Checklist

Visa/passport

• Valid passport
• Visa/residence permit A statement from the University of Groningen confirming that you are an exchange student and that you have a grant for the period of study abroad.

Insurance

• Check that your health insurance and third-party insurance will cover you while you are abroad. If you will be following an internship, you will need accident insurance.
• For state-provided medical treatment, you can apply for an E111 Form [in 2004 this was replaced by the EHIC, European Health Insurance Card]. Private insurance can be arranged through Lippmann.
• You can apply to exchange your travel pass for a travel allowance for the period of study abroad. To do this, you will need to fill in the relevant form (‘BO Formulier’) from the Informatie Beheer Groep.

Finance

• Make sure that the student administration department and your grant/funding organization  have your most recent address in the Netherlands. This should prevent problems with correspondence and transferring money.
• Request the brochure on grants for studying abroad (‘Studiefinanciering: Internationaal’) from the Informatie Beheer Groep.
• In some cases, grants are paid out as an advance.
• While you are abroad, authorize someone else to deal with all financial matters relating to your studies.
• Make sure that your PIN code will work when you are abroad. To be on the safe side, take cheques or a credit card with you.
• If you have a grant contract, make sure it is signed before you leave.
• Remember that you may not be allowed to earn extra income while you are abroad. Check this with the Embassy of the country in question.

Study-credit recognition

• Before you leave, arrange for the study credits you receive abroad to be recognized by the University of Groningen. You should organize this with the Board of Examiners and your supervisor. Make sure that while you are abroad you can actually sit examinations in the courses you will be taking, otherwise you will not receive any credits.
• If you are going to the United States, it is important that you register as a ‘graduate student’. It is a good idea to ask for a copy of your List of Marks from the Registration & Records section of the host department and send it directly to the Board of Examiners of your course in the Netherlands.

Accomodation

• Make sure that you organize this well in advance.
• If necessary, arrange to sublet your accommodation in Groningen while you are away. If you wish to sublet to students, you must comply with the provisions of the Linkage Act (Koppelingswet).

Other arrangements

• Take a translation of your List of Marks with you.
• Book your flight in good time to make sure that you can choose the most convenient time. Tickets are often cheaper if you book in advance.
• Make preparations with regard to language, for example by taking a course. Some universities may require you to take a language exam.
• Make sure you have the address of the Netherlands Embassy in the host country.
• Medicines. For certain countries you will need vaccination certificates, etc. Check this with the Embassy of the country in question.
• You can obtain an international driving licence from the ANWB.
• You can buy an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) from Kilroy Travels. This will entitle you to discounts while you are abroad Neem een vertaling van je cijferlijst mee.