• Arrival and some useful information about Zwolle
• Windesheim University
• Teaching experience
• Application process
• Comparision: PHSt and Windesheim university
• Final evaluation

Arrival and some useful information about Zwolle

Authors: Kathrin Hoffelner, Miriam Krammer

Arrival

There are many different possibilities to get to Zwolle. You can go by train, car, bus or airplane. We decided to go by plane. We took the plane from Salzburg and went to Amsterdam Schiphol (that was at that time the cheapest possibility). It is very practical, because the airport in Amsterdam also includes a train station. So we could take the train to Zwolle directly from the airport. Especially with a lot of luggage it is very comfortable to do it that like. At the train station in Zwolle some of our SUN mentors (students from Windesheim University, which help you during your stay) took us to the university, where we got all important information. Afterwards they took us to our chosen accommodation.
During our first week we had to go to the municipality in Zwolle to register, but all important information therefor was given to us by the international office at Windesheim.

In the first weeks we already had a lot of activities with our SUN mentors to get to know each other and get to know Zwolle. We also had an opening ceremony for the Erasmus students at Windesheim. During our stay we had some more activities with the other Erasmus students: a trip to another city, we went ice skating, we had different country presentations and a multi culti food night.

multi culti food night

Transport

The most common transport facility in Zwolle is the bicycle. The bicycles are used at each condition: rain, snow or sun. If you get the chance to buy a bicycle from a former Erasmus student, use it, because that is probably the cheapest opportunity (if you are lucky, around 30-40€)! Otherwise there are some bike shops in the city center, where you can buy a bike for approximately 70€. But do not expect a luxury bike, expect a one-speed bike with back-pedal brakes.

Miriam's bicycle 

Zwolle has also a public transport system which consists out of buses in all directions. It is best to travel with the OV-Chipcard in the bus as well as in the train.
The OV-Chipcard costs 7, 50€ (once) and is a card, where you can upload some money for travelling. If you go by bus or train, you have to check-in when you enter the transport facility and check-out if you leave. It is also possible to buy single tickets, but with those tickets you have to pay an extra fee. 

At the following website you can get more information about the trains in the Netherlands and also check the timetable.

Website: http://www.ns.nl/

train station and bus station
in Zwolle

Zwolle

Zwolle is located in the province Overijssel, which is nearly in the middle of the Netherlands.
It has a population around 125,000 people. Its city centre is very unique and surrounded by a water canal.

It is possible to do different leisure activities in Zwolle f.e. going to the cinema in the city center, swimming or doing sports at Windesheim university or going to one of the museums in Zwolle and furthermore.

People are very friendly in Zwolle and always offer you help, if you have any problems.

city centre of Zwolle

canal around the city centre