Practical Information while in The Netherlands

Delft
UNESCO-IHE’s premises are located in the historical centre of the city of Delft, which city is an internationally well-known centre in civil engineering and water related sciences. The Delft University of Technology, Delft Hydraulics, Geodelft and the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) are also located in this city. These and many other organisations provide direct input into the Institute’s education and research activities.
Many tourists visit the inner city of Delft every year because of its historical importance and lively atmosphere. There are numerous museums, shops and restaurants along its streets and canals, all just a short walk or bike ride away. Being a university city as well, Delft offers an abundance of cultural events and activities throughout the year.

Education in the Netherlands
All levels of the Netherlands education system are geared to achieving a creative, independent and internationally focused workforce. The higher education system offers a variety of courses in academic, applied and professional disciplines, and has an excellent international reputation. Foreign nationals who obtain part of their higher education in the Netherlands are well equipped to perform their functions anywhere in the world.

European Exposure
Other countries such as Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom can be easily reached from the Netherlands. UNESCO-IHE has established good professional working relationships with many renowned European research institutions, research centres and sectoral organisations. Participants will be exposed to current developments in the water and environment sectors throughout Europe because all programmes feature field trips to other European countries in addition to the technical visits carried out in the Netherlands.

International Setting
Socially, the Institute offers a unique environment; participants are part of an international community of approximately 300 professionals representing over 70 countries. At UNESCO-IHE, a participant finds him/herself surrounded by numerous colleagues from all over the world, who have acquired practical experience in water, environment and infrastructure. In addition to the learning experience in an international setting, living and working with fellow participants of such diverse backgrounds and cultures is an invaluable advantage of the study programmes at the Institute. The multi-cultural and multi-national population at UNESCO-IHE will allow any participant to make new friends from all over the world.

Facilities and Services
The Institute is a short walk from the train, bus and tram station. Its buildings merge perfectly with the surrounding mix of beautiful historical monuments and ultramodern, efficient architecture.
UNESCO-IHE’s premises cover an area of 14,000 square meters and run from the main entrance of the new building on Westvest 7 to the monumental buildings of Oude Delft 95 and 93, on one of Delft’s main canals.

The Institute’s facilities and services include:
· Excellent multifunctional lecture theatres;
· Four modern teaching and research laboratories: aquatic ecology, microbiology process and analytical laboratories;
· Extensive ICT facilities with a computer watch service;
· A library with on-line connections to a worldwide network of libraries, and a reading room containing many international journals and magazines;
· Staff rooms and study rooms for MSc and PhD participants;
· A fully equipped auditorium with 300 seats;
· A distance learning and videoconferencing facility (connected to the GDLN network);
· A restaurant offering a wide variety of inexpensive and multicultural meals daily;
· An in-house prayer room.

Accommodation
The Institute puts great importance on providing optimal study conditions for all participants. UNESCO-IHE provides high-quality accommodation in Delft for all participants of the Institute’s programmes, available upon arrival and for the duration of the study period. Over 350 units of fully furnished accommodation (including linen sets and basic cooking utensils) are available in four different hostels, all within walking distance of the Institute. These participant hostels provide excellent conditions for study and living. The availability of the accommodation is arranged with DUWO, a Delft housing corporation. Having secure availability of accommodation makes it compulsory that all participants in the Institute’s programmes use this accommodation.
For families with one or more children there are special family-apartments in two of the hostels. Bringing your family includes obligatory reservation of one of the family units. Please take into account that the family units are more expensive than the other accommodation.

Student Services
UNESCO-IHE's Student Affairs office offers all the services and information that new participants will need in order to familiarise them 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 the Institute. Introductions to the Institute’s 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 office organises a number of activities that aim to make life at the Institute as pleasant as possible. An extensive socio-cultural programme offers activities ranging from movie nights, international theatre and music performances, regular international social evenings, ‘happy hours’, to the traditional Christmas dinner. Excursions in the Netherlands and to other European countries are famous among alumni. UNESCO-IHE offers a unique multicultural social environment in which all new arrivals can make friends with fellow participants from around the world.

Sport Facilities
Delft offers excellent sports facilities that are open to the Institute’s participants. UNESCO-IHE also organises its own sports events and each year its participants participate in a prestigious international sports day.

Health and Religion
Participants can consult a doctor at the Student's Health Service. The cost of medical assistance is fully covered by the Institute's compulsory health and liability insurance. UNESCO-IHE’s multinational community is also multi-religious, so there is a good chance that participants will find their religious community in or around Delft. The churches in the Netherlands have appointed specialised chaplains for foreign students, who are also available at the Institute.