HAN Intro

Is the Open Up Introduction Week a hazing event?

No, definitely not! It’s a fun-filled week where you get to know your fellow students in a relaxed setting and learn more about the city, HAN and your program. Think games, music, relaxing and eating together. There are no obligations. Some programs do have a few mandatory components, but these are administrative parts where you receive important information about your program, for example. The Open Up Introduction Week itself is completely optional.

For some programs, parts of the introduction program are mandatory, because they provide important information about your program.

• If a component is mandatory, you’ll see it listed in your program’s starters info.
• Mandatory components are free for everyone, so you do not need a ticket to attend the mandatory part.

Not attending the introduction for your program?

• You can still join the Open Up Festival in Nijmegen and/or the Open Up Sports Day in Arnhem for free. These events are free for all new HAN students. Be sure to sign up so you can pick up your free wristband at the Open Up Area or at the festival entrance.
• Not a fan of crowds and parties? Instead of your program’s introduction, you can also choose the No Rush Night, where you can meet fellow HAN students from your city in a more laid-back setting. Think shared meals, board games, non-alcoholic drinks, and speed-friending activities.

While most of the Open Up introduction is optional, it is essential! You’ll meet other students and get to know your program, HAN and the city. This not only makes the start of your studies easier, but also gives you more confidence. Plus, it’s a fantastic week with all  kinds of activities – there’s something for everyone. Have you seen last year's aftermovie yet?

No, not at all. The Open Up Introduction Week is for all new students, and there’s something for everyone. You’ll play games together, there’s a festival and a sports day, but there’s also time to relax and share meals together, for example. Above all, the introduction is a great way to get to know your fellow students. And, of course, your program, HAN and the city. It makes starting your studies easier and less overwhelming.

No Rush Night

Not a big fan of crowds and parties? Then instead of the introduction for your program, you can also choose the No Rush Night, where you can meet fellow HAN students from your city in a more laid-back and relaxed setting. Think shared meals, board games, non-alcoholic drinks, and speed-friending activities.

Important: Are you buying a ticket for No Rush Night but not attending your program's introduction? Then be sure to check whether there is a mandatory component for your program. Some programs include a mandatory session where you receive important information about your program. If that’s the case, you’ll find it in your program’s starters info under the heading about signing up for the intro. Mandatory components are free, so you don’t need a separate ticket to attend the mandatory part for your program.

Yes, that’s possible. Check your program overview to see whether your introduction includes an overnight stay.

Absolutely! Every year, we look for enthusiastic students to help us during the introduction. If you'd like to help us out, please send an email to InternationalOffice@han.nl.

• Each degree program has its own introduction program. Starting in June, you can sign up for your program's introduction by purchasing a ticket through the HAN Event App.
• Once you've purchased a ticket, you'll find all the information in the HAN Event App: the program, your ticket, contact details and more. Tip: download the HAN Event App so you always have all the information at hand.

Download HAN Event App for Android

Download HAN Event App for iOS

Visit HAN Event App in your browser

Yes, participation in your program’s introduction requires a fee. Costs vary per program; when tickets become available in June, you’ll see the price for your program.

Some parts are free

Not buying a ticket for your program's introduction? You can still join the Open Up Festival in Nijmegen on Thursday and/or the Open Up Sports Day in Arnhem on Wednesday for free. These events are free for all new HAN students, but you do need to sign up. You can also visit the Open Up Area in Arnhem and Nijmegen for free from Monday to Thursday. That’s a meeting place for all new students. You can ask questions, and relax on the terrace with live music.

Important: Not buying a ticket for your program's introduction week? Then be sure to check whether there is a mandatory component for your program. Some programs include a mandatory session where you receive important information about your program. If that’s the case, you’ll see it from June onwards in your program’s starters info under the heading about signing up for the intro. The mandatory components are free, so you do not need a ticket to attend the mandatory part for your program.

No problem! Even if you don’t buy a ticket for your program’s introduction, you can still attend the Open Up Festival in Nijmegen and/or the Open Up Sports Day in Arnhem for free. These events are free for all new HAN students. Just be sure to sign up so you can collect your free wristband. 

You can also visit the Open Up Area in Arnhem and Nijmegen for free from Monday to Thursday. That’s a meeting place for all new students. You can ask questions there, and relax on the terrace with live music.

During the Open Up Introduction Week, you’ll receive an Open Up wristband from your intro mentor. You can also pick it up yourself at the Open Up Area. This wristband also serves as your ticket to the Open Up Festival in Nijmegen and the Open Up Sports Day in Arnhem.

Not participating in your program's (paid) introduction week? You’re still welcome to attend the festival and sports day for free. Register from June onwards so you can pick up your Open Up wristband at the Open Up Area or at the festival entrance.

Send an email with the information you want to change to tactile@han.nl. We’ll make sure it gets updated.

Have you signed up for the Open Up Introduction Week but can no longer attend due to personal circumstances?

• Then don’t forget to cancel. You can cancel with your program's contact person. You can find the contact details on your your program's starters info.
• Have you already paid for the Introduction Week? Check the General Terms and Conditions to see whether you can get a full or partial refund. You can find the cancellation policy under point 5.
• Check your program’s starters info to see whether there’s a mandatory component during your introduction week, and whether you’re able to attend. Some programs include a mandatory session where you receive important information about your program. There is no charge for this. So you do not need a ticket to attend this mandatory component.

Starting in June, you can use the HAN Event App to sign up for your program’s introduction. After signing up, you'll find your personal schedule and other important information about the Open Up Introduction Week in the HAN Event App.

Download HAN Event App for Android

Download HAN Event App for iOS

Visit HAN Event App in your browser

Tactile is the partner we work with for the HAN Event App.

Send an email with the information you want to change to tactile@han.nl. We’ll make sure it gets updated.

You can send questions about the HAN Event App to tactile@han.nl.

You may receive emails about the Open Up Introduction Week from support@tactile.events. These emails are legitimate and sent through the HAN Event App. Tactile is our collaboration partner.

Your data are used during the Open Up Introduction Week to ensure the introduction runs smoothly and to communicate with you. After the introduction week ends, we will no longer need your data, and it will be deleted.

You’ll receive an email from your program with a list of what to bring. In any case, remember: 

• identity card/passport
• debit/credit card
• health insurance card
• sunscreen
• charged phone + charger/power bank
• earbuds

When you participate in the HAN Open Up introduction week, you wear an Open Up wristband. You get it from your intro mentor at the start of the introduction week. You can also collect it at the Open Up Area or at the entrance to the Open Up Festival. If it's too tight, broken or lost, you can get a replacement at the Open Up Area, which we'll link to your account.

Important: Is your Open Up wristband too tight or broken? Bring it with you when you collect the new one, then we can exchange it. Have you lost it? Then come to the Open Up Area with a good story about how it happened.

Yes! If you would like more information, get in touch with your program's contact person or openupintro@han.nl.

Absolutely! There are many different activities, so there’s always something suitable. The main goal is for you to get to know your fellow students in a relaxed setting. And, of course, your program, HAN and the city. That makes starting your studies easier and less overwhelming. If you would like to know more, get in touch with your program's contact person or send your question to openupintro@han.nl.

No Rush Night

Would you enjoy getting to know fellow HAN students in a more relaxed and laid-back setting? Instead of attending your program’s introduction, you can choose to join the No Rush Night on Tuesday evening in Nijmegen or on Wednesday evening in Arnhem. A relaxing evening where you enjoy a meal together, non-alcoholic drinks, board games and speed-friending activities.

You can contact a HAN confidential counselor. They will listen to your story and advise you about what to do if you experience inappropriate behavior. All reports are kept strictly confidential. 

During the introduction week, you can contact the confidential counselors during the day – and in emergencies, also in the evening. In August, the names and phone numbers of the confidential counselors will be published here.

Photos and videos will be taken during the Open Up Introduction Week so we can look back on the event afterwards. By attending, you automatically consent to being photographed or filmed. Don't want to appear in photos or videos? Let the photographer know on site, or send an email to openupintro@han.nl.

HAN buildings are easily accessible by bike, public transport and car. Here you’ll find the addresses of our HAN locations and you can also read more about travel tips, parking and public transportation.

Doors open at 16.00 and the Open Up Festival runs until 23.00.

Please note: entry to the festival grounds is not permitted after 22:00.

Tickets for senior-year students will be available from June onwards for €7.50 via the HAN Event App. You can collect your Open Up wristband in the Open Up Area or at the entrance to the Open Up Festival.

Yes! You can refill your cup with drinking water at the taps near the toilets.

Permitted

• small container of sunscreen
• medication (provided you can show proof of use)

Not permitted

• food and drink
• bottles
• drugs
• glass and cans
• fireworks
• weapons and/or other dangerous objects
• deodorant and perfume
• laughing gas
• large bags (you can leave these at the cloakroom near the festival entrance)

Prohibited items will be confiscated by security at the entrance.

At the food trucks and bars, you can only pay by bank card.

Soft drinks €3.50

Pepsi Max | Pepsi | Sisi | Ice Tea

Water €3.00

Sourcy blue | Sourcy red

Beer €3.50

Heineken 0.0 | Heineken

Rosé beer €3.75

Amstel Rosé

Wine €4.50

Dry white wine | Sweet white wine

Stëlz €4.50

Sustainable cup system

At the Open Up Festival, we will be using a sustainable cup system. With your first drink, you pay a €0.50 sustainability fee. Each time you order a new drink, you hand in your used cup and receive a clean one in return. To help prevent cups from ending up in the environment, please dispose of your final cup in the designated recycling bins. All collected cups will be recycled.

Send an email with a clear description of the lost item to openupintro@han.nl. We will contact you as soon as possible.

Photos and videos will be taken during the Open Up Festival so we can look back on the event afterwards.

The photos taken will be posted on our Facebook page as soon as possible after the Open Up Festival.

By entering the festival grounds, you consent to video, photo, and/or audio recordings in which you may appear. These recordings may be used for HAN purposes.

Yes, lockers are available at the entrance to the Open Up Festival for valuables and small bags.

A cloakroom for large bags is also available near the festival entrance.

Several food trucks will be available in the food area, offering a wide range of options that take dietary requirements and allergies into account.

There are also multiple bars serving a broad selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

We strongly recommend wearing hearing protection during the Open Up Festival.

Yes, absolutely! A wheelchair-accessible toilet is also available on site. Do you have specific questions or requests? Let us know by sending an email to studiedag@han.nl.

Not participating in your program's (paid) introduction week? You’re still welcome to attend the festival free of charge. From June onwards, you can sign up for the Open Up Festival for free. You can then collect your Open Up wristband in the Open Up Area or at the entrance to the festival.

The mood is set and the first friendships have been made. We’re wrapping up the week with a bang at the Open Up Festival at Goffert Stadium. Will you be enjoying the top artists on the main stage, treating your taste buds in the food area, or exploring the cultural podium? There’s something fun for everyone – you won’t want to miss it!

Admission to the Open Up Festival is free for all new full-time HAN students. You can enter the festival by wearing your Open Up 2026 wristband. You'll receive this from your intro mentor, or you can pick it up yourself at the Open Up Area (on the HAN campus) or at the festival entrance.

Not participating in your program's paid introduction?  Sign up from June onwards to attend the Open Up Festival for free.  You can then collect your Open Up wristband in the Open Up Area or at the entrance to the festival.

Get moving
On Wednesday, 26 August, we’re putting Arnhem in sports mode! We are organizing an active sports day for all new HAN students. From beach volleyball to dance, from pickleball to a healthy eating workshop, there’s something fun for everyone.

Together with your fellow students, you’ll explore Arnhem’s sports scene, meet new people, and enjoy an energetic day full of action and fun. Will we see you there? Let's move!

The Open Up Sports Day in Arnhem is free for all new full-time HAN students. You can participate in the Open Up Sports Day if you are wearing an Open Up 2025 wristband. You can get it from your intro mentor or pick it up yourself at the Open Up Area (on the HAN campus).

Not participating in your program's paid introduction? Then sign up from June onwards for the Open Up Sports Day for free.  You can pick up your Open Up wristband on Monday, 25 August, or Tuesday, 26 August, at the Open Up Area. 

Would you prefer a laid-back evening over of a busy party? Then sign up from June onwards for the No Rush Night instead of your program’s introduction. No Rush Night is on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 17:00 to 21:00 in Nijmegen.

• No Rush Night is organized by HAN students
• No crowded rooms or loud music – just a relaxed evening where you can meet other new HAN students in a calm and friendly atmosphere. It’s designed especially for students who find their program’s introduction week too hectic or overwhelming.
• There are activities such as dining together, board games, Dungeons&Dragons, an escape room, and speed-friending activities. More details about the schedule will be available soon.
• No Rush Night is not part of your program’s introduction*; it is a separate program. If you choose No Rush Night, you won’t be able to attend your program’s introduction.
• Still deciding between No Rush Night and your program’s introduction?  We recommend choosing your program’s introduction. It’s the best way to meet fellow students from your own program.

Important: If you’re not attending your program's introduction, be sure to check whether your program has a mandatory component. Some programs include a mandatory session where you receive important information about your program. If that’s the case, this will be listed in your program’s starters info under the heading about the intro (in August). Mandatory components are free, so you don’t need a separate ticket to attend the mandatory part for your program.

During your introduction week in Arnhem, would you sometimes prefer a quiet, relaxed evening with fellow students? Then feel free to drop by the No Rush Room. Here, you can chat or play a game in a cozy, living-room-like atmosphere.

• The No Rush Room is open Monday to Thursday from 19.00 to 21.00.
• No sign-up is required – you can simply walk in.

During orientation, you’re always welcome to visit the Open Up Area on campus in Arnhem or Nijmegen.

• Feel free to ask any questions – also if you’re looking for a building or room.
• Relax on the terrace and enjoy the atmosphere – there’s sometimes live music.
• Pick up your wristband here for the Open Up Festival in Nijmegen or the Open Up Sports Day in Arnhem
• Play the interactive SlimSchoonSocial Game with your intro group here and win a chance to go on an outing with €100 credit for drinks!

This is where you'll find the Open Up Area:

• Arnhem: at the HANgar, on the square between Ruitenberglaan 27, 29 and 31
• Nijmegen: at the Zalloon, on the outdoor terrace of Kapittelweg 33

Opening Hours Open Up Area:

Monday from 08:30 to 14:30

Tuesday from 10.00 to 14.00

Wednesday from 10.00 to 14.00. The Open Up Area in Arnhem is closed on Wednesdays

Thursday from 10:00 to 13:00

Visiting address

• Ruitenberglaan 31
• 6826 CC Arnhem
• Netherlands

Contact info

• T +31 26 365 81 32
• E InternationalOffice@han.nl

Visiting address

• Kapittelweg 33
• 6525 EN Nijmegen
• Netherlands

Contact info

• T +31 26 365 81 32
• E InternationalOffice@han.nl