FALL 2009 GENERAL INFORMATION

KASTEEL WELL MAILING ADDRESS
For regular 1st class mail from the U.S. please use the following address:

(student name)
Kasteel Well
Kasteellaan 20
5855 AE Well (L)
The Netherlands

SHIPPING PACKAGES
Occasionally family and friends may want to mail a package to the castle. Whenever possible anything larger than a 1st class letter should be mailed via a commercial service, such as Federal Express or DHL. The U.S. Postal Service is also an option, and usually less expensive, but in our experience not as quick. [Please note: due to billing issues with UPS, until further notice the castle will no longer accept packages from this service.] Where it asks for a description of the contents the sender should write that it is either a gift or personal belongings. When addressing the package, leave “Kasteel Well” off the label and address it as follows:

It can be quite expensive to ship overseas, so whenever possible essential items should be brought over on the plane! There may also be significant difficulties and costs for the recipient when dealing with Customs.

When a package is sent overseas there are usually customs duties and taxes. This is usually a separate charge from transportation. On expensive items, such as a camera or computer, duties and taxes can be quite high, as the rate may be up to 19% of the value of items being shipped. It is important when completing the international air waybill to request that taxes and duties be billed to the sender, or a third party [if applicable]. Otherwise, a bill for taxes and duties will be mailed to the recipient prior to receiving the shipment, which can delay receipt of the package for weeks.

PHONE INFORMATION
If you don't use it already, you should install the free internet phone service Skype on your laptop and establish an account. Computer to computer calls on Skype are free, and nowadays almost all castle students make use of this service. Encourage friends and family to also establish Skype accounts and you will save yourself and them a lot of money.

In each dormitory hallway there is a phone extension. After arrival at the castle you may give your family and friends this direct number where you may be reached from 8 am to 11 pm [Dutch time].

In case of serious emergency only family members may call 011.31.47850.7119. At all other times the direct residence hall number should be used. Remember the 6 hour time difference between Eastern Standard Time and Dutch Time. 6 pm in Boston is 12 Midnight at the castle. Residence Life staff may be reached at 011.31.47850.7117.

The international code from the U.S to Europe is "011," not "00," "0011" or "001." The country code for the Netherlands is "31." If there is a "0" immediately following the country code it should usually be omitted when calling from the U.S. [but not when calling Italy]. These rules generally hold true no matter what European country you are calling [though obviously each country has a different country code]. You can find a list of country codes at International Country Calling Codes.

For outgoing calls there is one public pay phone near the computer lab in the Voorburcht [forecastle]. The payphone in the voorburcht takes coins. In addition to coins you may use international phonecards, which may also be used for collect calls.

TELEPHONE CARDS
To place calls to the U.S., obtain an AT&T Calling Card, MCI Card, Sprint Card, or other major calling card. Many prepaid telephone cards purchased in the U.S. do not work well on European phones. You may want to check to see if you can use your calling card to charge calls from the Netherlands to other European countries. It might be cheaper to use local [i.e. European] calling cards for calls within the Netherlands and to other European countries. Before you leave the U.S. you should make sure to check with the appropriate calling card company that your card will work in Europe.

MOBILE PHONES
These days most student traveler’s want access to a mobile phone. Many study abroad programs now require their participants to have a mobile phone, though the Kasteel Well program does not. While these costs are coming down all the time, it can still be quite expensive. Most countries in the world use GSM mobile-phone technology. In the U.S., AT+T and T-Mobile use GSM technology – Verizon and Sprint do not. Most new phones purchased in the U.S. include GSM technology, but still may not accept a SIM card – the chip that activates local service – from other companies, and the roaming charges can be prohibitive. It is usually a more cost effective option to leave your current phone at home and purchase an inexpensive phone in Europe from a local provider, and use low-rate, prepaid airtime for the countries you are visiting. However, there are many options out there and providers and plans change all the time. You and your family must decide which option works best for your lifestyle and budget.

E-MAIL / INTERNET
The castle has a wireless Internet network, and participants who bring their own laptop can send and receive e-mail and access the Web from anywhere within the castle grounds. The wireless network is available every day 24 hours per day. Internet access in the Computer Lab is from 8 am to 1 am [17 hours] daily.

COMPUTERS
If you plan on bringing your laptop with you to Kasteel Well [you may NOT bring a desktop computer], there are certain steps you must take prior to your departure in order to ensure your computer is free of viruses and other malware. Malware, or "malicious software," are applications such as viruses and spyware intended to damage or disable a computer system. Once computers are infected with malware, both the security and functionality of the system can be compromised. It’s also difficult to find a reliable fix, and often incredibly time-consuming…the last thing you want to be bothered with while in Europe.

In order to help you have a hassle-free, enjoyable semester abroad, the program requires you to install a security suite in the U.S. before you depart for The Netherlands.

For students with PC’s: the Kasteel Well internet service provider will give away free antivirus software that can be downloaded upon your arrival at the castle. Of course, if you prefer to purchase your own security suite that is fine, but you are not required to do so.

If you’ve downloaded Symantec Antivirus from Emerson, it won’t work at the castle. For your protection and everyone else’s, you will not be given access to the castle’s network until your system’s “cleanliness” is up to par. So, once you install the security suite, make sure you download any updates or new definitions for it, and run a full scan of your computer!

Other security suites are acceptable as long as they include antivirus, firewall, and spyware/malware protection components. Make sure the subscription hasn’t expired and the virus definitions are up to date before you leave for Kasteel Well, or your computer could be exposed to the various maladies of the Internet. To ensure your PC is protected from the latest security threats, be sure you’ve run all Critical Windows Updates.

For students with Mac’s: If you have a Mac, it’s a good idea to run the Software Updates. Unfortunately, the Kasteel Well internet service provider does not provide Mac software. The reality is that PC’s are much more prevalent in the Netherlands than Macs, and PC software is more readily available. The free antivirus software from Avast!, highlighted on the Apple website is adequate, but only just. It is not a full feature security suite. Another free option can be ClamXav. We would prefer that Mac users purchase and use a full feature security suite, but in the interest of fairness we will accept the use of the Avast! or ClamXav software.

In addition to security software, you should also check for updates to your operating system and other software. You can get more information at the Help Desk web site PC Maintenance Page or Mac Maintenance Page. Remember, don’t download Symantec Antivirus from those pages, as it won’t work at the castle.

Other computing essentials/facts:

• The castle has a wireless Internet network that you can access anywhere on-campus. If you bring your own laptop you’ll be able to send and receive emails and surf the Web every day, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
• 12 networked PCs are available in the computer lab located in the Voorburcht, or Forecastle. In addition to Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox, the PC’s have Microsoft Word, Excel and Frontpage. The lab may also be used for Internet and e-mail access. The lab is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, internet access in the lab is from 8 am to 1 am.
• Whether you have a Macintosh or a Windows computer, your laptop must be equipped with a wireless network card for a “B & G” network. If your laptop doesn’t have an appropriate wireless card, make sure you obtain and install one before you leave for the castle.
• Bring your original software disks. If you have a hard drive or software issue while at the castle, you might not be able to fix it if you don’t have the software.
• Mac users should bring their own VGA adaptor if they think they might need to hook their laptop to a projector for a class presentation.
• There is no networked printer at the castle. To print a document you will need to use one of the computers in the lab. For this reason each participant should bring some kind of portable data storage, either a memory stick or compact flash drive.
• If you bring your laptop computer to Kasteel Well, please be aware that you do so at your own risk. As your Kasteel Well Student Contract states, "7. Emerson College and the European Center are not liable for loss of money or valuables, or for loss of or damage to my personal property […] in the residence halls, dining halls, lounges on campus, or during European Center field classes and activities." Also, you are responsible for the operation of your own equipment. The Kasteel Well staff are not computer experts, and while they may be able to assist with connectivity issues, they cannot repair your computer if it is not running properly. However, you may still consult with the IT Help Desk here in Boston via email at helpdesk@emerson.edu if you are having problems.

If you have any questions at all, call the IT Help Desk at 617.824.8080 or stop by the office on the 4th floor of 120 Boylston Street before you leave Boston.

GUESTS
Due to space constraints, you are NOT allowed to have overnight guests. A reasonably priced local inn is the “Grote Waaij” {011-31-47850-1641: e-mail grotewaaij@planet.nl}. You are welcome to have guests in common areas and are responsible for registering them through the Student Services Center. You are expected to remain with your guests at all times.

CLASS ATTENDANCE POLICY
There is a strict class attendance policy at the castle, generally stricter than in Boston. You may miss each 4-credit class once before mid-terms and once after mid-terms without penalty or prejudice. This would be for any reason other than illness or a doctor visit, including religious observance. You may not use these cuts in conjunction with the extended travel break, either immediately before or immediately after. All missed classes must be approved in advance by your instructor[s], and may not conflict with exams, class presentations, etc.

Unexcused absences in excess of this policy may result in the lowering of your final grade for a course. You will find more detailed information about the class attendance policy in the Kasteel Well Student Handbook you’ll receive upon arrival.

PACKING
Pack lightly!!! A frequently heard comment from former participants is that they brought too much “stuff.” There are strict weight limits, and now many airlines are charging fees for more than one checked bag on an international flight.

As of July 1, 2009, Northwest Airlines has instituted a $50/€50 fee for a 2nd checked bag. Please note:

Suggestion: You should lay out what you intend to pack on your bed...then cut that in half! And remember: You are responsible for carrying any luggage you bring.

LINENS
Blankets and pillows are provided. Bring two sets of twin sheets, two pillowcases and two or three [thin] towels.

LAUNDRY
There is an onsite laundry facility at the castle. Students will receive 10 free laundry coins for the whole semester - this comes out to roughly 1 load per week [approx.]. Extra laundry coins will cost €2 each. The washing machines have automatic sope dispensers, so students will not need to purchase detergent.

WEATHER / CLOTHING
BRING WARM CLOTHING! The weather in the Netherlands is much like that in Boston. It tends to be rainy during the winter months and occasionally it snows. It can be bitter cold, so be prepared! A warm overcoat, gloves, and a scarf are a must, as well as warm sweaters and a waterproof slicker & shoes/boots. You should bring one dressy outfit. Otherwise your regular clothing will be fine.

TEXTBOOKS
It is important that you purchase textbooks for your classes. Do not assume that you will be able to find English language textbooks easily in Europe, or that instructors will make allowances because you are at the castle. Just as in Boston, you are expected to purchase your textbooks and keep up with reading assignments. Also, do not assume that you will be able to find copies of your textbooks at the castle.

It is also important that you do NOT purchase your textbooks until you know your schedule is final. Textbooks may be purchased the day of departure in the Emerson College Bookstore [(617) 824-8696]. A book list will be mailed to you at a later date. Participants who live near the college and can purchase their textbooks beforehand are encouraged to do so; however, please be aware that textbooks may not arrive in the bookstore until sometime in August. Also, most courses require you to purchase a photocopied Academic Reading Packet before classes begin, during orientation. These packets usually cost no more than €10 - €20 per class, though some may be more. [Please note: Academic Reading Packets must be purchased with Euros [cash] at the castle during orientation weekend. Credit cards, debit cards and checks are not accepted.]

Participants traveling independently from the group, who will not be coming through Boston on their way to Europe, may contact the bookstore and have their books shipped to their home prior to departure. Shipping charges are the responsibility of the student.