Residence permit EU-residents do not need a special visa or permit to study or work in the Netherlands as long as they return to their own country within 3 months. EU-residents who wish to stay in the Netherlands for more than 3 months and Non-EU residents will have to apply for a Temporally Residence Permit (Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf - MVV) at the Dutch embassy in their own country. Because the regulations are changing constantly, foreign students have to inquire for this information from Dutch embassies and consulates in their home country. Please also see the website of NUFFIC (http://www.nuffic.nl) and the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands (http://www.minbuza.nl). The International office can offer assistance or advice in this area. Housing and costs of living Like most Dutch institutes of higher education, the CHE has no campus with student housing. Most CHE students live with their parents or rent an apartment in Ede or the neighbouring towns of Bennekom, or Wageningen (home of Wageningen Agricultural University).
International students can contact the International office for assistance in finding accommodation. The office has several options, including a student hostel near the university building. The availabilty of accommodation may vary, so students are advised to send in their application as soon as possible. Medical services & health insurance The National Health Service in the Netherlands does not offer free insurance for exchange students. Having one's own health and accident insurance is absolutely necessary. Language Dutch people speak a language resembling Friesian, Afrikaans, Flemish and Low German. Most people, especially young people speak English, though their fluency can differ. English is taught at the primary school and in 95 % of the schools for secondary education English is a compulsory subject. English is a compulsory module for CHE students. Most departments use Dutch as language of instruction, although they are working on developing modules in English. The department of Communication studies, for example, offers an International 3-month course: Communication with the Dutch. The department of Social Studies has recently developed an international 3-month course as well. International exchange students are invited to apply for these courses. In all other cases, a command of the Dutch language is a prerequisite for following a degree program. Students from South Africa having a command of Afrikaans can study in Dutch without problems. For more information, please contact the international office of the CHE. The Netherlands has a so-called sea climate, which has mild, humid winters and moderate warm summers. Springtime can be very nice, but rain showers are not unusual. Autumn is also a period of rain. Heavy snow in the Netherlands is a rare phenomenon. The best advice for foreign guests is to carry a raincoat or an umbrella with you! The national Dutch weather bureau is the KNMI (www.knmi.nl). Bank and Post offices There are many banks and post offices in the Netherlands. Banks are mostly open from 10.00 - 17.00. They are closed on weekends, Christian holidays and national celebration days. Telephone, fax and e-mail To dial a telephone number in the Netherlands, you will have to use the international 31 as prefix. The use of internet and e-mail is rapidly increasing. CHE students have their own e-mail address, and the computers at the CHE have access to internet and e-mail. The weather in the Netherlands Please select from the following: | 
