Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

My semester in Amsterdam Past Review

By (University of Virginia) - abroad from 01/28/2018 to 06/02/2018 with

IES Abroad: Amsterdam - Social Sciences & Humanities

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to adapt to new environments and become more tolerant of other people who come from different backgrounds or have interests with which I am unfamiliar.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The program and host university made it very difficult to switch courses and rearrange schedules.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

We lived outside of the city center, which was both good and bad. It allowed for a more quiet and familial residential environment, but made it difficult to access shopping, nightlife, and other main attractions in the city.

* Food:

The University cafeteria was great, but unfortunately the cuisine in the Netherlands is not as unique as in other European countries.

* 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)

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

  • 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Amsterdam is one of the most fun cities in the world
  • Other Americans to engage and explore with
  • Allows you to live with Americans from across the United States
* What could be improved?
  • Expand IES courses and lessen outside courses
  • Make Dutch course mandatory- would improve daily life
  • Move housing to the city center
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The program was smaller than I thought. This was good for getting to know people better, but limited certain social experiences such as travel, housing, etc.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.