Stay connected - also during the public holidays
The holidays are almost here and that means a period without teaching and for some students, a time of fewer opportunities to meet up with one another. With this in mind, there are a few things we’d like to mention before you start enjoying the holiday season.
Activities
Particularly at this time of the year we want to emphasize the importance of not being alone, of reaching out to one another, including online, and staying in touch. This mail includes some ideas for how to get – and stay – in touch with other students.
Contact
Do you want to come into contact with others during the holiday? Do you need a listening ear or need urgent help? This page gives an overview of ways to get in touch.
Leiden University’s Winter Weeks
Come and join the Leiden University’s Winter Weeks in both Leiden and The Hague. A great way to have fun during the festive holiday season! Between 20 December and 3 January, you can take part in various fun activities for free. You and your fellow students can join activities or just get together to enjoy delicious food (we see you, Foodies!). There’s plenty to choose from: playing boardgames, bouldering, a Christmas karaoke, creative workshops, Christmas lunch, and an ‘oliebol’ walk (yes, those scrumptious Dutch-type donuts) on New Year’s Eve. There are great things to do almost every day! Check the programme here!
Other options? Check the Uni-Life app!
Download Uni-Life and learn more about activities planned during the holiday break. Maybe you’ll find a fun event or a friendly student association that you hadn’t heard of before. You can also build a community with other students who share the same interests as you. Download the app and find out more about the different initiatives! The app gives a great overview of the many social activities taking place throughout the year.
Listening ear
The University will be closed from 25 December – 1 January. For study-related questions, you can get in touch with your study adviser again after the holidays. You can call this helpline anonymously, day or night, all days of the week, all year round. Because talking makes you feel better. When you are hurting or worrying about something; when you feel alone or happy. The Listening Line gives you that extra bit of support.
If you need a listening ear, get in touch with the Luisterlijn
- Phone no: 0880767000
- Available daily (24/7). Including over the holidays!
- De Luisterlijn conducts conversations in Dutch. If a volunteer wants to and can, the conversation may be conducted in another language, but that is up to the volunteer.
- More information about helplines abroad can be found on IFOTES.
Urgent help
- If you need urgent help, including psychological support, you should contact your general practitioner. Outside office hours, you can contact the GP medical centres in Leiden and The Hague.
- If you don’t have a general practitioner, you can find more information here about how to find a doctor.
- In an emergency or a life-threatening situation, call 112.
- If you have suicidal feelings, call 113, chat on 113.nl, or contact your country's help centre.
Extra support during January
Make the most of winter by joining a Fresh Start Support Group! This special edition of the Student Support Groups runs for three weeks starting January 13th, with two sessions per week: one group conversation and one fun activity like a sports class or art workshop. Spots are limited, so sign up by January 6th to secure your place here.