Den Haag
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 The Hague (Dutch: Den Haag) is a city in the Randstad metropolitan area in the Netherlands. It is famous for the seat of the government and Scheveningen beach, the most popular beach in the Netherlands. Because many international organisations are located in The Hague, the city has an large international community. The CS-community has about 700 members, always couches available and enough people which like to show you around or join you when you want to party! Reiki-sessions, the World Cinema Club, two meetings a month are just a few things which are organised in The Hague.
TransportThe Hague isn't far from anything. The easiest way to arrive is by train or by car. There's a direct train connecting from Schiphol Airport, which has hundreds of daily flights to destinations throughout the world. The journey takes around 30-45 minutes. By TrainThe Hague has six train stations, but only two of them major enough to mention. Den Haag CS Den Haag HS By TramThe tram network in The Hague is operated by HTM. Trams link the train stations, the centre and Scheveningen to all the suburbs of the Hague and some of the surrounding city's. Just getting on and off anywhere won't be that interesting as most suburbs are quite boring. You can buy tickets inside the tram, although this is quite expensive compared to when you buy them at the train stations or at a supermarket. You can also just get on without a ticket, as chances are pretty slim you'll get checked, and if you do get checked your best chance is to play dumb and they'll probably let you buy a ticket at the driver (the official fine is €35 + ticket price). If you buy your ticket beforehand you should ask for a blue strippenkaart. This is a ticket with 15 'strips' on it. Tram rides within the same zone are 2 strips and the stamp is valid for one hour. If you go to Scheveningen, you cross a zone and you have to stamp 3 strips. You can use the strippenkaart on all local public transport in the Hague (buses and trams). From either station it's a 5-10 minute walk to the city centre, so buying a ticket may not be worth the price or the hassle. The strippenkaart is still valid (march 2010) in The Hague but you can also use the OV-Chipkaart. Trams that run to Scheveningen: 1 - stops at Den Haag HS, the and the city centre (centrum) 9 - stops at Den Haag CS and Den Haag HS Note that trams run both ways, so check which way it's going before you get on, or you'll end up far from Scheveningen! (Direction is written on the front of the tram or you can ask the driver) By FootThe Hague is quite compact, you can easily navigate the centre by foot. Both train stations are within 5-10 minute walking distance from the city centre. From Den Haag CS walk out the side entrance (where the trams are - from the direction you came from that's on your left hand side) and walk through the glass passageway, and then straight ahead for another 500m and you're there. From Den Haag HS walk straight ahead from the entrance into the Stationsweg and follow the road through Asia Town and you'll end up in the centre. CS-EventsMeetingsPlease sign up at the Couchsurfing event list CS-link when you like to join us! World Cinema ClubJoin us!
Eat & DrinkEat
DrinkThe Hague has a lot of bars, mostly concentrated in two area's. Expect to pay about €2-€2,30 for a beer. Plein simply means square, and that's what it is. There are a lot of different bars, most of them with terraces facing the square. It's close to the Tweede Kamer (seat of the government), the Binnenhof, the Mauritshuis and the Hofvijver. Places to visit include:
Grote Markt is also a square, located on the other end of the main shopping streets (Grote Marktstraat and Spuistraat).
ClubbingHere are a few of the clubs located in the centre. There are a lot more at Scheveningen beach. They aren't hard to find. If you don't wander off too far, as long as you are near to the pier, you can see the beach clubs everywhere.
TipsInternetFree WiFi:
Internet Café's:
Living in The HagueStudyIt is only possible to get a bachelor degree at the universities in The Hague. Though it is possible to get a master degree at some international institutions. The "Haagse Hoge School" offers international courses for a Bachelor Degree. If they offer a master degree to you be very cautious and look for a secondary source of information. Inform yourself at your own embassy for example because some of the 'masters' in The Hague don't have any international value. HousingIf you have a well paid job, the local government of The Hague welcomes you! If you have a less well paid job or if you are just a student, you are less lucky. Still there are many different options. Living in a dormSocial housingAlmost impossible for foreigners. It can take up to 5 years before you will find something what suits you. Sometimes they offer temporary housing in buildings/houses which will be destroyed in the near future. Just call them! HaagWonen Vestia Staedion Duwo Duwo has recently been elected as being the worst organisation in The Hague. Mainly because of how they deal with foreign students. Free market
For example: The money for setting up the contract is forbidden by the Dutch law (sleutelgeld). The owner is aloud to ask a kind of service fee but that should not be above €100. The owner is aloud to ask a deposit for a maximum of 2 months. The rent of a small apartment has an upper limit defined by the Dutch law. Even for none-Dutch citizens. You can calculate the upper limit for your apartment and than go to the 'huurcommissie'. Even after you signed the contract. So you can sign the contract and ask the owner afterwards to return the money (or not pay the rent for a while). The negative part of the story is that you won't become friends with your landlord, it takes time to fill in the procedures and getting your right could take up to a year. But it makes sense because usually you will be able to drop the rent with about €100-€150 a month. WorkingThe are lot of International organisations and companies in The Hague and Rijswijk. Media Mentions
CouchSurfersPietertjeCS organised a few meetings. |
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