Practical Information
Dress code
In the Netherlands it is common to dress up in a formal way for conferences. During the day the dress code is formal, but during the evening you can dress up casually. Since there is no spare time between the day and evening programme we advise you to bring all your clothes to the conference so that you'll be able to change your clothes if you want to. You can also wear your suit during the social programme. During the Global Village Party on Thursday the participants of the ISCOMS will be wearing traditional clothes from their home country. At the Post Congress Tour you can wear whatever you want. Take in consideration that you will walk a lot, so that you may need comfortable shoes.
Weather
As in most countries in northwest Europe, the weather in the Netherlands can be very variable from day to day, so you can experience all seasons in one day. The nice and shiny weather during the morning can suddenly turn into rain during the afternoon. This means that you have to take the changing weather conditions into account. We advise you to bring some cardigans (or even an umbrella) which you can easily put on and off. In June the temperature swings between 15 and 25 degrees, but the Dutch strong winds can cause a lower feeling temperature. At night it can be a few degrees colder.
Time
Dutch local time is Middle European Time (MET), which is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (when it is 12.00 in Amsterdam, it is 11.00 in London).
Public toilets
Most train stations have public toilets. Throughout the city they are very scarce. You can use the toilets of café’s and pubs throughout the city. For some you also have to pay (about 50 eurocent). To avoid embarrassing situations, ‘Dames’ stands for ladies and ‘Heren’ stands for men.
Electricity and television
The electric current throughout the Netherlands is 220/230 Volts, altering current at 50 cycles per minute. Most plugs are grounded. For appliances of 110 volts, a special transformer is needed.
Foreign newspapers
You can buy all major American, British, French, German, Israeli, Spanish, Turkish, Moroccan and Italian newspapers and magazines at news-stands. You can also find them at the bookshops through out the cities and at train stations.
Communication with people
Due to their merchandising history, the Dutch community is very internationally oriented. Almost everyone in the Netherlands speaks at least some English. Quite a few people are also able to speak German and/or French. During the congress the spoken language is English.
SIM card
If you’re planning to stay for a while or when you will take part in a ISCOMS Research Fellowship, you can consider to buy a Dutch SIM card. This allows you to call to other ISCOMS participants or Dutch students to a lower cost. You can buy these SIM cards at the supermarket Albert Heijn. The ISCOMS organisation is willing to show you the locations on the map.
Tipping
In the Netherlands it is customary to tip waiters at restaurants. Usually a tip is 5-10 % of the bill. Tipping at the pubs and cafes is not common. However, it is not uncommon to tell bartenders or taxi drivers to keep the change, when it is around 1 euro, the same goes for porters.
Money
The currency that is used in the Netherlands is the euro (€). ATM machines can be found at several banks in the citycenter of Groningen.
• ABN Amro Bank (Grote Markt 22)
• Rabobank (Guldenstraat 12)
• Friesland Bank (Grote Markt 26)
• SNS Bank (Oude Ebbingestraat 25)
There is one ATM machine at the UMCG, which is located next to the Main Lecture hall.
In shops and stores you can pay cash or with creditcard.
You can change your foreign currencies at GWK Travelex (Stationsplein 21). Their office is at the trainstation.
Make sure always to take cash with you during the social programme! During the social programme and the Post Congress Tour there is no opportunity to go to the ATM! We advise you not to bring more than €100 cash, due to the risk of pickpocketing and/or losing.
Identification
In the Netherlands you always have to have a form of identification with you. This means the authorities (the police) can ask you to show your identification form at any given moment. There is a risk of being fined, if you can’t identify yourself. So make sure always to take your identification form with you!
Food and beverages
The Dutch eat three meals a day. Before going to school or work people eat breakfast. Breakfast consists of bread with meat or cheese or yoghurt with cereals and tea, coffee or milk. Around 1 AM it’s lunchtime. During lunch people eat bread with meat or cheese and some fruit with tea, coffee or milk. The Dutch eat dinner around 7 or 8 pm. A typical Dutch meal consists of meat, potatoes or vegetables.
During the congress you need to take care of your own breakfast. When you stay with a student, he or she will provide you with breakfast. Lunch will be held at the congress. If you take part in the social programme we will make sure there will be a delicious dinner waiting for you.
Still hungry? You can buy food at the supermarkets in Groningen.
• Albert Heijn (Oude Ebbingestraat 19, Akerkhof 1 or Brugstraat 14)
• JUMBO (Beren 85)
When you decide to go out for dinner with a group it’s necessary to make a reservation. Dinner consisting of main course and dessert will cost you approximately €20.
Tips are not included in the total price. It’s usual to tip the waiter with 10% of the total amount.
Using the restroom
Toilet paper is provided and can be thrown in the toilet without causing a clogging. Other materials (like sanitary towels) should not be thrown in the toilet, but in the toilet bin.
Pictures
Pictures made by our photographer can be used for promotional purposes of ISCOMS. If you would rather not be at our promotional material, please e-mail the ISCOMS organisation and include a picture of yourself.
It is not allowed to make pictures of patients in the UMCG.
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