the best six weeks ever :) September 04, 2022
By kl (Sociology; Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 06/07/2022 to 07/23/2022 with
IES Abroad: Amsterdam Summer – Society, Culture & Gender
I learned how to live abroad on my own, take care of my expenses, navigate a new country (and surrounding countries) on my own, etc.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The two courses that I took were interesting and certainly taught me a lot about Amsterdam's history. I enjoyed the field trips, formal/informal discussions with the professors, and the class environment. The assignments weren't too overbearing but also not too difficult additionally. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff at IES Abroad Amsterdam were absolutely the sweetest and most supportive people ever. They made the transition into living abroad very easy, were great to talk to, and planned fun (!!) bonding events. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Living in the Student Hotel, I had direct and easy access to the Metro system, bikes, a grocery store, etc. making transportation and getting around extremely easy. |
| * Food: |
Loved all the foods I tried! Especially the Stroopwafels! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Having only been there for a mere two months, I am happy with how I immersed myself into the local culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
COVID-19 was a real concern during my program, but IES alerted all students and staff when a positive case did arise and provided me with covid tests whenever applicable! |
| * Safety: |
Extremely safe city! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The city, the courses, the staff, and the students all made my program out to be what it was: a truly fulfilling and fun experience |
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) |
Groceries were much cheaper than I am used to, but going out to eat at restaurants can sometimes be a bit more expensive. Getting an unlimited metro card saved me lots of money, but train tickets do add up (esp. for class field trips!) |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | That it would be so hard to say goodbye to the place where I spent my summer |
