Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A lifetime of memories! Past Review

By (Economics, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/29/2018 to 06/02/2018 with

CIEE: Amsterdam - Social Sciences + Humanities

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about myself and how to manage uncomfortable situations. My intercultural communication skills improved a ton, and I feel like I'm more open minded to different lifestyles. This experience definitely opened my eyes to different ways of life and how to be respectful when being in these new cultures

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

CIEE program courses were very manageable, however, UvA classes are difficult to succeed in.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My dorm room was directly across from construction. It would wake me up at 7am every single morning. My bathroom also had black mold all over the walls and ceiling.

* Food:

Grocery store was near by and has a lot of options

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Did not have too much exposure to Dutch students

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

No issues.

* Safety:

I felt very safe walking alone at night, even at 4am.

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

I would choose a program better related to my course work at home

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)

If you can grocery shop properly, in which you are eating all of the food you buy, it is manageable on a student budget. However, all restaurants and drink places tend to be expensive.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No
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
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • 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?
  • Location- housing was in the city center
  • Bonny- one of the professors
  • transportation - bikes, trams or walking are all easy options
* What could be improved?
  • shorter orientation - somehow skip the hostel part and move directly into dorms
  • some sort of extra activity in which students from the program can interact with dutch students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish i traveled more in the beginning of the semester because flights are more expensive in the spring time then winter!

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.'