Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Wasn't my favorite thing in the world, but in hindsight it was alright Past Review

By (English and American Literature, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/18/2014 to 12/15/2014 with

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam: Amsterdam - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Had to learn to be by myself for long periods of time. Probably not

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.

Had to get into Masters courses for English but they were good once I was in, Bachelors English classes were no good.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Apartment building 30 mins outside the city with only international students. Did not live with a single Dutch student. Boooo

* Food:

Dutch food...not great

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Have to do it yourself. No programs to help you do it

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

NA, so healthy

* Safety:

Amsterdam is real safe

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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? $150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Buy a bike

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* 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?
  • Easy to travel
  • Everyone spoke english
  • Canals were pretty
* What could be improved?
  • Living with locals
  • Living in the city
  • Having things to do
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? You won't live in the city. You won't have dutch friend. You will have to work to find intellectual stimulation. It is going to be wet and cold.

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!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Literature & Society
Course Department: Faculty of Arts
Instructor: Babs Boter
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Professor was great. Had to take a masters level course to get Middlebury caliber but it was. Thoroughly enjoyed the class. Very compelling
Credit Transfer Issues: Still working on it
Course Name/Rating:

Amsterdam Harbour and Waterfront
Course Department: Faculteit der Geesteswetenschappen
Instructor: Petra van Dam, Joost Schokkenbroek
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Interesting information, good field trips, friendly professors, inconsistency in assignments and due dates
Credit Transfer Issues: working on it
Course Name/Rating:

Film and Media History
Course Department: Media, Art, Design, and Architecture
Instructor: Ivo Blom
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Great info, well thought out progression, fair grading
Credit Transfer Issues: Working on it
Course Name/Rating:

The Gothic Gaze
Course Department: Literatures in English
Instructor: Anita Raghunath
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Fantastic course, fantastic professor, very compelling
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Dutch Literature and Culture of the Golden Age
Course Department: Humanities
Instructor: Nelleke Moser
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Terrible course. We did not read Dutch literature we read about Dutch literature. Incredibly dry. Was able to skip the readings completely and do fine. Big waste of time
Credit Transfer Issues: Not even going to try