Words of welcome

Dear Short Course participants,

Welcome to the Netherlands, welcome in Delft and welcome at UNESCO-IHE!
Most of you, I guess, have never been in the Netherlands before and perhaps you have many
questions.
In order to help you to adapt to life in the Netherlands, the Student Affairs Department has put
together this guide, which contains important and practical information. It is partly based on what
your predecessors have experienced. The booklet also contains background information and
observations about the Dutch culture that will help explain things that may seem strange to you. It
will tell you something about the Dutch people and the way they live and interact with each other.
But remember that all the observations of the strange Dutch behaviour and customs are relative;
use them only to sharpen your own observations.
We hope this guide answers many of the questions that you may have about your host country. At
the same time we realise that not all your questions can be answered in this guide. In that case
do not hesitate to contact one of the staff members at the Student Affairs Department. We are
here to help you and to make your stay convenient and pleasant, so that you can get the most out
of your stay in the Netherlands.
Suggestions for additions or modifications of this information are always welcome.
Arno Heins
Head of Central Services,
UNESCO-IHE

Table of contents
Introduction: words of welcome

Part I: Supporting Services

Introduction
1. The Central Services Department
1.1. Student Affairs
Fellowship Office
Reception
Social Cultural Office
The Student Counsellor
1.2. Planning Office
1.3. Facility Management
2. Additional important sections
2.1. ICT Department
2.2. Finance Department
3. Accommodation
4. AON insurance company
4.1. General Practitioners
4.2. Dentists

Part II: The Dutch culture

5. Everyday Life in Delft and the Netherlands
5.1. Multicultural environment
5.2. Cleaning
Garbage
5.3. Means of transport
Getting around
Pedestrians
Public transport
OV-chipkaart
Bicycling
Traffic rules for bikers
Travel abroad
5.4.The weather: what coat to wear?
5.5. Religions
5.6. Food
5.7. A coffee nation
5.8. Shopping tips
Shopping centres
Cheaper goods
No bargaining
Bottles and jars
Bring your shopping bag
Use the shopping-cart or basket
Tax Free
Attitude
5.9. Information
6. The country and its people
6.1. Holland or the Netherlands?
6.2. A small flat country
6.3. The cities
6.4. The People
6.5. Visiting the Netherlands
6.6. Multiculturalism
7. Social interaction
7.1. Strangers and privacy
7.2. Status in appearance
7.3. Busy lives
7.4. Going out

7.5. Basic dos and donts

Meeting people for the first time
When people know each other
Greeting strangers
Eye contact
7.6. Direct communication
7.7. The Dutch and their languages
Some basic Dutch expressions
6.8. The Dutch teaching method

Part III: Points of Interest

8.1. Banks
Chipknip
Bank card and Pin card
8.2. Bookshops
8.3. Cinemas
8.4. Disaster
8.5. Euro
8.6. Hospitals
8..7. Libraries
8.8. Markets
8.9. Museums
8.10. Pharmacies
8.11. Post office
8.12. Public Holidays in the Netherlands
8.13. Religious communities
8.14. Restaurants
8.15. Safety and Security
8.16. Taxis
8.17. Telephone
Telephone connections
Mobile phone
8.18. Tourist Information Point
Part IV: How to reach Delft from Schiphol airport
Nice to know
Useful links

Part I Supporting Services

Introduction
The UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education carries out research, education and capacity
building activities in the fields of water, environment and infrastructure. The academic
departments see to the education and training of our participants. Of course there are also a
number of supporting services that take care of the non-academic aspects. This part of the
practical guide will go into detail about these services, as you will often have contact with them,
too. Additionally, there are several organizations that you will make use of during your stay in the
Netherlands.
As you will have most contact with Student Affairs, the greater part of the information in the first
part of this guide will be about this department. We will however shortly describe the other
departments and aspects as well.

1. The Central Services Department

The Central Services Department, together with support units, is tasked with supervision and
administering the cohesion, structure and organisation of student- and education-related
activities. It is also responsible for ensuring quality control and proper implementation of the
various academic programmes. Student Affairs, Educational Affairs and Facility Management
form part of Central Services. Mr. Arno Heins is Head of this department.
1.1. Student Affairs
The Student Affairs Department of UNESCO-IHE is the department that takes care of the nonacademic aspects during your stay in the Netherlands. The Student Affairs Department is divided
into several sections which all share the same aim: to ensure the well-being of all our participants.
Fellowship Office
The Fellowship and Admission Officers take care of the admissions of applications and payment
of fellowships. They are in charge of bank matters of participants, open their bank accounts,
arrange flight tickets, insurance and visa to enter the Netherlands, and maintain intensive contact
with sponsors. Currently, there are five fellowship officers, each of whom is a contact person for a
different group;
- Claudia Schutter-Brakel
- Ineke Melis
- Marlies Baburek
- Stephanie Petitjean
- Jolanda Boots

Short course programmes, Special Programme

MSc double degree programmes
MSc programmes, Tailor Made Courses
Online courses, Tailor Made Courses, MSc, Special Programme
PhD, Refresher courses

Fellowship and other payments

The fellowship allowance for Short Course participants and other payments ( rent ) will be made
at our cashier from the Finance Department. You can find the cashier Monday, Tuesday,
Thursday and Friday between 13.00-14.00hrs.
Reception
The receptionists are the first contact point of UNESCO-IHE. They address visitors and function
as a helpdesk. You will receive an entrance card from them. Furthermore, reception is the sales
office for UNESCO-IHE merchandise, such as pens, key rings, caps, t-shirts, flash discs and ties.

Social Cultural Office

The social cultural officers organize and guide the social cultural programme for the UNESCOIHE participants. They intermediate between participants and external organizations, for instance
Duwo housing agency, AON Insurance, the municipality, the immigration services (IND), general
practitioner and the Student Health Centre. They advise in practical issues and offer counselling.
Furthermore, they assist in arranging emergency flights.
- Maria Laura Sorrentino
- Marille van Erven
- Sylvia van Opdorp-Stijlen
Visiting Hours
From Monday to Friday the social cultural officers have their so-called visiting hour. Here you can
ask all your questions regarding housing, social cultural activities, sports, IND, insurance, the
municipality and many more.
Visiting hours are between 10.00-10.30 and 13.00-14.00 hrs
You will find the Social Cultural Office next to the reception room W.032 and W.033

Note : Urgent
matters
Outside the opening hours of
UNESCO-IHE you can dial :
+31(0) 622 52 81 20
Available 24/7 in case of
emergency

The Student Counsellor

UNESCO-IHE provides student counselling services to support
participants who face difficulties that they cannot deal with on
their own.

2. Additional important departments

There are several other internal departments at UNESCO-IHE that you will find useful to know
about.
2.1. ICT Department
UNESCO-IHE provides modern computing (IT) facilities for education and research. A local wiredand wireless network is available in UNESCO-IHE's building. Through UNESCO-IHE's networks
all computers have access to a fast Internet connection. Besides that, participants have unlimited
access to Internet in all hostels provided by UNESCO-IHE.

Note : Do bring your

own travel adapter ( 220 Volt
)

Lap top - how to borrow one

In case you are registered at UNESCO-IHE is free of
charge/ no deposit is needed.
An email with instructions how to reserve a lap top
have been send to you.

You may also bring your own laptop; however, laptops other than the UNESCO-IHE laptop might
not give access to all the required IT-facilities and might not be supported by IT-service desk.
On the first floor you will find the IT-service desk, where officers are available for assistance.

2.2. Finance Department

The payments related to fellowships are handled by the fellowship officers. The Finance
Department of course also deals with the students finances, but that is mainly behind the scenes.
The daily subsistence allowance and claims made by participants and other payments (if you are
eligible to claim them) will be handled by our cashier from the Finance Department.
You can find the cashier Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between 13.00-14.00hrs.

3. Accommodation

Note : Short Course participants with an NFP, MENA or STUNED scholarship:

Your accommodation has already been booked by your fellowship officer, since this is part of
your fellowship. Accommodation can be booked in Delft or The Hague.
Duration of stay in Delft is less than 6 weeks :
Accommodation in one of our student hostels can booked by sending a request to :
accommodation@unesco-ihe.org . This type of accommodation is fully booked from October until
May.
Duration of stay in Delft is more than 6 weeks (Special Programme participants):
Via the following link: https://www.duwo.nl/en/i-search/accommodate/delft/unesco-ihe-institute-forwater-education/phd-studentsspecial-programmes/
The availability and allocation of the rooms is arranged by DUWO, the Delft student housing
corporation. All rooms in our student accommodation are fully equipped including bed linen and
internet access.
Please note that towels are not provided. Upon your arrival to our institute we will furthermore
provide you with a box containing basic kitchen utensils.
4. AON Insurance company
According to Dutch law, anyone living in the Netherlands must have permanent health insurance.
Most of our UNESCO-IHE participants will be insured through AON Consulting in Rotterdam.
The insurance cover starts 3 days before the start of your course and will end 3 days after the
course has ended. It includes medical insurance, personal accident insurance, additional flight
insurance and legal liability insurance.
The following points will facilitate the use of your insurance:
In case of illness consult the general practitioner (huisarts). Show him/her your insurance
certificate. Only general practitioners may direct you to a specialist; in such cases the
insurance company requires a written and signed statement from the referring doctor; see the
general conditions at their website www.AON.nl
For reimbursement of all expenses for non-clinical treatment fill in and sign the claim form.
(Make and keep photocopies of all invoices) Please contact the Social and Cultural Office
for advice how to proceed.

In case of hospitalization the insurance company will pay the hospital directly. Therefore it will
be necessary for you to provide the hospital with information concerning your insurance
coverage on admittance. If for any reason you should receive an invoice from the hospital,
please send it to AON.
In case of hospitalization please have someone notify the student counsellor immediately
(015-2151708)

The general conditions policy can be found at the website of AON at

www.students-insurance.eu.
At the time of writing this information guide, the below mentioned link is operative:
https://www.students-insurance.eu/pdf/INTNL_summary_of_cover.pdf
However, a couple of very important AON insurance conditions are listed here:

Illnesses that were contracted before the period covered by the insurance are excluded
from this insurance. This means that you cannot travel to the Netherlands if long-term
treatment for an existing illness can reasonably be expected during the valid term of the
insurance. This also means that you cannot travel to the Netherlands if an existing illness
makes it impossible for you to start and/or to continue your studies.
The insurance does not cover the costs related to pregnancy and childbirth if the
pregnancy started before the commencement of the insurance. This means that you
cannot travel to the Netherlands to start your studies, when you are pregnant before or
on the date of departure to The Netherlands.
In case of false or incorrect information on an existing illness, or on existing pregnancy
before departure, UNESCO-IHE can decide that you have to return home at the earliest
possibility, without a certificate or degree.
Please note: you must pay for your medications before you receive them. Keep in mind that the
money paid for medications will not always be reimbursed, depending on the type of medication.
In general, medicines will not be reimbursed if they can be bought without prescription.

Note: If you are

unable to attend lectures
due to illness you should
inform your programme
coordinator as soon as
possible.
If
you
are
admitted to the hospital
you should also inform
Sylvia van Opdorp-Stijlen
at the Social Cultural
Office as soon as possible
(015-2151708).

4.1. General Practitioners

In the Netherlands, every resident has a general practitioner
or, in other words, a family doctor.
Dr. Hermsen and Dr. Pietersen have a doctors practice at the
Student Health Care centre. They are specialized in the field of
foreign students health problems. UNESCO-IHE has made
special arrangements with her for UNESCO-IHE participants.
You will find their practice at Beukenlaan 4, phone number:
015-2135358. It is preferred that you make the call yourself, so
they hear the symptoms from firsthand.

Please note that the health system in the Netherlands might be

quite different from your country. Ideas about health, disease
and treatment are very much part of a persons culture. Even the most modern health care
systems are based on ideas that can differ fundamentally from one society to the next. In the
Netherlands, in most cases you first need an appointment. When you are ill, you do not go to the
hospital (unless it is an emergency of course), but instead, to the general practitioner. In some
countries you get medication at the instant. However, compared to for instance many other

Europeans, the Dutch are conservative with medication. Relatively few patent medicines can be
bought without a doctors prescription. Additionally, doctors often treat their patients with advice
rather than medication. In general, you may be told more often than you are accustomed to, to
go home and rest, and give your body time to heal itself. Routine, general check-ups are
uncommon. Most doctors simply do not believe in routine check-ups for people who have no
particular reason to be worried. They will send you for tests only if symptoms warrant it. If you
need a specialist to check you, you first need to go to the general practitioner so s/he can refer
you to a specialist.
A final note regarding the health system in the Netherlands in relation to insurance is that a
general check-up will not be reimbursed.
4.2.
Dentists
In the Netherlands, dental care is provided by qualified dentists, all of whom are governmentregistered. The quality of the care provided, compared to other countries, in general is excellent.
Almost all dental practices in the Netherlands are private, there are no state practices. Most of
them are modest under-takings comprising one dentist and an assistant. In the larger cities
practices are larger and include several dentists, assistants, and dental hygienists; this allows the
practice to diversify its services. Many of the Dutch practices are full and it can be difficult to find
one able to take on new patients.
Insurance
Only urgent dental treatment is covered by your medical insurance.
As it could be very expensive, you are advised to ask in advance for a written estimate of the
costs. Always ask the dentist to only solve the urgent problem.
Additionally, check with AON insurance whether they will cover the specific problem that the
dentist has proposed to solve.
There are several dentist-posts in Delft and you can find their addresses via
www.tandartsendienstdelft.nl
One of the dentists offers (free) online registration and appointment scheduling. For further
information and contact details see: www.tandzorg.biz
On weekends and evenings: Bakkerstraat 1, Delft, Tel. 015 2603233

Part II: The Dutch culture

5. Everyday Life in the Netherlands
You might be wondering what everyday life in the Netherlands is about. Of course you can always
ask the social cultural officers, our senior Master Participants or PhD participants about the way
things work around here. For your convenience, we have listed some of the most important (and
sometimes peculiar) issues here.
5.1. Multicultural environment
As a participant at UNESCO-IHE, you are living in a multicultural environment. Unless you live in
a single unit, you will share a kitchen and bathroom facilities with one to seven people from all
over the world, whose cultures and habits may be vastly different from your own. Things that you
took for granted at home, might now be put in another perspective. Such a multicultural
community has its own dynamics. This will be a challenge, and could be a major part of your
experience in The Netherlands. Many alumni believe it is one of the best parts of their
experience.

Tip: Make
arrangements with your
roommates on things like
cooking, cleaning,
listening to music and
having friends over.
Talking helps to
understand your
roommate(s): why get
irritated if you can also
laugh about it and learn
from others points of
view? This is a great
opportunity to broaden
your horizon!

5.2. Cleaning
You are expected to keep the place clean yourself. To avoid
unnecessary quarrelling with your roommate(s), it is helpful to
make arrangements on how often will be cleaned, and who
does what, already on day one. You might consider hiring a
housekeeper but they are difficult to find and expensive.
Garbage
The waste has to be put in special waste bags, the grey plastic
bags, which you can buy at the supermarkets, among others,
and then put in the containers. In large accommodations or
apartment buildings containers are usually provided to put the
waste in every day. The garbage in these containers will be
collected once a week.
For more information about garbage, please ask the

caretakers at the hostels.

5.3. Means of transport
It is quite easy to live in the Netherlands without a car. Distances are short and public
transportation is good. Probably the easiest way is to ride a bike. You will love it! Of course, as
everywhere in the world, there are unspoken as well as written rules on means of transport. Find
below some of the particulars.
Getting around
On arrival in a new town, there is much to explore. You can always ask around where to find a
supermarket, a pharmacy or any other shop you wish to find. A good tip is to write down the
address on a card, whenever you visit a place for the first time. You can show this card to people
when you ask directions. People you approach on the street will generally be helpful and friendly,
but they may not recognize the way you pronounce a street name. The same is true for bus or
tram drivers; they might be more helpful when they can read where you want to go.
Please note that you
must carry identification
with you any time you are
out.
The law requires everyone
to carry identification at all
times, the same goes for
Dutch nationals. The
police can ask you to show
your papers. You can get a
fine when you cannot
show your identification
papers.

Pedestrians
Dutch drivers are not as polite as you might expect; people
who are normally gentle can become quite aggressive behind
the wheel of a car. It is therefore wise to know what rules they
are following and then to stay out of their way.
The most unexpected traffic rule for the foreign pedestrian or
cyclist is that all traffic approaching from the right has priority
even bicycles. In other words, a driver or cyclist will expect
nearly everyone to his left to yield to him! This is true even
when someone is turning out of a small side street, unless
there are signs or markings indicating otherwise. Cars have to
stop for pedestrians only when they are on a zebra crossing or
when the car is turning across their path, but even then, be
careful. Trams have priority over everyone, no matter where

they are coming from.

As a pedestrian you must also become accustomed to the network of bicycle paths (fietspaden),
which at first you might mistake for pedestrian paths. You will learn quickly though, the first time a
teenager on a motorbike races past you. In short: always watch where you are going.

Public transport
Public transport will practically take you anywhere within the Netherlands. The website
http://journeyplanner.9292.nl/ offers complete information about the network of buses, trams,
metros and trains. If you want to plan a train journey though, you can visit www.ns.nl/en.
Trains, Buses, trams and metros
The entire country has been divided into public transportation zones, so the fare you pay depends
on the number of zones you travel through. You can buy your ticket at the trainstation. Recently
the so-called OV-chipkaart (PT Smart Card) came into service, which is the new way to pay for
public transport. Everywhere in the Netherlands, you are able to travel using just one card,
whether it is in the train, bus, tram or metro. Using the OV-chipkaart means you do not need to
bother any more about how many zones your journey takes you through. The system calculates
the correct fare automatically. This card will be interesting if you stay in the Netherlands for a long
period.
Although you will often ride on public transportation without anyone ever seeing your card, a team
of inspectors can suddenly appear in the train, bus, tram or metro, and if you are caught without a
checked-in card, you must either pay the fine on the spot or show identification and proof that you
have a Dutch address. You then get a paper telling you where and how to pay the fine.
Good to know:
Especially in the big cities,
where the public
transportation system
suffers the most abuse,
inspectors can be verbally
aggressive. Therefore:
stay calm and be
cooperative; if the
inspectors doubt your
identity papers they can
have you arrested.
Inspectors on the trains
work the same way.

Bicycling
If you really want to sample Dutch life, and to get around
quickly and easily, you can rent a bicycle.
Make sure that its lights work and that it has either a sturdy
lock or a chain and padlock so you can fasten your bicycle to
something when you park it.
Although the Netherlands is a safe country, bike theft is a big
problem: Amsterdam is said to be the bike theft capital of the
world. Delft is of course a lot smaller than Amsterdam but it
can happen here, as well. If you come across people on the
street asking you if you are interested in purchasing a bicycle,
know that these are possibly stolen bicycles. Better not buy it,
as you could get caught by the police for buying stolen goods.

Traffic rules for bikers

As a cyclist, you too must obey the traffic signs and rules, and stay in the bicycle lanes marked on
the street. As a rule, cars turning across your path are supposed to stop for you, but it is wise to
watch out. You should signal with your arm if you are planning to turn, and you should yield to
traffic coming from the right.
The following laws are specifically for bicyclists:
Cycling is not allowed on sidewalks or pedestrian-only areas.
Use hand signals when preparing to make a left or right turn. Simply put your arm out in the
direction you want to turn.
It is allowed to ride alongside another bicyclist, but cycling with three people in a row is not
permitted.
Bicyclists share the bike paths with mopeds. Be prepared for them by cycling on the right-side of
the bike path so that they can pass you.
Cycling is not allowed on highways.
Tunnels may or may not be accessible for cycling. If they are, there is usually a separate bike
path.

10

 Bicycles have bells for a reason! Use the bell to warn other bicyclists that you are approaching
them and need to pass them, use it to warn pedestrians who are blocking the bike path, or to
warn anyone else who might be in your way!
Do not park your bike in places that have signs posted saying, Geen fietsen plaatsen. (No bike
parking.)
You can rent a bicycle behind the Railway Station, Delft.
Cycle Garage

Railway Station, Delft

Good to know 1: You

can be fined for riding at
night without lights and
also for drunken cycling!
Good to know 2: If a
stranger offers to sell you
a bicycle for less than
around 25 Euros, do not
buy it! In this case the bike
could be stolen, and you
too are violating the law if
you take possession of it,
even though you might not
know that it was stolen.

Tel.: 015 - 2143035

Travel abroad
Once you arrive in the Netherlands, you will discover that
many European capitals are within easy reach. Brussels is two
hours by train, and a short flight from Amsterdam will take you
to Paris, Madrid or Berlin.

Travel within Schengen countries

Since March 1995, the so-called Schengen agreement has
come into effect within the European Union. This means that
as soon as you have received your residence permit card for
the Netherlands, you can travel to the following other
countries, without needing visas:
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark,
Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary,
Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, the
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

For all other countries in the European Union, visas may be required, depending on your
nationality and the visa requirements of the target country.
5.4. The weather: what coat to wear?
The Netherlands can be described as having cool summers and mild winters. On a day-to-day
basis, Dutch weather can be unpredictable. It can start out sunny and end with rain and wind or
vice versa. Therefore it is advisable to dress in layers that you can add or shed as the day
changes. The winter cold can be penetrating but also wet and windy, so a warm winter coat and
at least one woollen sweater will be very welcome in your wardrobe. The summer months of June
to August provide a few fairly hot days, but it is still a good idea to have a lightweight, waterproof
jacket. In the months between, with temperatures between about 5 and 15 degrees Celsius, you
will be comfortable wearing a raincoat over a cardigan or pullover, or even a rain suit that covers
all your clothing and keeps you dry from head to toe.
If you did not bring those items from home, you will probably buy them soon.
Rain gear can be purchased at bicycle stores, and other stores including HEMA, Blokker, among
others. There are several different types of rain suits. Although they are all waterproof, not all of
them are breathable. Important things to consider when purchasing rain gear: proper ventilation is
also important and can be found when rain jackets have holes on the back and zippers under the
armpits. It is important that the rain gear closes properly at its openings, specifically at the hood,
sleeves and bottom. The fewer seams the suit has, the less likely you will have leaks. In light rain,
a windbreaker jacket will suffice. A windbreaker is water repellent but not waterproof.

11

Tip: Ask a senior

participant where to find
the best place to shop,
because prices can vary
considerably!
Nice to know: Most
Dutch people are not very
fashion-conscious; they
dress for comfort more
than for looks or status.
Tastes also tend to be
individual rather than
based on peer-pressure,
and casual rather than
elegant. So wear whatever
you like. Even for
concerts, the theatre, and
dance parties, most people
wear informal clothes.

5.5. Religions
Although modern Dutch society is very secular, and not many
Dutch people identify with an organized religion, you will see
plenty of churches and other places of worship, and you will
have plenty of opportunities to practise your own religion if you
wish.
Religious groups
Of the Dutch people who nowadays claim church affiliation,
about half are Roman Catholic and half are Protestant. Only
about 20 per cent of the population attends services regularly,
however. The southern provinces of Brabant and Limburg are
predominantly Catholic, and the other provinces are
predominantly Protestant.
Protestants
The two main categories of Protestantism in the Netherlands
today are Dutch Reformed and Reformed. But there are other
groups as well evangelical, Lutheran, Baptist, Apostolic,
Pentecostal and many more.

Catholics
In the 1960s and 1970s, the Dutch Catholic Church was
extremely progressive. A series of conservative appointments
by Pope John Paul II has made it less so, but you can still find a range of communities at one
end of the spectrum parishes still using the Latin liturgy, and at the other end parishes committed
to the most modern ideas and practices. There are also Byzantine Catholic communities.
Philosophical groups
Instead of being members of churches, some people in the Netherlands belong to groups that
share a particular philosophical outlook on life. These include anthroposophists (who follow the
teachings of Rudolph Steiner), humanists, New Age communities, and members of the Sufi
movement.
Muslims
With nearly one million Muslims living in the Netherlands, Islam has become one of the countrys
main religions. Mosques have been built in most of the larger cities by communities of immigrants
from Turkey, Morocco, Suriname and Indonesia. The Dutch public is also gradually learning more
about Islam enough to make allowances for colleagues and pupils who are fasting for
Ramadan, for example.
Jews
Some 144.000 Dutch Jews died in Nazi concentration camps; this was almost 80 per cent of the
Jewish population at the time. Those who survived have re-established Jewish communities in
various parts of the country. The centre of Jewish life in the Netherlands is still in Amsterdam,
however.
Other religions
The presence of many ethnic groups means you can also find communities that practise
Hinduism, Buddhism, and other religions.
5.6. Food
Dutch cuisine is not exactly world famous. The Dutch themselves do not have a fine tradition of
cooking, and hot meals are limited to one a day, traditionally in the evening. Breakfast generally
consists of sliced bread and cheese, sliced meat or jam. For lunch... again bread and cheese,
sometimes with the addition of perhaps soup, a salad or fruit. For the evening meal, large

12

quantities of potatoes and vegetables are accompanied by a relatively small serving of meat or
fish.
In recent years, however, Dutch tastes are becoming more international and refined. You will find
a large variety of products (pasta dishes, rice, curry) in the regular supermarkets. In Delft and
cities in the area, it is possible to buy ingredients and spices from practically any country in the
world. Also there are numerous restaurants that offer a wide range of international dishes.
Although it is always nice to go along with the culture you live in, you do not necessarily have to
go along with the bread-and-cheese-for-lunch habit. Since the restaurant at UNESCO-IHE is
multicultural-oriented, warm and cold dishes from all over the world are served here during lunch.
At lunch time you will find participants as well as staff members there. If you prefer to bring your
own lunch that needs to be heated, there is a microwave oven available in the restaurant.
Still, it would be nice if you taste some of the traditional Dutch food.
Find here a list of goods you must certainly try:
Appelbol:
Appeltaart :
Boerenkool met worst:
Erwtensoep:
Flensjes:
Hollandse Nieuwe:
Hutspot:
Huzarensalade:
Koffietafel:
Lekkerbekjes:
Oliebollen:
Pannenkoeken:
Stroopwafel
Stamppot:
Uitsmijter:
Zuurkool:

a fritter with an apple inside

apple pie with whipped cream on top if you add met slagroom.
kale (curly cabbage), potatoes and smoked sausage.
the famous Dutch pea soup, served in winter
very small, thin pancakes
fresh salted herring, eaten on the spot
potatoes, onions, carrots stewed in a beef broth
salad of diced apples, potatoes, beets, meat, mayonnaise, pickles
a Dutch luncheon of cold meats, sliced cheese, jam, bread, rolls,
butter and a warm side dish called "Twaalf uurtje" (12:00 hour)
fried whiting
similar to doughnuts, made with currants and apples: eaten on
New Year's Eve.
large pancakes made with apple, ham or cheese,
They are eaten with powdered sugar or maple syrup
Thin waffles with a caramel-like syrup filling
generally a stew of potatoes, vegetables and meat or sausage
an open sandwich of bread, ham or roast beef topped
with two fried eggs
sauerkraut, as a stew with potatoes and sausage, or "garni",
i.e., with sausage, bacon, and smoked ham gammon

5.7. A coffee nation

Delicious coffee is a traditional luxury nearly everyone enjoys. Drinking coffee is practically a ritual
at about 10.30 AM and again at about 8 PM. If coffee is also a social occasion, it might be
accompanied by a piece of fancy pastry from the bakery.
5.8. Shopping tips
Opening hours
Most shops are open during these hours:
Monday:
13.00 - 18.00 hrs
Tuesday - Friday:
09.00 - 18.00 hrs
Saturday:
09.00 - 17.00 or 17.30 hrs
Sunday:
On the first Sunday of the month, shops in the centre of Delft are open.
Always open on Sunday: shops in the centre of The Hague, Rotterdam and
Amsterdam.
Some supermarkets are open till 20.00 hrs. or even until 22.00 hrs.

13

Shopping evenings till 21.00 hrs, in Delft and surroundings:

Delft:
Friday
The Hague and Rijswijk:
Thursday
Rotterdam:
Friday
Amsterdam:
Thursday
Apart from the approved market area, it is not customary in the Netherlands to sell things on the
street. If someone in the street approaches you, trying to sell you something, it is best to simply
ignore the offer.
Shopping centres
Shopping centres in Delft are "De Veste" and the roofed shopping centre, "De Hoven". Near Delft
in the city of Rijswijk you will find "De Boogaard". Big department stores like V&D, de Bijenkorf
and others are in the city centres of The Hague, Rotterdam and Amsterdam.
Cheaper goods
Look out for the word reclame, 'uitverkoop' or aanbieding on some items. This means that the
price of the item has been reduced. However, in the case of foods, this may well mean that the
item is not very fresh any more. If you explore the area outside the city centre you will find some
second-hand shops where bargains may be available.
No bargaining
Bargaining is not customary in the Netherlands. With very few exceptions you are expected to
pay the price that is displayed.
Bottles and jars
Apple sauce, some vegetables, beer, fruit juice, soft drinks, and many milk products are sold in
bottles, or jars, sometimes with a deposit (statiegeld). When these items are purchased the
deposit is included in your bill. When the containers are returned to the store, through the hatch in
the wall, near the entrance of the store, you receive a credit on groceries or a cash refund. Items
sold in glass containers, which have no deposit are marked on the label, or the glass, "geen
statiegeld" or "gratis glas". Special containers are placed near the shops where you can return
these bottles, jars etc., for recycling purposes.
Bring your shopping bag
Remember to bring a shopping bag with you, for even in the supermarkets you must pack your
own groceries. If you do not bring your own bag, the plastic bags provided in the supermarket
must be paid for. Some shopkeepers ask whether you really need a plastic bag. If they do so,
there is no reason for irritation on your part, for they ask it in the interest of a cleaner
environment!
Use the shopping-cart or basket
Remember also that you must use the shopping-cart or shopping baskets provided in the
supermarkets. You must pay a deposit of 0.50 or 1.00 on these carts, which is refunded when
you return the cart. If you do not use the cart, but instead use your own bag, you could be
accused of shoplifting. You are not allowed to remove these carts from the supermarket or its car
park.

Tax Free
You will note "Tax Free for Tourists" logos in front of some shops. This means that if you buy more
than 137 in that shop, on that day, you are entitled to claim a refund of the value-added tax
(BTW) paid on the item(s). The shop gives you a form with your receipt, which you get stamped
by Dutch customs when you are leaving the country. You then present this stamped form to the

14

GWK (Grenswisselkantoor) desk in the Train Terminal, at Schiphol, and they return your tax (See
brochures at the reception desk of UNESCO-IHE).
Attitude
The "service with a smile" principle is nearly unknown among the Dutch. People in jobs serving
the public often fear that they are being taken for granted. If they think a customer does not treat
them as an equal, they usually display defiance or exaggerated indifference. Therefore, please do
not feel personally offended if the attitude of some shop assistants and waiters strikes you as
rude. Generally, looking a shop-assistant in the eye and greeting them is highly appreciated. It will
be seen as I see you.
5.9. Information
Last but not least, part of your everyday life will probably be where to get information.
For information about your surroundings, whether you are in Delft or any other city, pay a visit to
the nearest tourist office. It will be marked VVV or Tourist Information Point. They are always
centrally located, most often near or in the railway station. They have maps, tourist booklets in
various languages, schedules of events, and they can answer many of your questions.
News back home
You might also want to keep touch with the news back home. Since the Netherlands is quite
internationally oriented, newspapers and magazines from many countries and in many languages
are sold in the larger bookstores and railway stations of the major cities.
If you think the prices are too high, you can always try the library and of course radio, television
and internet.

6. The country and its people

The rest of the world is a big place is what the Dutch say, well aware of how small their country
is. For centuries, The Netherlands have had an attitude of openness towards the rest of the
world. This is seen in business, but also in social life and culture.
6.1. Holland or the Netherlands?
Sometimes you will hear people talk about Holland, others about the Netherlands. The countrys
formal name is Nederland, meaning the low country. Low because much of the land is at or
below sea level. Holland is in fact the name of the western part of the country, divided in the
provinces of North Holland and South Holland. At present they are the two most heavily
populated provinces, encompassing for instance Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Leiden and
of course Delft. The Dutch themselves call their country Holland only in the context of sports and
other informal situations, or when they are selling something on the international market, since
this name is more easily adapted into other languages.
6.2. A small flat country
Probably, on arrival, you were struck by the landscape: the country is extremely flat. There are a
few hills in the southeast corner of the country. The highest point is 323 metres and therefore
called a mountain. Since the Dutch horizon is generally flat, there are no obstacles to the wind.
Therefore wind is an almost constant feature in the daily weather forecasts.
Another thing you will notice is that there is water everywhere lakes, rivers and canals of all
sizes. They range from the large transport canals for barge traffic to the narrow drainage ditches
that divide the rectangular meadows where Holland's five million cows graze, making fences
unnecessary. The Netherlands lie on a flat, low delta and a quarter of the land is below sea level.
It owes its existence to feats of hydraulic engineering. Land is a precious commodity in the
Netherlands. Much of Holland's land space has been reclaimed from the sea, or was converted
from swamp. The Dutch are world leaders when it comes to controlling water, and the struggle
against the forces of seas and rivers reflected in their history.

15

Because of its precarious location, it has one of the best barrier dams in the world. More than 16
million people live in an area of a little more than 41,000 square kilometres. This means that the
average population density is 440 people per square kilometre. Hardly any patch of ground is
wasted in the Netherlands and the high value placed on land can be seen in careful physical
planning. Zoning laws are very rigid and urban areas are kept within strict bounds, so that you
sometimes see built-up areas ending abruptly and a farmer's field beginning literally across the
street.
6.3. The cities
The cities are a nice mix of traditional and modern architecture. There are plenty of activities and
cultural attractions to enjoy during your leisure time. About sixty percent of the population lives in
an area that makes just one-sixth of the country. This is the West Holland conurbation known as
the "Randstad", which is defined by drawing a line connecting Amsterdam, The Hague,
Rotterdam and Utrecht. The "Randstad" has a population of more than 1,000 people per square
kilometre. Each of the Netherlands major cities has a distinctive character, even though they are
all so close.
Amsterdam, the official capital, is the social, cultural, and tourist centre. Its theatres, concert halls,
museums, and cafes are world famous. The city's bustling liveliness and its live-and-let-live
attitude towards deviant behaviour give it an international reputation. Amsterdam is the place for
having fun, but do not let its atmosphere fool you into thinking that Dutch society is very tolerant,
as most people live quite moderate, orderly lives himself or herself. Amsterdam is the extreme,
rather than the norm. It is also affected by the fact that it is always full of visitors from many other
countries.
Rotterdam, with its huge international harbour "Europoort", (the
largest in Europe) is Netherlands' industrial centre and commercial
capital. It is now a very modern city, the old city has been almost
completely destroyed during the Second World War. It is renowned
for its strikingly modern architecture, as exemplified by the Erasmus
Bridge, known locally as the Swan.
The Hague (Den Haag) is the seat of government and diplomacy, and
the official residence of Queen Beatrix, the head of State. The Hague, Delft, Haarlem, Utrecht,
Groningen and Maastricht have their share of historic buildings, museums, traditions and
attractions and are worth a visit.
6.4. The people
The Dutch themselves tend to be tall, pale and fair-haired. Yet, the Netherlands is a very
cosmopolitan country and, especially in the larger cities, you will see people of many different
backgrounds. There are people of Caribbean, Indonesian, and Surinam descent because of the
Dutch colonial past in these regions. There are also many people of Mediterranean descent. In
the 1950s and 1960s Dutch industry was growing fast, as it recovered from the war, and there
was a shortage of cheap, unskilled labour. Workers arrived from Turkey, Morocco, Yugoslavia,
Italy, Spain and Tunisia. Many of these "gastarbeiders" (guest workers) brought their families with
them to Holland, and settled here permanently. As in the rest of Europe, the labour situation has
now reversed, and unemployment has now become a problem. For this and other reasons,
immigration is now restricted to direct relatives of "resident aliens", and a small number of political
refugees. You will notice that the residence permit you received is for study only, and has a time
limit. The 1992 change of labour and migration laws (The "Maastricht Treaty" on European Union)
may also lead to further shifts in the population make-up.
As for the Dutch lifestyle: all publications in which Dutch people attempt to describe themselves
suggest that they are rather quiet people. Having so many people living so close together has
taught the Dutch to respect privacy, and to be reserved towards strangers. Although they are very
friendly once they start talking to you, it is up to you to "break the ice".

16

The Dutch speak English fairly well, but they often tend to apologize for their poor command of
English. In the eastern regions most people can also speak German, and usually at least one
more European language as well. Therefore, communication with the Dutch offers no problems.
Much of Dutch social life either happens at home (perhaps because of the climate), or through
organized activities, such as clubs, or societies, etc. Almost everyone carries an "agenda" (diary)
in which they keep note of their appointments and commitments etc. The Dutch are very fond of
time keeping and it is considered quite rude to be late for an appointment with someone.
The lack of gardening space does not restrain the Dutch in their love for plants and flowers. They
just move their gardens indoors, or onto their balcony. Some Dutch living rooms look more like a
nature reserve, than like a place for eating, drinking or watching television etc. Dutch wages and
salaries do not vary as widely as perhaps they do in your home country. The way people dress is
generally casual, even at work. Also the excellent public transport and the popularity of the
bicycle, make the car less of a social status symbol than it is elsewhere. As a result, you cannot
judge people on appearance, as you may be used to do at home.
You may be familiar with the expression "going Dutch", where everyone pays, and is expected to
pay, his or her own share of the cost. If a Dutch person intends to pay for you, he or she makes it
clear at the start that you are "his or her guest", otherwise it is understood that you bear your
share of the costs for the evening.
Despite being reserved, the Dutch have a manner of speaking which may startle you because of
its frankness. This is partly because, although they speak good English, it is not their first
language, and they may not be able to express the subtler "shades of meaning" in what they say,
and partly because it is in their nature to "get to the point". This directness may seem somewhat
rude at first, but it generally makes things easier, and may help to avoid misunderstandings. What
impression you get of the Dutch is up to you, of course, and it also depends on whom you meet,
and what you are used to.
6.5. Visiting the Netherlands
The Netherlands is a popular destination for tourists, with a visit to Amsterdam as the number one
by far. The museums, such as the Rijksmuseum and the Vincent van Gogh Museum, the ring of
canals with their mansions, the atmosphere of freedom and creativity many foreigners want to
see these with their own eyes. Yet, the Netherlands is also famous for its windmills, clogs and
flowers: the bulb fields of North and South Holland, with their daffodils, hyacinths and tulips,
attract hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.
The Netherlands has a long coastline, with many interesting towns and villages and areas of
natural beauty. Lovers of water sports, such as surfing, sailing and swimming, find conditions
ideal on its many beaches and further inland on lakes, rivers and canals. The Dutch themselves
like to explore the country by boat or bike. The Netherlands is crisscrossed by thousands of
kilometres of cycle track, making it possible to tour the country by bike. Cycling is easier here
than in most other countries due to the flat landscapes as long as you are not cycling against
the wind.
6.6. Multiculturalism
Dutch society used to be strictly organized along religious or ideological lines with every grouping
having its own schools, newspapers, trade unions, clubs, and so on. The traces can still be seen
today in the media, interest groups and the education system. One of the benefits was that it
helped prevent friction among religious and ideological groups, since they lived more or less
independently alongside each other.
Article 1 of the Dutch Constitution says: All persons in the Netherlands shall be treated equally in
equal circumstances. Discrimination on the grounds of religion, belief, political opinion, race or
sex or on any other grounds whatsoever shall not be permitted.

17

People have been migrating to the Netherlands for centuries. Of the current population, 18
percent is of recent foreign descent. The current immigration policy is restrictive because the
Netherlands is so densely populated. In the 1950s, high population density led the government to
encourage emigration. In the 1960s and 1970s however, a labour shortage attracted many
migrants.
In recent years, the Netherlands has admitted immigrants on only three grounds: if their presence
serves an essential Dutch interest, if they are entitled to live here under an international
agreement, or if there are compelling humanitarian reasons for admitting them. The Government
actively pursues policies to help immigrants integrate.

7. Social Interaction
Of course it is impossible to say that all Dutch do this and all Dutch do that. Some
generalizations can be made, but individual differences always exist. However, there do tend to
be some fascinating characteristics, habits or whatever you would like to name it.
7.1. Strangers and privacy
When you ride in a train in The Netherlands it will most probably strike you: the Dutch and their
reserve towards strangers. Seats will fill up in a way that keeps people as far apart as possible,
and unless acquainted, people seldom speak to each other.
You could interpret this behaviour as unfriendliness, but, maybe a more accurate interpretation,
you could also see it as respect for the other persons privacy, perhaps combined with shyness.
Try, for example, asking the person opposite you in the train a question. You will probably get a
smile and a friendly, helpful response. And if everyone in the train carriage happens to share
some experience or witness some event together, conversation will suddenly begin. It is not so
much a matter of unfriendliness; it is simply that something or someone must first break the ice.
Ordinarily their instinct tells them not to impose themselves on anyone.
The Dutch respect for privacy is also very much present in the way that neighbours interact with
each other. Neighbours generally will not come to introduce themselves to a newcomer who has
just moved in. They wait to be invited for coffee, and if that invitation does not come, they assume
that the newcomer does not need any help and prefers to be left alone. In other words, it is up to
the stranger to let the others know what kind of social contact he or she would like to have.
Tip: Do not be afraid
to make the first move.
Ask advice, say you need
help, say you want to get
to know some Dutch
people, say anything and
there is a good chance that
you will get a warm
response. The
relationships Dutch people
develop with their
neighbours can be close
and involve a great deal of
generosity and help, but
those relationships begin
cautiously.

7.2. Status in appearance

When you meet Dutch people, you cannot make any
assumptions about their status or wealth on the basis of their
outward appearance. The man arriving on an old bicycle and
wearing tattered old shoes and a funny hat could be a man
who sweeps floors, but he might as well be a professor. And
the woman with the high-heeled shoes and smart suit could be
a department head, but she could also simply answer the
telephone.

In general, you will not see much glamour or high fashion.

People wear what they personally think looks good and feels
comfortable. Only teenagers pay much attention to fashion
trends, most people, especially in the academic community,
wear casual clothes. In fact, to wear clothes that are too
obviously expensive can be considered as bad taste. Fur
coats, for example, are generally shunned for this reason, and
because of concern for the animals that were killed to make them.

18

7.3. Busy lives

Most of the Dutch live according to rather strict, self-imposed schedules. Certain things happen at
certain times of the day, and most people need some advance warning if they are going to feel
comfortable about deviating from their pattern. So do not be too surprised if your spur-of-themoment suggestion to pop into a bar before going home meets with a nervous response.
Most Dutch people plan their activities a long time in advance and write all their appointments
down in their pocket diaries, or agenda. If a group of people wants to plan a party or a meeting,
for example, everyone will pull out his or her agenda, and dates and times will be suggested until
one is found that everyone still has free. Once an appointment is written down in an agenda no
matter how far away the date is that appointment will be kept.
As a result of this custom, most people perceive themselves to be very busy. Their days are
generally fully booked with several appointments, and therefore wish to stay on schedule. This is
why Dutch people can get very annoyed if you keep them waiting. It is always considered bad
manners to be more than five minutes late.
A consequence of the Dutch leading such full and carefully planned lives, is that it can make life
difficult for foreign visitors. The people you meet will have many commitments, which do not leave
them much time for unplanned interaction with someone new.
7.4. Going out
If you are wondering what places are nice to go out to, for sure senior MSc students and PhD
participants will be able to tell you. They will know the popular pubs and places to dance.
Although anyone is free to go into any caf, you will find that each has its own atmosphere and
clientele. This depends on various things, including location, decor and the personality of the
owner.
Discotheques and night clubs usually have bouncers at the door strong-looking men who let
people in or turn them away. For some clubs you need a membership card, for others a student
card, and for still others the bouncer has to like your face or find you properly dressed. They get
by with this discrimination on the grounds that they cannot let the place become dangerously
crowded, and they have to be able to turn away and eject troublemakers.
Good to know: It does
no good to get angry at a
bouncer or to attempt to
bribe him. Only sweet talk
works. Sometimes it also
helps to be good-looking
and/or exotic, and it
always helps to be dressed
in the appropriate style of
clothing. Wearing sports
shoes will definitely
reduce your chances of
getting in.

7.5. Basic dos and donts

As in every other country, the Netherlands has its own set of
unwritten rules regarding correct behaviour. Remember that
what is considered polite in one culture can be rude in another,
and vice versa.

Meeting people for the first time

If Dutch people meet each other for the first time, they usually
do not wait to be introduced. They hold out their hand to
shake, make eye contact, say their name, and listen for the
name of the other person.

When people know each other

On social occasions, people who already know each other shake hands if they have not seen
each other for a while. Kisses on the cheek are exchanged between family and friends. Fathers
and sons often kiss each other, but ordinarily men do not kiss other men. Women kiss and are
kissed by everyone. Cheek kisses are generally given in series of three: left, right, left. If the

19

occasion is a routine, however, only verbal greetings are exchanged. People do not shake hands
every day with their colleagues at work, for example.
Greeting strangers
Any time Dutch people enter an enclosed space smaller than a certain size they greet the other
people present. If the occasion is social, they go around and shake hands or exchange kisses.
But even a roomful of complete strangers can require a greeting. A person entering the space
then simply says goedemorgen (good morning), goedemiddag (good afternoon), or
goedenavond (good evening) to no one in particular. The same happens when a person leaves,
but then they say dag, which roughly means goodbye. To enter and leave silently, and without
acknowledging the others presence, is considered impolite. A good opportunity to observe how
this works is in a doctors or dentists waiting room.
Eye contact
It is considered impolite to be in another persons presence and not to make eye contact. This is
the minimum form of acknowledgement, and always required. The cashier at the supermarket, for
example, will feel insulted if the customer does not look her in the eyes even once. This eye
contact need only be brief.
When Dutch people are talking to each other, eye contact is also important. They look each other
straight in the eye. If someone continually looks away, a Dutch person will interpret this negatively
as a lack of interest or respect, or as deviousness.
7.6. Direct communication
The Dutch can generally be described as straightforward and really honest about the situation. If
they do not like your work, they will say so. Quite a direct attitude, so to say, and this cultural
aspect is often misunderstood as being rude or harsh.
It also works the other way around: it is best to say what is on your mind. If you need something,
say clearly what it is. Since they speak directly and tend to function very independently, they will
not understand something that you are implying or hinting at. They will not anticipate your needs
in that case because they are accustomed to literal speech.
7.7. The Dutch and their languages
As the Dutch are quite internationally oriented, they are always curious to know about other
countries and cultures. The majority of the Dutch people speak English and very often another
foreign language, such as German or French. Do not hesitate to ask people on the street
something, they will be happy to help you!
There are two curious things though: one is that most of the time, the average Dutchman will not
approach you by himself if he sees you struggle with finding your way. You really have to ask for
help. The other thing is that, as soon as the Dutch hear you are a foreigner, they will switch to
English. Even if you try to practise your Dutch! They really enjoy speaking English and like to
show that they are able to.
Dutch is a pretty hard language if you don't know anything about it. Your first words in Dutch are not
far away though. Lets go through the following steps:
1) Note that the A is either pronounced as the u in "hut", or as the a in "vase". The E is pronounced
either as a mute e (the 'uh' sound sometimes used in buttER), as the e in "set" or as the ay in
"may". The letters are pronounced differently depending on where in a word they lie - something
important to realise is that if a word ends in a single e, that e will be mute (like in buttER). Note
that the J is always pronounced as the Y in "Yankees"
2) Start a conversation with "Hallo" (Ha(w)llo). More casual is "Hoi" or "Hai".
3) If you want to introduce yourself, say "Ik heet" (iK hate) followed by your name.
Note
that the I in Ik is pronounced as the I in "bin".

20

4) Yes becomes "Ja". (Ya(w))

5) No becomes "Nee" (Nay)
6) "Thank you" is "Dank u". (Da(w)nk Yuh). "wel" can be added to the end of this expression to
convey the English phrase "very much".
7) "Please" is "Alstublieft" (A(w)l-stew-bleeft).
8)

If you want to order something in a restaurant, start with "Kan ik" (Ca(w)n iK) [insert order]
"Bestellen" (Buhs-tel-luhn). (NOTE: Politer is "Mag ik" but you'll probably starve before you can
pronounce the dutch "G".)
9) If you can't find a museum, just ask "Waar is het museum." (wAAr is hat muu-zay-uhm). Note
that the AA is pronounced as a German A, for example in "mAchen".
10) Looking for a place to drink? Simply say "Waar kan je iets drinken?" (wAAr Cawn Yuh EEts
drink-uhn)
And before we get to some regular phrases, see here some tips:
* The pronunciation can be confusing, but the Dutch will be happy to help you out, so never be
afraid to ask.
* The phonetic spellings above are only approximations of the French pronunciations. If you
pronounce these words while pretending to be Pepe Le Pew, you'll probably be pretty close.
* If you carry around a small phrase book or dictionary, you can look up words you don't know - and
even point to them if you can't pronounce them.
* Don't underestimate the power of body language. Pointing, drawing, gesturing and pantomiming
will all help you get your point across language travel books; very okay. Find them at the national
airport Schiphol (or as you say; Skiphole) for example.
* Again: You can always ask people in Holland whether they speak English. The responses will
amaze you!

Easy does it... Now the regular phrases:

English

Dutch

Phonetics

Hello, hi
Good-bye (informal)
Good-bye (formal)

Hoi
Doei
Tot ziens
Dag
Gaaf
Gezellig
Lekker
Ja
Nee
Alsjeblieft
Alstublieft
Dank u wel
Dank je wel
Bedankt
Niets te danken
Neem me niet kwalijk
Pardon
Sorry
Hoe gaat het?
Heel goed, dank u/j
Uitstekend
Goedemorgen
Goedemiddag
Goedeavond
Goedenacht
Tot straks
Tot morgen
Eet smakelijk
Welterusten
Goede reis
Waar is/zijn...?

Hoyee
Doo-ee
Tot zeens
Dahkh
Gaaf
Ge-zel-lig
Lacker
Yaa
Nay
Ahls-ye-bleeft
Ahls-stew-bleeft
Dahngk u wel
Dahngk ye wel
Be-dahngkt
Neets te danken
Naym me neet kvaa-lick
Par-don
Sor-ry
Hoo gaat heht?
Hayl goot, dangk u/ye
Out-stay-kent
Goote-mor-gen
Goote-mi-dakhk
Goote-naa-vont
Goote-nahkt
Tot strahks
Tot mor-gen
Ayt smaa-ker-lerk
Vehlt-rerss-tern
Goote rayss
Vaar is/zayn...?

Cool, great, outrageous

Nice, cosy
Lovely, delicious, nice
Yes
No
Please (informal)
Please (formal)
Thank you very much
Thank you
Dont mention it
I beg your pardon
Excuse me
Sorry
How are you?
Very well, thank you
Excellent
Good morning
Good afternoon
Good evening
Good night
See you later
See you tomorrow
Enjoy your meal
Sleep well
Have a nice trip
Where is/are...?

21

What do you call this?

What does that mean?
I do not understand
I am hungry/thirsty
Where is the toilet?

Hoe heet dit?

Wat betekent dat?
Ik begrijp het niet
Ik heb honger/dorst
Waar is het toilet?

Hoo hayt dit?

Vat be-tay-kent dat?
Ik be-grayp het neet
Ik hehp ho-ngerr/dorst
Vaar is het tvah-leht?

7.8. The Dutch teaching method

Respect for each individuals opinions and convictions is a national virtue that gives strength to
the fabric of Hollands diverse and plural society. This is the foundation of the teaching method
used at the Dutch educational institutions.
The teaching style can be described as student-centred, providing students with the attention and
freedom they need to develop their own opinions and creativity in applying their newly acquired
knowledge. It has received international acclaim for its groundbreaking Problem-Based Learning
system, which trains students to analyze and solve practical problems independently through
emphasis on self-study and self-discipline. A large portion of all study programmes is dedicated to
writing papers, working in groups to analyze and solve specific problems, acquiring practical work
experience through internships, and conducting experiments in laboratories.
What strikes many foreign students in The Netherlands is the objective role of the professors.
They present all the possibilities and the different theories, but it is up to you to reflect upon them
and to think for yourself. Students can also be very open with their teachers. For example, you
can express your feelings and say what you mean. Critical thinking is really the most important
capacity for a student.

Part III: Points of Interest

In this section you can find more information about all sorts of subjects in alphabetical order. Also
see the table of contents for a quick peek on what subjects are discussed here.
8.1. Banks
Most banks are open on
Monday:
Tuesday - Friday:
Saturday:

10.00 - 17.00 hrs.

09.00 - 17.00 hrs.
09.00 12.00 hrs.

Some banks near UNESCO-IHE are listed here:

- ABN-AMRO Bank
Bastiaansplein 4-6
- ING Bank
Phoenixstraat 28
- SNS Bank
Pynepoort 7

phone: 0900 0024

0800 7011
015 2192011

At the Delft Railway Station you will find a GWK-Change Office. They are also an agent for
Western Money Transfer. They are open on
Monday Friday:
07.00 - 18.00 hrs.
Saturday:
09.00 - 17.00 hrs.
Phone:
015 - 2138220
8.2. Bookshops
Huyser
The Read Shop

Choorstraat 1
Wijnhaven 9

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015 - 2123820
015 - 2145820

Waltman

Binnenwatersloot 33

015 - 2123775

8.3. Cinemas
There are two cinemas in Delft:
1.
Path
Vesteplein 5
015 - 2137777
2.
Filmhuis Lumen
Doelenplein 5
015 - 2140226
Information about films is given at the cinemas, in the local newspapers and on www.filmladder.nl
Usually films are shown in the original language with Dutch subtitles.

8.4. Disaster
Natural disasters, plane crashes, explosions, a toxic cloud or other imminent disaster. We do not
like to think of such things. Fortunately, disasters seldom occur in the Netherlands. Nevertheless,
note that in case of disaster the sirens will warn the population, or loudspeaker vans will drive
around with warning announcements. You can obtain a brochure written in English from the
Municipality of Delft, Phoenixstraat 16.
Telephone: 015 - 2602222
What to do in case of disaster:
1.
Go inside at once
2.
Close doors and windows
3.
Turn on the radio on Radio West FM 88.4 or tune in to the cable.
Note: The sirens are
tested on the first Monday
of the month at 12.00 hrs

8.5. Euro
In most European countries, the euro has replaced the other
monetary systems. So you can use your Dutch banknotes
and coins in all these countries of the European Union and
vice versa.
8.6. Hospitals
In Delft there is one general hospital:
Reinier de Graafgasthuis, Reinier de Graafweg 3/11
Tel: 015 2603060
www.rdgg.nl

8.7. Libraries
UNESCO-IHE Library, Oude Delft 95 (ground floor)
The library collection numbers some 15,000 books, 5,000 documents (reports, pamphlets etc.)
and 130 current periodicals directly related to the study programmes.

The library is open during the following hours:

Monday:
Tuesday - Friday

09.00 - 18.30 hrs

09.00 - 19.00 hrs

The library is open for UNESCO-IHE staff and students. Participants must present their
UNESCO-IHE registration card if they wish to lend books. The loan term for books is two weeks.
Periodicals, reference works, other regularly consulted books and MSc theses can only be
consulted in the library. A photocopy machine is also available. Books and periodicals can be

23

traced through the computerized library system. Search possibilities are: author, title (word),
subject and series title.
Throughout the academic year, professors will make available certain journals, articles and
additional documents to you via the platform. The platform can be accessed by logging in on
http://km.ihe.nl with your user name and password.
8.8. Markets
Every Thursday an open-air market is held near the town Hall (in the old town centre). Prices are
somewhat lower than in the shops. The market is open betweem 08.00 - 16.30 hrs. On Saturday,
a small market is open at the Brabantse Turfmarkt, between 09.00 -16.00 hrs. On Tuesday,
another small market at the Martinus Nijhofflaan is held between 09.00 -16.00 hrs. A Flea Market,
with antiques and curiosa is held every Saturday from May through September along the canals
of the Voldersgracht and surroundings.
8.9. Museums
For a very low entrance fee, you can visit highly interesting museums in Delft:
For more information:
Toeristen Informatie Punt (Tourist Information Point)
Hippolytusbuurt 4
Tel: 0900 5151555
www.delft.nl
8.10. Pharmacies
In Delft you will find pharmacies at the following addresses:
The Dutch word for pharmacy is apotheek.
The opening hours of pharmacies in Delft are 8:30-17:30 hrs. Pharmacies are usually closed
during evenings and weekends. However, the pharmacy Apotheek Buitenhof, located near the
general hospital, is the so-called service pharmacy of Delft. This means that, in case you urgently
need medicine outside of office hours, this pharmacy is also open from Monday until Friday
between 17:30 hrs and 8.30 hrs, and on days and nights during weekends and holidays as well.
8.11. Post office
You can mail letters in the red boxes* on street corners. You can buy stamps at the post office or
at most shops that sell post cards.
The cheapest way to send mail overseas is to buy aerogramme at the post office.
Please note that the
red letter box has 2
possibilities to post your
letters:
- streekpost =
local mail/check the postal
code map
- overige
bestemmingen = other
destinations
Good Friday
Easter*
Kingsday
Liberation Day

There are various small post offices in Delft.

The nearest office can be found opposite the train station, at
Westvest 47, inside the Copie Sjop.
8.12. Public holidays in the Netherlands
The following days are official holidays in the Netherlands in
2015.

New Year*
3 April
5 + 6 April
27 April
5 May

1 January

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Ascension*
Whit Sunday*
Whit Monday*
Christmas*

14 May
21 June
22 June
25 & 26 December

*On these days, shops, offices, banks and post offices are closed.
8.13. Religious Communities
The International Student Chaplaincy offers support to all students of UNESCO-IHE during their
time of study in the Netherlands. Two chaplains (pastors), catholic and protestant, work in Delft
together as an ecumenical team. You can consult them for information about different religious
places and activities in and near Delft. The International Student Chaplaincy in Delft organizes
interfaith sharing, intercultural meals and discussions, excursions, ecumenical Sunday services
and meditation.
Whatever your religion, the chaplains of the International Student Chaplaincy and also the
municipal information office can help you to get in touch with your religious community.
8.14. Restaurants
The UNESCO-IHE restaurant is open on week days between 09.30 - 15.30 hrs. It offers hot
meals (vegetarian and non vegetarian), and hot and cold snacks at cheap prices.
In Delft you can find a wide variety of restaurants, offering you a choice of dishes from all over the
world. Among these are Dutch, French, Chinese, Indonesian, Chinese-Indonesian, Indian, Italian,
Irish, Greek, African, Argentine and Mexican Restaurants, which cater for your most exquisite
taste! In the evening restaurants open at around 18.00 hrs and they close at around 24.00 hrs.
Please note that, at times, the kitchen already closes at 22.00 hrs., and for some restaurants
even at 21.00 hrs.
8.15. Safety and security
We strongly advise you to make sure that you do not leave purses, bags, brief cases etc.
unattended, especially not if they contain valuable items, wallets etc. The UNESCO-IHE buildings
are open, and still easily accessible for all students and staff, but therefore sometimes also for
unauthorized persons.
At the hostels
To all residents of UNESCO-IHE hostels we point out that everyone has a responsibility for the
safety in the building and for each others safety.
In the past it has happened that some residents actively let people into the buildings at night,
particularly to buy very cheap items from them. Although this may be tempting, they should be
aware of the fact that these items are most probably stolen somewhere. With letting these thieves
into the building, it is not strange that also items from the hostels are stolen. After all, they are
thieves. Moreover, buying these items is fencing, and a criminal act.
Therefore we wish to make it known that if we or the police find out that any resident of a
UNESCO-IHE hostel and participant of UNESC0-IHE is actively involved in any criminal activity
and thus endangering the safety in that hostel, we will immediately notify the police, who will bring
criminal charges.
In case you observe unauthorized persons in your hostel, or are bothered by people, please call
the emergency number 0900 - 8844 immediately. You should give your name and address, and
describe the complaint. If it is really serious the police will come. Do not hesitate to call the police.
In the Netherlands, the police are your best friend!

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Whatever incidents may happen, please always report them to the caretaker of the hostel, as well
as to the social cultural officers in charge of accommodation. When we know what happens, we
can do something about it.
8.16. Taxis
If you need a taxi, please call:
Deltax, taxi central, 015 2191919 (day & night)
Please note that using
a taxi is rather expensive
in the Netherlands.

8.17. Telephone
The international access code number to reach the
Netherlands is 0031. When you call somebody outside the
Netherlands you dial: 00-country code-local code and
subscriber's number without '0'. For more information about
country codes consult the Reception Desk at UNESCO-IHE.

If you are making a long and expensive call, it is more

convenient to use a phone card. UNESCO-IHE has a KPNphone booth, which uses a phone card. The booth is next to
the Reception desk. The instructions for using the telephone are on the machine itself in the
phone booth. Phone cards are available at different rates at all post offices and railway stations,
and at some department stores.
On Saturdays and Sundays and between 20.00 - 8.00 hrs, telephone calls are cheaper (within the
Netherlands about half the price for international calls; consult the telephone directory). If you
make a telephone call from a hotel the price will be double!
Mobile phone
It is possible to buy a prepaid mobile phone or a just a prepaid sim card. With a prepaid phone
you buy cards to upload your balance. If you buy one with subscription, based on a contract, you
pay an amount of money each month to your provider. There are several phone stores in the
centre of Delft.
8.18. Tourist Information Point
Delft is a university town, famous for its lively atmosphere. It has over 90,000 inhabitants of which
fifteen percent are Technical University (TU) students. It has a monumental and historical town
centre with charming little shops, galleries, restaurants, pubs and cafes. You can explore the
canals by roundtrip boats; a horse-drawn tram will take you around the old town centre.
The Tourism Information Point Delft can tell you more about the city. For information about
sightseeing tours and what is going on in Delft, you can always contact:
Tourism Information Point
Hippolytusbuurt 4, Delft
Tel: 0900 5151555
Open on Sunday & Monday from 10.00 hrs to 16.00 hrs, Tuesday - Friday from 9.00 hrs to 18.00
hrs and Saturday from 9.00 hrs to 17.00hrs. These opening hours can be different in winter.

Part IV: How to reach Delft from Schiphol airport

The easiest way to reach Delft is by train. You will find the railway station opposite the Arrivals Hall
by following the sign To the Trains. In the Arrivals Hall you can buy a single second class train ticket
to Delft ( 10.00). Please bear in mind that you must purchase your ticket before boarding the

26

train, there are slot machines for this purpose at the station. You cannot buy your ticket on the train
and risk being fined if you cannot show a valid ticket.
We advise you to board a INTERCITY train and not the STOP train in the direction of (depending
on what time you will board) Rotterdam, Eindhoven, Roosendaal, Dordrecht or Vlissingen, which
always leaves from track 5 and 6. This INTERCITY train runs 24 hours a day; between 1 AM and
4AM 1 time per hour and between 5.45AM and 11.45PM every 30 minutes. When it arrives in Delft
Central Station, please leave the train.
Dutch trains are usually punctual. Timetables are available at the yellow information boards or on
big, electronic overhead signs at the station. For more information, please check the website
www.ns.nl.
Please be aware of thieves and pickpockets in crowded places such as airports, railway stations
and in the trains. We advise you to watch your luggage at all times and never leave them
unattended. Valuables such as money, passports, tickets, and laptops should be kept in a safe
place.
Once in Delft you can walk from the station to the main building of the institute.
The address to report to for registration is:
UNESCO-IHE
Westvest 7
2611 AX DELFT
UNESCO-IHE is located at 5 minutes walking distance from the Delft Central Station. At the station,
follow the signs that direct you to the historical center of Delft, once you have crossed the road
(Westvest) turn left. UNESCO-IHE, Westvest 7, is located about two hunderd meters down the road
on your right hand side.
If you arrive at the airport after 8:00 PM, you will have to make your own arrangements for the night.
You can either stay at one of the hotels near/on Schiphol Airport and travel to Delft the next day or
you can travel to Delft and stay in one of the hotels in Delft. If you decide to stay in Delft we
recommend you to stay in the Royal Bridges Hotel or hotel Coen which are located at walking
distance from the railway station, and nearby UNESCO-IHE.
The costs are on your own account.
NOTE:
Taxi fares from Schiphol Airport to Delft are very expensive. We strongly advise you to travel by
train. Should you decide to take a taxi after all, the fare is on your own account.

NICE TO KNOW
Before you proceed with your preparations, see here a couple of facts about The Netherlands you
might find interesting.

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FACTS ABOUT THE NETHERLANDS

One quarter of The Netherlands is below sea level, its total area is 41,526 km2
The International Court of Justice is located at the Peace Palace in The Hague
The Netherlands has approximately 480 inhabitants per square kilometre
Delft has about 95500 inhabitants
The Netherlands was one of the European Union's founding nations
The Netherlands has at least 15000 kilometres of cycle tracks
The Netherlands still has about 1000 traditional working windmills
The Dutch are the tallest people in the world
Amsterdam is entirely built on piles and has 1281 bridges
The Netherlands has nearly 1000 museums, with 42 in Amsterdam
Almost every Dutch person has a bicycle and there are twice as many bikes as cars
People in The Netherlands eat raw herring with onions on top
About 30% of all Dutch babies are born at home
You can see 22 paintings by Rembrandt and 206 by Van Gogh in Amsterdam
Famous painter Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) was born in Delft and worked there most of
his life
The Netherlands has the highest number of part-time workers in the EU
The highest point in The Netherlands, near Maastricht, is 323 metres high and therefore
called a 'mountain'
Most Dutch people speak at least one foreign language
One in every three Dutch people is member of a sports club
After Scandinavians, the Dutch are the world's biggest coffee drinkers
People of 200 nationalities live in Amsterdam
When your plane arrives at Schiphol, it lands 4,5 metres below sea level
The Netherlands has the highest cable density in Europe
On 26 April, the Kingsday is celebrated. Most of the Dutch are dressed up in orange and go
to the festivals that are organized throughout the country.
When Dutch school children pass their final exams, they hang a Dutch flag and school bag
outside their homes

USEFUL LINKS
For more information that might be interesting to you please consult the following internet sites:
www.delft.nl/webEN/ for more info on the city of Delft
www.duwo.nl for info on Duwo housing
www.ind.nl for info on IND, the organization for entry into The Netherlands
www.oanda.com for more info on currencies
www.schiphol.nl for info on Schiphol Airport Amsterdam
www.students-insurance.eu for info on insurance
https://www.students-insurance.eu/pdf/INTNL_Policy_Terms_and_Conditions-no_1_12.pdf for
info on the general conditions policy of AON
www.studyinholland.nl for info on studying in the Netherlands
www.unesco-ihe.org for info on UNESCO-IHE
www.weatherforecastmap.com/netherlands for info on the weather in The Netherlands
journeyplanner.9292.nl for more info on public transport

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