Social activities

Arrival weekend | Saturday 1 July

Arrival day
On Saturday 1 July 2022, we will welcome you at your accommodation (within our offer) between 11:00-16:00. We can help you with questions you may have and explain how to get to the welcome event. 

Welcome event*
On Saturday 1 July afternoon (17:00), we kindly invite you to our Welcome event where you can meet your fellow summer school participants staying in/near the same accommodation. Location: tba

*The Welcome event is free of charge! Registration is required. A link to the sign up form will be shared with the summer school participants. 

Summer school kick-off | Monday 3 July

Morning kick-off and campus tour 
First day of summer school! On this day we will officially open VU Amsterdam Summer School 2023 with all students and staff members. There will be a welcome plenary and a campus tour, so that you can find your way around easily in the upcoming weeks. 

Afternoon Pub Quiz
That same Monday in the afternoon, we will have a social activity to celebrate the beginning of the summer school and where you can get to know your summer school peers. This will take place after classes on/near campus. More information will be announced in Spring.

*The summer school kick-off and afternoon social activity are free of charge! Registration is required for the Pub Quiz. A link to the sign up form will be shared with the summer school participants. 

VUture at VU Amsterdam | Date: Tuesday 4 July

Would you like to know more about following a Bachelor or Master programme at VU Amsterdam or are you interested in PhD possibilities? Join this information session! 

*This information session is free of charge. More information will be shared with summer school participants in July. 

Discover Amsterdam | Wednesday 5 July

On Wednesday afternoon you can choose from thrilling activities in Amsterdam.

• Climbing park - fun forest

Adrenaline junkies, this is for you! Want to get out of the city and have a nature adventure? Join this Fun Forest trip where you will enjoy several climbing routes, bungee jump and free fall. This activity also includes a drink at the end.

• Bike tour through the Waterland area 

The Waterland tour will take you through almost exclusive scenic paths across a nature reserve. You'll sail by centuries-old picturesque villages, countless brooks and waterways and straight through green pastures. This activity includes snacks and one drink. 

*Registration required - additional costs, not included in the tuition fee. Registration link will be shared with summer school participants. Limited spots available. First come, first serve.

Karaoke night  | Friday 7 July

Are you itching to sing your heart out to Sign of the Times or Bad Blood? Then don't hesitate to join us on our Karaoke night! We will have drinks and a private karaoke room, so it is guaranteed that we'll have a lot of fun! The ticket includes 2 drinks (beer/wine/soft drinks). 

*Registration required - additional costs, not included in the tuition fee. Registration link will be shared with summer school participants. Limited spots available. First come, first serve.

Discover the Netherlands | Saturday 8 July

Join us for a day out of Amsterdam and discover what more the Netherlands has to offer! You can choose from the three following day trips:

Volunteering at a Local Farm  (afternoon programme)*

Do you want to make an impact during your time in the Netherlands? De Boterbloem is a local farm with a vibrant community of people who value local, healthy organic food. We are very happy that we can make a difference at this location and that this kind of place can be found in the city! So… roll up your sleeves. Come and help out with some outdoor work at the farm! 

Day trip to The Hague (full day trip)*
On Saturday we will visit the city of The Hague: the political heart of the Netherlands, home to stunning palaces, museums and so much more! We will leave early afternoon and be back in the evening. For this trip we offer different activities you can join: 

• Day programme: guided tour at the Mauritshuis Museum
• An evening dinner at the beach in Scheveningen where you can relax and enjoy the food and views.  

There will be time for you to explore the city at your own pace in between activities before we all meet with everyone again at the beach. The cost of the trip include transport, dinner and the museum tour. 

Day trip to National Park Veluwe and Van Gogh Collection at Kröller-Müller Art Museum - (full day trip)* 
The Netherlands might not be famous for its wildlife, but we do have stunning national parks around the country. We will visit one of these parks where we will cycle around (bikes included and optional, also possible to walk instead) the beautiful heathered and sandy fields. In addition, we will visit the museum inside the park: the Kröller-Müller museum which has the second largest collection of paintings from Van Gogh, but also pieces painted by Monet, Seurat, Picasso and Mondriaan, and a garden full of interesting modern sculptures. All pieces and sculptures were privately collected by the Kröller-Müller couple between 1907 and 1922. All in all, it will be a unique experience combining nature, architecture and art.  

We will leave in the morning and be back in the late afternoon. Costs are including the transport there and back, entrance to the park, museum tour and museum garden (with impressive sculptures!).  Lunch is not included and can either be brought (picnic in the national park) or you can have lunch at the restaurant. 

*For all activities: registration is possible for one activity only - additional costs, not included in the tuition fee. Registration link will be shared with summer school participants. Limited spots available. First come, first serve.

Cultural afternoon | Wednesday 12 July

• Van Gogh Museum

The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam is home to the world’s largest Van Gogh collection, and one of the most popular museums in the world. Join us for a guided tour at the museum followed by some free time to explore by yourself. 

• Anne Frank Huis

We will start with an introduction given by one of the historians working at the Anne Frank House. After that, you will have time to explore the museum individually with an audio guide.

• Grachtenmuseum (Museum of the Canals)

Learn all about Amsterdam's canals and their impact both in the past and in the present of the city. At the Grachtenmuseum you will enter a 17th-century, double canal house with classic period rooms and will take an interactive multimedia tour.

*Registration is required with additional costs, not included in the tuition fee. Registration link will be shared with summer school participants. Limited spots available. First come, first serve.

Closing event | Friday 14 July

• Closing event to those that join a two-week course in session one: Friday 14 July

Your summer school has already come to an end! Let's gather for one last time during the goodbye celebratory drinks!

After an intense two-week summer course, what better way to wrap up such an experience than by joining your peers and new friends for a one last goodbye event. 

*The closing event is free of charge! Registration is required. A link to the sign up form will be shared with the summer school participants. 

During the summer school, students can make use the sport facilities on campus. There are a volleyball court, ping pong tables, and a basketball court. Students can pick up balls and materials at the student desk during  opening hours. 

Opening times will be shared with students in advance. 

Arrival weekend | Sunday 16 July 

• Arrival day + Welcome event to those that join a two-week course in session 2a: Sunday 16 July
• Arrival day + Welcome event to those that join a one-week course in session 2b: Sunday 16 July

Arrival day
On Sunday 16 July 2022, we will welcome you at your accommodation (within our offer) between 11:00-16:00. We can help you with questions you may have and explain how to get to the welcome event. 

Welcome event
On Sunday 16 July afternoon (17:00), we kindly invite you to our Welcome event where you can meet your fellow summer school participants staying in/near the same accommodation. Location: Hotel Jansen and Via Hostel

*The Welcome event is free of charge! Registration is required. A link to the sign up form will be shared with the summer school participants. 

Summer school kick-off | Monday 17 July

• Kick-off date to those that join a two-week course: Monday 17 July
• Kick-off date to those that join a one-week course: Monday 17 July

Morning kick-off and campus tour 
First day of summer school! On this day we will officially open VU Amsterdam Summer School 2023 with all students and staff members. There will be a welcome plenary and a campus tour, so that you can find your way around easily.

Afternoon Pub Quiz
That same Monday in the afternoon, we will hold a pub quiz to celebrate the beginning of the summer school and where you can get to know your summer school peers. This will take place after classes on/near campus. More information will be announced in Spring.

*The summer school kick-off and afternoon social activity are free of charge! Registration is required for the Pub Quiz. A link to the sign up form will be shared with the summer school participants. 

VUture at VU Amsterdam | Tuesday 18 July

Would you like to know more about following a Bachelor or Master programme at VU Amsterdam or are you interested in PhD possibilities? Join this information session at 17:00 o'clock. 

*This information session is free of charge. More information will be shared with summer school participants in July. 

Discover Amsterdam | Wednesday 19 July

On Wednesday afternoon you can choose from thrilling activities in Amsterdam.

• Climbing park - fun forest

Adrenaline junkies, this is for you! Want to get out of the city and have a nature adventure? Join this Fun Forest trip where you will enjoy several climbing routes, bungee jump and free fall. This activity also includes a drink at the end.

• Bike tour through the Waterland area 

The Waterland tour will take you through almost exclusive scenic paths across a nature reserve. You'll sail by centuries-old picturesque villages, countless brooks and waterways and straight through green pastures. This activity includes snacks and one drink. 

*Registration is possible for one activity only - additional costs, not included in the tuition fee. Registration link will be shared with summer school participants. Limited spots available. First come, first serve.

Discover the Netherlands | Saturday 22 July

Join us for a day out of Amsterdam and discover what more the Netherlands has to offer! You can choose from the three following day trips:

Visit to Cheese and clog farm Clara Maria - (morning programme)*
Cheese lovers unite! In the morning we will cycle* through the Forest of Amsterdam to a Cheese farm. Here we will see how Dutch farmers cheese is made, will have a tasting session and even make our own cheese! 

*Own bike required (not included in the fee and needs to be arranged by yourself) or you can travel by public transport and meet us there.

Day trip to Haarlem (full day trip)*
Haarlem, the capital of the province of North Holland and also the home of Bianca (summer school team member). With an abundance of historical sights, cultural attractions and hidden gems crammed into a relatively small city, a visit to Haarlem makes for a brilliant day trip from Amsterdam.

On this day you can choose between (first come first serve):

• Molen de Adriaan: one group has the chance to visit De Adriaan windmill, a smock mill charmingly located in the city center on the bank of the river Spaarne. A guide will tell us all about the age-old technique of converting wind into productive energy. 
• Teylers museum: one group has the chance to visit Teylers Museum.The museum is the best-preserved 18th-century public knowledge institution for the arts and sciences in the world. It has been open to the public since 1784, welcoming all those who are eager to look at objects of interest in the visual arts and the sciences. It is a unique place with a remarkable atmosphere, and a visit is bound to be an unforgettable experience.

After lunch (not included in the price) we will go on a boats through the canals of Haarlem. Afterwards you have the chance to stay in Haarlem, go to the beach or return to Amsterdam. 

• Day trip to Utrecht (full day trip)*

We will visit the city of Utrecht, one of the most iconic cities in the Netherlands. We will go on a canoe tour around the canals in the city centre and we will go up the tallest church in the Netherlands to enjoy a stunning view over the city. We will meet at Zuid train station and travel together by train.

*Registration is required with additional costs, not included in the tuition fee. Registration link will be shared with summer school participants. Limited spots available. First come, first serve. 

Cultural afternoon | Wednesday 26 July

• STRAAT Museum (Street Art Museum)

Discover the graffiti and street art museum of Amsterdam. Join us for an interactive guided tour of the museum and the NSDM wharf, a place where street artists can paint ‘freely’. 

• Anne Frank Huis

We will start with an introduction given by one of the historians working at the Anne Frank House. After that, you will have time to explore the museum individually with an audio guide.

• Grachtenmuseum (Museum of the Canals)

Learn all about Amsterdam's canals and their impact both in the past and in the present of the city. At the Grachtenmuseum you will enter a 17th-century, double canal house with classic period rooms and will take an interactive multimedia tour.

*Registration is possible for one activity only - additional costs, not included in the tuition fee. Registration link will be shared with summer school participants. Limited spots available. First come, first serve.

Final Closing Event | Friday 30 July
 

VU Amsterdam Summer School is a wrap! Everyone of all sessions are invited to this Goodbye Event. Let's gather for one last time during the goodbye celebratory drinks!

After an intense summer course, what better way to wrap up such an experience than by joining your peers and new friends for a one last goodbye event. More information will follow.  

*The closing event is free of charge! Registration is required. A link to the sign up form will be shared with the summer school participants. 

Sports on campus

During the summer school, students can make use the sport facilities on campus. There are a volleyball court, ping pong tables, and a basketball court. Students can pick up balls and materials at the student desk during opening hours.