Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Amsterdam was pretty cool! September 17, 2024

By (Psychology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 06/05/2024 to 07/20/2024 with

IES Abroad: Amsterdam Summer – Society, Culture & Gender

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
For me, I feel like it was less about the culture specifically and more so about learning to live almost completely independently in a different culture altogether, since I had never even lived outside of my home state.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

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

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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 courses
  • Access/introduction to culture
* What could be improved?
  • More immersion in the host culture
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I realized how much more rigorous the classes were before I entered.

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.