Welcome to European Studies!

Transcription

1 Information for Incoming European Studies Students

2 Welcome to European Studies! Dear Student, You have received this information booklet because, according to our information, you have registered for the European Studies programme at The Hague University of Applied Sciences this August. On behalf of all your teachers, we would like to thank you for choosing our programme and let you know that we are looking forward to meeting you soon. Here is an overview of the contents of this booklet. Contents CONTACT INFORMATION 3 IMPORTANT DATES 4 GETTING TO THE HAGUE UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES 5 INVITATION TO THE MEET & MATCH ON 25 JUNE 6 ESINTRO: THE EUROPEAN STUDIES INTRODUCTION PERIOD 7 WHAT TO EXPECT AT EUROPEAN STUDIES 8 WHAT S EXPECTED OF YOU AT EUROPEAN STUDIES 9 A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF YOUR COURSES FOR YEAR 1 10 GETTING YOUR TEXTBOOKS 12 SUPPORT & SUPERVISION 13 THE MOST IMPORTANT THING: LANGUAGE PLACEMENT INFORMATION AND FORM 15 Please read the entire booklet carefully. Be sure to add important dates to your calendar and make sure you complete the Language Placement Form as soon as possible. 2

3 CONTACT INFORMATION Here s an overview of who to contact for specific questions. Registration Questions Once you ve enrolled for European Studies via Studielink, you should receive further information about registration procedures from the Central Enrolment Office. If you have questions about this, contact them at csi@hhs.nl Questions about European Studies If you have questions that are specifically about European Studies, get in touch with the appropriate contact person. For the Four-Year programme (ES4) Ms E. Schrijn ( / e.schrijn@hs.nl) For the three-year programme (ES3) Ms P.J. Ip ( / p.j.ip@hhs.nl) Find us on Facebook You can get answers to most of your questions about European Studies by visiting our Facebook group for Incoming First Year Students European Studies '15-'16 (click the link or go to this address: where a dedicated team of students and staff will try to help you with anything you need. The Facebook group is especially convenient during the Introduction period, so join up as soon as you can. 3

4 IMPORTANT DATES Here is an overview of the dates for upcoming events and activities that you won t want to miss. Please be aware that, because European Studies features an exchange programme that requires us to synchronize our calendar with our partner universities all over the world, school does start earlier here than in some of the other programmes at The Hague University of Applied Sciences. 25 June Meet and Match An event in which all registered students are invited to visit us at The Hague University of Applied Sciences, to meet some of your teachers as well as classmates and to find out more about what you can expect when you arrive in August. You will receive a separate invitation to this event, but feel free to contact us if you have questions. 21 August International Student Registration and Language Testing International Student Registration If you are an international student, you will need to visit The Hague University of Applied Sciences on Friday, 21 August between 9:00 and 15:00 to register with the school s international office. Be sure to bring any paperwork (passports, diplomas) that you might need. A team of students will greet you at the door and show you the way. Language Testing Depending on your educational background and your preferences for foreign language courses, you may have to take an intake test to determine whether or not you have the right level for a specific course. All students who have to take such a test should arrive at The Hague University of Applied Sciences at 9:30 on Friday, 21 August. See the Language Placement Information in this booklet to find out if you need to take an intake test August ESIntro The European Studies Introduction Week 1 September Classes Start The European Studies programme starts with an Introduction Week that kicks off on Monday, 24 August and lasts until Friday, 28 August. The exact programme will be released later, but you can count on five full days of activities that will introduce you to the programme while giving you the tools you need to adjust to life at The Hague University of Applied Sciences and giving you a chance to get to know your teachers and classmates. Our Introduction programme is designed to get you ready to get to work and you ll do just that on 1 September, when your official classes start. 4

5 GETTING TO THE HAGUE UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES The Hague University of Applied Sciences (De Haagse Hogeschool) has several campuses in and around The Hague, but all European Studies activities take place at the main campus, located at this address: Johanna Westerdijkplein EN The Hague the Netherlands The school is located right next to Hollands Spoor (Den Haag HS), on of The Hague s major train stations, and is easily accessible by public transport and by car there is a parking garage nearby. 5

6 INVITATION TO THE MEET & MATCH ON 25 JUNE One of the first things we d like to do is to invite you to come to the Meet & Match on Thursday, 25 June at The Hague University of Applied Sciences. Please put this event in your calendar. Meet & Match Thursday, 25 June 10:00-15:00 You probably have questions about what to expect when school starts in August. Find out by coming to this event, where you can ask all the questions you want. The Meet & Match is an opportunity for you to meet some of your teachers and classmates, and to get more information about the programme so that you can decide for certain whether or not it is a good match. There will be informative and interactive presentations, plenty of opportunities to ask questions and, of course, an opportunity to socialise. If you ve signed up for European Studies and you re eager to find out how to get yourself ready for the next step in your career, if you re eager to meet some of your teachers and classmates, don t miss this opportunity. You ll also get a lot of practical information and a preview of the programme that will help you to make certain that European Studies is the right match for you. Please register if you plan on coming You can register for the Meet & Match on The Hague University s website, Click here to go straight to the registration form or put this address into your browser: If you can t make it to the Meet & Match, don t worry. We will make all essential content available on the Facebook group for Incoming First Year Students European Studies '15-'16, where you will also be able to ask questions and get answers from staff and students. See you soon! 6

7 ESINTRO: THE EUROPEAN STUDIES INTRODUCTION PERIOD August 2015 At this very moment, a team of teachers, students and administrative staffers are hard at work putting your introduction programme together and on 24 August, we re going to roll out the red carpet for you starting at 9:30. A team of students in blue European Studies T-Shirts will be there to welcome you. The ESIntro programme contains a variety of social activities, informative presentations, practical trainings, lectures, parties, contests and a group project, all designed to get you ready to start your career at European Studies. Because we re still hard at work on last-minute details and hoping to include some surprises, we cannot release the full programme yet, because we re still putting the finishing touches, but you can count on five full days of activity at The Hague University and should plan any other activities you have accordingly. Full participation is expected. Be sure to join the Facebook group for Incoming First Year Students European Studies '15- '16 (address: for updates and questions.

8 WHAT TO EXPECT AT EUROPEAN STUDIES By now, you probably know a lot about European Studies and have some idea about what to expect, but just in case you d like a little more information, we thought we d include a brief reminder of our mission statement and a summary of the programme. Our Mission European Studies is a broad, multi-disciplinary programme that provides its students with a general, international and multi-faceted outlook to the world. It turns students into professionals by providing them with the knowledge and skills they need in order to be able to operate successfully in the global community dealing with the emerging issues of the 21st century world. European Studies aims to help its students develop their knowledge of Europe from both a public and private perspective and apply this in an interdisciplinary programme that develops research and critical thinking skills, professional communication skills, foreign languages and intercultural awareness in an international context. Graduates are competent professionals who are qualified to start careers in a wide range of jobs that have international and intercultural aspects and that relate to the public and private sectors. What that means We live in an era of accelerated globalisation and rapid technological evolution, where contemporary professionals face new challenges that prove the old saying that it is not necessarily the strongest who survive, but those most adaptable to change. At European Studies, you will get the knowledge and skills you need to start an international career in business, government or the non-profit sector and you will be given the tools to continue learning, changing and growing as your career develops. Throughout your three or four years at European Studies, you will explore Europe and the organisations operating within its political, cultural and economic frameworks. You will confront big questions, examine different cultural perspectives and prepare for a future in politics, business or the non-profit sector. You will get an international experience both in and out of our multi-cultural classrooms, where English is the main language, and you will have a chance to develop your intercultural skills by going on exchange to another country. You will develop your knowledge while practicing essential skills and after demonstrating those skills during a placement in a real international organisation, you ll be ready to start your career in just such a place or to pursue further international studies.

9 WHAT S EXPECTED OF YOU AT EUROPEAN STUDIES Like any University programme, European Studies has rules, regulations and procedures that have to be followed. You ll learn them all in due time, but what s important to know right away is that we have a Code of Conduct, a list of five simple principles that everyone at ES students and staff alike are expected to live by. The European Studies Code of Conduct 1. We are proud to be here, and committed to participating in the community. 2. We can count on each other to do what is expected of us and to do it in a timely fashion. 3. We respect each other as well as each other s efforts and time. 4. We set high standards for ourselves and do what it takes to (help each other) meet them. 5. We are honest with each other and honest with ourselves. What it means These principles guide us in the way we work and the way we interact with each other. Everyone at European Studies has chosen to be there and is expected to show full commitment to their work or studies, living up to expectations including deadlines and showing respect for each other at all times. Above all, we strive for quality and integrity in everything we do. 9

10 A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF YOUR COURSES FOR YEAR 1 Depending on which version of the programme you have chosen, you will spend three or four years at European Studies. You ll start by building up your knowledge of business, politics, culture, management and marketing, as well as your research, communication and foreign language skills. You will have the opportunity to go on exchange abroad and you will complete a 5-month work placement at an international organisation as well as a final research assignment in order to graduate. Year 1 is your first step. Here is a brief overview of the courses you ll be taking. Please note that your programme will vary depending on whether you are in the three-year programme (ES3) or the four-year programme (ES4) and depending on your secondary school education. European Studies is an international programme. As such, all courses are taught in English (with the exception of some foreign language courses). Dutch ES4 students, however, will have several special courses to develop their skills in the Dutch language. These are indicated below. Each course is assessed differently. Some have exams, while others consist of assignments. In keeping with Dutch law, students will have two opportunities for each assessment. You ll learn more about this, and about exam registration, when school starts. Courses for all Students These are courses that all students study, regardless of whether they are in ES3 or ES4 though it should be noted that ES3 students may have a different version of the course with additional assignments. The Cultural Dimension of Europe: The Political Dimension of Europe: The Business Dimension of Europe: English Practicals: Project Management: Introduction to Research Skills: Oral Presentations: Focus on Europe Today: Management of Organisations: An Introduction to European Culture and History An introduction to the workings of European Politics An introduction to the economic environment in Europe A vocabulary-building course that helps students with the reading for the dimensions courses Training on how to work on projects in multi-cultural teams. A practical introduction to academic research and report writing Training in an essential academic skill: public speaking. Dutch students in the 4-year programme will do this in Dutch (it s called Mondeling Presenteren) A group project involving Event planning An introduction to management principles that apply to businesses and other organisations 10

11 Foundations of Marketing: Institutions of the EU: An introduction to how companies, governments and non-profits use marketing to face the world An overview of how the European Union works IGOs & NGOS: An introduction to international governmental organisations and the non-profit sector Intercultural Communication: Training to develop the necessary skills for communicating with people from different cultural backgrounds Modern Foreign Languages All students follow French, German or Spanish in year 1. ES3 students may also follow an additional language and international students can choose to follow Dutch lessons. Courses for ES4 Only Writing for European Professionals: Writing on European Topics: Career Development: Practice on Professional writing skills Training in different types of academic texts. Dutch ES4 students do this in Dutch (it s called Schrijven over Europese Kwesties) Personal development training, including personal projects and an international focus Courses for ES3 Only Advanced Research Skills: Professional Argumentation: Developing the Intercultural You: English Writing Further practice of academic research with new methods Development of the speechwriting, negotiating and policy writing skills needed for success in the workplace Personal development with an international focus and a variety of challenging assignments Workshops to develop your writing skills in support of other courses.

12 GETTING YOUR TEXTBOOKS One way to make a smooth start at European Studies is to get your textbooks ahead of time. To do that, you ll need the book list and you will find that list online by visiting Studystore ( a website used by universities all over the Netherlands. Finding the Book List The list for will be published on Studystore by mid-july. To view the list, go to Studystore and find the European Studies programme by selecting our school, which may be referred to as The Hague University of Applied Sciences or as De Haagse Hogeschool. When asked to select the location, choose The Hague (Den Haag), and then find your way to European Studies Year 1. Required vs. Recommended Studystore will present you with a list of courses and lists the relevant books. Some books are indicated as required texts. Others are simply recommended and it is up to you to decide if you will buy them or not. Ordering Books You are not obligated to order your books from Studystore. Many of the required books can be found via other retailers and some are available second hand (though you should be careful and make sure you get the correct edition of the book). You can also visit the Studystore in person. It s right across from The Hague University and here is the address: Johanna Westerdijkplein EN Den Haag Tel. +31 (0) If you order books from Studystore, please keep the following in mind: Studystore can only ship orders to addresses in the Netherlands so international students should use a Dutch address. Delivery can take time so the sooner you order your books, the better. Check the list carefully and make sure you don t buy books you don t need. See the Studystore website for more information. Do not order language books until after you arrive at school! Because of the different factors that play around in your language placement, you will not know for certain which language courses you will be taking until after the intake tests on 21 August. As such, we advise you to wait before buying language books until you know for sure. Studystore will stock the appropriate books, so there should be enough copies available at their location near school.

13 SUPPORT & SUPERVISION Going from secondary school to a University of Applied Sciences can be challenging. In many ways, it s different from what you re used to. You will have a lot more independence, but you ll also have a lot more responsibility. For many, that s a big adjustment. Luckily, you won t have to do it all on your own. Not only will you have the support of your classmates, (as well as older students who have been through everything you re going through and lived to tell the tale), you will also receive guidance, coaching and any other help you need from our team. Supervision During the Introduction Week (24-28 August) you will be placed in a class and introduced to your Educational Career Supervisor (ECS) sometimes called a Studieloopbaanbegeleider or SLBer a member of the European Studies staff who will supervise and support you throughout the entire year. Your ECS will provide your class with guidance and coaching in regular meetings. They ll meet with you face to face to discuss your study progress throughout the year and will be the first person you go to if you need help. The ECS is supported by a Coaching Assistant (CA), a recent European Studies graduate who will help you make the transition to university life. Intake Meetings with your Supervisor Early in the school year, you will meet with your supervisor for a private intake interview, in which you ll get to know one another and consider your plans for the year. You will also discuss any potential obstacles that could get in the way of your studies, such as personal or medical issues, so that you can make plans to deal with them. 13

14 For Dutch Students: The NOA Intake Questionnaire For Dutch students, the intake procedure has an additional step: the NOA Intake. It involves an online assessment that involves a questionnaire and it is used by several Dutch universities to help students and supervisors get a clear picture of what to expect during the school year. It will help you get to know yourself a little better by asking you about your strengths and weaknesses, and may identify areas where you may need some assistance or support. You will be sent an Intake Questionnaire, with instructions, by . Simply fill in the survey and the results will be sent to your supervisor. Your ECS will explain the Intake procedure in more detail during the Introduction Week. If you have questions about the questionnaire itself, contact Ms De Jong (a.c.dejongvandenoever@hhs.nl / ). Other important Support Mechanisms The Hague University of Applied Sciences strives to provide all of its students with the support they need to succeed. In addition to your ECS and CA, you can meet with a School Counsellor (Decaan) who can help you with personal or financial matters, as well as issues pertaining to regulations. There is also a Confidential Advisor and a team of School Psychologists available for anyone in need of counselling, who also offer useful trainings. For academic support, there are options for getting tutoring and we have a Language Partner programme that enables you to get help learning a language from a native speaker. You will get more information about these support mechanisms, and you ll meet some of these individuals early in the school year.

15 THE MOST IMPORTANT THING: LANGUAGE PLACEMENT INFORMATION AND FORM As you may know, foreign language learning is one of the cornerstones of the European Studies programme. We believe all students should learn to speak one or more foreign languages (in addition to English) in order to truly maximise their professional potential in today s world. As such, all ES students follow at least one foreign language (French, German or Spanish) from year one until graduation. Your individual language options depend on your educational background and your previous language learning experience. Depending on your specific circumstances, you may have to take an intake test. Language Options for Students in the Four-Year Programme (ES4) ES4 students follow one foreign language in their first year. The options depend on your educational background and level. If you have a Dutch HAVO or VWO diploma You must follow an Advanced foreign language course in French, German or Spanish. You can choose which language to follow, but you choose a language that was included in your final exams. If you choose an advanced language that was not in your final exams, you will have to take an intake test. You will also have to take an intake test if you have chosen advanced Spanish. If you have an MBO Diploma You can choose to follow an Advanced course in French, German or Spanish if you have previous experience, but you will have to take an intake test. You can also choose to follow French, German or Spanish at beginner s level. If you have a Foreign Secondary School Diploma You can choose to follow an Advanced course in French, German or Spanish if you have previous experience, but you will have to take an intake test. You can also choose to follow French, German or Spanish at beginner s level. 15

16 Language Options for Students in the three-year Programme (ES3) ES3 students follow at least one foreign language (French, German or Spanish) in their first year. The options depend on your educational background and level. ES3 students can also choose to follow an additional foreign language (French, German, Spanish, Italian or Russian) at beginner level as an extra-curricular activity. If you have a Dutch VWO diploma You must follow an Advanced foreign language course in French, German or Spanish. You can choose which language to follow, but you choose a language that was included in your final exams. If you choose an advanced language that was not in your final exams, you will have to take an intake test. You will also have to take an intake test if you have chosen advanced Spanish. If you have a Foreign Secondary School Diploma You can choose to follow an Advanced course in French, German or Spanish if you have previous experience, but you will have to take an intake test. You can also choose to follow French, German or Spanish at beginner s level. Optional Dutch Courses for International Students International students (from either the four-year programme or the three-year programme) also have the option of following introductory Dutch courses as part of their study programme. Students who choose not to follow Dutch will participate in an alternative activity that will be explained when school starts. Intake Tests Depending on your language preferences and your educational background, you may need to take an intake test to determine whether or not you have the right level. Intake tests will be held on 21 August, starting at 9:30. Once you arrive at The Hague University of Applied Sciences, a team of students will be on hand to greet you and show you the way. You do not have to prepare for the intake test and it will only be used to determine the right class for you. You will need to take an intake test if the following applies to you: You want to follow an advanced Spanish class. You have an MBO diploma but want to follow an Advanced language course. You are an international student and want to follow an Advanced language course. You want to follow an advanced course for a language that was not included in your final exams. 16

17 The Language Placement Form In order to get everything ready for you, we need to know your language preferences in advance. Knowing your language choices enables us to make groups and plan our schedule, so it is essential that we get some information from you as soon as humanly possible. To register your language choices, you have two options. The fastest route is to fill in the form online. You can click here or enter this link into your browser: All you have to do is answer a few simple questions and submit the form. If you you have any problems with the online form, you can contact us and we can give you a PDF version that you can fill in, save and send back. All you have to do is save the document to your computer, open it up, fill in the information and save it. Then, send the form by . ES4 students contact Ms Emmy Schrijn (e.schrijn@hhs.nl) ES3 students contact Ms P.J. Ip (p.j.ip@hhs.nl) Please do this as soon as possible so that we can get started on the class lists and schedule. If you have any questions about the language form, feel free to contact us or visit us on Facebook. 17

18 Final words We hope that this information package is clear and that you have all of the information you need. If there s anything that you think is missing, or if anything is unclear, please get in touch with us as soon as possible. Use the contact information on page 3 but, keep in mind that there will be fewer staff members present at The Hague University of Applied Sciences during summer vacation and the fastest way to get answers to your questions is to visit the Facebook group for Incoming First Year Students European Studies '15-'16 (click the link or go to this address: We are really looking forward to meeting you in August and wish you a pleasant summer. 18