FALL 2009 GENERAL INFORMATION

INDEPENDENT TRAVEL EXCURSIONS
You will have one extended period of free time during the term when you may make a longer trip.  The independent travel break will begin after the required Berlin excursion on Monday, November 9, 2009. You must plan ahead for overnight, food and transportation costs during this period.  Please budget for this expense.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IDENTIFICATION CARD (ISIC)
All participants are required to have an International Student Identification Card [ISIC]. These cards will be provided as part of the travel package and should not be purchased individually. With the ISIC card you receive reductions on inter-European charter flights; on all forms of transportation; in hotels and hostels; at museums, movies, galleries, and special events; and in many shops. You will also receive some sickness and accident insurance, and access to a toll-free 24-hour traveler’s assistance hotline.  To find out more about the ISIC card go to http://www.myisic.com/MyISIC/.

TRAIN TRAVEL
Due to changes in travel practices and to assist in reducing travel costs the program no longer requires participants to purchase a rail pass.  If a participant wishes to purchase a rail pass it is the responsibility of each to purchase their rail pass prior to departure for Europe.  American citizens may not purchase Eurail Passes after arrival in Europe they must be purchased in the U.S.  For more information on rail passes take a look at the Rail Europe web site.

Even with a rail pass many trains require additional fees.  There are additional costs to reserve a seat or couchette [sleeping berth], and those costs increase as departure time approaches.  Reservations can be anywhere from €20 - €40. These amounts are estimates and subject to change depending upon your destination.  You will also spend approximately €150 - €200 for the term on bus tickets between Well and the nearby train stations.

Passes are to be validated within 6 months from the date of issue and prior to the first day of use. Validity starts only when the pass is endorsed by a railway official at a railway ticket office - not a conductor - from the country in question with the passport number and the first and last days of travel. This must be done before boarding the train for the first time. In most cases, validity runs from midnight to midnight for the period shown on the pass.

If you choose not to purchase a rail pass, please keep in mind that you will still be responsible for train travel within countries, to and from airports, etc.  Even though you may save funds by not purchasing a rail pass, you will still have train costs during your time in Europe.  Please consider this carefully before you make a final decision about purchasing a rail pass.

The Kasteel Well staff have prepared a separate handout called Traveling in Europe: A Sea of Possibilities, which discusses the pros and cons of purchasing rail passes and also contains information about travel by plane.

TRAVEL FACTS
Students should note several important facts about travel in Europe:

• The nearest train stations to the castle are Venlo (30 minutes by bus) and Nijmegen (one hour by bus). The small train station at Venray (15 minutes by bus from the castle) does not have direct connections to any international destinations outside the Netherlands.
• Buses don’t run all night. If participants miss the last bus from the train station to Well, they are faced with an expensive taxi ride (up to $100 in some cases).
• If participants travel by airplane within Europe and they miss their flight, they often have to buy a new ticket. Purchasing a ticket with cancellation fees or alternatives may not be possible.
• Düsseldorf Weeze Airport is a regional airport approximately 20 minutes by car from Kasteel Well, and should not be confused with Düsseldorf International Airport, over 1 hour by car from the castle.

At nearby Airport Weeze, several airlines fly to different European cities.  Kasteel Well has an agreement with a local taxi service to transport students to Airport Weeze for approximately €25 for 1-4 passengers.

YOUTH HOSTELS
Those who intend to take advantage of youth hostels may wish to purchase a Hostelling International membership card here in the US for $28.  Some participants have found the pass to be a good investment.  For additional information about youth hostels, membership cards, or to join on-line, consult Hostelling International.

MONEY / ATM CARDS
The currency in the Netherlands is the Euro.  The Euro circulates among the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain [for more information about the Euro go to http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/the_euro/index_en.htm?cs_mid=2946].  You will be able to use one currency for each country and it will have the same value compared to the dollar.  Switzerland is NOT a member of the European Union and hence circulates its own currency.  Please note: some member countries have opted out of this monetary union, including the United Kingdom [Great Britain], Denmark, Norway and Sweden. If you plan to visit any of these countries you will need to purchase local currency.

Before September 17th you should purchase at least €200 so that you will have money to use when you first arrive in Well.  [Remember, you will have to buy your reading packets during your first weekend, and you will need cash for other purchases as well].  Please do not bring any Euro notes larger than €100 – larger notes are not accepted at the castle and at most stores.  A bank will charge you a 5% fee to change it.

Plan to use ATM machines whenever you need cash.  Those whose U.S. bank is part of the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro networks should be able to use the ATM machine in Well to make withdrawals.  You may also use Visa or MasterCard.  Usually ATM cards with 4-digit PINS work in most ATM machines; however ATM cards with 6-digit PINS are sometimes difficult to use in Europe [though former participants have reported that they work fine if you use just the first 4 digits].  Inform your bank that you are traveling to Europe and that you are staying in the Netherlands.  If you don’t, the bank may block your ATM card for security reasons.  Do not call your local branch – call the national customer service number.

If you need cash in a hurry money can be sent via the Internet using a MoneyGram International e-Money Transfer. There is a MoneyGram International agency at the Venlo train station [30 minutes from the castle] where you can receive funds [as well as over 60,000 other locations around the world].  Money sent through MoneyGram International should arrive in 15-30 minutes.  The sender must set up an account, then fill out an online form with the receiver’s name, the amount, and that it is being sent to Venlo, the Netherlands GWK, VENLO TRAIN STATION [STATIONSPLEIN 1]. The sender will receive a reference number, which is helpful but not necessary for picking up the money.  MoneyGram International  is expensive, so this option should only be used as a last resort.

You should decide on some way to carry your money, ATM cards, credits cards, passport, and any other pertinent papers or information.  Our advice is that you use a money belt, though some wear pouches on their belts or pouches around their necks.  Getting pick pocketed is not uncommon, especially for foreigners.  There’s no need to be paranoid but you should be cautious and aware every moment of where your money and papers are.  Get into the habit of being conscious in that way.

CREDIT CARDS
It is highly recommended, almost essential, to have a credit card handy for emergencies.  The major credit cards are widely accepted, and you always get the best exchange rate.  Inform your credit card provider that you are traveling to Europe and that you are staying in the Netherlands.  If you don’t, they may block your card for security reasons.  The only drawback to a credit card is the ease of overspending.  Because a better rate of exchange is received with a credit card, it is tempting.  Finance charges build up quickly.  Just be aware of the ease of their use and don’t overspend.  Be sure to check with each company about cash advance policies and also be sure to have an international number in case the card is lost or stolen.  Give your parents [or a trusted relative] photocopies of the account number and expiration date of each of your credit cards.  And bring a photocopy [someplace separate from the card[s]] for yourself.

ELECTRICITY
Participants will need both an adapter and a converter for any electrical equipment they bring.

1. A small adapter with two round pins can be used everywhere in Europe, except England and Ireland.
2. A larger, 3-pronged adapter is necessary in Great Britain.

Different types of equipment require different amounts of power, or “watts.”  Determine how many watts the equipment needs [it is usually stated on the back] - then buy the appropriate converter.  They are available anywhere from 50 watts to 1500 watts.  Radio Shack is one place to purchase these items - they should also be able to answer any questions you might have.  If the only piece of equipment you plan on bringing is a hair dryer you might consider purchasing one in the Netherlands, or buying a travel hair dryer with a built-in converter.  We strongly recommend that you not bring an American hairdryer to the castle as they do present some danger of explosion.

ADDITIONAL PASSPORT PHOTOS
Plan to bring additional passport photos with you. One will be used for your International Student Identity Card. Another photo will be collected after you arrive at the castle and placed in a Kasteel Well photo album. Passport photos can also be used in a number of ways - for an international driver’s license, for study abroad (identification papers), ski-lift passes, etc.

CULTURE SHOCK
Culture Shock is a result of being cut off from the cultural cues and known patterns with which you are familiar. Your values are brought into question though they were always absolutes to you. And culture shock means continuously being put into positions in which you are expected to function with maximum skill and speed but where the rules have dramatically changed. Not everyone will experience severe cases of culture shock to the extent of hyper-irritability, bitterness, resentment, homesickness or depression. A lot of the symptoms will not even be recognized. It is an inevitable event but it is important to realize that your reactions are emotional. Because you know what is happening to you, it will be easier to work on a solution.

A suggestion for easing the process of culture shock is to be aware of the country and its traditions before you go. Ease up on the grip of your own culture in adjusting to the new one, you can never lose it! This could open up some unexpected avenues of understanding. The most important thing is to have faith in yourself, in the essential good will of your hosts and in the positive outcome of the fabulous experience you are about to have!!

You sacrifice some part of yourself to cultural adjustment when you go overseas. You cannot learn when you are unreceptive and trapped in your own cultural bubble. If you are sensitive to what makes your culture special and what is special about a new culture, you can adjust.

This following article was written by Clarence E. Giese, Dean of Students at IES and has been adapted and shortened for Emerson students studying abroad.

Responses to Living Abroad

• First weeks, riding high with enthusiasm. Commonly known as the "honeymoon stage."
• Possible entrance of a slight anti-American streak such as thorough disgust with all American tourists...or "I am never going back to America again."
• Feeling of being overwhelmed by all the possibilities presented by the host country. [opera, concerts, theater, student clubs, traveling, etc.]
• Realization of aloneness, independence, absence of family, problems of communicating by letter, struggle with language, utilizing free time, heating and housing discomforts, etc. This often coincides with mid-semester examinations adding academic pressure to all of the above. Results usually in a very low period or dark depressions. Psychologist L. Oberg states that some of the symptoms of this period are: Excessive washing of the hands; excessive concern over drinking water, food, dishes and bedding; a feeling of helplessness, fits of anger over delays and other minor frustrations; delay and outright refusal to learn the language of the host country; excessive fear of being cheated, robbed or injured; great concern over minor pains and skin eruptions; and finally, that terrible longing to be back home, talking to people who really make sense.
• Hostility or aggressive phase. Complains about the culture, their customs and attitudes. Girls discouraged with dates. Fellows can't meet foreign girls. Generalizing about the nationality on basis of conflicts with one person. Complaints about the program, regulations and attitudes. Irritation about the program facilities over lack of parties, food, etc. This phase can become extremely petty.
• Identity crisis. Searching with oneself, "Why am I here?” "Am I in the right major?” many questions pointing to finally...[hopefully]...a

Recovery

• Slowly finding a balance between academic work and other compelling interests. Better organization of one's time, and separation of the romantic preconceptions from the reality.
• Oberg again says the recovery stage usually finds a growing sense of humor, with the visitor able to joke not only about the host country, but also about his own difficulties.
• Important stages following include getting to know the country's people as individuals and not as stereotypes, suddenly realizing the great personal freedom here and appreciating it, making deep friendships with fellow students and finally leaving America and trying to learn something about your country with an accompanying decision to take the best of both countries.
• In the final stage, adjustment, the visitor learns to accept the foods, drinks, habits and customs of the host country and even to enjoy them.

• Confidential Medical History Form
• Fall 2009 Kasteel Well Student Contract
• Fall 2009 Housing Form
• Information Sheet
• Travel Arrangements Form.
  

(accurate as of 6/16/09.  Subject to change.)