International/Cultural Night

(Rwandan, Indonesian, Jamaican (Me), Indonesian, Ethiopian)

So there I was running all over Kingston the week before departure trying to get the right fabric to have a national dress made to take for what IHS called an International Night. Huh?? What's that about? I had no idea and I was sorely tempted to ignore the voice telling me get one, after all I've never worn one before. Well, glad I didn't listen.

Its by far and wide one of the most memorable events on the school calendar and promises to be good every year barring none. So I spent 6 hours on April 2009 cooking up a storm of Jamaican run-down with puree garlic pumpkin with boiled 'spinners' dumpling (a dish that normally takes no more than 2 hours, poor Jeanette). But worth it it was. What took place could only be called a culinary gastronomical delight. So bring the national dress, bring your best recipe and bring your favorite local music and just in case a bottle of Peptobismol would be good planning.

(A Thai, Mozambican, Vietnamese, Egyptians in National Dress)

Arrival in the Netherlands

Goedemorgen en Welkom in Nederland!!!. Ok that's about as much Dutch as I can muster...but I am just welcoming you to the Netherlands. Now you've probably received an email from the Course Bureau's efficient and helpful Cocky Adams or Ruud Frank (wonderful folks who you'll meet shortly). They've arranged for you to be picked up at Schipol airport but to be honest you've never been to Europe before and you're not quite sure what to expect on arrival.
Here are some tips.

1. Please keep the number of the person greeting you nearby. Any difficulties or delays in immigration/customs you might want to kindly ask for a call to let them know you did arrive but need some more time.


2. Please keep nearby the number of first, the course bureau contact or second, the student warden contact, as flights get delayed, rerouted etc and you really should let them know ASAP.


3. Please travel with the invitation/acceptance letter of the school nearby as some students do experience a bit of questions in immigration and its much easier if you can just whip out the proof of why you are here.

Now unlike many other Universities here, IHS send a friendly Dutch student or another international student to greet you. I've had the pleasure of being the first friendly face that students see and the thing to do is on exiting the gate - head towards the "Meeting Point" (Big red + white cube in photo below). Yeah that's me in the photo above....taking a snooze waiting for an early arrival. LOL!! Now all you need to do is stay put until you spot someone carrying an Erasmus IHS sign. That's your person!! If they are not there when you arrive stay put, don't go - they will be there shortly - perhaps just putting some other students on a train to Rotterdam to come back upstairs to get you.

Now if you have waited long and can't get the pick up person by phone and you must leave Schipol to find your way to Rotterdam - please resist the temptation to charter a taxi....last student did that paid 150 Euros and there is no need. Its really a terribly easy trip to do if you must. Here are the steps.

1. Head to the Train Tickets and Services area and join a line to buy a SINGLE Trip ticket to Rotterdam Central. Between 10-12 Euros depending on payment type...cash/credit etc.


2. If its not too early in the morning head to the Information Booth which is right between the Meeting Point cube and the Ticket Counter. (See photo above, right)


3. Ask the Representative what time is the next train to Rotterdam and which Platform is it departing from but most important ask for a DIRECT NON TRANSFER TRAIN.


4. The trip to Rotterdam is either an hour or 45 minutes depending on whether your train stops only between major cities. The arrivals at each stop are announced so as long as you don't fall asleep from jet lag you will arrive at Rotterdam Central without a hitch.

Now if the Information Desk is not open you can read the information board which is shown in the image (see below left). The towns and cities are in alphabetical order. Look for Rotterdam and it will tell you what time the next train will depart and from which platform (USUALLY 5 OR 6). The platform is identifiable in the photo below (to the right).

I would recommend strongly that if the Information booth is closed ask the person at the ticket counter, when the train departs, from which platform and ENSURE THAT YOU ASK FOR A TRAIN THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE A TRANSFER.!!

A LAST TIP - Just to ensure you are boarding the right train...ensure that when you head downstairs to the platform that you can see ROTTERDAM on the list of stops on the lit board. (See pic above on the right.). This information will be posted on the board a few minutes before train pulls in AND if uncertain ASK. The Dutch are friendly and helpful. More than likely you won't need it but if possible print this post and take on your trip.
All the best on your adventure!!!
The only warning necessary is to ensure that you do not take a train to Rotterdam that requires a transfer and try not to fall asleep on the train and miss your stop. The next post deals with arrival at the station and the 5 minute walk to the Weenapad. Your home for the next 12 months.

IHS Alumni Day

Dear IHS people,
As you might have heard, in March 2010 we have founded IHS Alumni International - a network of all IHS alumni around the globe. IHS AI has established a board with 6 members, which is meeting for the first time at the end of May in Rotterdam.For more information see: http://www.ihs.nl/alumni/ihs_alumni_international/the_board_of_ihs_alumni_international/

On the occasion of the board meeting we would like to invite you to join us for an IHS alumni day at IHS. The purpose of this afternoon session is to introduce IHS alumni to the participants of the Masters course UMD 06 and share experiences. We would be delighted if you join us, since we know you are living in the Netherlands.
Friday May 28 “IHS ALUMNI DAY” 15-17hrs
Session objectives:
a) board members with current participants & other invited alumni & Alumni staff members
b) present IHS AI & exchange ideas for alumni work
c) Alumni report about their career and impact of IHS on their job to participants

Program:
1. Presentation of IHS AI mission/objectives and planned activities
2. Presentation of board members and other alumni (focus: What did you do after IHS, how did IHS impact your career…?)
3. Group discussion with alumni and participants on different topics, e.g. How to develop further in your job (especially also how to find a PhD or a job in the Netherlands etc.) How to refresh your knowledge? How to stay connected? What can IHS AI to support your needs as alumni?

Afterwards we will be happy to welcome you at 17hrs in a reception at the IHS bar: "Happy hour" drinks and snacks for all alumni, participants and staff.

We are looking forward to receiving your reply and confirmation. Please forward this message to anybody you know who is an IHS Alumnus and who could come to that meeting.

contact people: melisvarkal@gmail.com

liesegang@ihs.nl

Web Sites for Urban Managers...yes you!!

So you're gonna be hearing alot for the next few months all about CITIES. That they are engines of growth, what role they play in country development and what are the critical success factors. Names like Michael Porter, Joseph Stiglitz, Stren and Satterwaite become very familiar as you learn about theory and trends in urban development as well as the challenges facing them.

Now seriously take a look at this Tokyo! Man can you imagine being the Head Honcho managing this urban space? Or how about tackling the one on the right...Slums of Mumbai, India. Well that's what being here is all about to buckle up and just dive in...you'll be ready for far more than you thought....if you are prepared to work hard for it.

So i thought I'd share with you a bit, some of the websites that will be invaluable as you are asked to assess your cities and others. As well as when you return home to jump in the trenches, these might still prove quite relevant.

1. UNHabitat Website - http://www.unhabitat.org/


2. Millenium Development Goals - http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/


3. Urban Governance - http://www.gdrc.org/u-gov/ugov-define.html


4. Urban Goverance - http://blogs.worldbank.org/governance/


5. Land Management & Policy - http://www.lincolninst.edu/resources/


6. Development - http://www.unescap.org/about/index.asp


7. Urban Poverty & Development - http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-1-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html


8. Poverty Reduction - http://www.undp.org/


9. Urban Development - http://www.adb.org/urbandev/default.asp

One of my favourite sites looked at the city development via the World's Mayors and their impact. http://www.citymayors.com/sections/development.html

Now to one of the most important questions......what materials/information should I take with me for the programme.

Well JC was a very hungry student and wanted to know it all. I came with an extra suitcase full of books I thought would have been useful, turns out I only used two of the entire suitcase which had cost an extra $120 USD to tug along with me here. Here's a HUUUGE TIP!!

Bring information on your city!!. The first three months will be spent on what I though was an excellent introduction to urban management but most assignments will require you to have basic data on your city. How it was formed, size, challenges, growth rate, all the characteristics and data used to measure a city's progress - literacy, health, death rate, how are taxes collected, how is the Government structured, how big is the informal sector, what is local govt responsible for etc etc. That is key to a successful first semester. I sure wish I had known this before. BUT that's what this blog is here for. So start compiling and start reading. All the best now.

JC

A Winter Wonderland

This was perhaps my biggest contemplation prior to arriving in the Netherlands. I am a Caribbean woman, where temperatures rarely ever go below 25degrees celcius and had alway avoided vacations to any country if the temperature was gonna be less than 20 degrees. I was told on arrival that for the last ten years the Dutch, who have always been serious about ice skating, have not been able to do so for a decade as the temperatures have not allowed for that, the lakes have barely frozen over. Well that changed on my arrival.


Winter 2009 Rotterdam was certainly one of the coldest winters the Dutch have had in a long time. It was my second winter here and very different from Winter 2008. Unlike '08 the temperatures this year have fallen as far as -7 with wind chill factors of -15 degrees. I am happy to say i have adjusted alot and you will too but the idea is definitely come prepared.


Dec 2009 saw most of the public transportation in Europe grinding to a halt - this included Rotterdam (for a day) where along the journey from home to IHS and back, I had to get off trams and walk to the next stop as the rails were all iced over. I had an adventure and a half trying to get around, pretty sure I walked miles. See some photos of the University taken on that day.

Winter clothes and shoes can be purchased at reasonable prices at the local department stores or at the Open Market (Saturdays and Tuesdays every week). Do not assume, that all goods at the Open Market are more affordable than the department stores. I have been pleasantly surprised many times so shop around a bit in the Shopping District of Beurs before deciding.


Last but not least, I took a very brave and courageous stand and decided to try my hands at a snowman, fondly remembered as Snooky. Took me two hours but I found that what they say is true, its less cold while it is snowing than after so I survived those two hours and enjoyed it immensely. Snooky lived only for a day and a half but his face will grace this blog for posterity. LOL! So this is just my way of saying, IF you get a chance to have a White Winter Wonderland don't be tempted to stay indoors go have a snowball fight or build a snowman, after all the whole point of being here is to have NEW EXPERIENCES...right? RIGHT!!!!

What to do & Where to go...Hmmm

So you're between two modules (that's the only real break we get) and no readers to read, no group work, no assignments due..sigh it doesn't get any better than this....heaven. But you don't want to waste it, so what's happening in and round Rotterdam, what to do?

I used to be so impressed with the amount of cultural activity going on.. You could see it every day there'd be something new, on the many billboards as you ride pass heading to class in the morning or heading back in the evening. My favourite one to check was on the Goudesingel. For those of you who ride you'll recognise it easily as its right after or before the Hofplein fountain. See photo above.

But if you barely have the time to stop and read a billboard (hardly the case but I almost always felt that way) or its so cold you your body won't respond to the command, stop......well this is where you can go http://www.xpat.nl/events/cultural_events which has a small but good selection of activities, shows, expositions, etc. taking place in Rotterdam and the cities near you - Den Haag, Utrecht etc.

If the movies is all you need well that's easy - The Pathé Schouwburgplein cinema in city center and the closest to you, has the biggest screen of the Netherlands, it cannot be missed architecture-wise and its right smack in the midst of all the shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. Just a word of caution - if you go outside of peak period, the ticket boothes are closed and you have to use the ticket dispensers (see photo above) and you'll need your ATM card as it does not take cash. I was rescued by a lovely Rotterdamer who took my cash and bought me a ticket. And if you have your Erasmus student card - DISCOUNT!! So make sure to bring it.

The Pathé De Kuip cinema is another option but a bit further away. Another close option is Cinerama Rotterdam at Westblaak 18, and being the oldest (built in 1957) has a wonderful ambience (see photo below). And I know what you're wondering - language barrier?? Well not for the movies as you get Dutch subtitles but yes for the others its a challenge, except I find that with the Arts, language is almost redundant. For information on what's showing.....http://www.pathe.nl/english. Enjoy now. J.C.

Health Store

So the first quarter is behind and you are stressed out, feeling "not yourself", lethargy has set in and you don't have the time to get sick, that is a luxury you can't afford. So your mom emails and says get a tonic, some extra vitamins and iron is what you need. The thing is you have no idea where and everyone you ask is clueless. Too little time to take care of yourself is what got you here so where will you find the time to go scour Rotterdam looking for a health food store.

Well you checked the right spot...the IHS Blog Spot. I am hoping to find one a little more affordable but for now you can get just about whatever you might need at JOS PETERS DROGIST. They are located at Beurs in the underground shopping mall. Now there are two sides you can enter from. This store is found at the very end of the the underground shops close to the entrance by HEMA. The address would be Beurstraverse 17.

Another nearby option is just a few shops down, is Tuinen De at No. 168.

Well here's to good health and don't forget, no matter how intense your workload is your brain and body will not give you their best and you cannot do your best without the right fuel - exercise, rest and good balance diet. Click on photo below.


One reminder - in these parts, the Northern Latitudes you really don't get as much sunshine as you've been used to or should have and will need extra vitamin D. Of course I'd prefer natural sources of tuna, salmon, egg, mushrooms etc but if not you now know where to get it.
Til next time

Beste Wensen (best wishes)