INTERNATIONAL STUDENT

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INTERNATIONALSTUDENT GUIDE

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1 UTREchT AND ThE NEThERLANDs 1.1 Welcome in the Netherlands 1.2 Welcome in Utrecht

2 sTUDyING AT hU UNIvERsITy Of AppLIED scIENcEs 2.1 Welcome at the HU 2.2 Educational System 2.3 English-taught Programmes 2.4 ECTS Guide 2.5 The International Office 2.6 The HU Online

3 pREpARING yOUR DEpARTURE 3.1 Residence Permit & Visa 3.2 Tuberculosis Examination 3.3 Insurance 3.4 Financing 3.5 Employment 3.6 Accommodation in Utrecht

4 UpON ARRIvAL 4.1 Early Arrivals 4.2 International Student Introduction 4.3 Erasmus Student Network 4.4 Registration Municipality 4.5 Bank Account

5 AssIsTANcE 5.1 Emergencies 5.2 Medical Care 5.3 Student Counselling 5.4 Disabled Students

6 pRAcTIcAL INfORmATION 6.1 Bikes 6.2 Cultural Activities 6.3 Food and Drinks 6.4 Going Out 6.5 International Student Identity Card 6.6 Media 6.7 Practical Addresses 6.8 Public Transport 6.9 Shopping 6.10 Sports 6.11 Telephone

7 DUTch fOR BEGINNERs 7.1 Dutch Courses 7.2 Dutch Words to Practice

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Welcome in the Netherlands! HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht (HU) welcomes you as our guest. Living abroad and studying at a different university can be an adventure and a challenge. Facing a new environment and a new culture is an experience that will enrich you. Embrace this new experience and open your mind to what it can teach you.

To enjoy your stay abroad as much as possible we developed the International Student Guide. This guide answers questions that may arise during your stay in the Netherlands, and Utrecht and the HU in particular. It makes you aware of all practical issues that need to be taken care of on arrival, during your stay and when you go back home again.

If you have questions regarding subjects that are not mentioned in this Student Guide, you can always contact the International Office.

Welcome to Utrecht and enjoy your stay!

The NetherlandsThe Netherlands, also called Holland, is a small and politically stable country with a dense population of well over sixteen million people: the Dutch. The national language is Dutch. Most people in the Netherlands also speak some English and German.

The Netherlands is a very small country - just 200 kilometres from east to west and 300 kilometres from north to south. It is located in North-West Europe, with the North Sea to the west, Germany to the east and Belgium to the south. The Netherlands has a temperate marine clima-te with temperatures averaging 16˚C (61˚F) in the summer and 3˚C (37˚F) in the winter.

The capital of the Netherlands is Amsterdam, while the seat of government is The Hague (Den Haag). The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy. At the head of the government is the Prime Minister (Minister President). The official head of state is Queen Beatrix, who does not take a direct role in government. Members of the Dutch parliament are directly elected by the people.

Good to know about the Netherlands The Netherlands manages to combine history and traditional culture (tulips, wind-mills and wooden shoes) with innovation, modern society and an international orien-tation (modern wind turbines, pioneering architecture and water management).

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Some examples of Dutch tradition are:• Sinterklaas (St Nicholas). The Dutch cele-

brate Sinterklaas (equivalent to Santa Claus). This bishop with mitre and staff hands out presents to all Dutch children, supported by his attendants, the so- called Black Pete’s (Zwarte Pieten). Sinter­klaas arrives in the country in November. On the evening of 5 December presents are given (pakjesavond).

• Koninginnenacht (Queens Night). 29 April, the night before Queens Day, all major cities are full of concerts, parties and unregulated street markets.

• Koninginnedag (Queens Day). Queens Day (30 April) is the celebration of the Queen’s Mother’s birthday and a natio-nal holiday. Lots of people are dressed in orange, the national colour of the Dutch.

• Bevrijdingsdag (Independence Day). The 5th of May festivals are held in all major cities, free of charge.

1.2 Welcome in UtrechtUtrecht is located in the heart of the Netherlands and is the fourth largest city in the Netherlands. All rail, road and water transport systems come together here. This makes Utrecht very attractive: it’s just half-an-hour by train from Amsterdam and a flight to the major cities of Paris, London and Berlin takes less than one hour.

Utrecht is famous for its old city centre with its romantic canals, its many museums and historic buildings. One of its most impressive buildings is the

Dom Church. You can see the tower from almost anywhere in the city. It is also the highest church tower in the country.

One very unique thing about Utrecht is the warehouse cellars along the canals. Once used as storage cellars by the local mer-chants, they have been converted into res-taurants and pubs where you can enjoy the sun on one of the many terraces and where you can try the famous Dutch apple pie. Utrecht is well known for its institutions of higher education. The population of 300,000 inhabitants is young and well-educated. And with 70,000 students, Utrecht is a real student city! HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht has over 35,000 students with more than 100 different nationalities. The HU is loca-ted at the Uithof, a large campus where most students attend their classes. There are also faculties located in the centre of Utrecht and in the town of Amersfoort (HU Amersfoort, 25 km from Utrecht).

Good to know about Utrecht There is no shortage of cultural activity in Utrecht. In fact: of all country’s cities, Utrecht holds second place in terms of the most cultural events. Some major events: • September:DutchFilmFestival

www.filmfestival.nl• September:FortisSingelrun(10kmrun)

www.fortissingellooputrecht.nl• November:SmartlappenfestivalUtrecht

(music festival) www.smartlappenfestival.nl

• May:HuisenFestivalaandeWerf (festival, productions, workshop and stages) www.festivalaandewerf.nl

• June:NightFeverFestivalUtrecht www.night-fever-utrecht.nl

• June:MidZomerGrachtfestivalUtrecht(meet the gay scene of Utrecht) www.midzomergracht.nl

• July:DeParade(theatre,music, dance and movies in different parks) www.deparade.nl

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Dallas Johnston, Canada“What I like about living in the Netherlands is that I’m surrounded by history. For once, I can place myself in the textbooks and novels I’ve reveled over all my life.”

The Netherlands OnlineThe following links help you find your way in the Netherlands. The websites mentioned also have English versions.

International students•Nuffic(theNetherlandsorganization

for international cooperation in higher education) www.nuffic.nl/international-students

Events•DiscovertheNetherlands

www.lekkerweg.nl•MunicipalityofAmsterdam

www.iamsterdam.com

Public Transport•DutchNationalRail

www.ns.nl •Journeyplanner

journeyplanner.9292.nl•SchipholAirport

www.schiphol.nl

General•HistoryoftheNetherlands

www.minbuza.nl•Yellowpages

yellowpages.goudengids.nl

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Utrecht onlineThe following links help you find your way in Utrecht. The websites mentioned also have English versions.

City of Utrecht•MunicipalityUtrecht

www.utrecht.nl•TouristinformationUtrecht

www.uit-in-utrecht.nl

Accommodation in Utrecht (find your own)•www.sfshousing.nl•www.sshu.nl•www.kamersinutrecht.nl•kamers.startpagina.nl•nl.tijdelijkekamer.nl

Bed and Breakfast•TheHostelB&BUtrechtCityCentre

www.hostelutrecht.nl•B&BKilimCentreInn

www.kilim-centre-inn.nl

•HotelMitland www.mitland.nl

Leisure•SportCentreOlympos

www.olympos.nl•LibraryUtrechtUniversity

www.library.uu.nl•PubliclibraryofUtrecht

www.bibliotheek-utrecht.nl•ErasmusStudentNetwork

www.esn-utrecht.nl•International&Cultural

Centre Parnassos www.parnassos.uu.nl

Dutch courses •JamesBoswellInstitute

www.jbi.uu.nl•VolksuniversiteitUtrecht

www.vu-utrecht.nl

2.1 Welcome at the HUHU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht (Hogeschool Utrecht) was founded in 1995, the result of a merger of several indepen-dent institutions. The HU is the third largest university of applied sciences in the Netherlands and is funded by the state. It has over 35,000 students with more than one hundred different nationalities.

We offer a wide range of courses spread within nine principal themes: • BuildingandEnvironment• CommunicationandJournalism• EducationandPedagogics• EconomicsandManagement• InformationandCommunication

Technology• LifeSciences&Chemistry• LifestyleandHealth• SocietyandLaw• TechnologyandDesign

Most of our 80 programmes lead to a Bachelor’s degree, and some lead to a Master’s degree. The Bachelor’s pro-grammes require a minimum of four years of study. Graduates are fully qualified to practise their profession without further study, licensing or registration with a profes-sional association. In addition, their diploma qualifies them for admission to several types of further study (Master’s degree).

2.2 Educational System Higher education in the Netherlands is offered at two types of institutions:

research universities (universiteiten) and universities of applied sciences (hoge­scholen). The HU is a university of applied sciences. A Bachelor’s programme at a university of applied sciences requires the completion of 240 credits (4 years), and graduates obtain a degree indicating the field of study (for example, Bachelor of Engineering, B. Eng., or Bachelor of Business Administration, BBA).

HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht offers competency-based learning. This is the new form of education, based on the competencies of future professionals. Competencies include the knowledge, skills and attitudes that professionals must have to tackle problems in their fields. Competency-based learning means that traditional lectures have decreased, making room for more dynamic tutorials and exciting project work. Students work together on large, integrated projects, solving challenging problems using a multi-disciplinary approach. This is the way it works in real-life companies and institutes.

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More information about the Dutch educational system: www.international.hu.nl > Study programmes > Education at HU. You can also download the Code of Conduct at this page and our Academic calendar. Holidays and celebrations are also mentioned on the calendar.

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2.3 English-taught Programmes Several of our programmes are in English:• BachelorEntrepreneurshipfor

Developing Areas (Bachelor of Business Administration, BBA)

• BachelorInternationalFinanceandControl (Bachelor of Business Economics, BBE)

• BachelorInternationalBusinessandManagement Studies (Bachelor of Business Administration, BBA).

• BachelorInternationalMarketingManagement (Bachelor of Commerce, BC)

• BachelorInternationalCommunicationand Media (Bachelor in Communication)

The HU also offers a number of short programmes:• Non-degreeprogrammes (EuropeintheWorld,JournalismCourse and European Culture & EuropeanJournalism)

• Minors• Exchangeprogrammes• UtrechtSummerSchool

The academic year at the HU is divided into 2 semesters: Fall (September – January)andSpring(February–July).Each semester is divided into two blocks of ten weeks (seven weeks of classes, self study week and two weeks of exams). Please check the list of subjects on our website carefully to find out when a subject is offered.

2.4 ECTS Guide Exchange Students will receive an ECTS Guide. The ECTS Guide includes infor-mation about the specific exchange programmes, the contents of the courses, the number of credits per courses and rules and regulations for exchange students. The ECTS Guide is also published on the International Office Sharepoint pages: www.io.hu.nl

2.5 The International Office The International Office facilitates inter-nationalisation at HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht. The International Office is in touch with nearly 200 educational insti-tutions abroad. It takes care of the prepara-tions for your stay in the Netherlands.

Students from all over the world are in contact with the office before arriving in the Netherlands. The International Office provides you with information on the edu-cational programmes, the visa you require, accommodation, grants and more.

2.6 The HU Online HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht has invested in modern facilities like IT

provisions, media libraries, audiovisual equipment and plenty of photocopiers. Wireless Internet access is available thanks to the many wi-fi points. Most applications are accessible via the inter-net, so you can read your e-mail, enrol for courses or check your latest marks from home or on one of the many work stations at school.

E­mailEvery student is allocated his or her own e-mail address on our domain (firstname.lastname@student.hu.nl). You can access your email from any location. Check your e-mail regularly and link it to the account you use most frequently.

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Carlos Palacios Vargas, Curacao “People are very open-minded here.”

Contact the International OfficeTel: +31 (0)30 275 89 28, E-mail: io@hu.nl Website: www.international.hu.nl, Intranet: www.io.hu.nl

Opening hours: Mondays to Fridays from 9.00 to 17.00.

We advise you to make an appointment to check the availability of the staff.

Visiting Address:F.C.Dondersstraat65,3572JEUtrechtMailing Address: P.O. Box 13272, 3507 LG Utrecht

Two HU locations also have Inter-national Office desks where you can just walk in for quick questions, forms and infor mation:

Faculty of Economics and Management Padualaan 101, room 0.111 (The Uithof) Tel. +31 (0)30 258 68 85 Opening hours: from Mondays to Thursdays from 9.00 to 17.00. Fridays only by appointment.

AmersfoortFacility Desk 6th Floor, Berkenweg 11 Tel. +31 (0)33 421 28 96Opening hours: Wednesday from 9:00 to 12:00

For our master programmes please check our website www.international.hu.nl > Master degree.

For a complete and current overview of our short programmes, please visit our website: www.international.hu.nl (study programmes).

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Sharepoint Sharepoint is the intranet of the HU and can only be used after you have been officially registered as a student of the HU and given your login and student ID number. Sharepoint also offers many pos-sibilities to share information and to work together. Through www.sharepoint.hu.nl you go straight to the Sharepoint portal where you can make your own personal Sharepoint site to input, share and exchange your own information. To log in to the Sharepoint network, please use your student mail address (firstname.lastname@student.hu.nl) and your login code (see letter attached in your informa-tion package on arrival).

Osiris All regular and some exchange HU students need to register for classes and exams through the online registration system Osiris. There you will also find

your schedule and your results and you can view and change your personal details. It is a secure system. As soon as you have a legal registration at the HU, you will receive a student number and a password to log in www.osiris.hu.nl (an English manual is available).

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Useful HU-sites •homepageSharepoint

www.sharepoint.hu.nl•SharepointsiteInternationalOffice

www.io.hu.nl•mainwebsiteOsiris

www.osiris.hu.nl•yourHUemailaccount

www.webmail.hu.nl•libraryHU

www.catalogus.hu.nl

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3.1 Residence Permit & Visa If you want to study in the Netherlands longer than three months and you are not a citizen of a country of the European Economic Area (European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway), Australia, Canada,Japan,Monaco,NewZealand,VaticanCity,USA,SouthKoreaorSwitzerland you need to apply for a Temporary Permission to Reside (MVV) available from the Dutch embassy or con-sulate in the country of origin or residence.

EU/EEA citizens If you are a citizen of one of the European Union or European Economic Area countries, a valid passport or identity card is required.

Non­EEA citizens who do not require an entry visa Machtiging Voorlopig Verblijf (MVV) For students from Australia, Canada, Japan,Monaco,NewZealand,VaticanState,SouthKoreaandtheUnitedStatesof America, a Residence Permit without MVV entry is required.

For the Immigration Department (temporary residence permit, fee € 433) you must bring:• ApplicationforResidencePermit

without MVV entry• Copyofpassport• Passportphoto(checkregulationson

application)

• CompletedDeclarationofAwareness of Study

• ProofofenrolmentattheHU (provided by the HU)

• Proofofsufficientfinancialmeans• Proofofadequatehealthinsurance

(see IND website)

Students from all other countries (non­EEA citizens)All international students who will live in Utrecht for more than three months need to apply for a MVV. All students will be assisted in their visa application through the International Office. For more infor-mation, please consult our visa officer, MsCarolynKleyn:carolyn.kleyn@hu.nl

As the HU has arranged for your visa for study (MVV) we are obliged to assist you in completing your application for your residence permit (VVR). Please do not do this yourself, but contact the International Office for more information on the procedure.

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You must bring with you a copy of your passport detail pages including the very important current MVV sticker for study.

More information: www.international.hu.nl > Students > How to apply > Visa procedures

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3.2 Tuberculosis ExaminationAs part of your temporary residence application procedure (VVR) you are required by the Dutch immigration to participate in a tuberculosis examination. You should have indicated on your application form that you are willing to participate in this examination. You must go to the Utrecht health centre (GG&GD) promptly to arrange this. You do not have to make an appointment. It is very im-portant you have the examination as early as possible, as the Immigration cannot complete your residence permit applica-tion without the result of your test.

Please take your passport with you and the completed page from the residence

permit application. The health centre shall take this from you and send it on further to the Immigration with the result of your test.

3.3 InsuranceYou are not allowed to reside in the Netherlands, not even temporarily, if you are not properly insured against the costs of medical treatment. The Immigration Service will check to make sure your insurance coverage meets Dutch standards and that you are fully covered for the costs of medical and dental treatment. You must take out a private insurance policy in your own country or in the Netherlands so that you will be fully covered in the Netherlands for the costs of medical and dental treatment. You should inquire at your insurance company at home if you need to get an extra third person liability insurance and medical insurance in the Netherlands.

3.4 Financing We estimate the monthly cost for living and studying in the Netherlands to be around € 800 a month. This amount should cover rent, food, insurance, and transport as well as books and study materials.

Some students may qualify for scholar-ships and/or grants. Exchange students from within the EU can study at the HU and obtain an Erasmus scholarship, provi-ded the home university has a bilateral agreement with the HU.

3.5 Employment There are plenty of possibilities for you as a foreigner to find work in the Netherlands. EU citizens do not need a work permit. However, citizens from outside the EU do. Under certain condi-tions, they can get a work permit, which allows them to work for about ten hours per week.

Before you consider working in the Netherlands, we highly advise you to check out whether your actions are legal or not.

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Make sure you also have insurance to cover your possessions in case of theft or damage during your travel and stay in the Netherlands!

In many EU countries the EU health card is available and replaces the so-called E-111 form. Write down all registration numbers and important emergency numbers before you leave.You can also apply online before arri-ving in the Netherlands for a complete insurance (medical, urgent dental, liability, legal assistance, accidents, loss of baggage, special expenses and assistance) for about € 37 a month at one of the recommended insurance companies: Lippmann Groep B.V. or AON Consulting.

More information on finances and costs and our tuition fees, please check www.international.hu.nl > Students > Finances and Costs.

Utrechthealthcentre:Jaarbeursplein19,Utrecht (behind the Central Station). E-mail: tbc@utrecht.nl.

Go to www.international.hu.nl > Students > Scholarships and Grants to find out the possibilities.

Read the following site carefully: www.studyin.nl, under living in the Netherlands > working while studying > download the fact sheet.Information on job agencies can be found on: www.esn-utrecht.nl

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3.6 Accommodation in Utrecht Students make up a considerable part of Utrecht’s population. This means that the demand for student housing usually exceeds the supply and finding a place to stay in Utrecht can be a real challenge.

Prices for furnished accommodation vary from € 350 to € 600 a month. Rent is al-ways due on the first of the month. Besides the rent, you will have to pay a deposit up to the amount of one month’s rent. Most rooms have small kitchens or a kitchen block. Meals are never included in the rent and room service is not available (you are expected to clean your room by yourself).

HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht assists its international students as much as possible in finding suitable (temporary) accommodation. Therefore, the HU has reserved accommodation for exchange students, degree students from non-EEA countries and master’s students.

The application consists of several steps, which you can find described on the website of SSH Short Stay Solutions. You should register online (registration fee is € 175) as a guest of the HU three months prior to the start of your studies. The university approves your registration and two months prior to the start of your studies you can start looking for a place to

stay in their online database. Applications are dealt with in the order they come in.

Degree students from EEA countriesAccommodation is limited for degree students from EEA countries. SSH Short Stay Solutions offers accommodation that is not especially reserved for students from the HU, but degree students from EEA countries can register under the heading “direct offer”. If you select accommodation from the direct offer, you will be charged an administration fee, and different terms and conditions apply.

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• Applicationswillbecomedefinite as soon as they have been confirmed by Short Stay via e-mail. After confirmation, the rental period cannot be cancelled or reduced.

• Allexchangestudentsarerequiredto inform the International Office about their exact arrival date.

SSH Short Stay Solutionswww.shortstaysolutions.nlDegree students go to the “direct offer” tab. For assistance: www.international.hu.nl > Students > Housing

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4.1 Early ArrivalsStudents arriving early should find accom-modation on their own until their accommodation is ready (usually on the 1st of the month).

Every semester the International Office blocks rooms for its students at the following B&B/Hotels:• B&BKilimCentreInn,

www.kilim-centre-inn.nl • HotelMitland,www.mitland.nl • TheHostelB&BUtrechtCityCenter,

www.hostelutrecht.nl. B&B offers mixed dormitories only. This B&B might therefore be more suitable for male students only.

4.2 International Student IntroductionEvery year in August, Utrecht University and HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht organise four days of activities for its newly enrolled students. About 3,500 students participate in this general intro-duction of the city.

Besides this general introduction, the International Offices of the HU organises an introduction especially organised for international students just before the start of your studies. All students will receive a welcome letter before arriving and addi-tional information about the Introduction programme.

4.3 Erasmus Student NetworkThe Erasmus Student Network Utrecht is an organisation of Dutch students that volunteers to help international students integrate smoothly in the student life of Utrecht. They offer mentors to help students with practical problems and organise parties, trips, sporting events and excursions throughout the year. ESN also organises a special introduction for the visiting/exchange students of the HU. More information: www.esn-utrecht.nl

4.4 Registration MunicipalityRegistration at the Utrecht Municipality is compulsory for all students who will stay in Utrecht for more than four months.

A meeting with the Utrecht Municipality will be organised together with the International Office in order to register all Exchange and MVV students at the Municipality according to the guidelines

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Students can also reserve a room at B&B Strowis, www.strowis.nl. The B&B is open for all students, but have limited capacity.

Please read carefully the information on our website www.international.hu.nl > Students > Coming to the HU.

More information and registration, please visit the website of Utrechtse Introductie Tijd (UIT): www.utrechtseintroductietijd.nl

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of the City of Utrecht. It is expected that the registration shall take no longer than 15 minutes.

You must take with you:• Rentalagreement(signedbyyour

landlord and yourself). Make sure you receive this from your landlord imme-diately upon arrival. It must include the address where you shall be living.

• Passport(bringyouroriginalpassport)• Declarationthatyouareastudentat

the HU. You have received a declaration from the International Office in your information package. Look after this document as it is very important for you. For those who have no declaration please arrange this with one of the International Relations Officers.

4.5 Bank AccountTo open a bank account in the Nether-lands it is generally necessary to have a social security number (sofi­nummer). However, it is only possible to acquire a social security number once you have a temporary residence permit. To open a bank account, you must present to the bank an official declaration that you

are a registered student of the HU, your passport and your rental agreement.

5.1 Emergencies General emergency number (ambulance, police, fire brigade): 112

In case of emergencies, please also contact the International Office: +31 (0)30 257 89 28

Police (no emergency): 0900 8844• OfficelocationPaardenveld,Kroonstraat25,Utrecht (also Immigration Service)

• OfficelocationTolsteeg, Baden-Powellweg 4, Utrecht

In the Netherlands you are legally re-quired to carry a photo ID at all times. Please make sure you always carry your ID card with you.

5.2 Medical Care When you need a General Practitioner (GP), dentist or physical therapist, we recommend you to go to Health Centre Galgenwaard. The centre is located in the soccer stadium, close to the Uithof Campus.

If you want to find a doctor closer to your home address, please find a complete overview of all GP’s in Utrecht at: www.alarmnummers.com/huisartsen_utrecht.html (information in Dutch only).

PharmacyOver-the-counter drugs (like painkillers, remedies for headache, hay fever, etc.) are available in drugstores (drogist). Please ask the employee behind the counter to assist you. Prescription drugs are only available at pharmacies. Your doctor will write out a prescription and send you to the nearest pharmacy where you pick up your medicine.

Assistance

Melody Chikoti, Zambia “I am very impressed with the overall organization, buildings, infra structure and the structure in general. So many things are detailed. And the people are very friendly, they smile, always help. On top everybody speaks English. It is fantastic!”

You could go to the following banks in Utrecht to open a bank account:• ABN–AMRObank,Radboutkwartier

277 (in the shopping centre Hoog Catharijne)

• Rabobank,Nachtegaalstraat32• Rabobank,Twijnstraat62• INGbank,Daalsesingel1Opening hours: see page 31

Utrecht Municipality, the Utrecht City Hall (GBA), administration building, Arthur van Schendelstraat 500, Utrecht. Opening hours: 8.15 to 15.00. The available bus lines from the central station Utrecht are: 6, 8, 12, 13 and 29.

AssIsTANcE5

Gezondheidscentrum Galgenwaard, Stadion Galgenwaard, Herculesplein 379, Utrecht. Tel: +31 (0)30 880 90 00 E-mail: galgenwaard@symphony.nl www.zorgingalgenwaard.nl

Hospital Utrecht Medical Centre, Heidelberglaan 100, Utrecht. Tel: +31 (0)30 250 91 11

Emergency medical assistance First Aid (Eerste Hulp): +31 (0)30 250 68 85 www.umcutrecht.nl

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5.3 Student Counselling Student counselling at the HU is there for information, advice and counselling. Every faculty has one or more student counsel-lors. They are there to help answer your questions and deal with problems, for instance on registration and deregistra-tion, troubles during your studies, special circumstances or financial and material affairs. The student counsellors can also refer you to others, for example the campus doctor or psychologist. Everything you discuss with a student counsellor is kept in the strictest confidence. Please see the Sharepoint site for the addresses of all student counsellors grouped by faculty: www.studentendecanaat.hu.nl. 5.4 Disabled students If you have a disability, studying, like many things, requires extra effort. For this reason HU provides directed support for disabled students. There are many possibilities: • Individualisedacademicplanning;• Specialstudyfacilities(suchasextra

time to complete a given assignment/project);

• Facilitiestoaidaccessibilitytoteachinglocations;

• Facilitiesforparticipatinginclasses(e.g.specialcoursematerials);

• Supportandadviceinapplyingfor modifiedaccommodation;

• Helpinsubmittingapplicationsto institutions such as the Board of Examiners (e.g. for extending an examinationperiod);

• Supportwithobtainingtheuseof required resources or obtaining assistance/financial aid in acquiring suchresources;

• Supportinapplicationsforfinancial aid with the Information Management Group.

The student counsellor of your faculty can advise and assist you in organising your study. Contact your student counsellor for more information.

Assistance

Legal aidLegal Aid Utrecht (Juridisch Loket Utrecht) Visiting address:Catharijnesingel 55, UtrechtPostal address: PO Box 19307, 3501 DH UtrechtTel. 0900 8020www.hetjl.nl (in Dutch)Opening hours:Mondays to Fridays from 9.00 to 17.00

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6.1 BikesThere are 16 million bicycles in the Netherlands, which is about one for every inhabitant. So you can imagine how useful it is to have a bike available during your stay in the Netherlands. In order to save some money it is wise to buy a second-hand bike.

You can find second-hand bikes at the following addresses:• FietspuntB.V.,Nobelstraat293

(approximately € 60 per second-hand bike, also rentals)

• WheelsFietskoopjeshal, Nobelstraat 3-5.

• HeiBike,Jansveld35

Please note that lots of bikes are stolen in the centre of Utrecht, so make sure you have heavy locks on your bike and always attach it to a bicycle stand or a fence. Also, make sure you have visible lights on your bike. During winter time the police inspect bikes for defects regularly.

6.2 Cultural Activities CinemaVarious cinemas are situated at the centre of Utrecht. Most movies are English spoken and have Dutch subtitles. The cinemas in the city centre are:• Camera/Studio,Oudegracht156• Catharijne,Radboudkwartier19

• City/Movies,Voorstraat89• ‘tHoogt,Hoogt4(arthousemovies)• RembrandtPathé,Oudegracht73• Springhaver,Springweg50

(art house movies)• LouisHartloopercomplex,

Tolsteegbrug 1 (art house movies)For reservations and movie info: www.belbios.nl or 0900 9363

Cultural CentresParnassos is the international and cultural centre where students can play games, read magazines or watch television. Parnassos offers courses in English like photography, drawing and yoga. Almost every work day at 18.00 they show movies free of charge. • Parnassoscitycentre,Kruisstraat201• ParnassosUithof,Leuvenlaan19

(Marinus Ruppertgebouw)www.parnassos.uu.nl

Rasa is a world-culture centre in Utrecht which exhibits art from all corners of the world and each season organizes about 100 cultural events. • Rasa,Pauwstraat13a

Practical Information

pRAcTIcAL INfORmATION

More information about cultural events in Utrecht please see page 7

6

30 31

MuseumsVisit Utrecht’s Museum Quarter. There are some interesting museums: • AboriginalMuseumofArt,

Oude Gracht 176• CentraalMuseum,Agnietenstraat1• DickBrunahuis,Agnietenstraat2• MuseumCatharijneconvent,

Nieuwegracht 63 and Lange Nieuwstraat 38

• NationaalMuseumvanSpeelklok tot Pierement, Buurkerkhof 10

• NederlandsSpoorwegmuseum,Maliebaanstation

• Universiteitsmuseum, Lange Nieuwstraat 106

For more museums see: www.utrecht.nl

Music• ConcertsintheNicolaichurch

(Nicolaikerk), Nicolaaskerkhof, www.nicolaiconcerten.nl

• MusicalTheatre,BeatrixTheater,Jaarbeursplein6a

• Popmusiccenter,Tivoli,Oudegracht245 and Tivoli de Helling, Helling 7

• UtrechtMusicHall,MuziekcentrumVredenburg,J.C.Verthorenpad100

Round trip of the canalsGet to see Utrecht from a completely different perspective. What about a short trip in a tour boat, canoe, or water bi cycle? It provides a unique view of the city, its wharves, cellars and canal side buildings. Information and reservations: • RondvaartbedrijfSchuttevaer,BemuurdeWeerdO.Z.(eastside)17

• LoversUtrechtRederij,WeerdsingelW.Z.(westside)51TO

SightseeingThe Dom Tower is the centre and roof of the city of Utrecht. The tower is more than 600 years old, is the highest in the

Netherlands, and has a rich history. It rises 112 meters above the Cathedral, far above the city. Climb the 465 steps with a guide and you will be rewarded with a fantastic view over Utrecht’s characteristic canals, wharves and medieval churches. • DomTower(Domtoren), Domplein 2.

Theatres• StadsschouwburgUtrecht(Citytheatre),

Lucas Bolwerk 24 • DeBastaard(theatrecafé),Jansveld17

6.3 Food and DrinksOriginally, Dutch cuisine was mainly based on being nutritious and economical. Hot meals are limited to one a day, tradi-tionally in the evening (around six). Breakfast generally consists of sliced bread with cheese, sliced cold meat and/or jam. Most people have sandwiches for lunch (which they take from home in their lunch boxes). For the evening meal, pota-toes and vegetables are accompanied by a serving of meat or fish.

Nowadays, Dutch tastes have become more international and refined. You will find a large variety of products (pasta dishes, rice, curry) in the regular super-markets. Various delis, specialist shops and Indonesian shops offer an extensive supply of exotic products. Also, many restaurants in Utrecht offer a wide range of international dishes.

If you want to try some typical Dutch food, you might want to try the following:• Frikandel (minced-meat hot dog) • Bitterballen (small croquettes, served as

an appetizer)• Haring (herring, famous is the new herringwithonionsaroundJune)

• Erwtensoep/snert (pea soup)• Pannenkoeken (pancakes) or poffertjes

(tiny pancakes)• Vla (the Netherlands is famous for its

dairy products. There is a wide variety of custards and puddings)

• Oliebollen (doughnut, mostly eaten at New Year’s Eve)

• Pepernoten (ginger(bread) nuts, a treat eaten during the feast of St. Nicholas)

6.4 Going OutIn the Netherlands, most bars and pubs close around 2 am. Clubs are open till 4

am and sometimes till 6 am. Because Utrecht is a real student city you will find bars, pubs and clubs all over town. The minimum age in clubs differs from 18 till 23 years old. The legal age to drink alcohol is 16 for beer and 18 for stronger alcoholic beverages.

Practical Information

Want to know where our students like to go out for dinner? Go to www.international.hu.nl > Utrecht and the Netherlands > Go for a walk

32 33

The Erasmus Student Network (ESN) organises an International drink at Club Maria every Thursday night. Here you can have a drink with your friends and dance from 11 pm until 5 am.

6.5 International Student Identity CardThe International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is an international student card, which is issued in more than 80 countries and with which you can get discounts on travel, in restaurants, in museums etc. You can also get a discount on flight ticketsfromKLM.

Full-time students who are enrolled at a Dutch institute of education can purchase an ISIC card.

The ISIC card costs € 10 and can be pur-chasedatKilroyTravels,Vinkenburgstraat15. Bring proof that you are a student and do not forget a passport photo. More info: www.isic.org

6.6 Media Radio and TelevisionDutch cable television carries BBC 1 and BBC 2 and CNN as well as Belgian, German, French, Italian and Turkish channels. On cable radio, programmes in

English can be heard at the BBC World Service and BBC Radio 4.

Newspapers The major Dutch newspapers are De Volkskrant, Algemeen Dagblad, De Telegraaf, NRC Handelsblad, Trouw and Het Parool. Utrecht has a local paper, Het AD/Utrechts Nieuwsblad, which reports on both national and international news. International news-papers and magazines can be bought from a number of bookshops and tobacconists. Free newspapers (Metro, Spits!, De Pers) are handed out at the Central Train Station every week day.

Library HU University of Applied Sciences UtrechtMost faculties have a wide variety of foreign newspapers, magazines and books. The library (mediatheek) of all faculties from the HU as well as the library of the University of Utrecht can be used. You will be issued a library card the first time you want to take out books. The complete catalogue can be found online: www.catalogus.hu.nl Website of the University library: www.library.uu.nl

Public library (bibliotheek)After having paid a subscription to any branch of the public libraries, you can borrow books from all other branches. Libraries have a good collection of books in foreign languages too. The main public

library is on Oudegracht 167. More information, please check the website: www.bibliotheek-utrecht.nl

6.7 Practical addresses Banks and money exchangeBanks are open from Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 17.00 and Thursday evenings from 19.00 to 20.30. You can change money at any bank, exchange office and at the larger post offices. You will find the exchange office in the main hall of the Central Station.

They will also give cash on Visa or Mastercard. If you have a green inter-national student-card, you will not be charged the extra administration fee.

City Information Centre (Gemeentelijk Informatie Centrum)The City Information Centre can give you all kinds of practical information about Utrecht. • Neudeflat,Vinkenburgstraat26

(entrance: Neudeflat)

Laundry There are a number of places where you can do your laundry or have it done for you, as well as having your clothes dry-cleaned. • Laundrette(wasserette) and dry

cleaner’s (stomerij) in town: KolmanWasserij,Oudegracht177

Practical Information

Opening a Dutch bank account: see page 22.

More bar and pubs, clubs and places our students prefer: www.international.hu.nl > Utrecht and the Netherlands > Go for a walk

Kyla Ostafichuck, Canada“What I love about Utrecht is that it feels safer than Amsterdam for instance. It is a more traditional city with lots of places to see. Also everything is so close. If I want to go somewhere outside Utrecht I just hop on a train.”

Grenswisselkantoor(GWK). Tel. +31(0)30 231 78 72. Opening hours: from Mondays to Saturdays from 8.00 to 21.00 and Sundays from 9.00 to 21.00.

34 35

Post OfficeTNT Post offices are to be found all over town. Most TNT Post services are offered in office stationers or tobacconists. At the Uithof a TNT Post office is located in the on-campus supermarket (Spar). Stamps can also be bought in the larger supermarkets at the service counter.

Most TNT post offices are open from Mondays to Fridays, from 8.30 to 17.00 and on Thursdays till 20.00. It depends on the location if services are also offered on Saturday mornings.

When you post your card/letter, notice the red or orange post boxes which can be found all over town. The post boxes have two slots: one for local mail (streek­post), and one for all other destinations in the Netherlands and abroad (overige bestemmingen).

Religious institutionsUtrecht has been the religious centre of the Netherlands since the eighth century. Most people adhere to the Catholic or Protestant belief. Today, due to the multi-cultural society, the number of Muslims and Hindus is increasing and also other reli-gions avow their faith in various institutions. Some of the larger institutions in Utrecht:• Janskerk,Janskerkhof26.

Every Sunday an oecumenical service is held for students.

• ULUMosque(Moskee),Kanaalstraat36(opening in 2010. www.ulumoskee.nl)

• MoskeeOvervecht,Winterboeidreef4• DomChurch(Reformed/

Protestant Church), Achter de Dom 1 www.domkerk.nl

Tourist office • TouristInformationOffice(VVV),

Domplein 9.

6.8 Public transportTrains Train tickets must be bought from the ticket office or one of the ticket machines in the station hall. More information on the Netherlands Railways (Nederlandse Spoorwegen): www.ns.nl

Buses and tramsA multiple-ride ticket (strippenkaart) is essential for travelling on all buses, trams (and underground systems) in the Netherlands. You pay one strip to climb aboard plus one strip per zone crossed (one zone: two strips, two zones: three strips etc.). The bus driver stamps your strips as you get on the bus and your strips remain valid for multiple rides within one hour. Strippenkaarten are available at bus and railway stations, post offices, some supermarkets (Albert Heijn) and news agents/tobacconists.

An average journey in Utrecht costs two strippen, a bus ride to the Uithof campus, costs three strippen. You can buy a 15­strippenkaart and a 45­strippenkaart. Sometimes, when you travel by bus daily, it is cheaper to buy a card for a week or a month (week­ or maandabonnement). These cards can be bought at the bus station (don’t forget to take a passport photo with you). General information for all public transport in the Netherlands, tel: 0900 9292 or visit the website: journeyplanner.9292.nl

Practical InformationTaxis:

• Utrecht Taxi Centrale (UTC)Car Rental: • HertzRentaCar,Jaarbeursplein28,• VitesseAutorent,Koningsweg2

36 37

6.9 Shopping Opening hoursOpening hours of most shops:Monday to Friday, 9.00 to 18.00. Thursday, 9.00 to 21.00. Saturday, 9.00 to 17.00. The first Sunday of each month, 12.00 to 17.00. Some large supermarkets, such as Albert Heijn, are open from 8.00 to 22.00.Note that many shops (with the exception of supermarkets) remain closed on Monday mornings.

BookshopsThe main bookshops in the centre of Utrecht are:• SelexyzBroeseBoekverkopers,

Stadhuisbrug 5 www.selexyz.nl• SelexyzBroeseBoekverkopers,

Heidelberglaan 2 (the Uithof)• DeSlegte,Oudegracht121(cut-price

and second-hand books)

Markets• Vredenburg(Downtown)

9.00 to 17.00 (Wed-Fri-Sat)• Smaragdplein(Hoograven)

9.00 to 15.00 (Tue) • Oppenheimplein(Ondiep)

9.00 to 13.00 (Wed)• Zamenhofdreef(Overvecht-South)

9.00 to 13.00 (Thu)• V.Starkenborchhof(Kanaleneiland)

9.00 to 14.00 (Fri)

Supermarkets • AlbertHeijn(largersupermarketsalso

open on Sundays), Aldi, C-1000, Lidl, Nettorama, Plus, Spar (this supermarket also has a location at the Uithof campus), Super de Boer.

6.10 SportsSports facilities are open to all students at the Sport Centre Olympus. The centre has tennis courts, playing fields, squash courts, a fitness room and three sport halls where you can take courses ranging from fencing and tai chi to salsa and street dance.

Recreation areasThere are two lakes, the Loosdrechtse plassen and Maarsseveense plassen where you can swim or do some sailing

and windsurfing. To explore Utrecht from a different angle, rent a canoe or water bike in Amelisweerd, close to the Uithof campus.

6.11 TelephonePrepaid cards for your mobile phone are available via several telecommunica-tion providers. Please find more infor-mation about their offers on prepaid cards online, or go to one of their various locations in town.

• TheNetherlandscountrycode:0031• Utrechtareacode:030• DialingabroadfromtheNetherlands:

00 + (country code) + (area code without the first 0) + local subscriber number)

• RequestcollectcallfromtheNetherlands to telephone number abroad: 0800 0101

Hanna Sinisalo, Finland“Utrecht is a very homey city. It is really easy to adapt to. Also the people are very nice. You have a lot ofnationalitieshere;itissomethingIdon’t get at home. And the interest in foreigners invites you in.”

Sportcentrum Olympos, Uppsalalaan 3 (Behind the University Building), www.olympos.nl

Information on the various facilities in the city of Utrecht can be obtained at the Sports and Recreation Service, Marco Pololaan 71, Utrecht.

Practical Information

38 39

7.1 Dutch CoursesThe Centre for Language & Culture (CLC) of the HU offers Dutch courses for international students. Need more infor-mation? Please go to the Sharepoint site www.clc.hu.nl. The centre is located at the Faculty of Economics and Management.

If you prefer a more intensive course:• JamesBoswellInstitute,asubdivision

of the Utrecht University, www.jbi.uu.nl• VolksuniversiteitUtrecht,

www.vu-utrecht.nl

7.2 Dutch words to practice1 . . . . . . . . . . . .een2 . . . . . . . . . . . .twee3 . . . . . . . . . . . .drie4 . . . . . . . . . . . .vier5 . . . . . . . . . . . .vijf6 . . . . . . . . . . . .zes7 . . . . . . . . . . . .zeven8 . . . . . . . . . . . .acht9 . . . . . . . . . . . .negen10 . . . . . . . . . . .tien

hello . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .hallogood morning . . . . . . . . . . goedemorgengood evening . . . . . . . . . . . goedenavondgood night . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . goedenachtgoodbye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . tot ziensplease . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .alstublieftthank you . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . dank u welyou’re welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . geen dank

emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . noodgevalambulance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ambulancedentist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . tandartsfire brigade. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . brandweer first aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . eerste hulp (ehbo)general practitioner/doctor . . . . . huisarts hospital. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ziekenhuis

pharmacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . apotheek police station . . . . . . . . . . . . politiebureau

store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . winkelatm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pinautomaat bakery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . bakkerbicycle (repair) store. . . . . . . fietsenwinkel chemists / drugstore . . . . . . . . . . . . drogistcinema . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . bioscoop library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . bibliotheek post office. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . postkantoor public transport . . . . . . openbaar vervoer second hand . . . . . . . . . . . . tweedehands ticket (bus train) . . . . . . kaartje (bus/ trein)town hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . gemeentehuis

Dutch for b

eginners

DUTch fOR BEGINNERs7

40 41

AAcademic year (academic calendar) 9Accommodation 18, 21Ambulance 8, 23Amersfoort 7

BBank account 22, 31Bar 29-30Bed & Breakfast 8, 21Bike 27Bus (busterminal, busticket) 3

CCampus (Uithof) 7Car rental 33Cinema 27City Information Centre 31Club 29-30Costs 17Counselling 24Cultural centre 27

DDentist 23Disability 24Doctor (GP) 23Drug store 23Dutch courses 8, 37

EEarly arrival 21ECTS Guide 10Emergency 23Employment 17English taught programmes 10Erasmus Student Network (ESN) 21, 30Events 6, 7

FFinances 17Fire brigade 23Food (Dutch food) 29

GGP (doctor) 23Grant 17

HHospital 23Hotel 8, 21Housing 18, 21

IInsurance 16-17International Office 11Introduction 21ISIC 30

JJob(jobagency) 17

REGIsTER

Europe

Paris

MadridMadridRome

•

•

The Netherlands

LondonLondon

Amsterdam

UtrechtThe Hague

Rotterdam

•

Berlin

42

LLaundry 31Legal aid 24Library (public, university) 8, 12, 30

MMarket 34Municipality 21-22Museum 28Music 28MVV 15

NNewspaper 30

OOlympos 8, 35Opening hours 34Osiris 12

PParnassos 27Pharmacy 23Public transport 33Police 23Post office 32Pubs 29-30

RRadio 30Rasa 27Recreation 35Religious institution 32Restaurants 29Residence permit 15Round trip 28

SScholarship 17Short Stay Solutions (SSH) 18Sharepoint 12Sight seeing 28-29Sports 35Stores (books, opening hours) 34Supermarket 34

TTaxi 33Telephone 35Television 30Theatre 29Tourist office 32Town hall 21-22Train (Central Station, train ticket) 6, 33Tuberculosis 16

UUithof 7University of Applied Sciences 9

VVisa 15-16VVR 15-16

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21

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18

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14

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5432

1

HU University of Applied Sciences International Office (IO),

F.C. Dondersstraat 65 (also one

of the locations of the Faculty of

Natural Sciences and Technology)

Faculty of Education (FE),

Padualaan 97

Faculty of Communication and

Journalism(FCJ),Padualaan99

Faculty of Economics and

Management (FEM), Padualaan 101

Faculty of Society and Law (FMR),

Heidelberglaan 7

Faculty of Health care (FG),

Bolognalaan 101

Faculty of Natural Sciences and

Technology (FNT), Oudenoord 700

Faculty of Natural Sciences and

Technology (FNT), Nijenoord 1

Useful addresses in Utrecht Utrecht health centre,

Jaarbeursplein19

Central Station, Stationsplein 17

(the central bus station and exchange

office are located in this area)

Utrecht Municipality,

Arthur van Schendelstraat 500

Police station – location Tolsteeg,

Baden-Powellweg 4

Police station – location Paardenveld,

Kroonstraat25

City Information Centre

(Gemeentelijk Informatie

Centrum), Vinkenburgstraat 26

Public Library, Oudegracht 167

Tourist Information Centre (VVV),

Domplein 9

Dom Church, Domplein 2

Erasmus Student Network (ESN),

Kruisstraat201

Health Centre Galgenwaard,

Herculesplein 379

Hospital (UMC),

Heidelberglaan 100

Olympos Sport Centre,

Uppsalalaan 3

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www.INTERNATIONAL.hU.NL

ColophonProduction: International OfficeEditor: Marketing & CommunicationPhotography: Ed van Rijswijk (p. 8, portraits), JanWillenGroen,HollandseHoogte(p.4)Design: Vormers, UtrechtPrint: Grafisch Bedrijf Tuijtel, Hardinxveld-Giessendam

Price (at cost): € 4,-

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The International OfficeTel: +31 (0)30 275 89 28 E-mail: io@hu.nl Website: www.international.hu.nl Intranet: www.io.hu.nl

Opening hours: Mondays to Thursdays from 9.00 to 17.00. Fridays only by appointment.

General emergency number (ambulance, police, fire brigade): 112

Police (no emergency): 0900 8844