WELCOME TO THE HEART OF TECH
Dear student, You’re almost there... After your successful application & interview, you’re heading for the ultimate internship experience in the heart of tech: Silicon Valley! Congratulations! You will meet great people, take on challenges, and pave the way toward your dream career. This magazine will help you navigate your internship in the Valley, from visa applications to building a local Cali life and everything in between. We are here for you every step of the way. So pack your bags and become the next Steve Jobs. Silicon Valley is waiting for you!
Best,
Gerbert Kunst Consul General of the Netherlands in San Francisco
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YOUR JOURNEY TO THE BAY STEP 1
Visa Application Insurance
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STEP 2
Renting a Room
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STEP 3
Your New Neighborhood
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STEP 4
Becoming a Local
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STEP 5
Student on a Budget
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STEP 6
Make the Bay Area Yours
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STEP 7
Building a Social Life
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Discover Holland in the Valley
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Holland in the Valley Fellowship
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STEP 1
VISA APPLICATION & INSURANCE Silicon Valley is a unique place Innovation is its oxygen and entrepreneurship its DNA But in order to start your internship you must first obtain a J 1 Visa .
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J-1 VISA What is a J-1 Visa?
Your J-1 Visa Route
The J-1 Visa is a temporary Exchange Visitor visa, which allows foreign nationals to experience American culture and society, fostering newfound perspectives and transnational understanding through an internship. In other words, the J-1 Visa allows you as an intern to explore the US business culture first-handed! Interviewing for this J-1 Visa is a crucial part of the path to your dream internship in Silicon Valley. Make sure to start the process in time and check all the steps you need to take with the Internships in the Valley team. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Once you have been offered an internship position by one of the talent partners, you will need to fill out a survey by our visa partners to check your eligibility for the J-1 visa program. Once you’ve passed the eligibility test, we will put you in touch with our visa partners. Our visa partners help us navigate the administrative waters with regard to Dutch applications for the J-1 visa. Our visa sponsor is designated by the US Department of State to provide you with the necessary paperwork to book your interview at the US Consulate General in Amsterdam.
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LEVEL 1 STEP 1
VISA PARTNERS DOCUMENTATION After you have passed the eligibility test we will assist you in gathering the necessary materials to start the process These include ,
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Passport scan 2 letters of recommendation Up to date resume US standards -
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We will work with your host company to draft a solid training plan
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After approval by our visa sponsor you will be sent two core documents Certificate of Eligibility This will allow you to apply for a visa DS 2019 Signed training plan DS 7002
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LEVEL 2 STEP 1
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INTERVIEW AT AMSTERDAM US CONSULATE You will be asked to pay SEVIS fee 220 Consulate appointment fee 160 :
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Fill out Form DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application You will need to
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Upload a recent photograph with the correct guidelines Bring the confirmation page with barcode together with the photograph to the interview (
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Schedule your interview with the US consulate in Amsterdam Be prepared
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STEP 4
If approved you will be asked to leave your passport after the interview It will be mailed to your home address in NL with the print visa inserted ,
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Interview Checklist
Insurance
DS-2019 Copy of submitted application Valid passport & copy (valid until 6 months after expected end date of your internship) Visa photograph conforming to the guidelines (also printed version) Proof of SEVIS and appointment payments Proof of funding ($1000 a month) Note: Additional documents may vary per person/period. Always check with the Internships in the Valley team and their visa partners before taking the next step. By no means are you to cancel your domicile in the Netherlands before embarking, as the J-1 visa program is a temporary exchange program!
As a participant of the Internships in the Valley program, your health insurance in the US is included in the partnership with our visa sponsor — unless specified otherwise. As this is a basic plan, and as the US healthcare system is organized differently than in the Netherlands, we advise you to: Look into a good travel insurance that covers longer stays abroad for the purpose of international internships. Ask for an additional health insurance from your host company if possible. Study what’s included in your insurance plan to avoid unpleasant surprises. Not all plans are equally inclusive, and US medical costs are much higher than in the Netherlands! By no means are you to cancel your health insurance in the Netherlands!
PREPARATION IS KEY!
Make sure to read the consulate visitor ’ s guidelines before your visit
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IMPORTANT When traveling to the US you will at all times need to bring your DS 2019 form in addition to your passport You will also at all times need to notify the Internships in the Valley program when traveling outside of the US ,
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STEP 2
RENTING A ROOM With towering skyscrapers bustling streets and the gleaming red of the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance living in the Bay Area is like a dream Finding your dream place however can be tricky What should you look out for and how do you find the best deal Read on to find out how to navigate your search for a home near the bay ,
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THE DO'S AND DONT'S Do expect roommates. Because of high rental costs, living with roommates is like breathing air in San Francisco. It has to be done. So unless you are a millionaire, prepare to cohabitate and make some friends! Do search broadly. Make sure to spread out and react to multiple listings instead of setting your sights on one website or a single advertisement. Perseverance and flexibility are key. Do check out your neighborhood. The Bay Area might be known for its tech and innovation, but it also has some neighborhoods that are less safe. When in doubt, contact the Internships in the Valley team, and always check if pictures match on Google Maps! Do try to find your housing on-site. You can sign up for an AirBnB or hostel room while looking at places in real life. This will diminish the chances of online scams, and being on the ground will help you keep up with the fast US housing market! Do a Video Call! Before accepting any place in advance, make sure you schedule a video call with your roommates or landlord. Meeting the people you will be dealing with, even virtually, can help prevent uncomfortable situations and scams. Don’t expect a cheap deal. As a student, finding the best and cheapest deals is what you do. Silicon Valley, however, is known for its expensive living costs, and rent is no exception. Expect monthly prices ranging from $800 to $1600 for a single room. Don’t wire any money before your arrival! Like any big city, San Francisco and its surrounding areas are known for their housing scams. It is therefore of paramount importance to never wire money to your landlord before seeing the place with your own eyes. We therefore advise you to start looking for housing after you’ve arrived.
Temporary Options
General Resources
Facebook Housing Pages*
Airbnb Homestay Hotel Zico (PA) Berkeley YMCA Arena Hotel (SJ) The Marina Inn (OAK) San Francisco Int. Hostel The Green Tortoise Hostel (SF)
Craigslist Padmapped Holland in the Valley Your own connections
SF Dutch The SF Crew San Jose South Bay IEEC + your season & year Bay Area Rooms & Apartments Friends Looking for SF Housing Try keyword variations for more
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STEP 3
YOUR NEW NEIGHBORHOOD According to the Dutch it s better to have a good neighbor than a distant friend But which California neighborhood is the best fit for you Below you will find a general overview of the regions and neighborhoods of the Bay telling you all you need to know when browsing the map Let s find you a new temporary home ,
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THE BAY AREA The Bay
NorCal Highlights
What exactly is this Bay Area that keeps popping up? The Bay area refers to the region in Northern California situated around the Bay of San Francisco. This region is made up of San Francisco (SF), Berkeley and Oakland (OAK) – also referred to as the East Bay – and leads all the way down to San Jose (SJ) or what is known as the South Bay.
San Francisco and Silicon Valley are the economic heart of Northern California. NorCal – as the locals call it – is also famous for many other things. Go on a road trip along the world-famous coastline and enjoy the panoramic views of the Pacific, or drive up to Yosemite National Park and be blown away by the force that is American nature.
Silicon Valley Silicon Valley generally refers to the South Bay, specifically to the area around San Jose and Palo Alto (PA), home to many tech companies. Many companies also have offices in San Francisco, about an hour north of Silicon Valley.
Silicon Valley Playbook Want to find out more about what makes the Bay Area tick? Inspect the Dutch Silicon Valley Playbook and discover all you ever wanted to know about your potential place in the heart of tech and innovation!
NorCal is also known for its top schools: Stanford, UC Berkeley and UCSF find their home here, so the student lifestyle is alive and kicking. After reaching the legal drinking age of 21, many students take trips to Napa Valley or Sonoma County to enjoy the acclaimed wine cultivated there.
Captivating Karl San Francisco is known for its frequent fog which rears its head during summertime Fondness of the phenomenon has even led to locals naming it meet Karl the fog ,
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KNOW YOUR AREA BERKELEY OAKLAND SAN FRANCISCO
The Bay area refers to the region in Northern California situated around the Bay of San Francisco This region is made up of San Francisco SF Berkeley and Oakland OAK also referred to as the East Bay and leads all the way down to San Jose SJ or what is known as the South Bay .
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GETTING AROUND As a car-less student in a big city, public transit is going to be key in getting around town. In SF, the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transport) and Muni metro will become your trusted transit friends. The BART and Muni run through the city, while BART runs further through the East Bay and to SFO airport. Buses and cable cars are options, although the former is slow and the latter expensive. The South Bay has a multitude of options, depending on where you want to go. Caltrain has stops between SF and SJ, while the VTA (Valley Transportation Authority) runs rails and buses throughout SJ. The SamTrans (San Mateo County Transportation) offers bus services up and down the Bay, while some smaller towns such as Palo Alto offer a free shuttle service.
Your Host Company Internships in the Valley focuses on the best and brightest tech companies, from startups to empires as its talent partners. These partners are therefore spread out across the Bay Area, most of them situated in either San Francisco or around Oakland and San Jose. On the following pages you will find an overview of each area and its most interesting neighborhoods. Find out which place houses your new talent partner, and start reading!
Questions? The Consulate of the Netherlands in San Francisco is ready to help! Contact the consulate at +1 415-291-2033 or by email sfn-ea@minbuza.nl
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WEST SIDE
SAN FRANCISCO 5
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Hills parks beaches and an insane amount of fog the West of SF has it all Discover the golden gated city and find out which neighborhood might be your new home ,
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WEST SIDE
SAN FRANCISCO THE CITY BY THE BAY Hills parks beaches and an insane amount of fog the West of SF has it all Discover the golden gated city and find out which neighborhood might be your new home ,
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Richmond
Lower Pacific Heights
Calm, residential, and centered on green — Outer Richmond and Richmond District are two bordering neighborhoods close to Golden Gate Park and the Presidio, while Ocean Beach is just around the corner. The Land's End Lookout at the end of this beach is definitely worth the walk, promising breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge!
Looking for architecture, hilltop views, and an area that screams SF? Lower Pacific Heights is a classy area smack in the middle of the city, with easy access to many highlights. The area, however, can be expensive to live in.
Sunset
There's always something going on at the Marina, made popular by SF’s tech bros and yuppies. The district is a mosaic of cute little coffee places, restaurants, shops, and bars. Visit The Palace of Fine Arts or enjoy bay views at the Marina Green. SF's Lombard Street, Fisherman's Wharf, and Ghirardelli's Ice Cream are close by!
Sunset District and Outer Sunset can be seen as the Southern extension of the Richmond neighborhoods, with the beach and parks close by. The areas are familyfriendly, quiet and relatively safe, but being so far from the city can be somewhat dull.
Haight Ashbury -
If you've always wanted to be a hippy, you have found your home! Haight-Ashbury is the birthplace of flower power. Vintage shops, record stores, and Victorian houses line its streets, drawing a diverse crowd.
The Marina
Of these areas Sunset is the farthest from the city center approximately one hour on public transit and 30 minutes by cab ,
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SOUTH BAY
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Leadership innovation and entrepreneurship Discover the city shrouded in tech and find out which neighborhood might be your new home ,
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SOUTH BAY
SAN JOSE THE HEART OF SILICON VALLEY Leadership innovation and entrepreneurship Discover the city shrouded in tech and find out which neighborhood might be your new home ,
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Willow Glen
Downtown
Charming, cozy, and providing that smalltown feeling — Willow Glen is an upscale neighborhood with a diverse population in the South of SJ. Apart from its Victorian architecture, its streets are lined with cute boutiques, coffee shops, and restaurants. Sample some food at San Pedro Square Market or wander into one of the many little bars.
Like any large city, Downtown is where it's at! The area is known for its busy bars, diverse eateries, and Broadway theater. Enjoy the historic Spanish buildings or browse through The Tech Museum of Innovation and become a real local!
Campbell Actually a smaller neighbor, Campbell is a quiet town and only a short commute to SJ. It's a Sunday-farmer's-market kind of place and close to Santa Cruz, wineries, and beaches. Campbell has its own downtown area, so there's enough entertainment to go around!
Palo Alto To the northwest of SJ you'll find Palo Alto. Home of Stanford and many tech giants, this town is tech famous but quiet. It's also surrounded by nature — to the south you'll find nature reserves, while its northern edge is the bay.
Other Areas SJ has many more trendy areas, such as West San Jose, Rose Garden, and Japantown. Choices aplenty! Some small, spread-out pockets of the city are said to be less safe due to cheaper rent and drug culture, for instance on the city’s east side. Research the area you're considering!
Traveling from Downtown SJ to the SF city center will take some time approximately one hour by cab and one to two hours on public transit ,
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EAST BAY
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Cross the Bay Bridge and find yourself surrounded by ancient redwood forests urban grandeur and lots of students Discover the East Bay and find out which neighborhood might be your new home ,
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EAST BAY
OAKLAND & BERKELEY THE BRIGHT SIDE OF THE BAY Cross the Bay Bridge and find yourself surrounded by ancient redwood forests urban grandeur and lots of students Discover the East Bay and find out which neighborhood might be your new home ,
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Uptown Oakland
Berkeley
As the quirky and more creative cousin of SF, Oakland is popular among young professionals. Uptown is known for its busy theaters, cozy eateries, and fun bars. With the bay on the left and hills on the right, Uptown offers the urban US experience encapsulated in great views.
Hotspot of intellectuality and birth place of the Free Speech Movement of the 1960s, UC Berkeley's university campus is definitely worth a visit. The town's student life is thriving and buzzing with the energy of its youthful residents. Most students live in Central and South Berkeley, where tailgates and house parties are aplenty. South-side, however, is less recommended.
Piedmont Rockridge /
Running all the way to Berkeley, Rockridge is an upscale and lively Oakland neighborhood, characterized by its vintage shops and elegant houses. Piedmont is a cheaper and more family-oriented area below Rockridge, with its tapas restaurants and boutiques centered on Piedmont Avenue.
Be wary Oakland has some neighborhoods with drug and gang-related crime, especially east and west. Research potential home areas, or check in with our team!
Temescal Always wanted to let out your inner artist? Then Temescal is your block! Artsy and on the rise, Temescal is the place to be for fun breweries, local theater, and of course the Bay Area art scene.
Oakland has an excellent connection to SF It takes approximately 30 minutes on public transit and 20 minutes by cab to reach the city center .
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STEP 4
BECOMING A LOCAL When moving to another country you want to feel like you belong as soon as possible In this section you ll find all the things you should know before starting your life by the Bay ,
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BEFORE DEPARTURE Climate California sunshine, rustling winds, and surprisingly foggy streets — The weather in the Bay Area can change at the drop of a hat. While San Jose can be hot, Oakland can be chilly and San Francisco foggy. Generally, temperatures range from 10-25°C during the day, but drops lower at night. Indian summers means better weather from September through November, while winters see more rain. Make sure to pack layers. They are your best defense against the fickle climate.
Credit Card Money makes the world go ’round. Don’t put all your trust in your debit cards, as they sometimes don’t work. Make sure to have a credit card backup, and do not forget to check your daily limit or to activate your debit card to North America in advance!
Telephone You want your tech to work, especially in Silicon Valley. There are different options to make your phone work in the US. Prepaid SIM cards bought at Cricket Wireless, AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon are widely used, and often demand a monthly payment for unlimited calls and data. This should cost roughly $40. Caution: most new phones can access American LTE networks, but older iPhones could have issues. Always check this and possible offers online beforehand.
Make sure to pack layers They are your best defense against the fickle climate .
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Driving in the US Like most things, renting a car in the US is not cheap. Drivers younger than 25 pay an extra fee, and you furthermore need to be 100 percent sure you are covered for any accidents. This probably means you need the full insurance package. Booking directly on a Dutch website might prevent insurance surprises. Although Dutch driver’s licenses are accepted, we advise you to make an appointment at DMV to get a Californian one to be fully covered and avoid a ticket or fine.
ON THE GROUND Public Transit The Bay Area offers you a reloadable and contactless payment method that will make sure you won’t miss your trusted OV Chipcard for a second. For only $3 at your local BART station, the Clipper Card enables you to use almost every kind of transit in the Bay Area. Buy that card, and be sure to only check in, never out!
Student Transport Mentality There are many cheap and fun ways to move about the city. Those missing their bikes can turn to Bay Wheels, which rents out bikes all across the area. Many blocks are also easily navigated on foot, and even in Silicon Valley walking is free. The real SF way of transport, however, is using an electric scooter to discover the city!
Social Security Number You will need a Social Security Number, which you can only request at your local US Social Security Office. Our visa partner will help you with this step. 22
Money Matters Things you need to know about money in the US: Taxes are added at the register. You’ll therefore pay roughly 7.5% more at the cashier than the price tag shows. Tips of 15% are normal. Most US waiters, drivers and even hairdressers don't have a minimum wage. They make up for that with tips. Check if a tip has been added to your ticket automatically, as sometimes the 20% box is already checked! Quarters rule. Big chance you need quarters for your laundry. Save them! You’ll pay a $3-$4 fee for taking cash out at an ATM. Instead, ask for cash back with your debit card when you shop for groceries!
Earthquakes The Bay Area likes to shake things up, not just tech-wise. It is situated on fault lines, which means that earthquakes are possible. Make sure you inform yourself beforehand about the do’s and don’ts during an earthquake, just in case. Having an extra food stash wouldn’t hurt either.
Criminality Always keep in mind that big American cities tend to be less safe than Dutch cities. Be smart about where you live, where you walk at night, and use Google Maps as your guide. Homelessness in particular is a Bay Area problem, and can be quite shocking at first. The SF neighborhood Tenderloin can be seen as its center and should be avoided. Vigilance never hurts! 23
Groceries Like the Netherlands, California has a grocery chain hierarchy ranging from ordinary stores to high-class boutiques. Whole Foods provides more expensive, organic food, while Trader Joe’s is a cheaper alternative. Safeway is wedged in the middle. For really cheap options, hit up a farmer’s market or a local, small store in China Town or the Mission, where cash is king. Pick your favorite!
APPS TO DOWNLOAD AmazonGo Live BART Lyft MuniMobile Transferwire Uber (Share a ride!) Yelp Only download apps after your touchdown some apps will register your EU location and adjust pricing accordingly
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THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE In 1848 the explorer Captain John C Fremont named the cleft in the Coastal Mountain Range opening onto San Francisco Bay the Golden Gate The bridge derives its name from this land feature and not its color ,
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STEP 5
A STUDENT ON A BUDGET Unfortunately there is no escaping the steep prices of Silicon Valley Be prepared to spend at least 2500 to 3000 a month while living there Exactly how expensive your time is going to be of course depends on personal choices However we ve tried to give you an impression of the costs in the form of a monthly budget ,
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BAY BUDGET CATEGORY
Rent Food Toiletries Public Transit Telephone Uber Rides Gym Membership Eating Going Out Tourist Activities Local Trips &
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*To give a realistic monthly average, personal insurance, visa & plane ticket costs are excluded from this budget.
Getting That
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Be sure to check with your university’s international office if you qualify for extra funding or a scholarship for doing an internship in the Valley. Do you have an OV Chipcard? Don’t forget to put it on hold and receive a monthly reimbursement!
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MORE FOR LESS Luckily, some things are not as expensive as Bay Area rent. Below you will find cheap tips on all things San Francisco and Bay Area.
Do It For the Gram Follow @san_francisco_live for breathtaking city views. Follow @sanfrancisco for spectacular photos and the best tips from a local. Follow @sfbucketlist for bucket-list activities and places.
Page Turners Silicon States by Lucie Greene, a compelling book about the power and politics of big tech. Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin, a novel about how living in SF can change you. Blues City: A Walk in Oakland by Ishmael Reed, which takes you on excursions through different East Bay communities.
Binge-worthy Bay Content The American classic Full House is the most famous show set in SF, and is available on Dutch Netflix. Watch Cynthia Cole’s YouTube top 10 “Where to Eat in San Francisco” for the best food spots SF has to offer. Budget-friendly food options can be found in “San Francisco Cheap Food Guide” or by watching “Dollar Meal Challenge San Francisco.” For more budget-friendly tips, watch Brett Conti’s “Living Cheap in San Francisco” and let yourself be guided through the city by a group of outgoing Americans. 28
THE BEAMING BAY BRIDGE The Bay Bridge connects the city with the East Bay and is the lesser known bridge of San Francisco It is especially beautiful at night as its lights reflect on the water of the bay .
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STEP 6
MAKE THE BAY AREA YOURS Whether you re a foodie into nature or fascinated by history NorCal is a great region to explore From East Bay to South Bay and all the way to San Francisco we have you covered Make the most of your time with the following tips ’
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MAKING HISTORY SAN FRANCISCO Alcatraz Island Castro — Visit the GLBT History Museum or Orphan Andy’s Go on a cable car ride, or drop by the Cable Car Museum Haight Ashbury – Visit Amoeba Music or the Booksmith The Beat Museum The Palace of Fine Arts
SAN JOSE Hensley Historic District History Park San Jose Japanese American Museum Peralta Adobe – One of the oldest EU civil settlements in California
OAKLAND African American Museum & Library Black Panther Tours – Focused on Oakland’s Civil Rights history Oakland Museum of California USS Potomac – Huge navy vessel docked in the port
A Priceless Experience Even in the Bay Area many things are free Most museums have free monthly visiting days and celebrations such as Pride Chinese New Year and King s Day are also free !
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BAY CULTURE SAN FRANCISCO
The Shoreline
What a View
Start at Fisherman’s Wharf and walk to Pier 39 along the bay toward the Ferry Building. Sea lions, Alcatraz Island and the Bay Bridge will accompany you.
For movie stills and panoramic pictures you can head over Golden Gate Bridge, climb Twin Peaks or visit the Painted Ladies.
Downtown baby
For the Art Lovers
Discover China Town and the Financial District while seeing Coit Tower, the Transamerica Pyramid and City Lights Bookstore.
Art lovers can check out SF MoMa, the de Young Museum, the Legion of Honor or the Asian Art Museum.
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SAN JOSE
City Center Walk Santana Row, the lively cultural center of the city, and end up at the spooky Winchester Mystery House.
Arts Tech &
Visit the SJ Museum of Art or the California Theater for your daily dose of art. Techies will enjoy the Intel Museum & Tech Interactive or the Apple Park Visitor Center.
Palo Alto Become an Ivy League student for a day and tour the Stanford campus or cross the Bay and walk around UC Berkeley’s campus.
OAKLAND & BERKELEY
The City Walk through Jack London Square and enjoy the view of SF, or explore the Uptown neighborhood for mind blowing art and landmarks such as the Fox and Paramount Theaters.
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ONE WITH NATURE SAN FRANCISCO Golden Gate Park, biggest park Land's End, sunset recommended Ocean Beach/Baker Beach The Presidio, Golden Gate views
SAN JOSE Alum Rock Park Los Gatos Creek Trail Municipal Rose Garden Santa Cruz hills & parks
OAKLAND Lake Merritt Oakland Redwood Regional Park
Redwood National Forest Famous national park with some of the largest trees and scenic beauty. Location: five to six hours north of SF
Sequoia National Forest Famous national park with some of the largest and most impressive trees in the world. Location: four hours south of SF
Yosemite National Park Famous national park with breathtaking views and trails. Location: three hours west of SF 34
WHAT'S FOR LUNCH? SAN FRANCISCO
China Town China Town is known for its affordable, delicious Asian food. Don’t forget to bring cash!
Other San Francisco favorites Bob's Donuts, SF's biggest donuts Boudin Bakery, SF's most famous sourdough bread bowl
Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, the original fortune cookie!
Bueno Vista Café, the inventor of Irish Coffee
Good Mong Kok Bakery, try their pork bun
Ferry Building, SF’s indoor market
Z&Y, hosted President Obama
Ghirardelli’s, the one and only SF chocolatier
Try any of the small dim sum places lining the streets
The Wing, SF’s most famous fried chicken sandwich
The Mission District The Mission District is known for its exquisite and cheap Mexican food. Limon, mouthwatering Latin American cuisine Picaro, for great Spanish tapas Taqueria El Farolito, home of the super burrito!
A Cup of Joe Drinking coffee is a culture in any big American city In SF you pay 3 4 for a normal coffee with specialty drinks being 5 6 a cup .
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Fun Cheap San Francisco Check out this website for the best tips and tricks for cheap enjoyment in the city &
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NIGHTLIFE SAN FRANCISCO For literature lovers Novela and Vesuvio are a must, while jazz enthusiasts should try Mr. Tipple’s Recording Studio. Want views? Head to Jones or Charmaine's Rooftop Bar. For a night on the town go to Castro, Polk Street, the Marina, SOMA or Valencia Street. Visit Twin Peaks Tavern or dance the night away at SF Badlands.
SAN JOSE For a good drink after a long day at work, Paper Plane or Haberdasher is the way to go, while Iso Beers and Original Gravity Public House will quench your thirst for craft beer. Want to go dancing? Check out Club Caribe for Latin music, or catch some live music at The Ritz.
OAKLAND & BERKELEY If you’re into beer, both Novel Brewing Company in Berkeley and Temescal Brewing are good options. If you want to dance with other students, head to Kip’s Bar & Grill: the place to be for any Berkeley student turning 21. For live music, check out the Hatch or the Golden Bull. Feeling homesick? Then the originally Dutchowned Café van Kleef is your best bet. 36
AUTHENIC US EXPERIENCE AMERICAN CLASSICS
Weekend Getaways
The Originals
Many big cities surround the Bay Area: Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Diego but also Portland, Seattle, and Hawaii are close, as are Death Valley, Grand Canyon, Napa Valley and Sonoma County and winter sport destination Lake Tahoe.
Denny’s, IHOP, Mel’s Drive-In, & The Cheesecake Factory.
Takeout Chipotle, In-N-Out Burger, Shake Shack, Super Duper Burger & Taco Bell.
Go on a road trip down famous Highway 1 or hop on a plane: the option is yours!
The Sound of the City
Check out POPSUGAR s San Francisco Playlist on Spotify for a real SF mood ’
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STEP 7
BUILDING A SOCIAL LIFE Moving to a new city can be lonely, especially in the beginning. So stay connected! Through our Internships in the Valley network, you can meet students just like you. Look out for our gettogethers and drinks, so you can share your experiences and bond with your fellow interns. Let’s turn Silicon Valley orange!
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SOCIAL EVENTS International Mixers
New Kid on the Block
Next to your direct network of fellow Dutch interns, there are other ways to connect in Silicon Valley. Look for other international communities, such as SFSU’s IEEC, and see if there are any open events to meet other students! The website Meetup is another option, where you can join groups meant for internationals working in the Bay Area. They organize beer pong nights, dinners and much more.
Unlike the Dutch ‘doe maar normaal, dan doe je al gek genoeg’ culture, its American counterpart is exceptionally and almost excessively welcoming. Housemates are therefore a great way to explore the city and extend your network! Ask for recommendations, and make connections through your newfound friends! Enthusiasm is guaranteed.
Get Your Dutch On
Network Network Network
To find other Dutchies, join Facebook’s SF Dutch page. Another great way to meet Dutch expats is to attend one of the celebrations held by the Dutch Consulate General in SF every year, such as Flower Bulb Day (in March) or King’s Day (April 27). For more information, follow the Dutch Consul General of SF on Twitter – @NLinSF – keeping you up to date on all things Dutch in San Francisco.
Silicon Valley is all about networking. Americans are naturally enthusiastic and always in for a drink or a meetup, so meeting new people is easy! Don’t be afraid to socialize with your colleagues outside of work, and definitely join them at mixers and networking events. Put your Linkedin to good use to grow your professional network in no time!
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HOLLAND IN THE VALLEY Holland in the Valley is a network of Dutch and American entrepreneurs universities and government that connects the Netherlands and Silicon Valley The objective of Holland in the Valley is to tap into the latest tech developments to strengthen ties between the Netherlands and the Bay Area at multiple levels ,
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Your Network in the Valley Internships in the Valley is set up through the extensive network that Holland in the Valley offers Make sure to check out their LinkedIn page and get networking .
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DUTCH PARTNERSHIP Holland in the Valley’s constituent partners are the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU), Dutch and US corporate partners, The Netherland-America Foundation, and the Consulate General of the Netherlands in San Francisco. This way, Holland in the Valley represents the Dutch triple-helix structure where government, the private sector, and academia come together to boost results in entrepreneurship, innovation, and applied science.
Dutch Roots Golden Gate Park has strong Dutch roots The park has a Dutch Windmill a Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden Definitely worth a visit .
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HOLLAND IN THE VALLEY
FELLOWSHIP CONGRATULATIONS!
You've almost made it to the end of our magazine, and we hope you're as excited to start your journey to the heart of tech as we are! But first, a final cherry on top: From a large pool of qualified candidates, you were among the top talent to join our program and be matched with one of our trusted host companies in the Bay Area. Congratulations! To mark this achievement, we would like to welcome you to our Holland in the Valley (HV) Fellowship Program as an official HV Fellow! This fellowship is only awarded to students or recent graduates like yourself: candidates who were selected by the program and are on their way to start their internship at a matched company without any worry about visa and administrative costs! The corporate sponsors of the Holland in the Valley network have stepped in to relieve these costs, and as such the fellowship program is named explicitly to honor these partners. As an HV Fellow, you will be considered a cut above the rest, and will benefit from the trainings and events the program has to offer. The fellowship is awarded from the moment your internship agreement is signed and runs until its termination. After this period you will join us as part of the newest generation of successful HV Fellowship Alumni, and can refer to your achievement by referring to the year of your participation, e.g. HV Fellow 2020. But great achievement carries with it great responsibility, and we expect you to contribute to the image of the program, even after your internship has passed. As an HV Alumni you will be counted on to remain a resourceful point-of-contact for prospective students from your alma mater. More detailed information about the Holland in the Valley Fellowship will be provided in a separate document. 42
Be ready to switch your student life for one filled with tech innovation and adventure ,
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Dear student, That’s a wrap! We hope you have enjoyed reading our magazine, and most importantly that you now have all the information you need to make this internship into the adventure of a lifetime. There is no place in the world as unique, eclectic and buzzing as Silicon Valley. Countless experiences, lessons and growth await you there. So be ready to switch your student life for one filled with tech, innovation and adventure. We wish you a great internship in the valley. Stay in touch, and good luck!
The Internships in the Valley Team internshipsinthevalley@vu.nl
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