Travel

Receiving five million tourists a year, it is no surprise that Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands, is one of the greatest small cities in the world. The abundance of canals and baby-doll houses coupled with a relaxed atmosphere undoubtedly makes the 'weed' capital the perfect holiday destination for Brits. And yet, whilst there i s noth ing wrong wi th Amsterdam's cultural hotspots and the attraction of the only legal ‘coffee shops’ in the world, the Netherlands has so much more to offer. Extend your stay with a few days and follow this handy guide to discover the secrets of the country of tulips, cheese and insanely tall people.

UtrechtInstead of elbowing your way through the crammed streets of

Amsterdam, why not visit Utrecht, the capital's cuter sister? A mere twenty-minute train ride away, Utrecht offers as many bikes, cobblestone streets and canals as its bigger brother, whilst avoiding the hubbub of the capital. The majestic Dom Tower, which stands at the heart of the city, is not to be missed: overlooking the historic city centre, the tower provides an amazing overview of Utrecht’s canals and wharves. Hosting an internationally renowned university, Utrecht is home of many financially and student-friendly pubs and restaurants.

RotterdamThe port city and former European Capital of Culture always turns out to surprise first-time visitors, especially when they come armed wi th preconceived notions that have long dogged the city's reputation. As Rotterdam does not reveal its secrets very easily, many people seem to

overlook its historical significance. Ambitious high-rise mixed with historic buildings and old warehouses scattered throughout the city make Rotterdam a utopia for every urban explorer. Plus, the cool city centre with dozens of art galleries, coffee shops (the ones with coffee, not the weed!) and quirky boutiques make Rotterdam more than just the ordinary port city.

The Hague While Holland has plenty of water, the only place to properly feel the sea breeze blowing through your hair is the country's political capital The Hague. Before visiting the seaside though, make sure you’ve seen one of the most famous international and national buildings: the world-famous International Court of Justice and Het Binnenhof, where the official offices of the Dutch Parliament are situated. After strolling around the Queen’s Palace Gardens, hop onto a tram that

leads you to the city's wonderful seaside Scheveningen. Listen to the seagul l s , bypass ing t rams (a quintessential Dutch sound) and breaking waves and you will understand why this is Holland's most popular seaside resort.

MaastrichtMagnificently perched on the Dutch and Belgian border, Maastricht is different from any other place in the Netherlands. Because Maastricht was ruled by the Celts, Romans and French, and even invaded by the Spanish during the Eighty Years’ War, the city’s rich history is woven into virtually every brick. The bourgondic, Francophile lifestyle can be traced back when visiting the city’s excellent pubs and restaurants. Oh, and don’t forget to visit the Selexyz bookshop, which is situated in a 13th dominicanen church with frescoes and has a café settled in the altar.

Hidden Holland: A look at life outside The ‘Dam

The month of February marked a h i g h l y i m p o r t a n t l i f e - s t y l e opportunity for student Henry King. Currently studying Criminology and Sociology at University of Liverpool, the 18 year old ventured to a summer camp recruitment fair based in M a n c h e s t e r a n d w a s h i r e d immediately for a post as camp counsellor in the picturesque Connecticut, USA during the 2012 summer break from his studies.What the role requires of hard-working students like Henry, is to spend two months working and living

with children where he will be teaching them new skills and how to develop as young people before embarking upon six weeks of travelling in North America. Henry comments that he feels 'privileged, happy and excited'. Who could blame him, Summer Camp USA is one of the best experiences one can have over those lengthy summer months.It appears that Henry is not alone, with

an increasing number of British students opting to apply to work abroad, enhancing not only their CV but their life experience also. A spokesperson for BUNAC, the company who hosted the fair, says: “The fair was extremely well attended, with many candidates travelling long distances to take part. We’ve seen a 35% rise in summer camp applications this year, which

reflects young people’s desire to boost their CVs with work experience and leadership skills in today’s economic climate.”BUNAC, which has been arranging work placements for young people from the UK in North American summer camps for over 40 years, recommends that candidates should have experience working with children, and more helpfully, should like children, and

that they should ideally be aged 19 before taking on the role. However, don't despair, because for those who don’t have experience of working with children, there are also support roles available, such as kitchen hands and catering staff, so you can still enjoy working over in our country cousin, where there are chances for all to get a role with Summer Camp USA. The complete camp experience costs £495, which covers registration, interview and administration fees, insurance, placement service, flexible return flights to the USA, a 4-month insurance policy, SEVIS fee (US Immigration) and visa support. Importantly for students, you'll be g l a d t o k n o w t h a t f o o d and accommodation for the duration of camp are also included. Camp counsellors receive a minimum salary of $900, which increases with age, specialist skills and qualifications, and if that and the experience at hand isn't an incentive to apply, I don't know what is.

This summer, Univers i ty of Liverpool student, Georgina Baker, w i l l b e c l i m b i n g M o u n t Kilimanjaro; the highest mountain peak in Africa! She will be climbing up to the tremendous peak, standing at 5, 895m to raise money for the charity, Childreach International. This is a UK based registered charity which works to help countries such as India, Nepal, Tanzania and Cambodia along with others. Childreach International helps by guiding children and families to take on the responsibility

of planning and implementing projects of their own, giving them independence whilst ensuring that the children’s own voices are heard Georgina will be embarking upon a six day trek to reach the ‘Roof of Africa’ come the summer months, and this is definitely a once in a lifetime adventure, all for a great cause! So please help her raise her target money and donate anything you can to the cause, helping this w o n d e r f u l c h a r i t y w i t h i t s determined, work!

Liverpool student to climb Kilimanjaro in aid of Third World charity Childreach International

UOL Student hired by Summer Camp USA

Maaike Goslinga

Sarah Brazendale

Clare Dyckhoff

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