Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Much Needed Experience Past Review

By (University of Redlands) - abroad from 01/29/2017 to 06/03/2017 with

IES Abroad: Amsterdam - Psychology & Sciences

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was worthwhile. I had a wonderfully human experience in Amsterdam.

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.

* 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? No

I would like to be given the opportunity to experience the Netherlands through a different program perspective, just to see how much variance there would be.

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? Around somewhere above $100 a week spent on groceries and daily public transportation

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • The coordinated events
* What could be improved?
  • A broader range of field trip activities/locations
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The education in The Netherlands is starkly different to that of the United States. I wish I'd known how much more rigorous it would have been, to mentally prepare myself and refine my determination.

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.'