An amazing adventure abroad May 27, 2022
By Hallie K (Sociology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/31/2022 to 05/13/2022 with
SIT Study Abroad: Netherlands - International Perspectives on Sexuality and Gender
It so worth while. I learned about my own capabilities for adjusting to new environments and made me feel very independent and capable.
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. |
Learned a lot and had a really fulfilling educational experience. I think it was a "you get out of it what you put in" type of deal. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Absolutely lovely people. Occasionally last minute or seemingly disorganized but it always worked out. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Homestays are a great way to connect with the place where you're living. Wouldn't have done it differently! |
| * Food: |
Delicious and well provided |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Very! Language classes and homestays helped a lot |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Very well. Travel insurance and Socialized medicine in the country I was studying in were very helpful. |
| * Safety: |
So unbelievably safe. I lived in whats known as a more dangerous part of Amsterdam and I walked alone late at night without ever feeling uncomfortable. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Being in a cohort of students made me develop close relationships I will have for the rest of my life very quickly. I got intimate academic attention and I got really closely acquainted with Dutch people and Dutch culture. |
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) |
Amsterdam was a very expensive city. If you want to travel to other parts of europe expect to spend even more. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 40-50 euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | take advantage of cheap flights (like RyanAir) and always ask if there is a student discount! Spend money on experiences rather than keepsakes. |
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 |
A lot! Even though everyone speaks english in the netherlands we were taught that knowing the language is really important to the culture and that was very evident. |
| 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 Chinese for 7 years |
| 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? | Talk with your host family, people on the train, and store clerks even if its embarrassing at first. Watch tv and listen to music in the language and eaves drop on conversations around you. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | if you are financially able do not pack many clothes. You cannot anticipate the fashion or the clothing needs of the country you are going to until you are there. Bring an almost empty suitcase that you can fill with clothes that you buy there. Travel is expensive if you are doing it last minute. Book train and plane tickets months in advance and they will be dirt cheap. Also, the time flies by so much quicker than you can imagine. Say yes to everything and have every adventure you can (safely)! |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
