CHAPTER IV - Leisure

>>> Leisure

The Hva has an agreement with the University of Amsterdam for using their sport facilities at the de Boelelaan-USC (Universitair Sport Centrum). You will need an HvA student card to get access to the facilities. Please contact the International Office Leeuwenburg for that. Indoor soccer, tennis, badminton, fitness training, hockey and aerobics are a few sports which you can practise at the De Boelelaan. Prices vary from 20 Euros for a two-month aerobics class to 80 Euros for tennis in the winter season. For more information, you can contact:

USC Boelelaan | De Boelelaan 46 | 1082 LR Amsterdam | Tel. 020-3013535 | usc@uva.nl | www.uva.nl

Holland is well known for its passion for football, but besides football, the Dutch enjoy a lot of other sports such as hockey, skating and cycling. In 1928, Amsterdam hosted the Games of the 9th Olympiad. The Olympic Stadium, built for the occasion, has been completely restored and is now used for cultural and sporting events.

Amsterdam offers a diverse range of world-class entertainment, and has for centuries been a leading centre of culture in Europe. A variety of performances are staged in hundreds of venues throughout the city. There is also plenty of low-cost entertainment, from the multitude of street performers and live bands in bars and cafés.

Ø  Amsterdam is the perfect place to party. Most clubs open at 22:00 and stay open until 04:00 or 05:00.

Ø  All year round, every night of the week, you can find quality, English-language theatre in Amsterdam. Most of the major theatres are centred on the Leidseplein, within an easy stroll of each other. 

Ø  Amsterdam has a busy calendar of events, and with something going on during most months of the year, visitors can take in a festival or event of some kind during their visit. Highlights include: National Heritage Days, Holland's edition of Santa Claus, Cannabis Cup, The Holland Festival, Amsterdam Canal Festival, the Grachtenfestival

B  Big fight in order to register to the better club of volley ball …Smashing is really great …they offer training and/or competition. A normal session is about 1:30 hours. They have different teams which are only arranged by level. I went twice for free. It was awesome …after their training I was feeling tired. The only issue that their fees are really high. At my level, I should book for a senior license which cost the bloody amount of

  Smashing 72 at Diemen, 1 training with team 3 on Wednesday 1h30, 250e fees  + 60 uniform, great level with intensive training.

B  

 UvO at Sciences Park, 1 training on Thursday 1h30, teams full, 200e fees, good level with really intensive training.

 USC at Sciences Park, 2 trainings on Monday and Thursday 1h30, not busy sessions, 57e fees, low level with really soft training.

http://www.usc.uva.nl/algemeen/sporten_en.php?sport_id=68

CHAPTER IV - Basic informations

>>> About Amsterdam

 … Language …                

               

The Dutch language is very difficult to learn. Although many Dutch people speak English very well, it would be of great help to know the basics of our language before your arrival. Your stay will be more interesting when you know some Dutch. Most lessons at the institutes are taught in Dutch. 

Foreign students who would like to participate in a complete study programme or would like to follow some Dutch courses should have a good knowledge (passive as well as active) of the Dutch language. There is a possibility to follow an Erasmus language course in Dutch. You should apply for this course through your own institution. The exchange programmes are taught in English.

Hello, I am Hans Brinker = Hallo,Ik ben Hans Brinker Who are you? = Wie bent U? Good morning = Goedemorgen Good afternoon = Goedemiddag Good evening = Goedenavond

Yes: Ja (Yah) No: Nee (Nay) Thanks: Bedankt (B'dunked) Please: Graag (hkrahk) Sorry: sorry (sorry, with rolled r) Excuse me: pardon (parDON).

  … Transport …

Like almost there are several way to go to Amsterdam. Of course, the price is different according to the type of transport.

My first choice were my third shot by  Train Thalys  Paris-Amsterdam  for only 35€ with 3,15hours

The third would have been by Plane AirFrance Paris-Amsterdam250€ with 3,15 hours

A second and cheap way would have been by EurolinesBus  Paris-Amsterdam  35€ with 5,5 hours.

Anyway, several advices...do well prepare your trip! What I mean, don't hesitate to ask them when you should arrive. In addition, to avoid some tehnical and financial issue ... It is good idea to buy a ticket either with insurance or a refundable or exchangeable ticket.    

Let me explain my troubles: basicly, I should start school the 29th. However, in the Erasmus program they asked me to arrive the 24th for the iinternational welcome. Consequently, I booked a Smoove ticket 35 euros for the 23rd. Then, few days later, I received an email asking me to assist to the kick off Robotics Seminar. Thus, I was supposed to arrive the 21st ...therefore, I booked for the 20th Smoove ticket 45euros. Nevertheless, I could exchange or be paid back for my first ticket. Therefore, I ask help to a Sncf staff...he advised me to sell my ticket on Troc website.

I had to change three times my ticket in order not to miss two seminars!

However, the first class in a Thalys train…is AWESOME: free WIFI (good network Thalysnet), free breakfast, free lunch, free drinks, free courant, confortable and elegant seat. The train stopped to Bruxelles and Rotterdam before its arrival at Amsterdam with only 5minutes late.

It is very easy to reach the location Leeuwenburg. The building is right behind the Amstel Station. See map.

From many places in Amsterdam you can take trams, metros and buses to the Amstel Station.

• v  Tram: 12
• v  Metros: 51, 53,54
• v  Buses: 15, 37, 69, 136, 157, 169.
• v  Amstel Station is also a train station.

                                                   Public transport

OV-Chipcard

To travel by Metro, train, tram or bus within the larger Amsterdam area, you need an Ovchipkaart (=Public Transport Chip Card) More information can be found on this. If you prefere in English.

Ask also for the brochure ‘’Public transport Amsterdam Tourist Guide’’ at the Tourist Information Office opposite Central Station. In this brochure you will find an explanation of the zone-system and offers to travel economically when you use public transport frequently.

Outside the Amsterdam area, a specific train ticket from the Dutch Railways (the nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) or a specific chip card is necessary. See that   More

… Insurance …

Everybody staying in the Netherlands is legally bound to be insured for medical expenses meeting up Dutch standards. Make sure your insurance covers dental costs, glasses as well, because they often do not belong to a standard insurance policy.

Students from the European Union, Norway, Marocco, Turkey, Tunesia and former Yugoslavia who in their own country are covered by the National Health Insurance programme will be insured by the National Health Insurance programme of the Netherlands as well if they apply for a (E)111 form available at the Social Security Department in their town of residence before leaving their home-country.

If you are not coming from one of the above mentioned countries take a private insurance policy in your own country covering all medical costs during the whole of your stay in the Netherlands.