VU Jumpstart

Why sign up? 
Would you like to boost your research skills? Get started on your career path? Improve your academic writing? Or… would you like to do it all? This is possible!

When? 
Jumpstart will take place from 30 September - 7 October 2026.   
We’ve made sure to spread out the session over these two weeks, so the programme is not too intense. Each workshop will start at 17:30.

Choose your Jumpstart programme 
You can decide if you want to sign up for 1 or more or all workshops, based on your needs, interest and timetable.  During all sessions, drinks, fruit and snacks will be offered to keep you energized.  
 
Registration  
We will send all enrolled new international Master's student an invitation email explaining how to register ((keep an eye on your email/spam folder) on 15 September. Registration for Jumpstart will open on 16 September 10:00 am. 

Please bear in mind that the workshops will have limited capacity!  

Choose this workshop if you would like to learn more about finding and using academic sources.  

In this session you will: 

• Learn how to evaluate the reliability of the information you find 
• Consider the ways in which to use Chat GPT when looking for literature 
• Get a tour of the University Library 

Drinks, fruit and snacks will be offered during the workshop to keep you energized (free of charge). 

From 19:15 – 21:00 - Friendshipping and Pizza Night 
Stick around this Wednesday evening to enjoy some pizza slices and take part in the Friendshipping game! All food options will be vegetarian. 

*Subject to change, details to be confirmed.

Choose this workshop to get started on your career path.  

In this session you will: 

• Discover your strengths
• Learn more about student jobs, internship possibilities, and volunteering options
• Find out which steps you can take now to prepare for your future career.

Drinks, fruit and snacks will be offered during the workshop to keep you energized (free of charge). 

From 19:15 - 20:30 Borrel & chance to have your professional photo taken
After the session we will have drinks and snacks together to celebrate this edition of Jumpstart.
 
*Subject to change, details to be confirmed.

Choose this workshop if your previous education mostly included group work instead of individual academic assignments or if you just want to refresh your writing skills. This session will help boost your academic writing skills in English in an interactive workshop. 

In this session you will: 

• Get a refresher on how to structure an academic essay or paper 
• Improve your academic style 
• Learn more about effective writing 
• Work on improving your own text in class 
• Receive feedback and advice from the instructor 

Drinks, fruit and snacks will be offered during the workshop to keep you energized (free of charge). 

From 19:15 - 21:00 - Board Games & Pancake Dinner! 
Stick around this Tuesday evening for our famous Dutch pancakes and some fun games! Our pancakes are large and filling so they serve as a full meal. All food options will be vegetarian. 

*Subject to change, details to be confirmed.

Would you like a reminder on finding and properly using academic sources? Or are you a bit overwhelmed by all the assigned reading, and would like some tips on getting through all this efficiently and effectively? Then this workshop is for you! 

In this session you will learn: 

• Efficient ways to read an article  
• Can you plagiarize yourself? 
• VU’s protocols on plagiarism 

Drinks, fruit and snacks will be offered during the workshop to keep you energized (free of charge). 

From 19:15 - 21:00 - Board Games & Food from a Dutch snackbar (fries and snacks)! 
Stick around this Wednesday evening to enjoy some typical Dutch fried food and take part in some fun games! All food options will be vegetarian. 

*Subject to change, details to be confirmed.

Registration will be open on 16 September 10:00 am. You will receive an invitation by email to sign up right before registration opens, so keep an eye on your inbox (and spam folder). 

When you apply to the Jumpstart programme, you will be asked to sign up for the specific workshop(s) that you plan to attend.   

We work on a first-come, first-served basis, so make sure to book your spot as soon as registration opens!  

We encourage you to sign up together with your fellow students.  

All new international Master students who are starting their degree in September 2026 are welcome to join!  

We specifically encourage you to sign up if you could use some extra academic help and are experiencing a bit of an academic culture shock.

VU Amsterdam Jumpstart is sponsored by VU Amsterdam and therefore we have been able to keep the fees down to €6 per session. This fee includes participation in the workshop as well as the social activity and dinner, drinks and snacks. 

Costs for no-shows 
Note that all workshops have limited capacity. For this reason, if you sign up for a workshop, we expect you to attend. If you do not show up without cancelling at least 48 hours in advance, a 20 euro fee will be charged.