Spending Spring in the Netherlands Past Review

By (Pacific Lutheran University) - abroad from 01/28/2016 to 05/26/2016 with

IES Abroad: Amsterdam - Social Sciences & Humanities

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to rely more on myself, I gained confidence in my abilities to meet new people and to become engaged in another culture. My time abroad was very worthwhile because not only did I learn a great deal academically but I also feel like I experienced valuable personal growth as well.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

All of the courses that I took in Amsterdam challenged me to view issues from the Dutch perspective which broadened my perception of topics such as history, cross cultural understanding, and politics.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

All of the people in the IES Center in Amsterdam were very thoughtful and helpful in my semester abroad. Any time something came up or I needed some advice, one of them were always willing to help me as soon as possible.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt well-integrated into Dutch culture, especially because I joined a student swim team and got to know many Dutch students through that experience.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not have any health issues during my time abroad, but when someone else did, it was taken care of quickly and easily.

* Safety:

I felt extremely safe in Amsterdam and experienced no incidents during my time there.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I really appreciated the courses offered by IES Abroad and through the University of Amsterdam. This combination created a challenging and engaging semester. The program also offered helpful suggestions of different ways to get involved in different events and experiences throughout the course of the semester.

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)

Groceries were not too expensive and I did not go out to eat that much, so living on a student's budget wasn't very difficult.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I would estimate about 40-50 euros each week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I would recommend packing smartly: I did not have to really buy anymore clothes while I was there, while other people did. This helped me save money throughout the semester. I also tried to limit the amount of times I ate out at a restaurant and cooked for myself the majority of my dinners.

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

It is kind of difficult to use the language in Amsterdam where everyone speaks English, but we did try to use it in the grocery store and cafés.

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? None
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The support I received throughout the program
  • Outside of classroom learning experiences
  • Field trips
* What could be improved?
  • Some aspects of apartment living
  • More meetings of Dutch language course
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that I would have a lot more time on my hands when I was abroad than when I am at my home university. I don't think I anticipated that and sometimes that felt like a bit of a shock when I was not so busy at all times in Amsterdam.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!