Living My Best Life in Amsterdam Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/21/2017 to 12/21/2017 with

CIEE: Amsterdam - Business + Culture

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I want to move back to Amsterdam

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.

I loved my University of Amsterdam classes but I was poorly advised to do the economics program because MIDDLEBURY STUDENTS ARE NOT PREPARED FOR IT. I had to withdraw from a class, and I am glad I did because everyone who stayed in it (Williams College students) failed.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I hated the student hotel. Terrible location.. let kids find their own housing

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

LOVED Amsterdam

* 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 would choose Amsterdam but I would've chosen the social sciences program and taken more University of Amsterdam classes (not CIEE)

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
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? don't go shopping

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? none
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? I joined a gym that only had classes in Dutch!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Amsterdam
  • Culture
  • Classes
* What could be improved?
  • HOUSING
  • Class Advising
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? More about the classes

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Dutch Business Culture

Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: great class
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Economics of Markets and Organization

Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Did not have the math background for it.
Credit Transfer Issues: I withdrew.
Course Name/Rating:

Financial Geography

Course Department:
Instructor: Vos
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Best course I took abroad.
Credit Transfer Issues: I don't know if it transfers
Course Name/Rating:

Beginning Dutch

Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Dutch
Comments: great class. Enjoyed learning because I became so much more immersed in the culture
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Dutch Social Policy

Course Department:
Instructor: Wassing
Instruction Language: English
Comments: great class
Credit Transfer Issues: