Leiden Law School

Uni life has officially started and classes are in full swing. We know life isn't just about studying. The faculty facilitates to its students and staff by including spaces that provide a comfortable and inclusive environment.

At the KOG building, we have a nursing mothers’ room (C3.25), a contemplation room (A0.01), and a student living room (at the end of the A corridor)! Our study advisors are here to provide you with full support and assistance. We also have a student desk you can visit with your questions. You can find it near the study advisors, to the right when entering through the main entrance!

Last week was the EL CID! During the second day of the introduction week, students of Law were invited for a first look at their future faculty. An information market was organised where they could meet all study associations, they were introduced to their programme through an introductory lecture, and they got to meet their student tutors. We look forward to welcoming all new students at the start of the faculty year on 4 September!

Discover the charm of The Hague!

Whether you're a culture enthusiast, a nature lover, or a foodie, The Hague has something for everyone! Discover the city's rich history and visit the iconic Binnenhof (the Dutch Parliament) and the stunning Peace Palace. Don't miss the chance to explore the fascinating exhibitions at the Mauritshuis Museum, home to masterpieces like Vermeer’s 'Girl with a Pearl Earring'.

Also, get ready for a culinary adventure. The Hague boasts an amazing food scene, from traditional Dutch delicacies like stroopwafels and herring, to all sorts of international delights. Head to the bustling MingleMush food hall for a mouthwatering feast. The Oude Molstraat and Grote Markt are charming locations filled with pavement cafés and pubs offering a vibrant atmosphere where locals and visitors together enjoy great food, drinks, and socialising in the heart of the city.

For arts and culture lovers, catch a performance at the majestic Koninklijke Schouwburg or attend a concert at the iconic Zuiderstrandtheater. 

So, never a dull day in The Hague! 🌇

Are you staying in Leiden this summer? There are enough things to do! You can visit one of the museums in Leiden such as the Japan Museum SieboldHuis or the National Museum of Antiquities. There are also many outdoor cafes in Leiden. Grab a drink at Annie’s or have a seat near the water at Einstein or the Stadthouder. Want to party? On 29 July, the Puur festival will take place in Oegstgeest (it’s only a 15-minute bike ride from Leiden 😉).

Wellbeing Wednesday

Menstrual products are now available free of charge at KOG and the Old Observatory. You can find these products in all women's and all-gender restrooms. Our tampons and pads are made from 100% organic cotton, ensuring comfort and sustainability.

We believe that access to menstrual products should be a basic right, and we are dedicated to promoting menstrual health and hygiene. Join us in creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone.

On Friday 30 June, we welcomed a group of prospective master’s students. We informed these Dutch and international students about the facilities at Leiden Law School and gave them a tour through our building. Last but not least, we gave the students a preview of Leiden by boat, and it is safe to say that everybody enjoyed it. Of course, we hope to see them all this September!

During our Warm Up event on 21 June, newly enrolled students and parents/carers were given a clear picture of what awaits them after the summer holidays through presentations, tours, Q&A sessions, and a closing drink. 🎊

A fun evening full of new impressions and encounters on the longest day of the year. 🌞!

Need to cool down in this hot weather? Treat yourself to a delicious iced coffee. Now available at the JuCa!🥤

Last Friday, the first edition of the Dutch language café took place in the student living room. It was a successful afternoon during which international students could practice their Dutch speaking skills in an accessible way. Different games were played in groups, divided by fluency levels, in which everyone got to know each other better. During a variation on Dixit, students could practice introducing themselves and asking questions to others. There was also room for discussions during the 'dilemma on Tuesday' game and old-fashioned quartets. The language café was received with great enthusiasm, and we look forward to the next editions after the summer!

This weekend, the beginning of summer is celebrated in Leiden with the city festival De Lakenfeesten. Throughout the weekend, fun activities will be organised such as a boat parade, a dragonboat race, a fair on Friday, and many more! On Sunday there will be a big music festival that you can attend for free. For more information, visit Lakenfeesten.

On Monday 12 June, the final meeting of the Honours College Law took place. During this meeting, they discussed Dutch Education Minister Dijkgraaf's intention to reduce the number of international students. Several issues were addressed by Mark Klaassen, Associate Professor at the Europa Institute. It was an educational afternoon!

Wellbeing Wednesday

Munch & Mingle🍴👥

Join us for a free lunch in the Student Living Room! As the academic year comes to a close, the Student Support team is thrilled to invite you to a special gathering. We want YOU to be a part of our planning process for the upcoming year. 🎉 Your stories, opinions, and ideas matter to us. We believe that your valuable insights can shape the future of student well-being and diversity & inclusion within the faculty.

So come on down and let your voice be heard! 🗣️ It's the perfect opportunity to meet new friends, connect with like-minded individuals, and enjoy a delicious lunch together. Don't miss out on this chance to make a difference and contribute to the student community!

Save the date: Wednesday June 21 📅

Time: 12.00 ⌚

Location: Student Living Room 🏫

Limited spaces available, so be on time!

We can't wait to see you there! Let's make next year an incredible one, together. 💪

You might have seen the signs ‘Please be quiet, Moot Court’. Moot court is a unique course offered at Leiden University, for which students have to plead in a mock courtroom and represent the views of their clients to convince a panel of judges. Family and friends were invited to watch their loved ones plead. 👩🏾‍💼🧑🏽‍💼

Wellbeing Wednesday

The weather has been great the past few days. However, with sunshine and spring unfortunately also comes hay fever season. With many people affected by hay fever, there are luckily all sorts of ways to minimize the symptoms. For example, the pollen count of the day can give you a pollen forecast for your region.
 
Do you have any tips on how to cope with hay fever? Let us know in the comments! 🤧🍃

Lovely sunshine these past few days, and many more to come. Perfect weather to enjoy the Leiden canals, best enjoyed per boat we’d say! 🚣🏼‍♂️☀️

Would you like to learn more than the basic ‘ja’, ‘nee’ and ‘dankjewel’? Are you looking for a fun and safe space to practice your beginning Dutch skills? We got you covered!
Join us for the first edition of the Language Café on the 16th of June between 13.00-15.00!

During the Language Café you can practice your Dutch in a fun and easy way through playing games and participating in discussions with others. At the Language Café several fluent Dutch speakers will be present to help you with practicing your Dutch skills. All levels are welcome and there are no entry requirements.

Don’t forget to take a study break and do something fun this weekend. Our tip? Museum Night Leiden!

This Saturday, the 15th edition of Museum Night Leiden will take place. From 20.00 to 01.00, various museums in Leiden will open their doors and showcase their collections. Each museum has prepared several unique programmes for you to enjoy. Among the participants you can find Museum De Lakenhal, Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, Museum Volkenkunde, and many more. Check out the site for tickets and more information!

Today, the KOG is closed. If you want to study for your exams, go to the UB! Good luck with your exams. 🍀

In the beginning of May, Joni & Mathilde provided an interesting inspiration session on auditory disability and its implications within the law. With the assistance of interpreters, they shared personal experiences and shed light on the challenges faced by individuals with auditory disabilities within the Dutch judicial system. One notable aspect they highlighted was the unfortunate occurrence of misunderstandings leading to false accusations of child abuse against deaf parents. Often, their neighbors would hear loud noises without realizing that deaf individuals have different means of communication.

Furthermore, Joni and Mathilde delved into the history of Dutch sign language, emphasizing its journey from being forbidden for a century (1880-1980) to gaining official recognition as a language in the Netherlands in 2021. The session also explored the rights of the deaf community, showing that deaf individuals possess rights as both a disability group and a cultural minority group. Overall, the session proved to be very informative, leaving the students inspired!

This week is the National Week without Waste. Did you know that every year about 10 billion cigarette butts end up on the street in the Netherlands? A cigarette filter is difficult to remove and is harmful to animals and the environment.

That is why Peukenzee minimises cigarette pollution through organizing events and cleaning up the streets! Their goal is to create awareness so that it will no longer be considered normal to throw your cigarette butt onto the street. Yesterday they were cleaning up the street in front of the KOG. If you want to know more or become a part of their movement, visit their website!

Does the youth trust the law? Students from HC Law decided to dive a bit deeper into this question. Regular guest speaker and social worker Carlito Jones invited the students to community centre Bezuidenhout-West in the Hague to speak with youth workers and community officers: What do they encounter? How do they operate? And how can you help the youth restore their trust in the law?

A whole new world opened up to the students during the talk with social workers Carlito Jones and Kamal. Jones and Kamal told them about a juvenile cartel of children between 10 and 12 years old. ‘They did not feel like criminals; to them, this was a game. Something they saw on television and wanted to copy.’ Trust is the most important factor in this job. ‘They need to feel comfortable enough to approach you and put their issues on the table. This way, we can refer them to the right authorities that could help them.’ Two community officers are sitting at another table. The students wonder how you can ensure that adolescents accept the help you offer. ‘As a community officer, they can look past your uniform. They are very distant towards our colleagues in blue, but we are warmly welcomed.’ However, this also creates a grey area in which it is unclear what adolescents can and cannot say. ‘I always indicate: you’re still talking to a community officer. If you commit an offence, I’ll have to write you up.’

On Monday 15 May, Leiden Law School welcomed diplomat Jean-Pierre Kempeneers at the KOG building. About 40 Dutch and international students listened to his lecture on "How to prepare your (international) career".
Mr. Kempeneers shared his experience and gave advise on how to network and how to find a position as a junior. He also shared tips about what you should mention in your motivation letter and CV if you like to apply for a certain job. The students asked Mr Kempeneers quite a lot of questions and everybody went home inspired.

Wellbeing Wednesday

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week. During this week we pay extra attention to our mental health. It can be very difficult to talk about your mental health, but know that Leiden University offers several options. The second picture in the slide is the road map of the university. On this road map you can see exactly where to go if you want to talk about something. Know that you can always talk to someone within the university!

In between studying, don't forget to have lunch in the restaurant at the KOG. There are all kinds of tasty bites and sandwiches for sale! 🍴

Look at how beautiful our faculty is.😍☀️

Note: starting from 15 May, a reservation for a study place in the library is required! 📚