Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Amsterdam was life changing Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/22/2016 to 12/24/2016 with

CIEE: Amsterdam - Social Sciences + Humanities

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned that I can make anywhere my home. I really felt connected to the culture and to the city. It was incredibly 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

While I did have some problems with the location of my housing and the academics, I loved Amsterdam and would absolutely choose to go back there again.

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)

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

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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?
  • The city itself
  • The kids
  • Interest groups
* What could be improved?
  • No more housing in student hotel
  • Different class enrollment system
  • More kids
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Make a more structured budget and plan more trips in advance.

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:

Religion and Politics in US
Course Department: Anthropology
Instructor: Peter van Rooden
Instruction Language: English
Comments: There were no field trips. The professor was well prepared however he was a rather boring lecturer. I participated less often than I usually do at Middlebury. I still haven't received my assessments from the course.
Credit Transfer Issues: I do not know yet.
Course Name/Rating:

Beginning Dutch
Course Department:
Instructor: Bonny Wassing
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The class was not too challenging, but it gave me a good sense of the language. I was able to learn basic words that were able to be applied during my time in Amsterdam. The teacher was knowledgable, friendly, and gave good insight into Dutch culture.
Credit Transfer Issues: No problems with credits as I was required by Middlebury.
Course Name/Rating:

Topic Strategic Campaigns
Course Department:
Instructor: Magdalena Wojcieszak
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The course was challenging and interesting. We primarily worked in a group on a campaign throughout the course. The professor was knowledgeable, and I participated about the same amount as I would at Middlebury.
Credit Transfer Issues: Have not had any trouble yet.
Course Name/Rating:

Topic US Presidential Elections
Course Department:
Instructor: Marjolein Moorman, Jasper van de Pol, Rens Vliegenthart
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The class was not very challenging, and the lectures were pretty boring for how interesting the subject matter is. It was a big lecture class, so I did not participate much at all. The professors rotated each week lecturing so there was not much uniformity. The assessment was fair.
Credit Transfer Issues: Have not had any issues yet.