UC-DCL Pre-departure Information for UCM exchange students
Fall 2016
You are about to embark on a great adventure… a semester abroad in Maastricht! This requires lots
of preparation: arranging your courses, buying a ticket, making sure you have a valid passport,
filling out forms, arranging your finances, planning trips in Europe . We have drawn up this predeparture document to help you prepare for your arrival in The Netherlands. It contains the
information which you will need right before, during and immediately after travelling to Maastricht.
See you soon!
About the ‘Dutch Language and Culture’ orientation programme
Your semester in Maastricht starts with a two week orientation programme called “Dutch Language
and Culture” (or DCL), which is organised specifically for University of California students who are
spending a semester abroad as exchange student at Maastricht University’s University College
Maastricht (UCM).
DCL offers students a chance to immerse themselves in Dutch language, history, art, politics and
more. The orientation programme highlights a number of unique Dutch features that go far beyond
the traditional Dutch stereotypes of clogs, windmills and tulips. The DCL programme combines
academic lectures with interesting site visits, excursions and movies that bring the topics alive. We
found renowned academics and professionals willing to share their knowledge and enthusiasm
The DCL programme prepares students for a semester in the Netherlands, so an important part is
dedicated to helping students get comfortable in Dutch society. During a five-day language course,
students get the opportunity to acquire the basics of Dutch language and understand more about
typical Dutch values and customs. This prepares students for common situations like Dutch
birthdays (extend your congratulations to the partner and family), meeting new people (when to
offer a kiss on the cheek) or how to keep appointments (please be punctual). In addition, the DCL
programme offers practical assistance with every day activities like grocery shopping and using
public transport. In two intensive weeks, the Dutch Culture and Language programme will give you
the in-depth knowledge of your new home country that normally only emerges at the end of your
semester abroad. With most of the common obstacles gone, you will find that settling in goes a lot
faster: it will be easier to make friends, to get around, to participate in local events and to focus on
your classes. With DCL you will feel like a local at the start of your semester abroad!
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Programme dates
The Dutch Culture and Language programme starts on Friday 12 August and ends on Friday 26
August 2016. Afterwards, you will start as exchange student at University College Maastricht (UCM).
The UCM exchange semester programme starts on Monday 29 August with a mandatory introduction
programme. The semester ends on Friday 16 December (departure from the Guesthouse: Saturday,
17 December 2016).
Introduction programme at UCM
UCM has a mandatory introduction programme for exchange students.

UCM: introduction starts on Monday August 29th.
Task division between CES and UCM
The Center for European Studies (CES) organises the two-week DCL orientation programme and
arranges housing. Your CES programme coordinator is Kyra van Leendert
([email protected]).
We work closely together with our colleagues at UCM as they are responsible for all other aspects
concerning your semester abroad. You will receive extensive information from them in preparation
of your stay in Maastricht. After DCL is over, they will be your main contacts throughout your
semester in Maastricht. The contact details are:

University College Maastricht, Ms. Sylvia Brandt, [email protected]
Classes start on Monday 5 September 2016. Your course schedules will be available during the
week before classes start. Check the MyUM portal for more information. Please do not book any trips
before your class schedules are published as class attendance is mandatory. For all questions,
course registration and disability management, please contact UCM directly.
Visa – Temporary Residence permit
As a citizen of the United States, you only need a passport valid for at least 3 months after your
departure from the Netherlands. US citizens do not need a visa to enter the Netherlands or any
other country within the Schengen area (and the UK and Ireland). Because you will stay in the
Netherlands for longer than 90 days you will need to apply for a Dutch temporary residence permit.
Please keep an eye out for the email from Maastricht University Visa Office.
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Booking a flight
CES recommends all students to book a flight to either Amsterdam Schiphol airport or Brussels
National Airport (‘Zaventem’) in Belgium.
Start of the programme:

Departure from US: Thursday 11 August 2016

Arrival in Amsterdam or Brussels, Belgium: Friday 12 August 2016 (preferably before
3.30pm)
Please check the travel section at our website to find out how to travel to Maastricht. (Also from
other airports)
All students need to be at the International Student Guesthouse in Maastricht on Friday
12 August 2016 by 3.30 PM.
General Information and Student Handbook
On the CES website you will find all sorts of useful general information as well as a link to the CES
Student Handbook, which is a valuable in-depth resource for your study at CES and Maastricht
University. The first part of the Student Handbook covers academic matters. The second part is a
Social Guide to living and studying in Maastricht and the Netherlands. Please take some time to read
it carefully.
Housing
We have made reservations for you at the International Student Guesthouse of Maastricht University
for the duration of your stay. Your room will be ready on Friday 12 August unless otherwise
requested. We expect you at the Guesthouse before 3 PM.
The address is: Brouwersweg 100, 6216 EG, Maastricht, the Netherlands. Telephone number: +3143-3885970.
The Guesthouse is home to international students from all over the world and a great place to meet
people and make friends. There is free wireless internet throughout the dormitories. If you need to
extend the dates of your reservation, please contact your CES programme coordinator as soon as
possible. Please refer to the website for more housing information.
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Welcome package
Upon arrival at the dorms you will receive a Maastricht University backpack which contains
orientation and programme information, a hard copy of the CES Student Handbook and information
about the university and city of Maastricht (including a map) among others. Your CES programme
coordinator will be on hand to welcome you and assist with any questions you might have.
Mobile phone
You will have the option of renting a mobile phone from CES (with a Dutch phone number) for €20
(including €20 calling credit) as well as getting an electrical plug that will enable you to connect your
electrical devices to Dutch sockets.
CES Facebook page
We have created a Facebook group so all our students studying at CES during the Spring 2016
semester can communicate with each other about all aspects of their study abroad (classes, travel
plans, things to do in Maastricht, etc). We would like to invite you to join this group by clicking on
the following link Maastricht Spring 2016. Once you are on the Facebook page, click the ‘Ask to join
group’ button on the right hand side top corner and we will accept you.
Feel at home and use this group for your benefit!
We also recommend that you ‘like’ the CES Facebook page, which will keep you up to date with
everything happening here.
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