The Netherlands: An Enrishing Experience Past Review
By Alexandra M (Peace and Conflict Studies, Austin College) for
IES Abroad: Amsterdam - Social Sciences & Humanities
I lived abroad when I was younger, so I don't feel that my cultural awareness was heightened. I do feel like I learned a lot about myself, and there were a lot of days where it was really difficult. I caught the travel bug from this experience- it really expanded my curiosity about other ways of life.
Personal Information
| 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. |
The grading system is out of ten points. It is impossible to get a 10- so a nine is the highest. An 8 is excellent and a 7 is good. It was difficult to adjust to a different scale of grading. I found it more difficult than my home university in some classes and easier in others. The Dutch grade for content and grammatical mistakes. One of the major positives of the Dutch system is the independent study aspect. I attended class fewer hours a week, but the papers and projects were more challenging. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
strengths: always available to help, interested in what students were doing, expectations met. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
It is very expensive to eat in a dutch restaurant, I prepared most of my food in my apartment. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There are a lot of field trip opportunities. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Very very safe. I wouldn't recommend that a female walk around alone at 3 in the morning in any city, but I felt a lot more safe than in the States. The healthcare system was easily accessible. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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? | I was very careful to limit my expenses to 70 euro a week. I know that this was on the low end. A lot of students spent a lot more. The first few weeks a few large purchases were made as well. For example, a bike cost 150 euros. Trips cost a lot more money as well. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | It is really easy to spend money quickly in Amsterdam. Set a weekly goal for yourself. Anticipate a few expenses up front such a bike and bedding etc. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
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
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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