Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Study with IES!!! Past Review

By (The College of William and Mary) - abroad from 01/23/2018 to 06/01/2018 with

IES Abroad: Amsterdam - Law & Criminology

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Absolutely worthwhile. I now have plans to take the LSAT and continue onto law school focusing on international human rights law, something I never would've found out that I'm passionate about without this program.

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.

Very challenging but in a good way that makes you push yourself to the best of your ability

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

AMAZING! Absolutely love the IES Amsterdam staff

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It was perfect. I met so many amazing people from all around the world.

* Food:

Not included in the program, but Dutch food is amazing

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Somewhat... Dutch culture is not that different so the culture shock was not too serious

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I felt very safe and aware of everything going on near us

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

i wouldn't change a thing. Except maybe if I could stay forever

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)

Be sure to hit up JUMBO instead of AH. Learned this too late

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 75 euro roughly
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cook at home! Eating out is expensive.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* 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? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The people
  • The classes
  • The staff
* What could be improved?
  • more students in the program
  • more field trips
  • longer
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How different I would feel once I return. Take me back!!

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.