Semester with the Dutch Past Review
By A student (Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/29/2018 to 06/02/2018 with
CIEE: Amsterdam - Social Sciences + Humanities
I learned more about the Dutch culture. I also was able to experience other cultures by traveling. I was able to meet new people and meet up with old ones. Def worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Some classes deserved to be worth more credit than they were actually worth, such as Screen Cultures. Too much busy work. Also, had the worst professor of all time (Simone Mattar). |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Great location, but horrible conditions. I did not like living with a non-CIEE person and it affected my experience negatively. In addition, the program was not accommodating with making any changes to this issue. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I would, but I would definitely want to live somewhere else and with an actual CIEE member or alone. I traveled more on the weekends just so I could get away. Didn't love the overall program to be honest, but loved Amsterdam. |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | way too much |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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? | Intermediate |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | I wish I knew that you could room with a non-CIEE person. Also, I wish I was given more info about the University of Amsterdam classes. |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Screen Cultures |
| Course Department: | Social Sciences |
| Instructor: | Jonathon Key |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | It was challenging. I thought this class asked too much of its students. There was so much work for every class. In addition, it only counted for 3 credits, although it lasted for both blocks and had the most work. I don't think that is fair. Jonathon was a great and enthusiastic professor. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | I am trying to get an art credit for the class, but still waiting for approval. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Business and Sustainability |
| Course Department: | Social Sciences |
| Instructor: | Simone Mattar |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | This class was so poorly organized and executed. Simone was NOT a fair grader, considering she brought in numerous guest lecturers and had them teach more times than she did. She was not on the same page as these lecturers. In addition, she was not clear with what she wanted in regards to assignments. I found this class to be quite disappointing. I am still upset with the grade I received, and I know others felt the same way. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Beginning Dutch |
| Course Department: | Social Sciences |
| Instructor: | Willemijn Rijper |
| Instruction Language: | English / Dutch |
| Comments: | I LOVED this class and Willemijn! Although I was required to take this class, I was so happy I did and had Willemijn as an instructor. She was very patient and enthusiastic. The field trips were great educational opportunities to test our Dutch in a real-life setting. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Dutch Public Health |
| Course Department: | Social Sciences |
| Instructor: | Emily Swan |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | It was an interesting class. Not my favorite. I did not think it was necessary for the class to be 3 hours long twice a week--way too long. Emily was a good professor. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
