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Why sign up? 
Would you like to boost your research skills? Pick op some more Dutch vocabulary? Know more about working on assignments in groups? Or… would you like to do it all? This is possible!

When? 
Jumpstart will take place from 22 -30 September 2025.  
We’ve made sure to spread out the session over these two weeks, so the programme is not too intense. Each workshop will start at 17:30.

Choose your Jumpstart programme
You can decide if you want sign up for 1, or more or all workshops, based on your needs, interest and timetable.
During all sessions drinks, fruits and snacks will be offered to keep you energized.

Choose this workshop if you want to pick up some Dutch words in a playful interactive setting. 

Start your Jumpstart programme with a campus scavenger hunt! In small groups of five, you’ll explore the campus and its surroundings in search of hidden ‘treasures’. 

Along the way, you’ll pick up a bit of Dutch through fun challenges and get to know the campus in a unique way.

Drinks, fruit and snacks will be offered during the workshop to keep you energized (free of charge).

From 19:15 - 21:00 - our Bitterballen Borrel
After the session we will celebrate the start of Jumpstart with drinks and Dutch snacks.

*Subject to change, details to be confirmed.

Choose this workshop if you would like to learn more about finding and using academic sources.

In this session you will:

• Learn how to evaluate the reliability of the information you find
• Consider the ways in which to use Chat GPT when looking for literature
• Get a tour of the University Library

Drinks, fruit and snacks will be offered during the workshop to keep you energized (free of charge).

From 19:15 – 21:00 - Friendshipping and Pizza Night
Stick around this Tuesday evening to enjoy some pizza slices and take part in the Friendshipping game! All food options will be vegetarian.

*Subject to change, details to be confirmed.

Would you like a reminder on finding and properly using academic sources? Or are you a bit overwhelmed by all the assigned reading, and would like some tips on getting through all this efficiently and effectively? Then this workshop is for you!

In this session you will learn:

• Efficient ways to read an article
• Can you plagiarize yourself?
• VU’s protocols on plagiarism

Drinks, fruit and snacks will be offered during the workshop to keep you energized (free of charge).

From 19:15 - 21:00 - Board Games & Pancake Dinner!
Stick around this Wednesday evening for our famous Dutch pancakes and some fun games! All food options will be vegetarian.

*Subject to change, details to be confirmed.

Choose this workshop if your previous education did not include a lot of individual academic assignments or if you just want to refresh your writing skills. This session will help boost your academic writing skills in English in an interactive workshop.

In this session you will:

• Get a refresher on how to structure an academic essay or paper
• Improve your academic style
• Learn more about effective writing
• Work on improving your own text in class
• Receive feedback and advice from the instructor

Drinks, fruit and snacks will be offered during the workshop to keep you energized (free of charge).

From 19:15 -  Food from a Dutch snackbar and Bring your own Bias

Bring your own Bias: we all have ideas of other people; the moment we see them – and even think we know ‘them’. During ‘Bring Your Own Bias’, we bring our biases to the table. Join us for a playful evening of discovery, accompanied by some fast food from a Dutch snackbar including fries and other snacks.

All food options will be vegetarian.

*Subject to change, details to be confirmed.

Choose this workshop if you are not used to working on assignments in groups and would like to know how to navigate these situations. For many new students, it takes a bit of time to feel at ease in group work settings. This workshop is meant to give you some tools for this.

Drinks, fruit and snacks will be offered during the workshop to keep you energized (free of charge).

From 19:15 -  Board games & Pancake Dinner
We will wrap up the Jumpstart programme on a festive note, with some delicious pancakes and fun games! All food options will be vegetarian.

*Subject to change, details to be confirmed.

More info on how to register will follow in the invitation email that will be sent out in September. Shortly after you receive this email with instructions, you will be able to book your workshops through our online ticketing system. Please bear in mind that the workshops will have limited capacity! 

Location: All workshops and activities will take place on campus.  

*Subject to change, details to be confirmed. 

All new international Master students who are starting their degree in September 2025 are welcome to join!  

We specifically encourage you to sign up if you could use some extra academic help and are experiencing a bit of an academic culture shock.

Costs per workshop
VU Amsterdam Jumpstart is sponsored by VU Amsterdam and therefore we have been able to keep the fees down to €5 per session. This fee includes participation in the workshop as well as the social activity and dinner, drinks and snacks.

Costs for no-shows
Note that all workshops have limited capacity. For this reason, if you sign up for a workshop, we expect you to attend. If you do not show up without cancelling at least 48 hours in advance, a 20 euro fee will be charged. 

*Subject to change, details to be confirmed.

Registration will be open from mid-September. You will receive an invitation by email to sign up right before registration opens, so keep an eye on your inbox (and spam folder).

When you apply to the Jumpstart programme, you will be asked to sign up for the specific workshop(s) that you plan to attend.  

We work on a first-come, first-served basis, so make sure to book your spot as soon as registration opens! 

We encourage you to sign up together with your fellow students.