A time of self discovery, exploration, and integration! Past Review

By A student (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/29/2018 to 06/02/2018 with

IES Abroad: Amsterdam - Psychology & Sciences

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

Absolutely!!! One of the best decisions I made. I feel like I gained more a sense of self, and know more of what makes me happy and be more independent. I loved learning about a new culture and integrating myself as much as possible in Amsterdam. I loved meeting people from all around of the world. Amsterdam is such an international hub, so I made close friends from the Netherlands but also from so many different countries. I liked taking classes with other dutch and international students. Amsterdam is very friendly and a great location.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	Classes at the VU were more rigorous than my IES class.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	The staff were wonderful and very helpful.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I liked my roommate, but they were all students studying in America. It was a great location in terms of its close proximity to the VU. It was more of an effort getting to the IES classes and to the center of Amsterdam but that is something I learned to get used to. I really would have liked to live with other international and dutch students like they do at the main campus dorm area at Ulinstede.
* Food:	A lot international food. I really enjoyed trying different foods specific to Amsterdam and the Netherlands. But plenty of options for whatever you would like.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Having a dutch buddy was definitely the best decision, because it hard to make a lot of dutch friends otherwise unless you are involved in a club. I enjoyed all of the opportunities to go to many events and travel around the netherlands. I learned dutch at a very basic level so I couldn't communicate very much in Dutch.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	I had an experience where I needed to go to a doctor and I found them on my own. I thought that I would be covered on the insurance but it was a bit unclear. The staff were also helpful in finding me a doctor.
* Safety:	Amsterdam is a very safe city. Even at night, I felt pretty safe.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes I thought the staff were great. Socially, it had its ups an downs. Most of the friends I made were not in the program.

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)	Amsterdam is a very expensive city. Groceries weren't too bad, it is going out to eat that really added up.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	$150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	decide on how many meals a week you want to go out. Cook at home as much as you can.

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?	Took high level of french, no dutch
How many hours per day did you use the language?	0
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants?	practice using DUWO before arriving

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Apartment
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	Helpful Staff Cultural Outings Wonderful IES teachers
* What could be improved?	Housing-mix with international students, not just IES students Better communication between Semester in Amsterdam and IES- was very confusing I loved the newsletters and would love them every week! I also wish I didn't have to take so many classes per block, but I probably have no control over that.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I wish I know more about the difference between Semester in Amsterdam vs IES. I also wish I knew that the classes would take up more time than expected and also that it takes a little while to adjust.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Highlights of Dutch Art
Course Department:	Art History
Instructor:	Marietta de Bruine
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This class was by far the best course I took while abroad. Marietta is so knowledgable and cares about her students learning. I really felt like she wanted us to get the most out of our experience in Amsterdam. I loved the layout of the class: the first half was lecture and we learned about different dutch artists. Then, as a class, we would bike to one or more museums and then we would see the artwork of the artists we just learned about. Marietta would give us a tour in the museum of the relevant pieces. I felt like the class used a lot of experiential learning. I was definitely the most engaged in this class. We were required to write a few papers, do some readings, 2 class presentations and a final exam. Sometimes the work load would be too much with the readings and the papers but it all felt very relevant to the course. I would say the course was the right amount of challenging.
Credit Transfer Issues:	no

Course Name/Rating:	Discover the Dutch
Course Department:	Language
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Dutch and English
Comments:	This class was very challenging. It was a 3 hour night course. The course required a lot of work at home and in class it was too challenging. We were treated like advanced students, when everyone in the class was starting dutch without no prior knowledge. I had trouble keeping up and got discouraged. I felt that the teacher was not getting the information across very successfully. I think also I would have performed better had the class not been so late and for so long.
Credit Transfer Issues:	no