IBS Info Desk

05/01/2021

13/07/2020

Hi, last Thursday three of our Info Desk colleagues, Chemseddine, Duy and Alexandra graduated and collected their diplomas at the drive-through graduation ceremony at Hanze. Many congratulations guys!
As from August 24th Chemseddine and Duy will be replaced by returning info desk colleagues Lauriane and Vlada. Alexandra will stay at IBS to join the Master programme and will continue to work at the Info Desk, as will Maxwell who will be starting his Minor at IBS.
Although we will be working online for the first period at least, we all look forward to welcoming you and helping you again August.
Have a great summer break!
Louisa and the Info Desk team.

10/06/2020

Updates about the possibilities to use the Hanze locations:

Step by step, Hanze UAS is opening up its locations again. From 15 June onwards, some educational activities can be carried out on campus again. What is possible where and when? This picture gives an overview of what is possible on which locations. Hard to read?🧐 Go to this link for an enlarged version: https://bit.ly/3fgepTX. The overview will be updated as soon as there are new developments. Go to hanze.nl/coronavirus and check out the Student FAQs and Employee FAQS for more information including how to register for the options on campus🏫

26/05/2020

Touching-base by Sitting with Strangers

29 May Friday's 1300-1400 on Zoom

Are you missing daily conversation?

Would you like to talk to someone from somewhere else in the world?

Throughout the Coronavirus crisis Sitting with Strangers has brought conversation into our isolated lives by organising one-on-one chats between strangers from around the world.

Be a participant, a sitter, in our final event: Friday 29 May 1300-1400 (CEST) on Zoom.

Register by sending an email with your name, country of origin, and country of residence to sittingwithstrangers@gmail.com You will receive an email on the morning of the sitting with details of how to join using Zoom.

How it works: for our final sitting the format is being slightly changed. Sitters will have two 15 minute one-on-one chats, then we will all come together for a final group chat.

Don't know what to say? No worries, Sitting with Strangers has plenty of icebreakers ready to get you talking.

Sitting with Strangers would like to thank everyone who has taken during the past nine weeks.

We invite you to celebrate our final sitting on 29 May to touch-base with someone you met before or maybe meet someone new.

Sitting with Strangers will re-appear face-to-face when restrictions allow or via Zoom if we return to a lockdown. In the meantime, stay safe and healthy.

Sitting with Strangers began in Groningen, a Dutch city with a large expat community. The idea was to encourage local Dutch people and expats to meet and talk about how wonderful life is in Netherlands' northern most province. Coronavirus changed the game, we could no longer meet face-to-face. With most of the world in lockdown suddenly everyone is experiencing the isolation faced by many expats. SwS took on a new dimension, going online and connecting people around the world. We are not meant to be alone.

Sitting with Strangers is an initiative of Be Extraordinary Now! workshop, organised by Buitengewoonzijn.NU (https://www.buitengewoonzijn.nu) with the support of Connect International (connect-int.org)

06/05/2020

Hello everyone!

We hope that all of you are doing well!

For those who are searching for a graduation assignment, there is a possibility to visit Online Meet & Greet of the Living Labs on Tuesday, the 19th of May between 12 - 3pm.

Living Lab is a social practice around ill-defined, authentic tasks or issues whose resolution requires transboundary learning by transcending disciplines, traditional structures and sectors, and forms of learning

The program can be found from this link:https://mcusercontent.com/8a54975abe2122f48994f5ff2/files/8b663c8d-5628-4d1e-a8b7-9ff2f0176b1c/FINAL_schema_Engels.pdf

If you have questions regarding the online meet & greet, you can email at n.m.van.rhee@st.hanze.nl.

We wish you a great day! :)

23/04/2020

Tips and tricks for studying while being at home:

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/mar/26/how-to-study-at-home-during-coronavirus-by-online-students-and-tutors

Here’s how to study effectively from home, according to those who have been doing it all along

22/04/2020

Julia Absolon, an Honours student at IBS decided to explore the effect of the current pandemic on the largest world economies and is currently writing a series of interesting articles: COVID-19 and its Impact on Financial Markets.

Julia finished the 1st part of her series recently, entitled: "China, Where it all began..." Have a good read!

“In the past, the government might have let some companies go to the wall to help industry restructuring, but it’s now got to the point where employment, stability and getting the economy going again comes first” (Mitchell, Shepherd, & Ju, 2020).

How did the outbreak of COVID-19 impact the financial market in China? For decades, China has been a global leader in the consumption and production of large quantities of goods and services with an average economic growth of 9% per year. The GDP was enormously affected by the outbreak of the virus, falling to an all-time low of -6.8%. The decline in GDP led to bankruptcies of small companies and high unemployment of 6.2%., compared with 3.8% in 2019. Due to the lockdown, retail sales dropped by 15.8% last month (BBC News, 2020). The fact that services and consumption account for more than 50% of China’s GDP shows that fluctuations have an intense impact on the economy. China is highly dependent on the demand of exports to trading partners, such as the United States. Since many of China’s trading partners are severely affected by the pandemic, domestic demand is suffering most. During the Chinese New Year, the revenue has dropped considerably. Only $3.9 million was generated this year, compared to $1.5 billion in 2019. Since last month, many firms which create more than 10 million jobs annually returned to work. Although sufficient labour is available, new orders from abroad fail to appear. On March 1, China’s central bank announced that it will accept delayed debt and interest payments from the first half of the year to minimize the risk of bankruptcy. Discounted government loans are offered as well (Mitchell, Shepherd, & Ju, 2020). One might think that the stock market has also suffered greatly from the pandemic. However, the CSI 300 index has only fallen by 10%, compared to almost 20% of the S&P 500 on Wall Street. One reason is that the interest in the rapidly growing biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry in China increased considerably during the pandemic. Another reason is that the government implemented efficient measures to guarantee market liquidity (Lockett, 2020).

Photo by chuttersnap on Unsplash

References

BBC News. (2020, April 17). China's virus-hit economy shrinks for first time in decades. Retrieved from BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-52319936
BBC News. (2020, February 4). Coronavirus: China admits 'shortcomings and deficiencies'. Retrieved from BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-51362336
BBC News. (2020, April 17). Coronavirus: China outbreak city Wuhan raises death toll by 50%. Retrieved from BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-52321529
Lockett, H. (2020, April 1). China defies coronavirus to top global listings in first quarter. Retrieved from Financial Times: https://www.ft.com/content/a4d3e125-2043-409b-8318-0f536ecb2ca5
Mitchell, T., Shepherd, C., & Ju, S. F. (2020, March 10). Coronavirus: China's risky plan to revive the economy. Retrieved from The Financial Times: https://www.ft.com/content/396def8e-5d82-11ea-8033-fa40a0d65a98
Shane, D. (2019, April 17). China's economy had a steady start to 2019. Retrieved from CNN Business: https://edition.cnn.com/2019/04/17/intl_business/chinese-gdp-q1-2019/index.html

20/04/2020

We hope that everyone is doing well during unprecedented times like this. However, we would like to remind you, that you are not alone. You can always contact the IBS Info Desk team, join the Quaran-Team Course on Blackboard (free online courses, movie tips etc.) or have a chat with student counsellors.

We would like to take a brief moment to appreciate our valuable team member Chemseddine, who was featured in an article in the Dagblad van het Noorden.

You can find the link below:
https://www.dvhn.nl/groningen/Opgesloten-in-Groningen-internationale-studenten-kunnen-vanwege-de-coronacrisis-niet-naar-hun-familie-25570400.html

We wish you a great start to this week!

-The Info Desk Team

Voor een deel van de internationale studenten die in Groningen wonen is het nu niet mogelijk naar hun familie te gaan. Er gaan geen vluchten, de grenzen zitten dicht of ze kunnen of willen vanwege hun werk niet weg. Drie internationals vertellen hoe dat voor hen is.

15/04/2020

Although we cannot be near you physically, we still offer (digital) services for our dear student and staff members!

For any support and questions you have, we are available Mondays-Fridays, 8:00-17:00 via ibs.infodesk.fe@org.hanze.nl

Stay safe!

14/04/2020

Sitting with Strangers --------------------------------------------------

Sitting with Strangers is an initiative from the English language training of Buitengewoonzijn.nu (BGZ) called Being Extraordinary Now. It aims to:

- Bring together Dutch people and expats from Groningen and beyond
- Chat with someone new
- Discover what makes Groningen special in the eyes of a local and an expat
- Explore how different countries are reacting to the Coronavirus crisis

Relax, enjoy, do something a little different for 45 minutes

How it works

It should have been face-to-face, but in our strange world, we are using Zoom.
Register to take part and receive joining instructions.
In 45 minutes you will talk to 3 people 1-on-1 in 3x12 minute sittings.

What do we talk about?

Whatever you like. The instructions include ideas.

Sittings

The next sitting is ….
When: Friday 17 April 2020
Time: 11.00am - 12.00
Where: Zoom
Register: send your name, email, age, s*x and country of origin to: sittingwithstrangers@gmail.com

Why do we need this information?
Name & email to contact you.
Age, s*x, country to sit you with people not like you.
Your information will only be used for Sitting with Strangers.
Sitting with Strangers is organised by: Be Extraordinary Now (BuitengewoonZijn.NU)

with assistance from: Connect International (connect-int.org) & International Welcome Centre (iwcn.nl)

09/04/2020

Hi guys!

Due to the Easter break we are currently closed. We will be back at the Info Desk at 8.00 AM on Tuesday 14th April 2020.
“ for urgent matters you can call our general number + 31 50 595 555”, and refer to www.hanze.nl/ibs

Stay safe and happy Easter!

30/03/2020

Good morning, just a quick reminder to say that the Info Desk is open online. Everyone working day from 8:00 - 17:00 one of the team will be available to answer your questions and help you with concerns or issues you may have. If we can't help you in person, then we know someone who can, so please don't hesitate to contact us.
Remember to refer to the Hanze.nl website for updates and further information concerning the Corona virus.
Stay safe and keep in touch!

25/03/2020

New temporary course for and by students!

IBS has set up a new blackboard course called “The Quaran-Team” for our Bachelor and Master students who may be feeling lonely, or disconnected in these current times. You can self-enroll in order to chat and communicate with other students. We have already invited the Info Desk student assistants and students from IBS-U and the IBS Honours programme to join and they are able to moderate the sessions.

My colleague Mark has already created the initial announcement on the front page, an open collaborate session lasting till 6 April and 2 blog entries.

We’re keen to ‘seed’ the course with more materials, so we welcome any ideas and suggestions from you Please search for the course using the ID below or click on the link below and enroll.

Course ID: sibs.2003.IBS-Quaran-team

Course name: IBS Quaran-team

https://blackboard.hanze.nl/webapps/blackboard/execute/announcement?method=search&context=course&course_id=_344125_1&handle=cp_announcements&mode=cpview

Finally, if you know of any students who may need support/help, please ask them to contact us and/or the Blackboard course. And if you have other suggestions on how we could reach them, your input is always welcome!

We look forward to seeing your posts, your contributions, your links and articles, recipes, reading tips, quizzes, etc. clips and tips on this new course just for you.

If you have any questions, please let us know. You can email me, Louisa at a.l.penton@pl.hanze.nl

Stay safe and well!

25/03/2020

Please make sure you are up to date with the latest updates regarding coronavirus at Hanze (March 24, 18.00). Go to: https://www.hanze.nl/nld/organisatie/hanzehogeschool/coronavirus-public

24/03/2020

Tips and tricks for those of you who are starting to feel the boredom virus! :)

Experience the best museums from London to Seoul in the comfort of your own home.

24/03/2020

Are you up to date with the recent news on the coronavirus situation at Hanze? Check the link below for the latest update. (23.03, 18:00)

https://www.hanze.nl/eng/organisation/overviews/news/update-23-maart

24/03/2020

Good morning!

Did you already make a choice for the Graduation Minors for September? Make sure to check the reminder below:

https://www.hanze.nl/nld/onderwijs/economie/international-business-school/organisatie/overzichten/nieuws/deadline-graduation-minor-choice-20200323115325?r=https://www.hanze.nl/nld/dashboard/studenten&tl=true

23/03/2020

Take Care of your Mental Health during the Outbreak 🧠🌱

We understand that the current coronavirus outbreak and the nonstop news about the pandemic can feel mentally exhausting, especially for individuals in quarantine and/or suffering from conditions such as anxiety and OCD.

We make your mental well-being our priority and would like to offer you recommendations about how to cope and reduce the psychological impact of quarantine, as reported by global healthcare platforms such as the World Healthcare Organization (WHO), CDC and others.

According to a study from The Lancet (medical journal), quarantine can have a significant impact on people’s mental health ranging from developing anxiety & anger, sleep disturbance, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The main stressors of these conditions are long durations of quarantine, infection fears, frustration, boredom, inadequate supplies, inadequate information, financial loss, and stigma. Hopefully, mental health experts have offered multiple answers to your and our question: How can we protect our mental health? 🤔

1. Create a routine ⏱
Karen Gilchrist (CNBC) reports that “changing out of your pajamas, showering and making a to-do of all the things you want to achieve each day creates a sense of normality and productivity.”. According to Mariana Plata (Psychology Today), “when we organize ourselves and know what to expect, it’s easier to actively work towards counteracting the thoughts and symptoms of many mental health conditions”.

2. Stay active and healthy 🏋‍♂🔋
Taking care of your body helps care for your mind; eating healthy, getting enough sleep and exercising can make you feel happier by restoring your energy levels, improving your mood and decreasing depression, anxiety and stress. Exercise, in particular, has shown very effective as boosting cardiovascular circulation has proven to enhance our immune system as well.

3. Support others and remain connected 🤝🌍
The WHO suggests that helping others in their time of need can benefit both the person receiving the support and the helper by creating a sense of community and solidarity. Regular check-in times can help you feel connected to people around you and reduce loneliness.

4. Minimize news exposure (including social media) 🙈🙉🙊
Kirstie Brewer (BBC) reports that minimizing exposure to news can lead to reduced anxiety levels. The WHO suggests seeking information once or twice a day only from trusted sources (eg. RIVM), preferably at specific times.

5. Fight boredom and stay positive 😄✅
Catching up with TV shows, reading books and exploring projects you have been putting off to beat can be effective to fight boredom and keep you busy. Laughter in these times can be highly effective as it releases endorphins, eases distressing emotions, relaxes and changes your perspective. Give comedy a go.

To conclude, don’t forget to reach out to give and receive help. Stay safe, stay strong. You are not alone.
We hope that these recommendations will help you get through this period.

IBS Info Desk Team

SOURCES
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30460-8/fulltext
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/20/coronavirus-tips-for-protecting-your-mental-health-during-quarantine.html
https://www.newportacademy.com/resources/mental-health/laughter-good-for-you/
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-51873799
https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/mental-health-considerations.pdf
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-gen-y-psy/201810/the-power-routines-in-your-mental-health
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-benefits-of-exercise
https://www.gaiam.com/blogs/discover/6-ways-to-boost-circulation-for-detoxing-and-immunity
https://www.lifeworks.com/blog/physical-health-taking-care-of-your-body-helps-care-for-your-mind/
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/the-mental-health-benefits-of-exercise.htm