Pre-Departure evening 20 May 2026

Every year, the HZ International Office organises a Pre-Departure evening. Students who will be studying and/or doing an internship abroad in the following year are invited to attend. This allows you to prepare well for your stay abroad. The Pre-Departure evening is also for parents/caretakers. Also they want to be sure that everything is well organised.

Pre-Departure evening 2026

The date for the 2026 Pre-Departure Evening will be announced later this year. All students going abroad in the 2026/2027 academic year, will receive an invitation and registration form.
Below you can find information from last year’s Pre-Departure Evening, giving you a good idea of what to expect.

Provisional programme | 20th May 2026

  • Location: Main entrance HZ Vlissingen
    18:30 - 19:00: Walk-in, welcome with coffee and tea
  • Location: Atrium
    19.00: Foreword.
    19.05-19.30: Q&A on study/internship abroad and scholarships. By Johannetta van den Broek from HZ International Office.
    19.15-19:30: HZ-student about the study and/or internship abroad.
  • Location: Lokaal 0
    19.45-21.00 (flexible): Reception. Ask your questions to students who have studied at the partner institution where you will go next semester.

This program is provisional and may change.

Presentations

Below you will find presentations. Take a look at them in advance and prepare your questions. You can submit your questions in the online registration form or ask them during the reception.

Important information

Insurances

Of course you choose the insurance that suits you best for your stay abroad. A number of insurance companies offer special packages, such as Aon Student Insurance and OOM. A representative of Aon insurance will be present during Pre-Departure evening to answer your questions about the Aon package or other questions about insurance. (Leaflet AON)

    Safety

    HZ's partner in safety is International Security Partners (ISP). ISP offers 24/7 support to HZ students abroad in case of emergency. Do you have questions about security? Then write them in the online registration form. The International Office will gather all questions and answer them during the Pre-Departure evening and/or post them on MyHZ.
    You can contact ISP 24/7: +31(0)320-331343

    Also check out this information:

    Travel advice

    On the Dutch website Nederlandwereldwijd you find the travel advice for each country from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Choose 'Travel advice' and 'Travel advice per country'. Use the translation function of your browser (do not use the English version of the website as it will give you different information).
    Of course the partner institute will also inform you about the rules in their country.

    HZ follows the travel advice issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Code red travel advice means: don't travel there.

    HZ strongly advises against travelling to an 'orange' area (travel advice of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs). If the country of your destination has 'code orange' and you decide to travel to this destination anyway, you have to complete the form 'Own Risk Declaration' and send it to internationaloffice@hz.nl.

    What if?

    Of course we hope that you will be able to complete your entire semester abroad. But what should you do if there is a calamity? Here are a few tips:

    • Learn the emergency number of the country of destination
    • Contact the international office of the partner institution, read the information they
      may send you and inform them on your whereabouts.
    • Contact the HZ International Office if you need advice.
    • Inform the HZ International Office about your plans and decisions: we have to know about your
      whereabouts and need to know that you are safe.
    • Follow the instructions of the local authorities.
    • Follow the travel advice of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs through their app or call them:
      +31 247 247 247.
    • Do you receive the Erasmus+ grant? Take into account the minimum length of stay of 2 months to retain your grant (partially).
    • If possible: take the courses at the partner institution online according to the approved Learning Agreement. Even if you return to the Netherlands or your home country.

    Things to arrange before departure

    Before your departure, think of applying for your OV allowance (if that applies to your situation) and getting vaccinations. You can read more about these subjects on MyHZ.

    Useful apps and websites

    Student experiences

    Want to hear from other students what it's like to study abroad? Then check out these their stories on our Instagram page HZ_studentsabroad

    Favorite Programs