UNESCO-IHE’s Student and Education Affairs Department offers all the services and information that new participants will need in order to familiarize themselves with their new surroundings.
On arrival, participants are helped to deal with formalities such as residence permits, insurance, etc., and are gradually introduced to life in the Netherlands and studying at UNESCO-IHE.
Introductions to UNESCO-IHE staff and fellow participants begin immediately, but the process becomes more intensive during the ‘Introduction Days’ that are held a few days after arrival.
Throughout the year the Student Affairs Department organizes a number of activities that aim to make life at UNESCO-IHE as pleasant as possible.
Most activities are organized together with participants. According to many alumni, the UNESCO-IHE social and cultural programmes leave lasting impressions. The social calendar starts with the reception at the official opening of the academic year.
Other celebratory occasions during a period of study at UNESCO-IHE include:
- the introductory programme after the first week of the course or programme;
- international social evenings, with performances from participants;
- the traditional Christmas dinner;
- various sports events; and
- excursions to places of interest in the Netherlands and elsewhere Europe.
The excursions are organized in addition to the field trips that form part of all programmes (and which vary per programme).
Health
Students can consult a doctor at the Student’s Medical Centre. The costs of medical assistance are fully covered by UNESCO-IHE’s compulsory health and liability insurance.
Religion
The Institute has a multinational and also multi-faith community, so there is a good chance that you will find your religious community in Delft or its surroundings.
The International Student Chaplaincy wishes to offer all students of UNESCO-IHE support during their time of study in the Netherlands regardless of their religious background. Two chaplains (pastors), catholic and protestant, work together as an ecumenical team. You can consult them for personal counselling or for information about different religious places and activities in and near Delft. The International Student Chaplaincy in Delft organises interfaith sharings, intercultural meals and discussions, excursions, ecumenical Sunday services, meditation and more activities.
The chaplains are Rev. Father Avin Kunnekkaddan (+316 12 55 57 68), ispavin@gmail.com and Rev. Mrs. Waltraut Stroh (+3170 3297624), wfstroh@xs4all.nl.
See the ISC website for more information.
Student Association Board (SAB)
The Student Association Board represents course participants in all UNESCO-IHE-related matters. The Board forms and maintains technical debating clubs for the various UNESCO-IHE courses, promotes cooperation between the different branches of study and courses, and conducts or participates in programmes, services and social activities.
The Board also discusses views and suggestions on course matters and the welfare of participants with the UNESCO-IHE management, and promotes contacts and cooperation with individuals and institutions in the Netherlands.
The members of the SAB are elected by UNESCO-IHE participants, and consists of four executive positions: chairman, general secretary, joint secretary and vice-chairman.
For more information contact the SAB.
Family reunion and support
The Institute offers practical assistance to participants who wish their families to join them in the course of their studies. It should be noted, however, that the first months of the Masters Programme require considerable time and energy, leaving little time for looking after dependants.
Participants who intend to bring their families are therefore strongly advised to arrange for them arrive at a later date, preferably in the spring when the weather is more agreeable.
Please note that family members are not permitted to join field trips that are arranged as part of course curricula.
Participants should take into account that they will need additional funds to cover the costs of bringing their families, as the Netherlands Ministry of Justice requests proof of such funds.
Also, the Netherlands Embassy or Consulate will require participants to show return tickets to their home country for their dependants, or an equivalent sum of money.
For all participants the procedure for obtaining the required residence permit is arranged by UNESCO-IHE.
Applications for temporary residence permits for family members must be made after arrival in Delft. UNESCO-IHE can assist you in the process.
The procedure can easily take 4 to 6 months. Families can therefore not join participants directly at the start of a programme.
See also the webcast "Facilities and Services for Participants":
