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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 20 May 2026

All students going abroad in the 2026/2027 academic year, will receive an invitation and registration form.

This year, we will broadcast the English information session for parents who live abroad. The livestream link will be shared at a later time. Make sure to indicate in the registration form whether your parents would like to attend the livestream.

Programme

Location: Main entrance HZ Vlissingen
18:30 - 19:00: Walk-in, welcome with coffee and tea

Location: Lokaal 0
19.00: Foreword
19.05-19.15: Q&A on study/internship abroad and scholarships. By Evelien Clemminck from HZ International Office.
Make sure to read the information on MyHZ carefully, you might win a prize in the quiz!
19.15-19:30: HZ-student about the study and/or internship abroad.

Location: Atrium
19.30-21.00 (flexible): Reception.
This is an informal part of the evening; HZ will provide snacks and drinks. Here’s what you can further expect:

  • Ask questions to students who have previously been abroad.
  • View printed and online informational materials.
  • Ask questions to the HZ International Office staff members.
  • Receive more information about insurance (AON Insurance) and healthcare (GGD Zeeland).
  • Get more information about internships and the MIP.
  • Receive more information about scholarships.

Presentations

Below you will find some 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

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 the Pre-Departure evening to answer your questions about the Aon package or other questions about insurance.

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:

On the Dutch website Nederlandwereldwijd you can find the travel advice for each country from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the information and rules regarding corona, for example. 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.

Of course, we hope that you will be able to complete your entire semester abroad. But what should you do if there is new corona outbreak or other 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.

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.

Student experiences

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