It was amazing!!! I love Amsterdam September 13, 2023
By A student (Psychology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/30/2023 to 06/03/2023 with
IES Abroad: Amsterdam - Psychology & Sciences
I learned about traveling independently and just kind of taking care of myself
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. |
It would've been a higher rating, except for the fact that they put a failing grade on my transcript, when I didn't fail |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I liked Hotel Jansen, but it was kinda isolating being 1 of 4 of the people on the program at this housing location, like it never made sense to me that only 4 people were staying there, like at that point just add on one more room to the other housing locations. |
| * Food: |
They didn't provide us with meals |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
It was a little hard and complicated |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I just really liked Amsterdam; the program wasn't as much of a factor |
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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
I spent so much money, but there are ways to be thrifty about it |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I don't know.... Maybe 500$? |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Albert Hein is expensive |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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? | I took no Dutch prior to going abroad |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Duolingo |
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? | The netherlands is cold and windy and rainy all the time |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
