Packed!

So my bags are packed. I've gotten all my insurance, documentation and flight information together. Everything is ready. Tomorrow is the big day.

I'm half scared, half excited. The fact that I'm leaving, still hasn't sunk in yet. Seems like I'm just packing to go back to Victoria...

I hope I'll be able to sleep tonight and not stay up worrying like crazy (which I'm likely to do...) Next time you hear from me I'll be in MAASTRICHT =)

Residence Permit Issues Continue

So the registration period on my records in Maastricht have been changed.

Dear Adelina

I checked the on-line form and printed PDF, and it was indicated that she would be here for two semesters…. So that is how she got registered for a whole year, not one semester. Seeing as this was not the intention we will have the registration changed. Note that the semester runs officially from 1 September to 23 January 2009, and these will be the dates on the enrolment certificate and for the residence permit.

But apparently their official semester is until January 23 mean I still need to send more money (374 Euros).

Dear Adelina,

We have contacted your faculty and they confirm that you are registered from 1-9-2008 until 23-1-2009. This means, however, that you have to prove €3875 (5 x €775). Since you have only transferred €3501, you still need to transfer an amount of €374 to complete your application.

GAHHH! When will this END?! I had originally sent them an email asking exactly how many Euros I needed to send and they had said 3100 Euros.

Dear Adelina,

You will have to deposit 3100 Euro if you are staying form September till December (four months). There is no specific deadline for transferring the deposit but we do advise you to do this as soon as possible.

Now they're saying another number! It's ridiculous! I'll need to spend extra money to send more money for a time period that I'm not even going to be in the country for! This exchange is giving me a serious headache. I'm so fed up.

At My Wits End with the Visa Office!

I am SO frustrated by the Visa Office in Maastricht (and the university itself too...). I finally was able to send my money over there a couple days ago. This morning, I woke up to this email.

Dear Adie,

We hereby confirm that we have received the correct and complete documents and payments for the residence permit application. Please refer to the enclosure for information on the further residence permit process and additional procedures.

Please inform us as soon as possible when you will arrive in the Netherlands so we can then schedule you for a meeting to complete the residence permit application.

Kind regards

Everything is good. They got the money, they knew that I sent it. That was a good sign. Then, seven minutes later, this comes in:

Dear Adie,

Unfortunately we have just sent you the wrong email. While looking at your registration period we discovered that you will be registered as a student from 1-9-2008 until 10-7-2009. This is over 10 months, so you will have to prove that you have at least 7982.50 Euro.

You have only transferred 3501 Euro. Can you please transfer the rest of the amount to our account?

Kind regards

WHAT?!?!?! No way! So I emailed the exchange coordinator at UVic and she is going to look into it. Hopefully things will work out. I'm only going to be there from Sept to Dec, 4 months, so 3100 Euros. I had talked to others and that was what they were sending or have already sent. I am SO frustrated with them!

Luggage Information

I will be flying with Northwest Airlines. Their current luggage policies are as follows.

Checked luggage

Coach Class: Each ticketed passenger is allowed two (2) pieces of checked luggage.
Each piece: 50 pounds (23 kg) with linear dimensions not to exceed 62 inches (158 cm).
Checked luggage within the free 2 bag allowance that weigh more than 50 pounds and up to 70 pounds will be assessed a $50.00 heavy bag fee.

Carry on luggage

Northwest allows you to carry one piece of luggage on board the aircraft plus a purse or briefcase or laptop computer or small backpack. The carry-on luggage must be of a size and shape to allow for storage in overhead compartments or underneath the seat in front of you.

Dimensions:

• Cannot exceed 45 linear inches (9 inches by 14 inches by 22 inches

Personal Items

In addition to your carry-on bag, customers may carry on a purse or briefcase or laptop computer or small backpack. Dimensions of the additional item must not exceed 15"x11"x6". At least one carry-on item should go beneath the seat in front of you.

Additional Items that may be brought on board and do not count towards your allowance:

• Overcoat or wrap
• Camera and/or pair of binoculars
• Umbrella
• Two-wheeled baggage cart
• Child Car Seats*
• Reasonable amount of reading material for the flight

• Fully collapsible umbrella-style stroller*
• Cane
• Medical assistive devices
• Infant diaper bags
• Collapsible wheelchair
• Pair of braces or other prosthetic device (provided you are dependent upon the device)

The Countdown Begins

Two weeks from today, I'm flying out. I'm starting to get anxious and super worried. I hope I prepped everything... My parents are getting increasingly worried too. I went home this weekend and both of them were hovering trying to get me to do this and do that, reminding me of this and that...

I just scanned in all my ID and sent it to my parents so they have a copy. Need to print a copy for myself later. Going to start complying embassy addresses and other details of countries that I may be visiting...

Cell Phone Problems

I currently have a SE w810i from Rogers and I plan on taking it with me to Maastricht. Only I need to figure out how to unlock it so I can put another carrier's SIM card in. I don't want to pay Roger's stupid roaming fees! Talk about expensive!!!

I've been looking about what kind of phone companies are available in the Netherlands. I've found a listing online at Wikipedia. I took a look at Vodafone's rates. I guess they're not bad for prepaid, but I really have a limited understanding of all this. I also went over to T-Mobile's site as well, but they don't have an English version of the site (or maybe I'm just retarded and cannot find it!).

Only a couple weeks left! There are tons of things I still need to figure out and think about! Scary!! So much to do and plan!

Update

So its been awhile since I last put an update here. I've been trying to sort out the resident permit issue with the school. I've more or less figured out what I need to send and I've saved the money, I just haven't gone to do it yet. I'm trying to get my aunt to help me do the actual transfer as she works in a bank and can save me a little money in the actual transfer fee.

I've been watching the prices for flights and I think I'll be getting them soon. I'll be most likely flying from Vancouver on Aug 25, 2008 at 12ish, arriving in Amsterdam on Aug 26, 2008 at 10ish. Add going through customs and a 2.5 hour train ride, I'll probably be in Maastricht around 2 on Aug. 26.

It is definitely coming closer. Kinda scary. I've barely done anything to prep. Only a month and a bit more left in my coop and then I'll be off!

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...

End Date Confusion

I made my housing application to end on Dec 20, 2008 because our exchange coordinator said the last day was Dec 19. I just got my confirmation for housing and it says that I cannot change my reservation after three days from now. Now I'm worried that there may be exams afterwards and I won't have a place to stay. Our exchange coordinator was sure if moving out on Dec 20 would be okay and recommended I contacted UM directly. The lady is out of the office (perfect time to go ><") so I'll have to wait for her reply.

**Update** She finally replied and said that the exams for Block 2 are from Dec 15-19 so the last day of classes is Dec 12 with the last possible day for an exam being Dec 19. So I'm safe. One less thing to worry about!

Ooops I Forgot!

I forgot to send in a picture / scan of my passport. I guess I didn't read the registration process clearly enough. Thankfully their exchange coordinator emailed about it. They seem to be pretty helpful in making sure all students make their transition to UM smoothly. Definitely a good sign.

Passport

I went to apply for my passport on May 6 at the Victoria office. They said it would probably not arrive until Victoria day, but it arrived today. It came so fast! Not even 2 weeks. Pretty awesome...

Housing Frustrations

I held off on applying for housing because I didn't have a passport, but I was getting worried that I wouldn't be able to get a good room. In the end I left that passport bit empty and said I'll send them my number once I get my passport.

UM has a residence type housing available for exchange students called the Guesthouse. By reading past exchange reports and talking to people that went in years before, the best place to live is the C-building and I definitely want a single room. According to their website, they're full on the cheapest single rooms in the C-building, so I made my reservation for the room one price range above. The site isn't too clear as to why there are different price ranges and the differences in rooms... I guess I'll find out once I get there.

Passport Woes

One thing I realized quickly was my lack of passport (and passport photos!). Everything asks for my passport number and I don't have one anymore! Mine expired in 2006, I think... We'll I'll have to go apply for one ASAP.

I've started my application online and I've been walking past the passport office and the wait doesn't seem too bad compared to what it was in January. I'll have to go do that in a couple days.

Application - Finally!

Awesomeness! UM finally released their application! Its not too bad. It is an online application with a couple questions about your personal information, where you're coming from - standard application stuff. Thankfully no requests for recommendation letters! The application process seems pretty complicated. First I have to fill out that online application and print that application and attach 3 passport photos for the IP office. Then I can apply for housing. After that I wait for my ID and password to register for classes... Good thing the IP office is coordinating the paper application and photos - one less thing to worry about. Got to get everything in by May 16... Thats not too bad, still have tons of time!

There is a mandatory orientation day on August 28 so I'll have to arrive before that. Block 1 classes start on Sept 1. Thats pretty early compared to UVic... But I'll be done everything by Dec 19 so thats not too bad...

Meeting with the IP Office

Today I met with Cynthia to go over the application process. She gave me a lot of details and a couple hand outs to go over being Maastricht releases the application. Seems pretty complicated.

No News Yet

We were suppose to get started on our applications pretty soon, but nothing has come from the Maastricht exchange office yet. Its a little unnerving. A bunch of my friends that are heading to China have these massive applications to fill out complete with recommendation letters. I hope I won't have to do that... Seems like a pain in the butt. Hopefully the application will come out soon and I'll be able to get things rolling...

Exchange Orientation

Today was our exchange orientation at school. It lasted most of the day. A lot of the information given was common sense about traveling abroad. Most of the medical information about shots and medicine was more related to people heading to South America or Asia.

The best part was being able to talk to a few exchange students from the previous year and their experiences. They were able to give us an idea of what to expect, what classes to take, what to pack, et cetera... They shared so much with us and they had some pictures too. I'm definitely getting excited for my exchange! It's going to be so awesome!