Netherlands Reference Guide
Whether or not this is your first time away from your country, you are probably
thinking about the different aspects of living in a new culture. Most grantees
find that they must make some adjustments, since many things are new or unfamiliar.
The process you will go through may be difficult, but it is also exciting and
contributes to your personal enrichment and understanding of other ways of life.
Adapting to another culture may be frustrating at times, but there are people at your host university and at LASPAU who are able to help. Temporary problems should not discourage you. A growing familiarity with the new culture and with the resources available to you will greatly increase your enjoyment of your surroundings. You can read more about the process of cross-cultural adjustment by downloading this document in PDF format.
Immigration, Education, and Culture
The Netherlands Organization for International Cooperation in Higher Education (Nuffic) maintains the Study in the Netherlands website which contains useful material for international students. In particular, the "Living in the Netherlands," section provides information on immigration and employment regulations, the Dutch system of higher education, typical costs of living, and Dutch culture.
Health Care
If included in your contract, LASPAU will automatically enroll you in the Virginia Surety insurance plan once you become a LASPAU-administered grantee, unless you inform us that you have alternative coverage. The Virginia Surety insurance plan, provided at no cost to you, is only for you and does not include any of your dependents. Please click here for more information on the Virginia Surety insurance plan, as well as on how to obtain coverage for your dependents.
Employment
If you or your dependents would like to work while in the Netherlands, you must be certain that both your program sponsor and the Dutch government will allow you do so:
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If you work or receive grant funding in the Netherlands, you may be expected to pay taxes. Please consult with the international student advisor at your host institution or the appropriate government agency in the Netherlands. |
Housing and Your Mailing Address
Local newspapers, websites such as apartmentservices.nl, craigslist.org or viavia.nl, and your host university's international office can serve as excellent resources when searching for off-campus or on-campus housing.
Make sure your mailbox at your home,
dormitory, or residence hall indicates your full name (first and all surnames),
since some postal carriers in the Netherlands may not be accustomed to multiple
surnames.
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You must register your address with the proper authorities in the Netherlands. The international advisor at your host institution should be able to give you further information. |
The
Netherlands Post Office may provide a mail redirection service if you move while in your host country. This
is generally done by filling out a mail redirection form and there is
sometimes a small fee for the forwarding service. Visit the Netherlands Post Office website to find the nearest post office to your place of residence.
Shipping
When preparing to leave, you will probably find that you will need to send some of your belongings home. Visit the local Post Office, which offers a reasonable international shipping service called "Worldpack Special," or check with your international student office at your host institution to see if they have any information about other reliable shipping companies.
Please note that the external websites listed above are not maintained by LASPAU, and LASPAU is not responsible for any of their
contents. Please let us know if you find other online resources that might be
helpful to international students in the Netherlands.
