Hello,

I did not register for the courses yet as I am not sure if I'm still going (having no where to live is quite a disadvantage). Furthermore, I am going for the EU Business Law course so cannot help you.

Cheers!

Oh yeah, having nowhere to live is quite a disadvantage as you say, and if I knew it would be this way, I would probably have applied for other Uni in the Netherlands!!
I didn't register for the courses neither, but I will in a couple of days (EU Business law too!).

Ciao

Indeed Miss S, but this causes me a problem. I would prefer to go to Amsterdam but (again) having nowhere to live is a big negative. On the off chance, I emailed Tilburg on TUESDAY (as they offer an LLM in International Buisness Law), they told me to send my application within one week (by the 14th July) and they would consider it. I FedEx'ed it the next day and they emailed me on THURSDAY to say they has received it. I then got an email on FRIDAY (yesterday) to say Id been accepted and to apply for housing - guarenteed for international students!! Now, although its clearly not Amsterdam, they seem to be more organised and I would have housing. I heard from someome else they they are also on a waiting list for housing in Amsterdam and they would hear back in SEPTEMBER. So now I don't really know what to do...Amsterdam would be my 1st choice, but given the circumstances; I dont really know what to do.

What do you think (anyone)?

All of you make valid points, however I think that I made a good choice with UvA and I'm going to stick with it. At this point I have no desire to deal with more applications, especially since I've already rejected offers from other universities to which I applied. That said, I am concerned with the lack of organization that I've experienced so far with UvA.

I still haven't received any official paperwork from the University after calling and emailing several times. I only have an email stating that I've been accepted; nothing else. In any case, I plan to make the most of my time in Amsterdam. It is a wonderful place and I'm sure I'll benefit from being there for a year. Having lived in Europe before, I guess I'm a bit used to this nonchalant attitude.

The housing issue is not as big a concern as there are a plethora of agencies and private avenues available. I just hope that is unorganization is not reflective of the LL.M. program as a whole.

-KC

Hey clopus, could you suggest any agency? I'm looking on the internet some websites but most of them are in dutch and I don't know dutch. Thanks!

Hey Clopus,
there is a facebook group for the LLM? Join us!! :)
"Universiteit van Amsterdam LLM Programme class of 2009-2010"

Hi,

You may find the following housing agencies helpful; some of which were offered previously by members of the group.

1. De Key- http://www.dekey.nl/studenten/short-stay-facilities/

2. Duwo- http://www.duwo.nl/?id=1751&ch=ENG

3. Amsterdam Weekly (Housing) - http://www.amsterdamweekly.nl/content/view/77/145/

4. Craigslist- amsterdam.craigslist.org/search/roo?query=amsterda

5. www.clickflatshare.co.uk/Amsterdam

6. Expatrentals- www.xpatrentals.com/

You may also find the following sites helpful in finding a room/housing:

7. Student Union ASVA- www.asva.nl

8. Amsterdam International Student Network- www.isn-amsterdam.nl

9. SRVU (Dutch Only)- www.srvu.org

10. Foreign Student Service- www.foreignstudents.nl

11.Kamernet.nl- www.kamernet.nl

12. www.studentenkamers.nl

13. Students for Students- www.sfshousing.nl

14. Direct Wonen- www.directwonen.nl

I plan on arriving around the 20th of August, and I probably won't sign a lease until the first of September. In the meantime, I would suggest that people without housing find a hostel (there are many --do a simple Amsterdam hostels google search) to stay in for the first couple of nights.

Amsterdam is a place where you really need to be there, meet the prospective landlord, and see the place for yourself before signing anything. A few days before classes start should be ample time to find a place provided you have a "game plan." That is, start contacting prospective renters at this time and if possible set up meeting times for when you arrive -- It may be a bit early still.

Some rentals are through agencies, so you may have to pay a commission/agent fee, while others are directly with the owner. In any event, make sure before signing anything that you will be able to "register" the apartment with the appropriate agency. Registering the apartment makes it legit with the law, so always ask about that possibility (for non-school sponsored housing).

I hope this information is helpful. I've joined the Facebook group as well. I look forward to meeting y'all in September!

-KC

Got an email yesterday from UvA saying they received one of my reference letters, but no application! Gah! Been on the phone with admin, and was told I may (or may not) be able to fire off the documents today. I paid the 100 back in April, so that combined with my reference letter should prove I sent the application, but it was lost in the mail. What do you guys think?

This has caught my completely by surprise. I was blissfully unaware of any problems with my candidacy, and now I'm scrambling.

Anyone else here submitted a late application and been accepted? What is the projected intake for LLM students this September?

I submitted a late application for Tilburg (Wednesday) and was accepted on Friday - you can join me there. The reason was because Amsterdam seem to be SOOO unorganised.

What does the Tilburg app entail? I haven't had the chance to look and I'm running off for lunch at the moment.

Was very simple...

An online application form, 2 reference letters (although I only submitted one), passport copy, motivation letter, copy of diploma and grades verified by the university - pretty standard really.

I would advise anyone who is looking for a university last minuite to apply now (as they gave me till the 14th to submit my application). So you contact them today; they may still be able to help you out. PM me if you want the email of the helpful lady I was in contact with.

Hope this helps!

Guys, this ALS last email for me.
do you think positively I got Housing?
I am confused with their email. if I failed in housing, I will be fail in Scholarship.
=======================================

Dear xxxxx,
you will receive an housing offer, anywhere between now and August 15th. I have already informed NESO of all necessary dates, so it should be fine. With regards to the birth certificate, you do not need one, please look under practical information on our web site in order to find out whoch documents are needed,
kind regards,
Jikke Verheij

International Office
Amsterdam Law School
Oudemanhuispoort 4-6
1012 CN Amsterdam
P.O.Box 1030
1000 BA Amsterdam
The Netherlands
email als-fdr@uva.nl
tel. +31205253359
www.studeren.uva.nl/law-programmes

www.columbiasummerprogram.org

Van: [mailto:xxxxxyahoo.com]
Verzonden: di 14-7-2009 5:21
Aan: als-fdr
Onderwerp: when preparatory course, housing, birth certificate?

Dear ALS,

How about my Housing?
Could I get priority for I am coming from Indonesia far from Amsterdam.

about preparatory course, how much its cost?
would you please make it in one bill with Tuition fee. and forward it to NESO Indonesia.
The Neso just give scholarship in one bill, and if you could, please add the dutch course bill too.

my friend who got NESO scholarship in EUR make introductory course & tuition fee in one bill.

When the preparatory course started? & when I should arrive in Amsterdam?
for the NESO will arrange the departure date. so they need info ASAP.

Do you need me to translate the birth certificate for Residence permit?

Thank you

xxxxxx (Indonesia)

To me it looks like yes!!!

I got this:

Dear Michael,
we have also more than 150 law students coming to the law faculty alone each year, dispite the housing situation, all of them finding accomodation. The housing situation in Amsterdam is different than in Tilburg, like New York or London is also more difficult than other places. This is partly beacuse of the attractiveness of these cities. Again, I can't change the situation (by the way, it is the same for Dutch students). Of course I would love to welcome you as a student of the Amsterdam Law School in September, but I cannot at this point guarantee you housing. We will however assist you in finding housing, if the waiting list doesn't get you housing,
kind regards,
Jikke Verheij

International Office
Amsterdam Law School
Oudemanhuispoort 4-6
1012 CN Amsterdam
P.O.Box 1030
1000 BA Amsterdam
The Netherlands
email als-fdr@uva.nl
tel. +31205253359
www.studeren.uva.nl/law-programmes

www.columbiasummerprogram.org

Henry: It also seems a "yes" to me, congrats!!!

Michael: How will they assist us in finding a house? And when? About the waiting list, when are we supposed to get a reply?

So this is what I understand from Michael post:
1. There is a waiting list
2. If waiting list fail, they will help you
The question here is (as Shary said) when??? We are supposed to be there for the introduction thing of our faculty-programme (27th of August), that is to say, we have to arrive there the 26th at the latest which means in one month and 11 days!!!
In the general email they said: "We will put your name on a waiting list for a room. If we get cancellations we might still be able to offer you a room. In the coming months up to September, you may receive a room offer by e-mail." September?? Come on!!! we have to be there before September. Honestly, they should start classes middle September like other schools.

Although the housing situation is a bit grim, michael's mail gives me a glimmer of hope.
I've accepted the fact that I'll have to find a place to stay after my arrival and am looking forward to the dreadful nights at a hostel.
In my opinion UvA are not really focused on this quite significant issue. I mean, come on, we're all on the waiting list, the rule is - you have 3 days to respond to a housing offer, or you lose your spot. Do your math and you'll find there's like 1% chance there will be any houses from now on.
With the 'lucky' list announced a month ago, in order to get a room, there have to be 10 people that rejected it. And they pretend that's real!
My personal feeling is that there were never really any rooms, and they just make up that 'waiting list' every year to keep everyone calm.
But I think with their assistance we'll manage. All I ask is that they're honest :)))

Ok, but the thing is when is this so called assistance coming? I'm disappointed in how lightly they are taking care of this issue...and they are so concerned with the fact that some people didn't register yet for the courses...come on!! If I don't find where to stay I won't attend to the courses whether I registered them or not. At this point I'm starting to wonder if the LLM itself (courses, etc.) will be like that :(

In my previous experience living in the Netherlands, finding private accommodation is sometimes preferable if you want to save money. I wouldn't worry too much about accommodation through the university unless you're coming from so far away it's practical, or if you're unable to arrive early to search yourself.

Keep in mind we have this thread. If more than a few of us find ourselves in the same situation we can band together and find a private flat.

Hey Mmcgold!
Is it that easy to rent a whole flat to share in Amsterdam?

There is a group on facebook, feel free to join if you didn't already!