Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Abroad in Amsterdam June 02, 2023

By (Computer Science, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/30/2023 to 06/03/2023 with

CIEE: Amsterdam - Social Sciences + Humanities

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained an appreciation for another city/country. I took a variety of classes and got to play field hockey with local women. It was definitely worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I loved the city and made great friends

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $200-300
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Grocery shop

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? N/A
How many hours per day did you use the language? 0

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Amsterdam as a city
  • Playing field hockey
  • The other people in the program
* What could be improved?
  • The programs excursions
  • The Dutch class
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I researched the weather a bit more

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Politics of Difference
Course Department: Political Science
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I had no political science background and found some concepts challenging because I had to learn them on my own.
Credit Transfer Issues: The scale used in the Netherlands is a 10.0 scale and it converts to a GPA
Course Name/Rating:

Sexology
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The textbook and some of the speakers were outdated. More of a bio perspective than advertised. The classes and book were seldom related but the tests covered both
Credit Transfer Issues: I wouldn't recommend this class. Also not possible to drop after the first week
Course Name/Rating:

Beginning Dutch
Course Department: CIEE
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Dutch
Comments: The instruction was a bit hard to follow. Struggled with improving pronunciation. Assessed with exams, papers, and other assignment.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Contemporary Dutch Social Policy
Course Department: CIEE
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: It was interesting and added to my general knowledge about the Netherlands and Amsterdam policies and attitudes.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Race in the Netherlands
Course Department: CIEE
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Super relevant and informative. Loved the professor.
Credit Transfer Issues: