Amsterdam for the semester Past Review
By Caitlin Muller (DePauw University) - abroad from 02/01/2017 to 06/03/2017 with
IES Abroad: Amsterdam - Social Sciences & Humanities
I gained a more global mindset and a new sense of independence. These skills aren't easy to make, and going abroad fosters them.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program advisors were so helpful and kind! They helped make my time abroad exceptional. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Amsterdam in general has a housing shortage, so it's tough to find super amazing student housing. However, IES did a fantastic job in accomodating our needs and my housing was completely fine for the semester. |
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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? |
Towards the end of my semester, I got a kidney infection. The IES staff were helpful in pointing me towards a doctor. The doctor was very friendly and was able to help me quickly and easily. |
| * Safety: |
Incredibly safe city |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I would choose this program again any day. Amsterdam was such an amazing city and I truly had a wonderful experience. IES made the transition so easy and we felt welcomed as soon as we arrived in the city. |
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) |
Amsterdam is a manageable city as far as expenses go. The groceries are very cheap! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cook meals at home! |
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 didn't realize it would get so cold in Amsterdam. Bring warm boots! |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
