Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Good Stuff Past Review

By (Film and Media Culture, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/18/2014 to 12/19/2014 with

CIEE: Amsterdam - Social Sciences + Humanities

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
CIEE admin is awesome, Amsterdam is the best city in the world, embrace your independence and thrive.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

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?

* 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)

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

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • 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

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The City
  • The Housing
  • The Academics
* What could be improved?
  • Grade Transfers
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Already studied abroad in Amsterdam before, so not much.

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.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Dutch Language
Course Department: INTT
Instructor: Lobke
Instruction Language: Dutch
Comments: Fine. Grade translation makes no sense. Either get an A or a C, no difference between the two in the Netherlands grading system, but clearly a big difference in the US.
Credit Transfer Issues: Will discuss grade transfer with registrar. Frustrating discrepancy.
Course Name/Rating:

Mindfulness
Course Department: Humanities
Instructor: Varied
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

US and Europe the Transatlantic Relationship since 1945
Course Department: Social Sciences - Political Science/International Relations
Instructor: Paul van Hooft
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Great course. Knowledgeable professor, intelligent discussion, fair grading.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Topic Webcare
Course Department: Social Sciences
Instructor: Guda van Noort
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Should never have been taught. Not enough material to teach a course on. Nice professors.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Children and International Development
Course Department: Social Sciences
Instructor: Esther Miedema
Instruction Language:
Comments: OK course. Interesting material. Good professor. Far too large. Poorly formatted.
Credit Transfer Issues: