MA in European History and Civilization - The Europaeum

MA in European History and Civilization
Student Survival Guide
The following has been prepared by the pioneering group of five
students who took part in the 2004-05 Europaeum MA pilot
programme in Leiden, Paris and Oxford.

PARIS
BEFORE YOU GO:
Paris in Spring is just wonderful, but do bring
some warmer clothes just in case.
Also, bring an ethernet-cable of at least five
metres for Internet access in your Paris student room.
When living in a big city such as Paris, good
transportation is a necessity. You can buy a so-called
carte orange at any subway station, which gives you
free public transport for either a week or a month,
and is quite reasonably priced. Alternatively, you
could shop for a bike.
You'll need some photos to go with your official
documents. Getting a student's card is somewhat
tricky: Prof. Genet, the Paris Course Director, will
give you a letter of introduction which will smooth
things over. Basically, you'll first need to go to the
Erasmus office (58 Boulevard Arago): bring considerable
conformation from Leiden University that you
are indeed a Europaeum student (Dr. Tacoma, the
Leiden Course Director, will get you this). They will
give you a document which you will need to bring to
the Centre Pierre Mendès (a University building, 90
rue de Tolbiac). Take the yellow elevator to the
Eleventh Floor, and presto!
Place du Panthéon
ARRIVAL
You'll probably be arriving by plane or Thalys. In
both cases, get yourself from there to the subway-station
Cité Universitaire (located on the blue RER line
B) on the Paris underground map. Once you get there,
exit the station, cross the road, enter the complex
through the main gate and present yourself at the
building immediately to your right.
ACCOMMODATION
The Cité International, where you will be staying
during the Paris part of the Europaeum course, is an
internationally orientated student campus facility,
south of the city centre.
Rooms and kitchens are quite small, but acceptable,
and you'll be outdoors exploring Paris (or studying
of course) most of the time anyway. However,
social life at the Cité is quite active.
Usually, a central location (usually referred to as
cuisine, although it is not the kitchen proper) is used
for fraternizing with your fellow students, whilst
sumptuous amounts of cheap (and good!) French
wine is served.
Next to a small kitchen, the Cité also houses a
coffee bar (which serves soft drinks, lunch and alcohol
as well), a student's restaurant (very cheap, but
you'll grow tired of the limited menu options soon
enough) and a terrace (quite good when spring turns
hot).
An RER-stop is right next to the main Cité gate,
right across the Bourlevard Jourdan (M. Cité
Universitaire).
Be sure to ask for Internet access when checking
in to the Cité: it is available for all, but login information
is only supplied when specifically asked for!
HISTORY FACULTY
The Sorbonne does not have a History Faculty
per se, but all Europeaum History courses will be
taught at the main Sorbonne building, at the Place de
la Sorbonne (Metro Luxembourg).
The Place offers several coffee bars: make use of
them, since the coffee that is served at the Sorbonne
is virtually undrinkable.

You will be offered a tour of the Sorbonne at the
very start of the course. Although quite beautiful, the
Sorbonne main facility is a veritable maze, and it
takes a little while before you get used to it's myriad
staircases and dead-end corridors.
Next to the Sorbonne (about 500m. to your left,
if standing in front of the main entrance) is one of the
major libraries of Paris, the Sorbonne library. You'll
need to go here to get yourself a Paris library card.
Bring a pass photo. Unfortunately, there is no unified
library system in Paris. Browse for books using the
www.sudoc.abes.fr/ website, and click localisation to
find out in which library the books are stored.
Next to the Paris libraries, you might also find a
great deal of books at the Nanterre library (quite
close to Paris), and the Cité library houses a surprising
number of useful books as well. When borrowing
books, remember that most libraries will want them
back within a period of two weeks, and usually, one
cannot loan out more than three books at a time.
THE ACADEMIC COURSE
Most likely, there will be two seminar series, one
led by Prof. Genet, the other by Prof. Frank. A third
course will attempt to freshen up your computer
skills, under the helpful guidance of Dr. Romero. As
everywhere in France, it is quite important that you
speak some French, so try to practice a bit when
you're in Leiden. The University of Leiden offers
excellent language courses which are quite cheap as
well, so practice your French a bit for Paris! Usually,
your teachers will address you in English, but some
courses are just easier to follow in French.
The city has a lot to offer the visiting student,
and the three months you'll spend in Paris will fly by!
WHAT CAN I GET FROM
THIS COURSE?
Although the Paris I Sorbonne is one that is,
administratively at least, somewhat hard to penetrate,
the rewards are plentiful. You will most probably
come to appreciate the friendly and professional
nature of the Sorbonne and its friendly administrative
staff.
SHOPPING
Quite near to the Cité is a Franprix supermarket,
located on the Rue Mouchez (exit the Cité, turn
right, pass the park on your left and take the third
street on your left. It is quite reasonably priced.
Fresh food markets are everywhere, and far too
numerous to mention. The big shopping centre at Les
Halles will satisfy your most basic cravings, Gallerie
LaFayette is as indispensable as it is expensive, and
the fashion and jewelry shops in the Marais are not to
be missed hot spots.
Students of Paris I Sorbonne
GOING OUT
The Paris night life is wild. It offers both the
mega discotheques alongside the Champs Elysées
and the Place de la Bastille (Barrio Latino (a club) is
quite fun), plus the intimacy of small bars.
Hot spots are the Lounge Lizard, located off the
Rue de Rivoli on the Rue de Bourg Tibourg (Metro:
Hotel de Ville), and the whole of the Rue Oberkampf
(Metro: Menilmontant), which is crammed with bars
and restaurants.
The Marais, a strange mixture of traditional
Jewish and gay lifestyles, also offers several good
bars, including Amnesia, on the Rue Veille du Temple
(Metro: St. Paul).

LEIDEN
BEFORE YOU GO
In Leiden, the weather from September to
October in Leiden can be quite variable. September
is still quite hot but once the rain starts it doesn't
stop, so a sturdy waterproof jacket is a must.
Being only a 20-minute bus ride from the sea,
Leiden can also get quite windy. You can swim in the
sea but …
If you are a foreign student in Leiden, you will
need to bring your birth certificate as this is required
to register in the Town Hall (at the Breestraat). Once
you're registered, you are entitled to a ca.600€ grant
from the Dutch Government - definitely worth the
extra hassle! Mr Jonkman (tel: )
is
responsible for the students from abroad, and he'll
help with all the forms and everything you need. For
handy maps of all Europaeum cities check
www.mappy.com.
Leiden Students enjoy summer on campus
ARRIVAL
You will probably be arriving via the train station
in Leiden, as the train is the most efficient transport
from the airport at Schipol. Once there, pick up
a map of the city, as although it is quite small, it can
be disorientating due to all the little side streets and
canals.
It's best to get a taxi from the station to your
accommodation as the buses can be very confusing,
especially if you are carrying lots of luggage, though it
is only a 15 -20 minute walk!
ACCOMMODATION
Your accommodation will most probably be
either on the Herengracht or the Hooigracht, both of
which have their advantages. Living in the building
on the Hooigracht is very sociable as it has many students
from abroad. The Herengracht has fewer residents
and is very peaceful to live in.
Both are within five minutes' walk of each other,
so even if the students on the course are housed separately,
you're never far apart.
Cooking facilities are available in both buildings.
But if you're not up to much cooking, then the
canteen lunch and dinner next to the History Faculty
is your best bet, although watch out for the kroket, a
Dutch speciality which consists of unidentifiable
ground meat!
HISTORY FACULTY
The History Faculty is adjacent to the Lipsius
building, one of the main university buildings located
on the Doelensteeg off the Rapenburg. Here you will
find the canteen and a very useful coffee bar.
Behind the Lipsius building is the main library.
You will no doubt be shown around it as it can be
quite a confusing place, since it consists of three
blocks which are all identical.
Finding books is relatively simple. The university
has an online catalogue of all its books that is available
in Dutch and English. The only details needed
for it to provide you with the shelfmark are the
author and title. If you ever run into difficulties, the
library staff are extremely approachable and helpful.
The Rector, Prof. Douwe Breimer, demonstrates to students

THE ACADEMIC COURSE
The course in Leiden is very well structured, so
for most of the term you will be given reading lists for
class. At the end of the term, you will have to write a
paper. It is here that you can pursue your own interests
within the material covered during classes and
start finalising your thoughts about a potential topic
for your final dissertation. You should be thinking
about this from the beginning, so that the very best
Oxford Tutors can be lined up for you in the New
Year, ready for when you arrive in Oxford in the
Spring.
SHOPPING
The nearest supermarket is called Albert Hein
and is situated on the Hooigracht. Its main rival is
Hoogvliet; a slightly larger, cheaper version of Albert
Hein, which although slightly faraway, situated on
the Breestraat, is only a six- minute walk from the
Hoigracht or Herengracht.
There is a market every Wednesday and
Saturday with lots of fresh fish, cheese, flowers and
vegetables - highly recommended!
The main shopping area in Leiden is in
Haarlemmerstraat, which is very long and has everything
from fashion to junk shops.
GOING OUT
Being a student city, Leiden has a lively night
life. Although there are no "clubs" to speak of, there
are lots of bars with a very friendly atmosphere where
you can happily drink the night away!
It is not unusual for a tutor to go for a beer with
the students after class - the favourite watering hole
for this is usually Camino Real due to its location
(right next to the History Faculty). Opposite you'll
find Cheers, also a fun place to hang out. Every
Wednesday ,evening international students gather in
Café Einstein on the Oude Rijn (see http://www.esnleiden.nl/).
The liveliest night of the year in Leiden is without
doubt 3rd October. It is a celebration of the end
of the Spanish siege of Leiden. A fairground is set up
in the centre of the city, with festivities continuing
throughout the night.
Do try the 'hutspot' (mashed potatoes and carrots,
with a good piece of 'rookworst' (a sausage). If
you're feeling adventurous, go for the raw herring
and onions.
WHAT CAN I GET FROM
THIS COURSE?
Overall, Leiden is a great starting-place for the
course. The rigid academic structure in Leiden is a
good introduction for those who haven't studied
History before, whilst still offering new challenges to
those who have. All the staff at the History Faculty
and those concerned with the administration side of
the course are extremely friendly and go to great
lengths to ensure that you settle into the scheme well.
Leiden itself is a beautiful University city which
is just the right size to feel at home very quickly. The
locals are all extremely kind and speak great English,
so don't be disappointed if you leave Leiden with only
a smattering of Dutch vocabulary.
The drawbridge in Leiden town centre

OXFORD
BEFORE YOU GO:
Contrary to what many non-Brits would expect,
Oxford can be quite sunny and warm in summer, but
do plan for the worst. And buy an umbrella.
Make sure to get yourself a map. In Oxford, the
best place to get one is Blackwell's (the Oxford bookshop),
which is located on George Street.
Don't forget to bring several power converters:
Britain's power plugs work differently than they do on
most of the continent, so make sure to bring several to
connect your laptop, mobile phone charger etc.
One of the best ways to get around Oxford is a
bike, which can be bought quite cheaply at the Oxford
Union at the beginning of term (check their website at
www.ousu.org for how and when). You can get
around by taking busses, but you would most probably
be off cheaper by splashing out for a good bike.
Oxford isn't that big, so you could also opt for walking.
The VERY FIRST THING, however, that you will
need to do as soon as you get to Oxford, is to get yourself
a 'Bod card'. This card will not only give you
access to the Bodleian Library (Oxford's University
Library), but all other University facilities as well. You
will need to ask your college on how to obtain one. If
you have any trouble doing so, contact Katherine
Fletcher at the Europaeum Office in Oxford (katherine.fletcher@europaeum.ox.ac.uk)
for help.
Europaeum students dine in Mansfield College hall
ARRIVAL
One of the best ways to get to Oxford is by plane.
Tickets are rather cheap these days (check
www.transavia.nl for cheap fares from Holland to
London). From the airport, take either a train (if
landing on Heathrow or Gatwick,
www.nationalrail.co.uk) or a coach (if landing on
Stansted, www.nationalexpress.co.uk) to Oxford.
Coaches will deliver you to Gloucester Green, a bus
station right in the centre of Oxford. From there, take
a cab (or walk) to your college, where you will need to
register (more information on this will follow).
ACCOMMODATION
In Oxford, a College will take care of your housing.
Exact details are not known at this time, but will
be provided. As in Paris, make sure to take along an
Ethernet cable of sufficient length, and inform immediately
upon arrival as to your Internet access (you
will most probably need to register separately.
HISTORY FACULTY
Oxford University is organized quite differently
from either Leiden or Paris. In Oxford, there is no
central campus. In stead, Oxford has different colleges,
independent administrative units where you
will spend quite a lot of time. In addition to supplying
you with a place to stay, colleges also have an educational
and a social function. They usually have a
library, a 'common room' and 'hall' where you can
have lunch and/or dine. Colleges have longer opening
hours than any other Oxford student facility, so they
are ideal places to study for those of you who prefer to
do so at night.
Next to your College, the Bodleian Library (on
the corner of Broad Street and Catte Street) will be
the most important aspect of your stay in Oxford. It is
probably one of the biggest library's you'll ever see.
One important aspect of it is that you CAN NOT take
books out of the library. So, you'll probably do most of
your reading either in the Bodleian (the Upper
Reading Room is quite a good place to sit and read.
You can even plug in your laptop there (bring a converter
plug!) and connect it to the Oxford network.

Alternatively, check out the Radcliffe Camera (right
next to the Bodleian on Catte Street): you'll be hardpressed
to find a more beautiful place to study.
Unfortunately, the Oxford library system is
slightly confusing. In stead of a pretty web page,
you'll have to make do with OLIS. Point your web
browser to telnet://library.ox.ac.uk:23, and marvel
at its 1980's graphics. Fiddle around with it a bit and
ask a librarian for help if needed.
The Oxford History Library (also on Catte
Street) has a library as well. You do get to take out
books from this library.
THE ACADEMIC COURSE
Oxford will, during your time there, host a seminar
series connected with the Europaeum mission
and Europaen history in general.
However, most of your time will be spent writing
your dissertation, which will have to be finished
by Tenth Week (the end of June). You will be
assigned a tutor, who will guide you during your
research. These tutors will be Oxford scholars, so
make sure to make good use of their talents! Also, be
mindful of the fact that your dissertation has a word
limit of 15,000.
WHAT CAN I GET FROM
THIS COURSE?
Oxford is intellectually a highly stimulating
place to be. Standards and expectations are high, and
it is a remarkable and satisfying experience to work
and write in these demanding surroundings.
Excellent support from the Oxford staff and friendly
fellow students will make sure that you will not feel
overwhelmed.
SHOPPING
By far the cheapest supermarket in Oxford is
Tesco, which is located on Cowley Road. It is quite
the bike ride, but it is significantly cheaper.
Alternatively, there is a Sainsbury's in the Westgate
Shopping Centre (which is strangely cheaper than the
one on Magdalen St. Also, there are two Co-Ops
(Walton Street and Banbury Road (in Summertown)
and a Sainsbury's (right next to the Summertown Co-
Op), which are excellent, if more expensive options.
The Covered Market off the High Street is your
number one stop for fresh vegetables, meat and fish.
The main shopping areas are around the High
Street and Cornmarket Street.
GOING OUT
On a sunny day, the most Oxford thing to do is
to get yourself some Pimm's and lemonade (just try)
or beers, get yourself a punt (your college can arrange
this) and get ready for some maritime action!
Oxford also has quite a few good pubs. Some
excellent watering holes are the Bear (Alfred Street),
the Eagle and Child (St. Giles, favourite pub of both
C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien) and the Turf (a true
Oxford gem, but a bit difficult to find: take the alleyway
next to the Bridge of Sights off Catte Street). The
Eagle and Child is brilliant as well, and can easily be
reached by punt (just take Cherwell River out of the
city, and it should be on your left past the Marston
Ferry Road bridge) and by bike (take the bikepath
through the foliage on your right, just over the
Marston Ferry Road brigde).
In Oxford, most pubs still close around 11. If still
thirsty around that time, you could check out
Merton's Bar or the Purple Turtle on the Highstreet.
Oxford also has quite a few clubs which stay open
until late.
You could also opt for a trip to London. Take
either the train or the coach (www.oxfordtube.com),
the latter option is cheaper by far. You could also visit
Cambridge (known as The Other Place to Oxford
denizens), here the coach is your only option.
Touristically, a visit to Blenheim Castle is not to be
missed.
At the end of Trinity (third) term, most colleges
will organize a Ball. Usually, these are evening dress
occasions and quite expensive to boot, but they are
also great fun. Unfortunately, they are also organized
right when you're in the middle of writing your thesis…