Tell me more:
Holland: Learning about me and my people
CIEE: Amsterdam - Social Sciences
Program Information
This program is geared for advanced undergraduates with a strong interest and background in the social sciences and humanities who seek course work with a research component, are able to work independently, and wish to live and study in an increasingly international and multicultural European capital city.
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| Provider: | CIEE |
| Location(s): | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Year Founded: | |
| Website | Take me there! |
Review By:
Mira J. (History, Barnard College) on July 08, 2011
Overall Rating
Personal Information
| * Start Date: | 2011-01-24 |
| * End Date: | 2011-06-07 |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Grading and classes were easier than my home experience. Lack of class discussion and professor interaction was dissapointing. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very hands on. Perhaps a little too much baby-ing at times. |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
VERY safe city, esp. in comparison to New York. |
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* Home Institution Advising:
How well did Barnard College prepare and support you for your time abroad? |
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Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | No IDEA |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Ride a bike, dont take transport or taxi's. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Advanced |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Practiced language with my dutch classmates, with my family sometimes. NOT needed for everyday interactions--almost everyone speaks english. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * If you could do it all over again, would you choose the same program? | Yes |
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | An ambitious student, someone who wants to be independent. |
| * What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile? | More insight into myself, how to be alone, how to make friends, how to have confidence. |