Amazing Women in Amsterdam Past Review

By (English Language and Literature, Connecticut College) - abroad from 06/04/2015 to 07/18/2015 with

IES Abroad: Amsterdam - Social Sciences & Humanities

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained an amazing experience with some wonderful women. This summer was all about spending time with some incredibly intelligent women. This includes both the girls on the trip with me (we were in a unique group, there were about 25 girls and no boys), and the instructor of the art history course that I took, Anja Novak, and the lovely staff at the IES abroad center in Amsterdam; Chantal, Anabelle and Diana. Without them, I would not have felt as comfortable in the city as I did, and my experience would have been nowhere near as fulfilling.

Review Photos

IES Abroad: Amsterdam - IES Abroad in Amsterdam Photo IES Abroad: Amsterdam - IES Abroad in Amsterdam Photo IES Abroad: Amsterdam - IES Abroad in Amsterdam Photo IES Abroad: Amsterdam - IES Abroad in Amsterdam Photo IES Abroad: Amsterdam - IES Abroad in Amsterdam Photo

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing was generally wonderful, and we lived in student apartments in a building with other international students. The only issue my roommate and I had was the flooding of our apartment, which we were told was a common issue in the building.

* 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

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? $50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? If your apartment has a kitchen, go grocery shopping and eat at home, restaurants can take up a large portion of your money

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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 other girls on the trip
  • The instructors
  • The city
* What could be improved?
  • The housing
  • The weekend trip to Berlin
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish that I had saved more money before going on the trip, so that I could have more opportunities while abroad.

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.'