A Journey of Self-Growth, Confidence, and Altered Perspectives March 27, 2022
By Cali C (Criminology & Comparative Literature, Pennsylvania State University - University Park / Penn State) - abroad from 08/22/2021 to 12/24/2021 with
IES Abroad: Amsterdam - Law & Criminology
As a student, I learned how to apply my coursework in an international context that allowed me to consider my academics as a whole instead of compartmentalized classes. As a young woman, I learned new skills to enter into the world confident and independent. I can actively see the way my thinking has evolved because I gave myself space to reflect and consider my experiences as they were happening. Most importantly, I learned so much about my privilege and lifestyle choices in America and how they look difference compared to the way of life of people all over Europe. I'm most proud of the confidence I gained to live the life I want to create for myself, and I trust myself more than ever. I did a lot to prepare mentally and emotionally before I left, but it was maintaining the mental preparedness abroad that shaped the full range of my experiences to be the best they could be.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
My university courses were incredible, some of the hardest and most informative courses I've ever taken. By adding this academic experience into my repertoire I was able to apply my past studies in an international context. The hardest part is navigating the different grading scales as it can be confusing, but once you get out of the American grading scale mindset it becomes much easier to acknowledge your performance. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The IES Abroad Amsterdam office is brand new and fit to hold our whole program. Classes there were seamless and there are always staff around to provide help. They always communicated when they were available and pointed me to the resources I needed. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
There can be a lot of variation with housing. I stayed in both locations that were offered my year and they were incredible. They had everything you need to cook, sleep, clean, and enough space for all my luggage. And the hotel environment is actually where I met the most people since it is all very student oriented. And convenient with transportation as they are never that far from centraal station. |
| * Food: |
I chose to cook for myself mostly because I wanted to save money eating out. It is not like America where easy and cheap fast food is always accessible. Most places tend to be nicer restaurants and therefore cost a bit more. So I was selective about when and where I ate when I didn't cook. Personally I enjoyed cooking more because I had a shared kitchen and that was when I could interact with other students and have fun talking while eating together. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Once I started to feel at home, it was easier for me to start picking up on the cultural aspects I had been missing as a tourist. You blend in whether a tourist or not because Amsterdam can be very touristy. But meeting locals definitely helps with learning the fun facts and tricks about the cultural practices. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I needed to go to the chiropractor and I coordinated that with IES. The staff reached out to the insurance provider and I had no troubles finding a place. Actually, it was the best doctor I have ever been too and I regularly went because the price was fair and it was truly incredible service. |
| * Safety: |
I never felt unsafe at all. I never heard of anyone experiencing safety issues either. I of course made sure to practice standard safety measures, but in general any fear I had about being a solo female traveler were non-existent in Amsterdam or any Dutch city I visited. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Yes. I studied abroad through a different program and it in no way measure up to what I experienced with IES. The staff was amazing and answered literally every question, even about living and working in Amsterdam outside the program. And when I traveled I connected with other IES students. The IES family is what you make of it and if you take advantage it can really enhance your overall experience. |
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) |
I set a very strict budget for myself. You spend more when you don't pay attention to what you buy. Don't make the mistake of buying so much stuff you can't fit in your suitcase. If you are attentive to what you purchase and intentional about your spending then you will do fine. You will learn the ropes as far as cheapest grocery stores and markets. Just avoid overbuying clothes and trinkets. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 200-300 dollars |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The best tip is to plan a budget ahead of time and have a budgeting sheet that you maintain. I did that and was able to visualize what I was spending each week. This way I could plan when and where I could travel because I had a tight budget. I made the mistake of buying so many new things that I couldn't fit it in my suitcase. Most people I know had to buy another bag, which means you pay more at the airport. So just be thinking about when you're spending your money and where you can cut back to save up for other things you want to experience. Buying experiences is more valuable than buying trinkets. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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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 went in fully blind, so I didn't really know anything about the people, culture, or education system. There was certainly a beauty to that, but I would say it is definitely in your best interest to read up a bit beforehand. I wish I learned more Dutch but I often felt discouraged because so many people speak perfect English they often urged me not to bother learning. I wish I had packed much less or arrived with an empty suitcase because I ended up buying a whole new wardrobe at the markets. And I think it would have served me well to have arrived with better skills to engage in self-reflection because I spent so much time traveling and learning alone that I had the time to self-reflect but not always the skills to know where to start. On a more fun note, I wish I had come up with an idea to collect postcards or buy a Polaroid camera to take pictures during my time studying with friends. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
