Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Would do it again! July 17, 2025

By (Social Science & Humanities, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/27/2025 to 05/30/2025 with

IES Abroad: Amsterdam - Social Sciences & Humanities

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I definitely grew as a person and was able to enjoy my own company.

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.

fun classes, not too challenging for being in a different environment

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

super friendly and helpful

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

clean and comfortable, different housing options available as well

* Food:

cooked myself or went out

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

somewhat

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

N/A

* Safety:

felt very safe, even at night

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I loved the environment and the people there.

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)

wasn't frugal but didn't spend like crazy

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? make an excel sheet to budget each month; buy flight tickets before you leave

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
How many hours per day did you use the language? 0

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • the people
  • the place
  • the places i travelled
* What could be improved?
  • information pre-departure
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Pack less clothes

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 Urbanite
A 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.