Housing:-

Make sure to arrange for a room in student house through housing office. this can be done through your department contact person. In most of the cases, you will be asked to fill in a form for housing while the university arranges for your VISA. You need to pay one month rent to housing office to make your reservation while you are in India. You can do this by international money transfer. If you face any problems in this money transfer, you may contact us for help.

Some guidelines to choosing a proper student house:-

1. If you are working in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Economics, Management, some of the Biology    groups in Zernike campus

    choose one of the houses as your reference in your application:

    Kornoeljestraat (Cheapest and nearest to Zernike campus, but small)

    Albertine Agnesplein (5 min by bicycle to Zernike)

    Moesstraat (10 min by bicycle to Zernike)

    Kraneweg/Melkweg (10 min by bicycle to Zernike)

2. If you are working in GBB, Haren campus then choose

    Van Houtenlaan as your first choice

In any case, if you don't get your choice, you can still change after coming here by applying for a change of student house.   

Packing:-

You will soon find that there are a zillion things that you can carry but the space you have is limited. Carry only as much as you can manage. Most airlines allow up to 20 kg as checked-in baggage and another 10 kg as cabin luggage (these may vary depending on airlines). Some essential items that you will need to consider getting are.

Books:-

Textbooks are really expensive out here. Brining your text books increases your luggage. You can get almost all text books in the library here. Also, if you don't have it in this university, you can ask for one to get it from other library. So, we suggest not to bring any text books. If you are attached to some books so much that you don't mind carrying them despite your luggage, go ahead. You can lend as many as 30 books from library at any point of time as a PhD student or Researcher.

Clothing:-

Jeans/shorts and T-shirts are standard wear here. Shirts and trousers (and ties) are not so common. Get what you feel comfortable in. A disadvantage of shirts and trousers is that that they have to be ironed after the heavy wash/dry cycles of the wash machines. Do not get too much clothing. Firstly, most people gain weight after arriving here since food (especially cheese, chocolates and ice-cream!) is so cheap and plentiful. Secondly, jeans and T-shirts are at affordable price if not cheap here. Suits would not be worn unless you have a major presentation, often around a year or more later. Most people buy this when they visit home the first time, which usually occurs earlier than their first need for a suit. Even otherwise, suits are not a must for interviews and unless you have one we suggest that you don't buy one. Traditional wear is a matter of choice, though it is hardly required for guys. Ladies probably might want to get a few salwar-suits, a couple of saris and/or any other traditional apparel. Get enough underclothes, socks, shirts/Tees, jeans etc. to last you 2-3 weeks. The more undergarments and socks you get, the better. Winters here are pretty cold with little snow. Although winter wear is cheaper and better here,it is advisable to bring a sweater or a medium jacket(Avoid heavy leather jackets. Groningen climate is mostly rainy and leather jackets cannot withstand rain). The interiors are weather-controlled anyway. A couple of towels, napkins, a leather belt, and hankies should round out most of what you need. Leather items are terribly expensive here, hence get your supply of leather goods(For women get one leather handbag and for men one wallet is enough).

Footwear:-

Try to get one Casual(adidas, nike, reebok..a few brands) and one leather (like woodland) shoes. Avoid pukka formal shoes. These will not sever any purpose!! Chappals/sandals, hawai slippers(just one pair is enough) will be useful. These are also available for about 10-20€. Again depends on what you feel comfortable in.

Bed Linen:-

2 single bed sheets, a couple of pillow covers and a blanket. The blanket can be left if space/weight is a consideration. They are available quite cheap here. Do not get too much linen. The beds here are usually larger than the beds back home, and the bed sheets and bedspreads that you get from home fit very poorly. Its better to buy these items here.

Utensils:-

Almost all graduate students cook in their apartments at least in the evening. So you will need all the basic stuff needed for cooking. Try 2 get a large (for 3-4 people) pressure cooker with spare gaskets and safety valves. A 3 liter one should be sufficient. Get at least one steel vessel to cook vegetables in. Non-stick pan(nice if you can get a deeper one). There are a lot of non-stick cookware available here but those re not very cheap . Steel utensils are costly here. Ceramic items are not so costly and hence you can buy them here. Some basic stuff you might need

Small plates(2-3)

Spoons, tumblers, knife, forks, (all these either 1 or 2) Plastic spoons, knives and forks are very cheap at the local grocery stores, and need not be packed.

Get a couple of larger spoons for serving/cooking.

Basically, ask your mom as to what all is essential and/or useful for the type of cooking that you are going to do. But don't mess your baggage with these utensils

Foodstuffs:-

Condiments and spices, small quantities of standard spices, sambar and curry powders, pickles, and some sweets (for us! ;-) ) are recommended. Pack everything REALLY well, especially the oily and/or pungent stuff (like pickles), otherwise your clothes will look and smell like dish-rags at a dhaba! Almost everything is available at the International grocery stores but you might consider some of the stuff for starters. Do not bother getting pulses, rice, flour etc. They are quite cheap here and there is no need to increase the weight. Get the following in small quantities so that you don't have to ask for a ride to the Indian store on the very first day: tea leaves, instant coffee powder(a 100g pack is enough), dhania powder, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, mustard seeds, jeera (cumin), heeng (asafoetida) etc. (whatever you think you'll use in your cooking).

Cosmetics:-

Toothbrush and paste, comb/brush, twin-blade based shaving kit, nail-cutter, cold cream, lip guards etc. Shampoos and deodorants can be purchased here, unless you have brand preferences. Hair oil if you use it. However try to get a soapbox,1 or 2 bath soaps (like pears,dove, nivea..), Shampoo and deodorants for one-two weeks.

Medicines:-

Your favorite medicines for minor ailments like fever, cold, cough, stomach-ache,acidity etc. and any other personal medication, antiseptic cream. If you need corrective vision, two spare pairs of glasses or contact lenses as the case might be, is strongly recommended. Buying Spectacles is a costly affair and it can't be made for you in one day. it takes as much as one week to deliver your spectacles. You basic health insurance does not cover for your spectacles. So get your eyes checked before leaving.

Dentists are quite costly to visit. Your basic health insurance does not cover dental problems. So, visit your dentist before coming here and get every dental problem cured.

Money:-

For housing you'll be required to pay an initial deposit (one month's rent at least) in advance. Plus you'll have initial expenses in settling down. This all can add up to around €600. An initial safe amount to bring is about €1000. If the need arises, you can (and should) borrow some money from senior friends/relatives/us (notice how we put ourselves last!). All the bursaries will be given their first month stipend immediately after registration. But, the employee status people, will not get their salary until the end of first month. So, keep this fact in your mind and arrange accordingly.

Others:-

Needles, sewing thread, spare buttons, scissors, photos of deities (if religious-minded), family photos, an up-to-date address book of all your acquaintances, friends and relatives in this region. Don't bother much about getting electronics like radios and cameras, though you have the advantage that the voltage and frequency of electricity used here is same as in India but You'll get far better goods here, though you will have to save a little for them. In summary, we would recommend that you concentrate on your choice of books, and get a good pressure cooker. Linen, most clothing and some cutlery (spoons, etc.) is best bought here after your arrival. However, please remember that these are only suggestions to help you make informed decisions on your packing. In the end, trust your mom's (and your own) judgment and common sense.

Overseas Medical/Travel Insurance:-

You need to take an overseas medical insurance valid for 3 months from the day you enter The Netherlands for the first time. Once, you are in The netherlands, then you can take health insurance from a dutch insurance company. It is obligatory to get overseas health insurance valid for minimum of 3 months for getting the VISA from the date of your travel. You can get this overseas medical insurance from various companies in India like, ICICI Lombard, Sundaram, Bajaj Alianz, TATA AIG to name a few. 

Last Minute Stuff:-

In no particular order: Get your medical exam done(although its not necessary for enrollment or residence permit!! Just a safety measure.). Check your eyesight and visit your dentist (ouch!). Get spare spectacles/contacts. Learn cooking. Ask Mom for all her secret recipes. Get a good haircut. Haircuts here cost around 10-20 Euro a pop. Teach your parents to use e-mail!!

Please do not forget:-

Your academic certificates. Get all the documents including Transfer Certificate(if you have), Provisional Certificate, Original degree certificate, Original TOEFL or GRE score report forms, your admission letter and other documents received from the university. PASSPORT is a must to board the flight -:).