The Netherlands: Hogeschool Zuyd

Sittard / Maastricht / Heerlen, The Netherlands

University: Hogeschool Zuyd

Exchange Program: Magellan Exchange

Application Deadline: March 10 for Fall Semester & October 10 for Spring Semester

VISA Application Information: The Royal Netherlands Embassy

General Information:

Location: The Netherlands is located in western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany.  The total land area is approximately 33,900 square kilometers, or roughly less than twice the size of New Jersey.  The primary language is Dutch.

Climate: The Netherlands is located in a temperate zone with precipitation throughout the year, with cool summers and mild winters.  Temperatures in January range from 20 to 32 Fahrenheit, and in July between 68 and 72 Fahrenheit.
                   
Currency: Basic unit of currency in The Netherlands is the Euro.

Transportation: The public transportation is reliable and cheaper than operating a car.  The most cost effective way to travel in the city is by bicycle.  It is recommended that visiting students purchase a second-hand bike and a strong lock!  Trains are very reliable for travel to other cities and neighboring countries and run 4 to 6 times an hour between the main cities. Many passes and special rates are available at the train stations offering considerable savings. Outlying villages are linked by bus. At the train station, visitors can buy a book called Nationale Buswijzer that contains a map and complete schedules for all rural buses.

Living Arrangements: There are apartment blocks built especially for student housing, but waiting lists are long.  Students usually find rented rooms or a private room.  It is possible to find furnished rooms arranged through the exchange program. On arrival, see the international relations office immediately to find housing.  Housing can cost $375 to $475 per month and $525 to $575 per month including meals (in Sittard).  Also in Sittard, rooms at a hostel can be rented for around $300 a month.

Food: Traditional Dutch food consists primarily of bread and vegetables.  Bread  with cheese, thinly sliced cold meat or jam for breakfast; much the same for lunch with the addition of soup, salad or fruit. For the evening meals, large quantities of potatoes and vegetables are served together with a small serving of meat or fish. Cooking at home is the most cost effective way to prepare meals.  Students can grab a quick bite at outdoor cafes & snack bars.  Traditional Dutch convenience foods are patat, ready fried fish, bami or nasi goreng.  Patat are deep-fried potatoes, usually eaten with fried fish or meat. Bami or nasi goreng are Chinese/Indonesian rice or noodle dishes bought ready-cooked in supermarkets.

Social Activities: There are more than 900 museums, with collections varying from 17th century paintings to contemporary art.  The most famous museums are the Rijksmuseum and the Vincent van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.  The cities of Amsterdam, Hague, and Rotterdam are very lively cosmopolitan centers offering a variety of social activities.  Water sports enthusiasts have many lakes and beaches for fun. Cycling is a popular pastime. Sports are important to the Dutch. Soccer and tennis are the most popular sports. Other popular sports include ice skating, swimming, sailing, hockey, and indoor sports such as handball and volleyball.