Places I Want to See

Someone asked me today where I definitely would want to go while in Europe and honestly, I haven't really thought too much about it. Here are a couple places I'd like to go:

• Salzburg
• For a really cheesy reason too: I want to visit Mozart's birthplace
• There is tons of music history, and I was a huge fan of The Sound of Music
  
• Venice
• I've always been drawn to the idea of a city on stilts above water. Sounds totally awesome
• I'm not too sure if I'll actually get to go there - I'll probably have to fly...
  
• Paris
• I've been here before a long time ago and I fell in love with the French culture and their baked goods (heaven!)
  
• Only a couple hours away by train! Easily accessible
  
• Southern France (any city really - no preference)
  
• Amazing views? Beaches? I'm totally in...
  
• Amsterdam (obviously - I'll probably be flying into there)
• Definitely will be heading here. Its about 2.5 hours by train...
  
• Rotterdam
  
• AIESEC International office... Just want to go take a look
• Really close to Maastricht - day trip perhaps?
  
• London
• Would definitely like to go there, but I won't be too bummed out if I don't
• I'll have to fly and the pound is pretty pricey right now so I'll have to see...
  
• Oktoberfest!
• Do I really need a reason?!

There are SO many other places. I just want to go everywhere!

Residence Permit

I received an email from the Visa Office at UM telling me about the process of applying for a permit. Canadians are allowed to be in the Netherlands for 3 months without one, but any longer, it is a requirement. As I'll be there for 4 months, their office is offering their assistance in the application process. The document they sent wasn't all that clear and was very difficult to understand. It seems to be a long and complicated process.

Past exchange students have recommended not getting a permit because a) its expensive (433 Euros or about $685 CAD - not cheap), b) no one requested to see it and c) some went on their exchange without it and did not get caught. I've decided to get it just in case. My parents feel a lot better knowing that I won't be an illegal alien and subject to fines after the first three months. I feel more comfortable knowing that nothing can happen as a result of a lack of a permit. Some past exchange students have done it and no one has gotten caught, but its really up to how each person feels I guess... I'm just not willing to chance it.

They give you a bunch of options, but essentially they want proof that you have the necessary funds to support yourself during your stay in the Netherlands. The easiest way and what they recommend is to wire transfer money into their account. In addition to the permit fee, I'm suppose to wire 775 Euros per month or 3100 Euros total for the four months. Thats about $4900 CAD... Thats a lot of money all at once... I dunno - I'm talking to my parents about it and trying to figure out the best way to do this. So complicated.

What I'll Be Taking

For Block 1 I'm going to be taking European Business which is required by UVic and I think a course called Brand Management. I heard its pretty tough though so I still might change it.

The thing I'm most worried about is that if I sign up for a course that isn't approved by UVic, I can't get it approved until after I get to UM. By that time I won't be able to change it. I can only change my classes until June 20. So if its not approved the I'm doubly screwed. I'll be stuck taking a course that I don't need, spending extra money and then not getting any credit for it.

I emailed the IP office about it, but they weren't very clear. All they said was that as long as I don't take any classes at UM that is identical to a course I will take back at UVic, they'll usually grant me credit. I'm not sure I'll want to risk it. I've emailed the others going to UM with me and I'm seeing what classes they're going to take and I'll make my final decision closer to the deadline.

Class Registration Info

I got my registration information yesterday. Another long set of numbers to memorize >.<"

The registration process is a bit confusing. I couldn't find the class course description for the longest time; I could only find the one for the previous yearbut I eventually found the link. They had given us pretty explicit details on how to register, but I was still pretty confused. The whole system is different.

I have from June 1 to Jun 20 to register for my Block 1 courses. How the semester works at UM is really different from UVic. Their teaching system is called the Problem Based Learning System where the students are really the teachers. Classes take place in smaller tutorial groups with around 8 - 12 students and a tutor (leader) in each group instead of the traditional lecture. From what I heard from previous students, each person in the class is responsible for leading at least one class. Its going to be a lot of work and I'm not that big a fan of talking in class - I'll have to get over that pretty fast though to do well. So because of this block system and intense amount of time put into preparing (lots and lots of reading) the semester is split into two blocks with two classes in each.

For UVic, I need 5 courses, which means unless I take Dutch I will have to write an extra paper. Previous exchanger participants advised against taking Dutch classes - they said it was super difficult and had no practical application as everyone in the Netherlands spoke English.

I'm not too sure what classes I'm going to take yet, but European Business is a required course by UVic and that one is in Block 1. I'll have to figure things out pretty soon though...