IFMSA-The Netherlands welcomes you!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IFMSA

The IFMSA is a worldwide organisation, with research, clinical & pre-clinical clerkships as her most famous activities. IFMSA-The Netherlands has contracts with over 60 countries all over the world. We arrange exchanges in The Netherlands for about 130 foreign students each year. All those students are placed in our 8 medical faculties.

The Clerkship

A clinical clerkship lasts for 4 weeks. Clinical clerkships are available in every medical faculty in The Netherlands, except for Maastricht (Research Exchange is a possibility here though, see SCORE). A week roughly consists of 5 days, 8 hours per day from Monday until Friday. You will accompany a doctor in the daily schedule at a department of your choice. It is a unique opportunity to experience the healthcare system in a different country, in a field of your own interest. Included in the clerkship is lodging for 4 weeks and board at least one time a day.

The Research Exchange

A Research exchange is a 1-6 month program available all year. Research Exchange offers you the opportunity to participate in a focused and personalized research program in order to expand your knowledge in a specific area.
Research projects are available in every medical faculty in The Netherlands.
A week roughly consists of 5 days, 8 hours per day from Monday until Friday. You will accompany a doctor, researcher or professor in the daily schedule at a department of your choice. To find the project of your dreams, take a look at projectdatabase, the Netherlands
Included in the exchange is lodging and you'll receive pocket money for food.

Of course the clerkship and research projects consists of more than just the hospital. You will meet the Dutch IFMSA-people, who will arrange a wonderful socialprogram especially for you! This is a good way to take part in the Dutch student life, probably totally different than in your own country.

Exchange conditions Research Exchange

Deadline for application
3 months in advance

Special requirements
* Always apply for 3 different cities(we will not accept AFs when the student only applies for Amsterdam!)
* Speaking English properly is OBLIGATORY!
* The student needs a LIABILITY INSURANCE too, for in lab or clinic. Student will hear more about this from the LORE of the specific faculty.
* Be prepared to live in a student's house as an independent dutch student.
* Students arriving with friends, pets or family will immediately be send back!

Available Universities
Catholic University Nijmegen (Nijmegen)
Erasmus University Rotterdam (Rotterdam)
Free University medical centre Amsterdam (Amsterdam)
University of Amsterdam (Amsterdam)
University of Groningen (Groningen)
University of Leiden (Leiden)
University of Maastricht (Maastricht)
University of Utrecht (Utrecht)


Card of Acceptance at least 6 weeks before starting the RE Program

Card of Confirmation at least 4 weeks before starting the RE Program

Substitutions
We prefer substitution instead of cancellation.
Substitutes must send the new AF one month in advance and must be for same month, city and project.
Substitution must be arranged between NOREs.

Working hours
+/- 8 hours a day, 5 days a week (see project descriptions or ask LORE)

Board & Lodging
Bilateral aggreement: Lodging included, we provide pocketmoney instead of boarding, amount depends on faculty(~30€)
The unilateral fee(~340€ for 4 weeks)does NOT include any boarding or pocketmoney

Social Program
* National Social Program in summer. All dutch cities will organize a weekend program, meet other exchange students there!
* The rest of the year social activities will be organized by the local committees.
* Sometimes costs of activities are not included.

Pocket Money: Yes
Insurance required: Yes

IFMSA-NL also offers a National Social Program during July and August, the most crowded months of the year. Every weekend a social program is being arranged by one city, so that all students that are doing a clerkship in the Netherlands can visit that specific city. That way, you will meet all the incoming students from several countries, and you can get to see a different Dutch city each weekend!

The Application

Clinical Clerkship

To apply for a clinical clerkship in The Netherlands, you have to go to the Local IFMSA Committee at your own medical faculty. The so called Local Exchange Officer (LEO) will help you to fill out an Application Form and to collect all the necessary documents.

It is very important that you pay very close attention to the following instructions concerning your clerkship, otherwise your Application Form will not be accepted!

Documents must be received three months in advance of the clerkship. Each application should include the following documents:
- 1 Application Form
- 2 copies of passport
- 1 health insurance certificate
- 1 liability insurance certificate
- 4 motivation letters, one for each department of your choice
- 1 English language certificate

Available places per Faculty:
University of Amsterdam: 8 places
- Free University Amsterdam: 11 places
- University of Groningen: 19 places
- Leiden University: 11 places
- Radboud University Nijmegen: 23 places
- University Rotterdam: 22 places
- University of Utrecht: 13 places

Research exchange

To apply for a Research exchange in The Netherlands, you have to go to the Local IFMSA Committee at your own medical faculty. The so called Local Officer on Research Exchange (LORE) will help you to fill out an Application Form and to collect all the necessary documents. To find the project you like to do: projectdatabase, the Netherlands

Documents must be received three months in advance of the clerkship. Each application should include the following documents:
-AF
-3 motivation letters(personal)
-2 photographs
-copy passport
-Copy medical insurance, legal liability
-1 english language certificate

For VISA countries, it is very important to arrange a Work Permit in order for the student to get the Visa. Therefore, we also need the following documents (check whether you need a VISA at www.minbuza.nl):
- 1 Additional Document (ask your LEO)
- 1 Letter of Recommendation of the Dean of the University which states that the clerkship is a necessary part of the students education (so NOT allowed, permitted, sustained, or anything like that, but necessary)
- 1 University document which states that the student is in fact a medical student (either a Letter of the Dean or a list with grades of medical education)
- 1 copy of the filled in visa application form (this document can be sent later after you have received the Card of Acceptance and Invitation Letter)

Especially the students that need a Visa for a Dutch clerkship must make sure that the application is complete including all documents mentioned above. Because Visa policies have become very strict, without these documents there will be no clerkship possible.

Visa

Countries, with whom we exchange, whose nationals do need a visa for a stay of under three months in The Netherlands:

Algeria (only SCOPE)
Armenia (only SCOPE)
Azerbaijan (only SCORE)
Bahrain
Bolivia (only SCOPE)
Bosnia-Hercegovina
China (only SCOPE)
Colombia (only SCOPE)
Costa Rica (only SCOPE)
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Ghana (only SCOPE)
Giorgia (only SCOPE)
Guatamala (only SCOPE)
Hong Kong (only SCOPE)
India (only SCOPE)
Iceland (only SCOPE)
Jamaica (only SCOPE)
Serbia
Montenegro
Indonesia
Kuwait
Lebanon
Macedonia
Nepal (only SCOPE)
Nigeria (only SCOPE)
Palestine
Panama (only SCOPE)
Peru
Philipines
Russian Federation
Sudan
Taiwan
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Ukraine

Countries, with whom we exchange, whose nationals do not require a visa for a stay of three months or less:

Austria
Australia
Brazil
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
El Salvador
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Lithuania
Malta
Mexico
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
USA

For more information about getting a visa, click here

The Netherlands

The Netherlands is a small country in the north-west of Europe. The people in the Netherlands are Dutch. Main language is Dutch, but most people here can speak English quite well. We do have windmills, and some people still wear clogs, but in fact, The Netherlands is not what most people think of it. We for example have major cities like Amsterdam, Manhattan of Rotterdam, Pittoresque Utrecht, Worldfamous Leiden and so on...

Most people only know the city of Amsterdam, but in fact we have many more, all with different qualities. Amsterdam has become very touristic along the years, and therefore is not very representative for the rest of The Netherlands. And besides that, The Netherlands is so diverse, that you will be astonished when visiting our country! For example, Rotterdam is often called the Manhattan of Holland with its high skyscrapers, Utrecht is in fact a major city but has the pittoresque appearance of a small village! You can find the oldest university in the beautiful city of Leiden, Nijmegen, the oldest city of The Netherlands, has numerous bars and pubs making it an oasis for every student, and Groningen has everything a student could ask for varying from cultural aspects to an exciting night life during the entire week.

The Faculties

IFMSA-NL arranges exchanges in the 8 medical faculties in The Netherlands. Here you will find specific information per city considering the exchanges, for example which departments are available, what kind of socialprogram is offered, what exchange conditions each city has, etc.

Erasmus University Rotterdam
The skyline is a good indicator of how dynamic Rotterdam is. Nearly every month, another new building rises to redefine the cityscape. The dynamic is expressed in more than just adventurous architecture. Every year, the city offers new events, innovative arts and culture, a more extensive range of shops and even better facilities to make business meetings, trade fairs and congresses more pleasant.

University of Amsterdam and Free University Amsterdam
Amsterdam is one of the greatest small cities in the world. From its canals to world-famous museums and historical sights, Amsterdam is one of the most romantic and beautiful cities in Europe.
Amsterdam is a city of tolerance and diversity. It has all the advantages of a big city: culture, history, entertaiment, good transport - but is relatively small, quiet, and largely thanks to its canals, has a little road traffic. In Amsterdam your destination is never far away.

Attention! The housing conditions in Amsterdam are not that good, be prepared to move around or apply for a different city.

University of Maastricht
Magnificently perched on the Dutch/Belgian border along the banks of the meandering River Meuse (or, as the Dutch say, Maas), Maastricht dates to Roman times circa 50 B.C. - and therein lies the historic, cultural and business allure of this magnificent, cosmopolitan and wonderfully accessible city. Although it is the provincial capital of Limburg, almost everything about Maastricht is different from the rest of Holland - except for the clusters of bikes that lean against every available wall.

University of Utrecht
Located right in the middle of Holland, Utrecht is a public transportation hub, a large education center, a historical landmark and Party Central. The province of Utrecht is a key region in the Dutch metropolitan ‘Randstad’area. It lies in the geographical heart of the Netherlands and is therefore a centre of communications and infrastructure. The area has an unique identity: different qualities all within a relatively small area. The urban agglomerations of the city of Utrecht (as opposed to the province of Utrecht) and Amersfoort, combined with the great diversity of landscapes provide a very attractive place to work and live. Moreover the province is a major point of convergence for the country’s rail, road and inland waterways networks.The quality of Utrecht: harmonious living and working environment and a business and social climate that’s well-equipped to meeting the challenges of the future.

University of Leiden
When walking through Leiden its rich history still seems very much alive. Leiden’s atmosphere is largely determined by its university and this is the city where Rembrandt was born, doctor Boerhaave taught and Clusius brought the first Dutch tulips into flower.

University of Nijmegen
Nijmegen, the oldest city in the Netherlands, is situated on a range of hills near the river Waal. The city has attracted people since its very foundation. It is also a place where different types of landscapes can be found. Nijmegen is surrounded by hills, woods and polders, which create a varied countryside that offers ample opportunities for recreation to both citizens and tourists.
Nijmegen is renowned for its pleasant atmosphere. With its 20,000 students, a good night out is guaranteed. Enjoy a great meal in one of the many restaurants and then spend a night on the town in a traditional pub or trendy bar. In the summer, lots of squares and pavements transform into giant outdoor cafés.

Reports and Pictures

The IFMSA has been arranging clinical clerkships and research exchanges since 1952, so many students have experienced our exchanges before. You can of course profit of that, by reading their reports and looking at their pictures. They include their personal opinions, experiences, tips, problems, and so on.

Contact

In every Faculty we have contactpersons, called Local Exchange Officers or Local Officers on Research Exchange. They arrange the exchanges at their own faculty. There are National Officers who coordinate the exchanges. To contact them:

The NEO-Incoming(National Exchange Officer): Nienke van Andel 

FAQ

Q What does "FAQ" stand for?
A It means: Frequently Asked Questions. Likewise, the bold "Q" and "A" stand for Question and Answer.

Q What about pot, weed, cannabis?
A The Netherlands are both praised and looked down upon for 'legalizing' softdrugs. The truth is, softdrugs are neither strictly legalized nor totally illegal. Softdrugs use is basically allowed for, but only when used within the confinements of your own home. When you do smoke pot on the streets, an officer of the law would have legal grounds to give you a fine. Softdrugs trading is illegal. Drinking of alcohol on the streets is also forbidden. It will only be allowed in bars or in your own home.

Q Do you have to wear wooden shoes?
A Besides tulips, cheese and Heineken, the Netherlands are also famous for their wooden shoes. Yes, shoes made entirely out of wood. Up until a century ago workmen and farmers wore them because they were both durable and cheap. Real shoes were only available to rich people. As you might imagine, wooden shoes aren't very flexible, so wearing them isn't very convenient. Nowadays people wear normal shoes like in most other countries. Wooden shoes are still worn however sometimes by workmen and farmers. For the majority of the Dutch people wooden shoes are now a remnant of the past. Most souvenir shops sell wooden shoes in a variety of colours and paintings. If you want to take some home, try to find ones that are not painted. They resemble the original ones the most.

Q Is it difficult to speak Dutch?
A Dutch isn't the easiest language to learn because of its extensive use of the throat in forming words. Most famous is the G. Try to almost close your throat with the deepest part of your tongue and let air out while trying to make a sound. Another 'throat-sound' is the R. Once again, the deepest part of your tongue narrows your throat. But now, as you let air escape, the air should let this tongue part vibrate. Imagine trying to make the sound of a purring cat. You'll feel throat-structures you've never felt before! Now you know why people might find the Dutch language to sound like throwing up.
The southern part of the Netherlands is known for its use of the 'soft G'. In their dialects, they don't use the deepest part of their tongue, but more of the middle part. This is a less uncomfortable way of speaking and their whole language sounds more sweet. So if you want to speak Dutch without a sore throat, go to the University of Maastricht, the most southern-situated university :)

Hi Hoi
Hello Hallo (Hah-low)
Bye Doeg (Doo-[g])
Please Alstublieft / Alsjeblieft(Ahlst-uu-blee-ft / Ahls-yuh-blee-ft)
Thanx Dank u / Dank je(Dahnk uu / Dahnk yuh)
Here you go Alstublieft / Alsjeblieft
Yes Ja (Yaah)
No Nee (Nay)

Fortunately, almost everyone in the Netherlands speaks English. And the best way to learn how to speak Dutch of course is, to stay here for a while for an exchange for example ;)

Links

Ministry of Justice, for Visa countries: www.minbuza.nl
Tourism Agency: www.vvv.nl
Student BMJ: www.studentBMJ.com
Insurance: www.ace-ips-nl.com
Touristic information: www.holland.com/global/