Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best DAM time Past Review

By (University of Kansas) - abroad from 08/20/2018 to 12/22/2018 with

IES Abroad: Amsterdam - Social Sciences & Humanities

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about independence and how to navigate my way through cities on my own and using the resources around me. I loved my time abroad and I absolutely think it was worthwhile.

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? Yes

I loved the courses I took through this program and the location of housing set up through them was incredible, as well as their office location.

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? Probably around 150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I cooked at home a lot in order to save money for other cultural experiences.

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

  • Americans
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Course offerings
  • Field trips
  • Newsletters with event announcements
* What could be improved?
  • Integration of program members who live in different places
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew the size of the program and maybe to hear from someone who had gone and heard their perspective on their social experience.

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.'