72
Ichtus mail@ichthusleiden.com
Ichthus is a Christian Students’ Union that has www.ichthusleiden.nl
been part of Leiden’s student life for the past • Navigators Studentenvereniging Leiden
forty years. What do we offer? In addition to (NSL) (Christian)
the events that Contrast (a group formed by the nsl@plexus.leidenuniv.nl
four Christian students’ unions) organises for www.navigators.nl/nsl
international students, we have the following • Panoplia (Christian)
activities: Twice every three weeks we have two abactis@panoplia.nl
meals (the refectory) on the Wednesday evening, www.panoplia.nl
18:00 - 20:00. • Ijar Roddhl (Jewish)
These meals are open to everybody, for both De Lairessestraat 13, Amsterdam
members of Ichthus and guests, and you are 020 676 82 26
welcome to experience our great culinary skills roddhl@ijar.nl
and, more importantly, the hospitable and www.ijar.nl
enjoyable atmosphere.
Furthermore, once every three weeks we have Churches, mosques & synagogues
an Open Evening when we have, for example, Religious services in Leiden
a Praise-and-Prayer, a lecture on an interesting • Baptist Church (Protestant)
religious, political or social topic, a party, or Pieterskerkstraat 1, Leiden
a debate. For more information, please check 071 512 33 92
www.ichthusleiden.nl Sundays at 10:15
• Gospel-Lutheran (Protestant)
SABR Hooglandsekerkgracht 26, Leiden
SABR is an Islamic students’ association in 071 514 07 83
Leiden. SABR stands for Students Active for the Sunday at 10:15
Benefit of Religion. SABR is unique because of • Dutch Reformed (Protestant)
its diversity and its Islamic roots. With patience Steenschuur 9-11, Leiden
and respect, SABR hopes to achieve many goals. 071 513 30 65
More information can be found on their web- Sundays at 09:30 & 17:00
site: www.sabr.nl • Freedom Church (Protestant)
Van Vollenhovenkade 21, Leiden
Other religious associations are: 071 514 23 17
• VGSL Franciscus Gomarus (Christian) Sundays at 10:00

F i n d i n g you r w ay 33
• Hartenburg Parish (Roman Catholic) Bike shops
Haarlemmerstraat 106, Leiden There are many shops in Leiden where you can
071 512 04 01 buy good second-hand bikes.
Sundays at 10:30 & 12:15 • Fiets 2000
• Moroccan Mosque (Islamic) Lange Mare 72
Rembrandtstraat 10, Leiden 071 513 00 24
071 514 69 14 • Dusoswa
• Turkish Mosque (Islamic) Turfmarkt 2
Curacaostraat 3, Leiden 071 512 44 09
071 521 28 51 • Kaasmarkt Rijwielen
• Synagogue (Jewish) Kaasmarkt 5
Levendaal 14-16, Leiden 071 512 41 24
071 512 57 93 • Fietsplus De Klokpoort
Klokpoort 3/5
Getting around in Leiden, the 071 523 30 82
Netherlands & going abroad • Dullaart Fietsen
Morsstraat 46
Going abroad with your residence permit/ 071 512 26 35
short-stay visa
Please note that if you are not from one of ‘Fiets fout = Fiets weg’ or ‘Bike wrong = Bike gone’
the EU/EER countries, and you have not yet In the area around Leiden central train station
received your residence permit card and intent there is a restriction on where you are allowed
to stay longer than 90 days in the Netherlands, to park your bike. A bike which is not parked in
you can leave the Netherlands, but you will the bicycle stand, or a bike which has been left
NOT be able to re-enter. To re-enter the at the same place for longer than 14 days may be
Netherlands you will need a residence permit or removed by the local authority. Most of the time,
proof that your residence-permit application is you first get a warning in the form of a sticker on
in progress. This proof is provided in the form the bike which says ‘fiets fout = fiets weg’. If your
of an official re-entry sticker in your passport. bike is removed by the local authority, you can
Please check with the IND: www.ind.nl pick it up again at the following address:

Bikes Willem Barentszstraat 20, Leiden

The Dutch word for bicycle is, fiets, pronounced Mon 14:00 - 16:00
like ‘feats’. Cycle paths run all over the country, Wed 18:00 - 20:00
through scenic areas and villages, as well as
through towns and city centres. The cheapest You need to bring the following items when
place to buy a bike is at a second-hand bike picking up your bike:
shop. As theft is very common, don’t forget - Valid ID card or passport
to buy a good lock as well. - The key to the lock of your bike

34 F in din g you r way

- A bankcard to pay the costs of 26 euro
Trains
Travelling by train in the Netherlands is
considered safe, and trains usually arrive and
depart on time. Trains in the Netherlands are
also comfortable and clean, and most of the
staff speak English.
There are several types of trains, depending
on the distance you want to travel. Departure
and arrival times of intercity trains and local
trains are shown on the website of the NS,
the Netherlands Railways (www.ns.nl). NS:
0900 9292 for travelling within the Netherlands,
0900 9296 for international travel. There is
a direct, express train connection between
Amsterdam Schiphol airport and Leiden.
Where to buy tickets
There are NS ticket machines at every station.
The bigger stations have ticket offices. If, during
your journey, you are unable to show a valid
permit to travel, you will be charged a fine.
There is an interactive demonstration of the
machines on the NS website, which also offers
information on the different types of tickets
available.
Off-peak rail card (Voordeelurenkaart)
This card offers a 40% reduction on fares to the
cardholder, restrictions apply. More information
is available at the train station.
International trains
There are good international train connections
between the Netherlands and neighbouring
countries such as Belgium, France and Germany.
For more information about international train
connections, check: www.ns.nl.
Bus, trams and metro
City bus
For relatively short distances, the bus is an
excellent way to get around. Most bus services
run from 6:00 - 23:30. Buy a strippenkaart
before entering.
Tram and metro (subway)
The cities of The Hague, Amsterdam and
Rotterdam offer transportation by tram.
Amsterdam and Rotterdam also have a subway
system. Most tram and subway services start at
06:00 and run until approximately midnight.
You must use the strippenkaart.
Tickets for bus, tram and metro (Strippenkaart)
The Strippenkaart is valid throughout the coun-
try for travel on buses, trams and subways. It is
also valid on trains, which travel within the city
boundaries of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht
and The Hague/Zoetermeer.
Holland has been divided into transportation
zones with set tariffs. To travel one zone you
have to pay two strippen. You pay an extra ‘strip’
for each subsequent zone. Within the same
zone, you may transfer within the time limit
mentioned on the back of the card.
You can buy ‘Strippenkaarten’ at railway
stations, in post offices, department stores
and tobacconists.
You can also buy ‘Strippenkaarten’ on trams
or buses, but the price is quite a bit higher.
Day tickets
If you visit Amsterdam, Rotterdam or The Hague
for just one day, it is advisable to travel with a
one-­day travel card. One-day cards are valid on all
F i n d i n g you r w ay 35
public transportation. Trains have separate tickets. also possible to hire a car in Leiden and travel
around the country. For this you will need, a
Taxi driver’s licence that is valid in the Netherlands.
You can order a taxi, in advance, from the local
taxi companies. In some larger cities, you can Car hiring agencies
hail a taxi on the street. Taxis take you to any • Budget
desired destination; payment is in cash. Prices Hoge Rijndijk 4
may vary per region and are sometimes open 071 513 06 70
to negotiation, especially if travelling longer • Hertz
distances. Pesthuislaan 8
071 512 16 68
Going abroad with your residence permit/ • HuurMij Autoverhuur
short-stay visan Sint Aagtenstraat 14
Please note that if you are not from one of 071 513 47 00
the EU/EER countries, and you have not yet • Multirent
received your residence permit card and intend Rooseveltstraat 61
to stay longer than 90 days in the Netherlands, 071 531 00 01
you can leave the Netherlands, but you will • LSL
NOT be able to re-enter. Vondellaan 45
To re-enter the Netherlands you will need a 071 531 21 41
residence permit or proof that your residence
permit application is in progress. This proof is Travel agents
provided in the form of an official re-entry stic- • Joho Company
ker in your passport. Please check with the IND: (For student tickets)
www.ind.nl Stille Rijn 8-9
071 513 13 57
Planes & airports • Djoser
The main international airport of the Nether­ Breestraat 125
lands is Schiphol Airport. Many flights to 071 512 64 00
European and non-European destinations depart • MyTravel Reiswinkel
daily from Schiphol Airport. For more informa- Breestraat 52
tion, visit their website at: www.schiphol.nl 071 514 19 97
• Mondial reizen
Hiring a car Breestraat 7
Although driving a car to get around the 071 514 49 63
Netherlands or Europe can be very convenient, • VVV Leiden
driving a car in Leiden - and finding a parking Stationsweg 2d
space - can prove to be complicated. Parking in 0900 222 23 33
most Dutch cities is limited and expensive. It is • D-Reizen

36 F in din g you r way

 Langegracht 3
071 710 10 71
Getting connected
Internet cafés
In addition to the internet facilities provided by
the University, you can also find internet access
at internet cafés. Most internet cafés can be
found in the centre of Leiden, near the station,
in the Breestraat and Hooigracht street and in
many international phone card shops.
Phones
Mobile Phones
Mobile phones are widely used in the
Netherlands. You can easily bring your own
phone and buy a pre-paid sim card at one of
the many phone companies. However, before
you do so, please check the specifications of
your phone to see if it will work in Europe.
You can also get a mobile phone when sub-
scribing to a mobile phone provider for a
minimum of one or two years, e.g. Vodaphone,
Orange, Telfort, T-Mobile. But please note that,
before being able to get a subscription, you need
to have a bank account, an address and a resi-
dence permit card (if applicable).
Telephone (landline / fixed connection)
Ask at the KPN Telecom Shop in the
Haarlemmerstraat for details about obtaining
a fixed telephone connection.
International calls
You can phone abroad for a much lower rate
if you use international phone cards. These
cards can be bought in various internet cafés
and phone card shops in Leiden. It is also much
cheaper to phone to an international fixed
telephone connection than to an international
mobile phone.
Phone calls within the Netherlands
Phone numbers are made up of 10 digits.
The first 3 or 4 digits make up the area code, e.g.
in 071 527 72 87, “071” is the area code of Leiden.
You will only need to dial the area code when
you dial a number outside the area or from a
mobile phone.
International calls from the Netherlands
Example: +27 (0)21 567 89 90
= dial 0027 21 56789 90
“+” stands for international dialling code.
The access code for international dialling from
the Netherlands is “00”.
International calls to the Netherlands
Example: dialling +31(0)71 527 72 87 from
outside the Netherlands
= dial your international dialling code,
then 31 71 527 72 87.
“+” stands for your international dialling code.
“31” is the country code for the Netherlands.
“(0)” omit this zero when dialling from outside
the Netherlands.
Phone boxes
Green coloured phone boxes are located around
most railways stations in the Netherlands. If you
wish to make a telephone call from one of these
phone boxes, you need a special phone card
(available from, among other places, the GWK-
Holland Welcome Service offices, post offices
and major department stores) or a “chipknip”.
F i n d i n g you r w ay 37
Postal Services in the Netherlands. Among the more popular
Dutch ones are: the Algemeen Dagblad, NRC
Post Offices Handelsblad, Het Parool, de Volkskrant, De Tele­
Post offices offer a wide range of services. At the graaf and Trouw. There is also a huge variety
Post Office (Postkantoor), you can buy stamps, of international periodicals on sale at every
bus and tram cards (strippenkaarten), telephone bookshop.
cards and insurance policies. In some cases, it is
possible to exchange money. The Postbank, ope-
rating as an actual bank, is also located within
the post office.
Post offices are open every weekday (opening
hours vary).
• The main post office, on the Breestraat 46
(071 514 17 88), is open from 09:00 - 18:00 on
weekdays and from 10:00 - 13:00 on Saturday.
For more information, please check: www.tpg.nl.

Post boxes
Letters can be sent by depositing them in the
orange, TPG post boxes found on the street.
The boxes have two slots: the one on the right
is for mail with local postal codes while the left
hand slot is for all other postal codes (in the
Netherlands as well as abroad).

Dutch media

Television
Dutch cable television has channels from the
UK, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Spain,
Morocco and Turkey. In addition, there are Euro
channels with sports (e.g. Euro Sport) and music
stations such as MTV or TMF. There are also 3
domestic channels (Netherlands 1, 2 and 3) and
various commercially run Dutch channels (e.g.
RTL 4 & 5, SBS6, Net 5) to choose from.
Newspaper and magazines
There is a wide range of newspapers available
Public libraries
The public libraries in Leiden offer a variety
of books, cds, videos and dvds in different
languages, but you are not likely to find any
text books there which are of use for your
studies. Only members can take out books.
• Main Public Library
Nieuwstraat 4, Leiden
071 514 99 43

38 F in din g you r way

 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday Noordeinde 11
12.00 - 18.00 071 513 72 99
Thursday 12:00 - 20:00 • Washqueen
Saturday 11:00 - 16:00 Morsstraat 50
Sunday 12:00 - 16:00 071 512 03 38

Study books and English Literature Water & electricity

• “The Mayflower Bookshop” Drinking water from the tap is safe in the
A fine collection of English books. Netherlands. The voltage in Holland is 220-
Wednesday to Friday: 11:00 to 18:00 230 volts. Hotels may have 110-volt or 120-volt
Saturday: 10:00 to 17:00 outlets for shavers, but travellers are advised to
Address: Hogewoerd 107, 2311 HJ Leiden bring a power converter and an adapter for two
Phone: 071 513 84 97 prong, round prong, or three prong plugs with
www.themayflowerbookshop.nl side earthing contacts.
• Selexyz Kooyker
Breestraat 127 Shopping & markets
071 516 05 00 The cheapest way to have a meal by far is to
www.studentenboek.nl/ cook it yourself. All international student
(website available in English) houses have their own fully-equipped kitchens.
• Van Stockum
Breestraat 113 Where to buy food
071 512 48 62 The cheapest places to buy ingredients are at
www.vanstockum.nl the Saturday market and at the various super-
(website available in English) markets.
• De Slegte
2nd hand bookshop (for buying and selling Supermarkets
books) Supermarkets (in the bigger cities in the western
Breestraat 73 part of the country) may have longer opening
071 512 20 07 hours, sometimes as late as 22:00. Most super-
• Jongbloed Juridical Bookstore markets are closed on Sunday.
Kloksteeg 4 • Albert Heijn
071 512 25 70 (Wide choice, more expensive)
- Hooigracht 85 (also: Sun 10:00 - 20:00)
Launderettes - Vijf Meiplein
To wash clothing and linens: Mon to Fri 08:00 - 22:00
• McWash Sat 08:00 - 20:00
Hogewoerd 90 • Aldi
071 513 72 99 (Limited choice, very cheap)
• Splash - Stationsplein 220-230

F i n d i n g you r w ay 39
 - Korte Raamsteeg 73-75 Markets
- Lange Gracht 63 Open markets are good places to buy vegetables,
Mon to Fri 09:00 - 18:00 fish, flowers, exotic products, and second-hand
Thu 08:00 - 20:00 and new clothes. Leiden’s main market is held
Sat 08:00 - 17:00 in the town centre (at the Botermarkt) every
• Dekamarkt Wednesday and Saturday from 0:00 - 17:00.
(Average choice, average price) On Wednesday there is a small market in front
- Levendaal 140 of the V&D store, selling ‘organically grown’
Mon to Fri 08:00 - 20:00 products.
Sat 0::00 - 17:00
• Digros Shopping centres
(Wide choice, cheap) You are not likely to find major shopping malls
- Langegracht 3 in the Netherlands. Rather, shops and stores are
Mon to Fri 08:00 - 20:00 typically situated in buildings along the major
Thu 08:00 - 22:00 streets in the city centre.
• Hoogvliet
(Wide choice, average price) General opening hours:
- Levendaal 20 Monday 12:00 - 18:00
Mon to Wed 08:00 - 21:00 Tuesday - Friday 09:00 - 18:00
Thu to Fri 08:00 - 20:00 Saturday 09:00 - 17:00
Sat 08:00 - 20:00 Shops are closed on Sundays, except for:
Sun 10:00 - 20:00 - Sunday Opening Days, (Koopzondagen) the
• Super de Boer last Sunday of the month from 12:00 - 17:00.
(Average choice, more expensive) - Amsterdam, Rotterdam & The Hague, where
- Stationsweg 44 many shops are open on Sunday.
- Lange Mare 76
Mon to Fri 08:00 - 22:00 Late night shopping (Koopavonden)
Sun 12:00 - 19:00 In every city and town, the bigger shops stay
• C 1000 open late one evening per week, until 21:00.
(Average choice, average price) Koopavond in Leiden is every Thursday.
- Herenstraat 43
- Lange Mare 78 Culture, recreation & going out
Mon to Fri 08:00 - 20:00 For those looking for a break from studying,
Sat 08:00 -20:00 there are great things to do in and around Leiden.
Here are some suggestions on how to fill
There is a small Albert Heijn shop in the railway these breaks.
station which sells food, and which is open on
Sundays. At the beginning of the Breestraat, there Dinner and drinks
is a “night shop” that stays open until 24:00. Leiden offers a great variety of bars and restau-

40 F in din g you r way

rants in the old city centre, ranging from cheap • ’t Pannekoekenhuysje Oud Leyden: Pancakes
to expensive. Steenstraat 49
Some nice suggestions are: 071 513 31 44
• Sorrento: Pizza & Pasta
Bars and Restaurants Watersteeg 2
Cheap s 5 - s 20: 071 512 58 61
• Bad Habits: Food, Drinks & Sports
Pelikaanstraat 64 Averagely Priced s 20-40:
071 512 23 07 • City Hall: Food, Drinks & Clubbing
• Barrera: Food & Drinks Stadhuisplein 3
Rapenburg 56/ 071 514 40 55
071 514 66 31 • Buddha: Lunch, Dinner & Drinks
• Bruine Boon: Food & Drinks Botermarkt 20
Stationsweg 2 071 514 00 47
071 512 11 52 • Fandango: Tapas & Cocktails
• Einstein: Food & Drinks Noordeinde 49
Nieuwe Rijn 19 071 514 11 10
071 512 53 70 • De Grote Bee: Lunch & Dinner
• Entrekoos: Dinner & Drinks Rembrandtstraat 27
Steenstraat 51 071 512 17 19
071 513 58 09 • Olive Garden: Italian
• De Hooykist: Food & Drinks Vrouwenkerkhof 1
Hooigracht 49 071 512 25 29
071 512 58 09 • Van der Werf: Food & Drinks (& Live Music)
• La Bota: Dinner Steenstraat 2
Herensteeg 9 071 513 03 35
071 514 63 40
• Lebkov: Lunchroom Expensive over s 40
Bargelaan 8 • Prentenkabinet
071 528 08 38 Kloksteeg 25
• McDonald’s: Fast Food 071 512 66 66
Beestenmarkt 5/6 - 071 514 64 65 • La Cloche
Donkersteeg 7 - 071 516 04 60 Kloksteeg 3
• Odessa-Food: Food, Drinks & Dancing 071 512 30 53
Hogewoerd 18
071 512 33 11 Drinks and Music
• Olivier: Belgian Food and Beer Café • Sociëteit De Burch: Drinks & Music
Hooigracht 23 Burgsteeg 14
071 512 24 44 071 514 23 89

F i n d i n g you r w ay 41
• COC Leiden: Gay Bar & Dancing are some great places to go to in The Hague,
Langegracht 65 Rotterdam and Amsterdam. These cities are
071 522 06 40 all easy to reach by (night)train.
• The Duke: Drinks & Live Music
Oude Singel 2 Indoor activities
071 512 19 72
• Hifi: Dancing & Clubbing Theatres & Concert Halls
Breestraat 50 • Kapelzaal K&O
071 516 19 22 Lunch concerts, music
• In Casa: Discotheque Oude Vest 45
Lammermarkt 100 071 514 11 41
071 512 49 38 • LAK Theater
• ’t Keizertj: Drinks & Music Various genres
Kaiserstraat 2/4 Cleveringaplaats 1
071 512 29 36 071 512 48 90
• Kings Sportbar: Drinks & Sports • Leidse Schouwburg
Noordeinde 28 Various genres
071 512 10 54 Oude Vest 43
• LVC: Drinks & Dancing 071 513 19 43
Breestraat 66 www.leidseschouwburg.nl (in English)
071 514 64 49 • LVC
• Mas Y Mas: Drinks & Dancing Mainly bands, dance venue
Hogewoerd 16 Breestraat 66
071 513 68 65 071 514 64 49
• English Pub North End: Drinks & Sports www.lvc.nl
Noordeinde 55 • Pieterskerk
071 512 15 41 Mainly musical/choir performances
• OloRoso: Tapas & Drinks Kloksteeg 16
Breestraat 49 071 512 43 19
071 514 66 33 www.pieterskerk.com
• Roebbels: Drinks & Cocktails • Stadsgehoorzaal
Pieterskerkchoorsteeg 24 Various genres
071 512 19 81 Breestraat 60
• De Roze Beurs: Gay Bar www.stadsgehoorzaalleiden.nl
Oude Singel 128 071 513 17 04
www.derozebeurs.nl • Waaggebouw
Although Leiden offers a great choice of food Mainly musical performances
and drinks venues, the city does not have large Aalmarkt 21
discotheques. If you fancy clubbing, there 071 513 17 04

42 F in din g you r way

Cinemas Outdoor activities
• Kijkhuis (Cinema) Hiking or cycling in and around Leiden, beaches
Vrouwenkerksteeg 10 and dunes, join a student sport association, hire
071 566 15 85 a boat to explore the canals or lakes, relax in the
• Lido Cinema Theater botanical garden.
Steenstraat 39
071 512 41 30 Cultural activities
• Trianon Cinema Theater Visit a museum, attend one of the Leiden
Breestraat 31 festivals, attend a creative course, join an
071 512 38 75 artistic/cultural student association, explore
To know which movies are playing, Leiden’s historical treasures, discover the wall
check the programme on: www.filmladder.nl poetry in Leiden.
For an overview of all the museums in Leiden
Snooker, billiard & pool centres and their exhibitions, please check:
• Big Break www.museumgroep.nl
Levendaal 152
071 514 56 35 Tourist offices VVV
• The Church For more information about everything
Nieuwstraat 45 that Leiden and its surroundings has to offer,
071 514 53 35 you can visit the tourist information office.
• Het Dijkje • Stationsweg 2d, Leiden
Hoge Rijndijk 34 0900 222 23 33
071 512 67 00 www.vvvleiden.nl
• Hogewoerd Snookercentrum
Hogewoerd 56a For more information on activities in
071 514 45 77 and around Leiden, please check:
www.hollandrijnland.nl
Pub quiz
You can join the Murphy’s quiz night in several Sleeping accommodation
pubs in Leiden. If you want to book a hotel or B&B in Leiden,
With this pub quiz you can test your general here are some suggestions for where to stay:
group knowledge while enjoying a beer together.
Some of the quizzes are in English. Hotels
Look on the Murphy’s website for times • Golden Tulip (****) & Tulip Inn (***)
and locations. www.murphysquiznight.com. Schipholweg 3
One place which definitely does the quiz in 071 408 35 00
English is the Irish Pub Bad Habits on Sunday www.goldentulipleidencentre.nl
evenings, Pelikaanstraat 64

F i n d i n g you r w ay 43
• Holiday Inn Molensteeg 14
Haagse Schouwweg 10 071 513 46 54
071 535 55 55 www.burohogeland.nl
www.holiday-inn-leiden.com Registration fee s 45
• Nieuw Minerva Commission: one month’s rent
Boommarkt 23 • Direct Wonen
071 512 63 58 Hooigracht 92
www.nieuwminerva.nl 071 513 60 60
• Hotel de Doelen www.directwonen.nl
Rapenburg 2 Registration fee: s 35
071 512 84 53 Commission: one month’s rent
www.dedoelen.com • Kamerraad
Narmstraat 3
B&Bs 071 513 08 87
• Pension de Witte Singel www.kamerraad.nl
Witte Singel 80 Registration fee s 27.50
071 512 45 92 Commission from s 50
www.pension-ws.demon.nl • Living Today
• Bed & Breakfast Bed & Beschuit Oude Singel 4
Beschuitsteeg 10 071 513 53 50
071 512 32 92 www.livingtoday.nl
www.bedenbeschuit.nl
Leiden does not have any youth hostels. You can register via the website to receive
The nearest youth hostels are The Hague a free mailing of the available housing.
or Noordwijk. Registration fee: free if you show your
Please check www.stayokay.com for prices University pass. Commission: one month’s rent
and locations. • Roofs (Rooms for foreign students)
Kaiserstraat 25a-Plexus building
The Visitors’ Centre of Leiden University is 071 527 11 27
willing to help you to book hotels in Leiden. www.stichtingroofs.nl
Because the Visitors’ Centre has special price
agreements with hotels, they can offer you lower More addresses on finding housing yourself
prices. For more information and help, please are available on the Leiden University site:
check: www.visitorscentre.leidenuniv.nl www.leiden.edu/studenthousing

Housing agencies Personal safety

For finding furnished or unfurnished Although Leiden is considered a very safe city,
apartments in the private sector: safer than the big cities such as Amsterdam
• Buro Hogeland or Rotterdam, it is always wise to use your
common sense.

44 F in din g you r way

The main don’ts are:
• don’t give pickpockets a chance: be sure not to
flash your money to anyone on the street and
do not keep your passport, purse and mobile
phone in your pocket or in an open bag;
• don’t leave valuable things such as bags
unattended;
• don’t leave your bike unlocked: always secure
your bike with at least 1 lock; bicycles get
stolen notoriously often.
Most students go through their student days
in Leiden without ever encountering any dif-
ficulties in terms of safety. However, there are
always exceptions. It is therefore advisable,
when going out and returning home, to do
so in the company of others rather than alone.
Victim of a crime
Should you become the victim of a crime,
always report this to the nearest police station.
They will take your statement and provide
you with information about what to do.
They can also give you the address of an organi-
sation called Victim Support (Slachtofferhulp),
which is there to help victims of crime.
When reporting stolen items to your insurance
company, make sure to include the police report.
It is also advisable to have a copy of important
documents such as your passport, etc. handy.
Testing of the air-raid alarm/siren
The air-raid alarm is tested every first Monday
of the month at exact 12:00 midday throughout
the whole of the Netherlands. During the
testing you will hear a loud siren. This alarm
is used when the public safety or health is in
danger. If the alarm sounds outside this monthly
testing, people are advised to go inside, close
doors and windows and listen to the radio or
television for further instructions from the
(local) government.
Culture Shock
Living in another country is an exciting expe-
rience. New worlds are discovered, horizons
broadened, challenges met. As well as being
exciting, an intercultural experience can at times
be disorienting and stressful, with most people
experiencing some degree of culture shock
during their stay abroad.
What is culture shock?
Culture shock can be described as a reaction
that occurs when a person steps out of a fami-
liar culture and begins to make his or her way
in a new culture. It is important to realize that
culture shock is a normal response to a sudden
change, and that it passes as you adjust to the
new culture.
The way people react to a cultural transition
varies from person to person, depending on
their background, experiences and persona-
lity. Some of you may be only mildly affected,
while in others the reaction may be much more
intense. Again, some students may feel disorien-
ted soon after arrival, while others may react
to the new situation only after some time has
elapsed.
Why does culture shock occur?
After the first wave of excitement, navigating
an unfamiliar culture on a daily basis with its
different values, attitudes, expectations and
ways of communicating can be overwhelming.
Adjusting to the climate, food and physical
conditions can take time. Strategies you used
previously to deal with challenges may be less
F i n d i n g you r w ay 45
effective. With all these uncertainties and chal-
lenges and without family and friends to pro-
vide their familiar support, it is usual in the new
environment to feel tired and confused and to
experience a drop in self-confidence.
What are the symptoms of culture shock?
The symptoms can range from mild uneasi-
ness and uncertainty to more persistent anxi-
ety, homesickness and unhappiness. Other
symptoms are: tiredness, headache, irritability,
digestive problems, insomnia and depression.
What can I do to minimize the eff ects of
culture shock?
Be prepared: Knowing that culture shock exists
and that it will probably affect you will make it
easier to accept.
(Reverse culture shock is likely to occur when
you return home.)
Adjust your expectations: Realize that many
things will be done differently here. Examine
your assumptions about how they should be
done, and be willing to adjust your expectations
and behaviour.
Develop social networks: It is important to have
people around you with whom you can share
experiences, laugh and give mutual support.
Keep active and stay positive: Keep physically
active; take the opportunity to discover the
Netherlands and try out new things. This will
help keep you positive and confident, benefiting
your study as well.
46 F in din g you r way
Keep in touch with home: Especially in the
beginning, regular contact with family and
friends at home can help you adjust to the
unfamiliar environment. Try not to complain
too much! Excessive contact with home can
hinder the adjustment process!
Give yourself time to adjust: It can take some
time to get used to the new environment and to
develop a routine that suits you. You may also
need time to get used to the study approach at
Leiden University.
Seek help if necessary: If you find that your
symptoms are persisting or interfering too
much with your daily life, it can help to talk
to someone about your situation. The student
counseling service has trained counselors who
can help you.
Smoking ban
Dutch law has prohibited smoking in all cate-
ring industries in the Netherlands from July
2008. This means that all bars, restaurants,
sports canteens and public buildings are now
smoke-free zones. An exception is made,
however, for coffee shops, where smoking
still is permitted.
Chapter 6
Dutch Customs
There is a high likelihood that you are reading
this booklet shortly after your arrival in Leiden.
Some of you have travelled a long way to reach
Leiden and some of you come from a little less
far. However far you have come, the distance
that you have travelled does not change the
fact that you have arrived in the Netherlands,
a new and strange country, which has different
traditions and customs than those you are pro-
bably used to. In this chapter we would like to
give you a little bit of inside information about
Dutch customs and the way that Dutch people
think and act. Hopefully this information will
prepare you enough for the interaction you
will have with Dutch people during your stay
in Leiden and the Netherlands.1
Interaction and personal social space
Holland has the highest population density in
the world with as many as 452 inhabitants per
km². This fact will give you some idea why Dutch
people are so strict about their personal social
space. The theory is that the Dutch compensate
for their lack of physical space by making their
personal space wider. This means that Dutch
interaction is generally formal. To call some-
body you don’t know immediately by his or her
first name is not considered polite behaviour.
People will feel uncomfortable and invaded in
their personal space. It is best to address people
you do not know so well and also older people
using the polite form (in Dutch ‘U’ instead of
‘je’ of ‘jij’).
Knowing this and maintaining a little distance and
formality in your encounter with a Dutch­man,
remember the following: curiosity is good and
1
Information and ideas in this chapter are taken from The Holland Handbook for Expatriates. See for further
information on Holland for foreigners Bert van Essen, Gerjan de Waard eds. The Holland Handbook,
The Indispensable Reference Book for the Expatriate. (Den Haag) 42-44
48 F in din g you r way
toleration for each other is high in Holland, as
long as nobody pokes their nose into their neigh­
bour’s business without being asked to do so.
Visiting someone’s home
If you want to visit Dutch people, generally it is
best to call in advance to make an appointment.
Dutch people in general do not like company
to stop by informally without being notified.
Probably this has to do with the fact that they
may not have extra food to offer you if you
visit them unexpectedly, or they might feel
their personal space has been invaded. Either
way, it’s best to announce that you are coming,
then you will definitely receive a warm welcome.
Arriving on time
If you have made an appointment with a Dutch
person, be sure to arrive on time. If you have set
a date and a time in Holland, they will expect
you at that specified time. Especially for business
appointments, you are not expected to be late.
This also holds true when you make an appoint-
ment with your professor.
An exception to the punctual behaviour of the
Dutch, however, is the Leiden tradition of “Het
Leids Kwartiertje”. This practice means that
lectures start 15 minutes later than announced.
(For example, if a lecture is announced at 11.00,
it will actually start at 11.15). There are many
different versions of the reason why this tradi-
tion is practised in Leiden. The fact is, however,
that from the start of the hour every student has
enough time to drink some coffee, chat a little
bit and get pen and paper ready before the
lecture starts.
Dutch hospitality
If you are invited into a Dutch home, you will
definitely be offered some coffee. ‘Would you
like some coffee?’ (or just “Koffie?” in Dutch)
might even be the first words a Dutchman
will say to you after you have entered his house.
The Dutch are well known for their great coffee
consumption, but, of course, you can politely
refuse if you don’t drink coffee at all. You are
sure to be offered some tea instead.
If you want to bring a small gift for the hostess,
flowers, chocolate or wine are always welcome.
As Holland is the largest flower exporter in the
world, flowers are quite inexpensive and are
widely available. Dutch people love flowers and
you can give them on any occasion. During
such celebrations as birthdays, the custom is
that presents will be opened immediately as
soon as they are received. Not to do so would be
considered impolite. Also notice that in Holland
you also congratulate everyone who is related
to the birthday boy or girl. This practice of con-
gratulating all the people present at a birthday
party on somebody else’s birthday, is considered
polite and as a side effect it offers you an easy
way to break the ice with people you don’t know
in the room.
Greeting someone
When people meet in Holland, it is generally
the custom to kiss each other three times on
the cheek (right-left-right) However, this is
only the arrival ritual when people know each
other quite well. When you meet somebody for
the first time, it is common to shake hands and
introduce yourself with your first name (if it
is an informal occasion) or both first and last
name (if it is a more formal occasion).
Typical Dutch festivities: Queen’s day
and the Relief of Leiden
The Dutch are well known for their cool and
down-to-earth behaviour. There is a saying in
Holland: ‘Just behave normally, and you are
already acting strangely enough’ (“Doe maar
normaal, dan doe je al gek genoeg.”) Probably it is
the Protestant sobriety that Dutch people have
inherited that generally makes Dutch people
modest and reserved. But, luckily there are
some exceptions to this rule that you might
experience during your stay in Leiden where
you will see exuberant Dutch people on the
streets. These occasions are on 30 April (Queen’s
day), and 3 October (the Relief of Leiden).
Queen’s day - 30 April
On Queen’s day people celebrate the birthday
of the Dutch Queen, currently Queen Beatrix.
Originally Queen’s day was founded in 1898,
when the grandmother of Beatrix (Queen
Wilhelmina) turned 18. The annual date of
30 April originates from the birthday of Queen
Juliana, Beatrix’s mother. Although the foun-
ding principles around the festivity of Queen’s
day are quite formal, you would not think this
if you experience this festival on the streets.
In almost every town or city in Holland, Dutch
people celebrate this day often dressed in orange
clothes (the colour of the Dutch royal family)
drinking and eating on the streets and selling or
buying second-hand goods at the flea markets.
The night before, on Queen’s night (29 April),
F i n d i n g you r w ay 49
there are often already several festivities going a free day to enjoy the festivities.
on: for example in The Hague you can traditi- Maybe this is the first time you have read some-
onally see popular bands playing on the streets. thing about the 3 October celebration. But did
Queen’s day is a national holiday, so everyone you know that the American Pilgrim Father’s
has the chance to celebrate this exciting event. brought the idea with them when they left Leiden
There is, however, some uncertainty about what for the Promised Land? This means that the
will happen with the tradition of Queen’s day in Relief of Leiden was a source of inspiration to
the future, since the successor to Queen Beatrix the American Thanksgiving celebration that
in the near future will be a man, for the first you are probably more familiar with.
time in more than hundred years. The son of The Relief of Leiden also holds a special place
Queen Beatrix, Willem Alexander, is by the way in the history of Leiden University, because
an alumnus of Leiden University, where he stu- the University was founded rightly afterwards.
died History at the Faculty of Arts. The Royal Prince of Orange was so grateful
for the courageous behaviour of Leiden’s
The Relief of Leiden - 3 October citizens during the siege, that he gave the
Another exciting event which you should “Leidenaren” a University as a mark of grati­
experience if you are here is the Relief of Leiden. tude. The Dies Natalis of the University of
This festivity which takes place annually during Leiden is 8 February 1575.
the night and day of 2 & 3 October goes back
more than 400 years to the 80 years’ war bet-
ween Holland and Spain. The city of Leiden was
beseiged by Spanish troops who wanted to take
over the city. The people of Leiden however held
their ground and received help from the ‘water
geuzen’, who fought against Philip II the ruler
of Spain. Their tactic of flooding all the land
around Leiden eventually forced the Spanish
to flee on 3 October 1574. The entrance from
the ‘Geuzen’ in Leiden with hering “haring”
and white bread which they gave to the starving
people in Leiden is still celebrated each year at
the town hall in the early morning of 3 October.
The triumph over the Spanish who left a kettle
with hotchpotch on their flight is celebrated
on the same day with a big Carnival and fair.
Also on the night of 2 October all the people
of Leiden go out onto the streets, to enjoy
themselves with music and drink. Because it
is a local holiday, every citizen of Leiden has

50 F in din g you r way

Chapter 7
Useful books and websites about Holland

If you want to read more about living in the
Netherlands, some of the following books
might be interesting and useful for you.
Some books about Holland (In English)
• The Netherland’s’ Travel Guide: Lonely Planet
• The Holland Handbook. The Indispensable
Reference Book for the Expatriate,
Published by: Xpat Media
• A Short History of the Netherlands.
Prof. Dr P.J.A.N. Rietbergen.
• The UnDutchables. An observation of the
Netherlands: Its culture and inhabitants,
Colin White and Laurie Boucke
• The Dutch I Presume? Icons of the
Netherlands, Martijn de Rooij, N & L
Publishing
• Dutch Delight. Eating and Drinking the
Dutch Way, Sylvia Pessireron, N & L Publishing
Important and useful websites
Formal
• www.nuffic.nl. (Offers information on several
things for international students in higher
education.)
• www.ind.nl/EN (Dutch immigration services
website offers information on everything you
need to know about the formal arrangements
relating to your stay in the Netherlands)
• www.mfa.nl/en (Foreign missions/embassies
in the Netherlands)
Travel & Culture
• www.wikitravel.org/en/Netherlands
• www.lonelyplanet,com/worldguide/netherlands
Working
• www.undutchables.nl

Some books about Leiden

• Gezicht op Leiden.
Thijs Tuurenhout. (Photograpic overview of
the City)
• Newcomers in an Old City: the American
Pilgrims in Leiden, 1609-1620.
Joke Kardux and Eduard van de Bilt
• Leids Leuks. Nothing but the best within
Leiden and its surroundings.
(Overview of fun sights and shops in Leiden)
Publisher: Groen Leiden.
• Dicht op de Muur.
(Burgersdijk & Niermans Leiden)
www.muurgedichten.nl/wallpoems.html

A nice collection of books in English about

Holland (and Leiden) can be found on:
www.hollandbooks.nl

52 F in din g you r way

Chapter 8
Dutch for Beginners

For Dutch Language courses available at the Universiy

see page 24 ‘Language Centre’

English Dutch
General/meeting people Algemeen/ontmoetingen

Yes Ja
No Nee
Good morning Goedenmorgen
Good afternoon Goedenmiddag
Good evening Goedenavond
Good night Welterusten (informal)
Goedenacht (formal)
Hello! Hallo!
Hi! Hoi!
How are you doing? Hoe gaat het met je? (informal)
Hoe gaat het met u? (formal)
(Very) good (Heel) goed
Excellent Uitstekend
I am…. (name) Ik ben...
What’s your name? Hoe heet je? (informal)
Wat is uw naam? (formal)
My name is …. Ik heet…. / Mijn naam is …
Where do you come from? Waar kom je vandaan? (informal)
Waar komt u vandaan? (formal)
I am from the USA Ik kom uit de VS (Verenigde Staten)
Thank you. Dank je (informal)
Dank u (formal)
Please/ Here you are Alsjeblieft (informal)
Alstublieft (formal)
Nice to meet you. Aangenaam (formal)
Leuk je te ontmoeten (informal)
Goodbye Tot ziens
Bye! Doei! / Doeg!
Do you speak Dutch…. (language)? Spreek je Nederlands… ? (informal)
Spreekt u … ? (formal)
I didn’t understand you. Ik heb je niet begrepen.
Could you repeat that again? Kunt u dat herhalen?

F i n d i n g you r w ay 53
I speak a little bit … Ik spreek een beetje …
Could you speak a bit slower? Kunt u wat langzamer spreken/praten?
Could you write that down for me? Kunt u dat voor mij opschrijven?
May I ask you something? Mag ik u iets vragen?

At the restaurant In het restaurant

Do you have place for … people? Heeft u plaats voor … personen?
I made a reservation. Ik heb gereserveerd.
I did not make a reservation. Ik heb niet gereserveerd.
May I see the menu, please? Mag ik het menu zien, alstublieft?
Do you have a menu/dish of the day Heeft u een dagmenu/dagschotel?
Am I allowed to smoke here? Mag ik hier roken?
Do you mind if I smoke? Vindt u het erg als ik rook?
• Could you bring me an ashtray, please? • Kunt u mij een asbak brengen alstublieft?
Do you have …? I’d like … Heeft u …? Ik wil graag …
• Soup • Soep
• Fish • Vis
• Meat • Vlees
• Steak • Biefstuk
• Vegetables • Groente
• Fruit • Fruit
• Salad • Salade
• Potatoes • Aardappels
• Desert • Nagerecht
• Coffee • Koffie
• Tea • Thee
• Red/white wine • Rode/witte wijn
• Beer • Bier
• Softdrink • Frisdrank
• Water • Water
I take the … (dish). Ik neem de ….
Can I have the … (dish)? Mag ik de … ?
I am hungry. Ik heb honger.
I am thirsty. Ik heb dorst.
Where are the restrooms? Waar is het toilet?
How was your dinner? Heeft het gesmaakt?
Excellent/delicious/nice! Heerlijk/lekker!
Could you give me the bill, please? Kunt u mij de rekening brengen alstublieft?
Can I have the bill, please? Mag ik de rekening alstublieft?

54 F in din g you r way

Tip Fooi
Can I pay with my credit card? Kan ik met mijn credit card betalen?

On the road Onderweg

Excuse me, may I ask you something? Pardon, mag ik u iets vragen?
I am lost. Ik ben de weg kwijt.
Do you know a … in the area? Weet u een … in buurt?
How do I get to …? Hoe kom ik bij …?
How far is it to …? Hoe ver is het naar…?
Could you show that to me on the map? Kunt u dat op de kaart aanwijzen?
How do I get there? Hoe kom ik daar?
Is it far by foot? Is het ver lopen?

Shopping Winkelen/boodschappen doen

Where is the nearest …? Waar is … dichtsbijzijnde …?
• Bank • De … bank
• Supermarket • De … supermarket
• Butcher • De … slager
• Bakery • De … bakker
• Postoffice • Het … postkantoor
• Shopping Center • Het … winkelcentrum
• Pharmacy • De … apotheek
Where can I find…? Waar kan ik … vinden?
Could you give me some small change? Kunt u mij wat kleingeld geven?
How much does this cost? And this? Hoe duur is dit? En dit?
It is not exactly what I am looking for. Het is niet precies wat ik zoek.
I (do not) like it. Ik vind het (niet) mooi
Can you change this for me? Kunt u dit voor mij wisselen?
I’ll take it / I’ll buy it. Ik neem het/ik koop het.
That is very expensive/cheap. Dat is erg duur/goedkoop

Counting & numbers Tellen & nummers

One, two, three, for, five, six, seven, eight, nine, Een, twee, drie vier, vijf, zes, zeven, acht, negen,
ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, tien, elf, twaalf, dertien, veertien, vijftien,
sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty zestien, zeventien, achttien, negentien, twintig
thirty, forty, fifty, sixty, seventy eighty, dertig, veertig, vijftig, zestig, zeventig, tachtig,
ninety, one hundred negentig, honderd
Thousand, million Duizend, miljoen
First, second, third, fourth, fifth Eerste, tweede, derde, vierde, vijfde

F i n d i n g you r w ay 55
Chapter 9
Leaving Leiden
Getting your degree
After successful completion of the programme,
all degree students are presented with their
diploma either during a graduation ceremony
held in the Academy Building or in their own
faculties. For some degree programmes, a
student has to defend his or her thesis during
the official graduation ceremony. This is the
highlight of all degree students’ academic career
at Leiden University. After the graduation cere-
mony, students may put their signature on the
walls of the “Zweetkamertje” in the Academy
Building.
All non-degree students receive a transcript
mentioning the course names and grades.
The transcript is usually sent to the home
university.
Last check before leaving Leiden
Before leaving the Netherlands, remember
that there are some arrangements to be made.
The following list is a helpful guide as to what
should be done before you leave Leiden.
56 F in din g you r way
Before leaving Leiden, check that you have:
✓1 - deregister from the university at the
Plexus Student Centre
✓2 - paid the last month’s rent
✓3 - returned your keys to get the deposit
back for your housing
✓4 - returned all your library books, cds, dvds
✓5 - notified the International Office (your
IPO) of your leaving date and of your
new correspondence address and e-mail
address once you have left Leiden
✓6 - de-registered at the Town Hall
✓7 - returned the residence permit
✓8 - closed your bank account
✓9 - made sure that the details on your
diploma/certificate are correct and
complete
✓10 - Settled/cancelled any outstanding con-
tracts (i.e. mobile phone, etc.) otherwise
they may be renewed automatically.
In some instances you are required to
cancel three months before the contract
is due to end. Please check the company’s
agreements/contracts
✓11 - Said goodbye to all your favourite people
and places in Leiden
✓12 - When being an alumni, register at the
Leiden alumni platform ‘LUF’ to be kept
update on activities for Leiden alumni.
See www.luf.nl
Chapter 10
Maps and facts & figures about the Netherlands

Guide to the International Office

Guide to University buildings
Key to discove
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58 F in din g you r way

ery
ER
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International Student Housing (in black circles)
N

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7 Witte Singel Doelen Complex Faculty of

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Humanities, Language Centre

8 Kamerlingh Onnes Building Faculty of Law
SCHEL
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9 Plexus Student Centre Student information centre.
Facilities: study rooms, pc’s, fitness, cafetaria
10 University Central Offices
11 Gravensteen International Office

1. Leiden Central Train Station (red circle)

500 M / 0.5 KM

7 8 9

F i n d i n g you r w ay 59
Distances in the Netherlands

Road Distances in Km
Amsterdam x

Apeldoom 86 x

Arnhem 99 27 x

Breda 101 141 111 x

Den Bosh 88 91 64 48 x

Den Haag 55 133 118 72 102 x

Dordrecht 98 133 102 30 65 45 x

Eindhoven 121 109 82 57 32 134 92 x

Enschede 161 75 98 212 162 224 200 180 x

Groningen 203 147 172 260 236 252 248 254 148 x

Haarlem 19 117 114 121 103 51 94 136 184 204 x

Leeuwarden 139 133 158 248 222 188 234 240 163 62 148 x

Leiden 45 125 110 87 99 17 60 132 192 242 42 178 x

Maastricht 213 201 167 146 124 223 181 86 274 348 228 334 239 x

Nijmegen 122 63 18 101 44 135 98 62 134 208 135 194 131 148 x

Rotterdam 73 128 118 51 81 21 24 113 195 251 70 206 36 202 114 x

Tilburg 114 115 88 25 25 102 60 34 186 260 129 246 117 123 68 81 x

Utrecht 37 72 64 73 55 62 61 88 139 195 54 181 54 180 85 57 81 x

Leeuwarden
Amsterdam

Maastricht

Rotterdam
Groningen
Eindhoven
Dordrecht
Apeldoom

Den Haag
Den Bosh

Enschede

Nijmegen
Haarlem
Arnhem

Utrecht
Tilburg
Leiden
Breda

60 F in din g you r way

Some facts and figures about the Netherlands

Netherlands Average temperature in July: 17.4°C

(population 116,428,360 in June 2008)
Average temperature in January: 2.8°C
Capital city Amsterdam
(population 755, 269 in June 2008) Annual average hours of sunshine: 1550

Seat of government The Hague Annual average rainfall: 797 mm

(population 482, 742 in December 2008)
Population per km 2 of land: 478
Number of municipalities
443 (in 2008) Longest distance North-South: 300 km

Number of provinces Longest distance East-West: 200 km

12 (Noord-Holland, Zuid-Holland, Utrecht,
Zeeland, Noord-Brabant, Limburg, Friesland,
Groningen, Drenthe, Gelderland, Flevoland,
Overijssel)

Area
41,528 km2 (1/4 of which is below sea level)
- 7,655 km2 water
- 33,873 km2 land

Highest point
Vaalserberg (Limburg), 321 m

Lowest point
Nieuwerkerk aan de IJssel (South Holland), -6.7 m

62 F in din g you r way