Art in Amsterdam: I'm Still Here Past Review
By Jessica D (Cinema And Media Studies, Wellesley College) for
Gerrit Rietveld Academie: Amsterdam - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I'm now studying full-time at the Gerrit Rietveld, pursuing a second degree. I am active in the art community here in Amsterdam and have found myself surprisingly at home in this amazing international city. I'm much more committed to pursuing a future in the arts and I've learned a lot from living in such a diverse and dynamic environment.
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. |
One-on-one talks with teachers were extremely constructive and a unique learning experience, very different from American universities. The student has more individuality, more freedom, and more responsibility. I found this structure to be a great opportunity and an ideal learning environment for the end of my university studies. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The IES advisors were wonderful, I couldn't have hoped for more helpful, reliable, and supportive people. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in the IES provided housing only for the first couple of months, and then, with the assistance of the IES advisors, found other housing with international students. I found the first dorm, almost completely full of other Americans, to be isolating and working against the desire I had to have an international experience. This, combined with unforeseen and unusual circumstances concerning my roommate, I chose to change housing. I suggest future students fully research housing options before coming so that they can make an informed decision about where to live based on what experience they want to have. In the dorms much was provided, but I did need to buy some household items. Safety was excellent, proximity to recreational activities satisfactory, proximity to school acceptable but not ideal, aesthetics not ideal compared to other areas of the city. |
| * Food: |
Difficult for gluten or lactose-intolerant people, unless you're willing to spend some extra bucks. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Traveling around Holland, to the Southern part for carnaval especially, was a great experience. Queensday in Amsterdam in April was also a very unique and special experience. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Amsterdam is one of the safest cities in the world, I am convinced. You can bike anywhere with ease. Healthcare is way better than in the States, not that that is saying much, but nonetheless. I had no significant problems during my exchange, but now that I am on permanent Dtuch healthcare, I have to say things function much better here. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
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) |
|
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The residence permit is very expensive for the Netherlands, and finding employment as an American student is next to impossible. So if students are coming with the expectation of finding a job, they should adjust their expectations. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | none |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I took a Dutch course for six weeks. It is not necessary to learn Dutch in Amsterdam, and most native English speakers do not try. I, however, found it important to make an effort to learn more about the country I'm living in and participate more fully and respectfully with the people around me. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Students who have reached a certain level of independence, in terms of thought and motivation, will benefit greatly from this program. Students who need structure and clarity of responsibilities, will have a harder time but can benefit a lot if they are willing to work and be open-minded. |
