Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Amsterdam exposed me to the wonders of Dutch Culture August 20, 2023

By (International Economics, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/31/2023 to 06/03/2023 with

CIEE: Amsterdam - Social Sciences + Humanities

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
- Learned how to be alone - How to budget money - European Politics - Racism in Europe - life balance is different in europe

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 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

- The people was extremely nice - The classes were very interesting and me me think critically about subjects I was not exposed to prior - Amsterdam was a very easy place to navigate

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? 300 -- food & transportation
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? N/A

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

It wasn't required to take Dutch for many of the students in the program

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? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? n/a
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Classes
  • People
  • Activities
* What could be improved?
  • Structure
  • Housing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Transportation is expensive, so get comfortable riding a bike

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 Urbanite
A 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:

Race in Netherlands
Course Department: Sociology
Instructor: Nancy Jouwe
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Globalisation, Education Policy
Course Department: Child Development and Education
Instructor: : Dr. Hülya Kosar Altinyelke
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Yes, the course final exam was 100% of the course. The professor was not helpful with helping the student prepare for the final exam.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Refugees, Rights and Realities
Course Department: Political Science
Instructor: Dr. J.M.J. Doomernik
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Beginning Dutch
Course Department: CIEE
Instructor: Jamila Vriesman MSc
Instruction Language: English and Dutch
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Political and Econommic Developement of the Netherlands and the EU

Course Department: CIEE
Instructor: David Rappor
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: