Wonderful Visit to Amsterdam July 27, 2023
By A student (Sociology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/29/2023 to 05/12/2023 with
SIT Study Abroad: Netherlands - International Perspectives on Sexuality and Gender
I learned how to adapt to a completely different culture and feel what it would be like to move to another country. I learned a lot about the culture in Amsterdam, including their work culture, and became immersed in life in the Netherlands.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
This is for classroom academics. A lot of learning was done through site visits and lectures as well. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The homestay was challenging and I ran into some difficulty with my family. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The trip to Morocco threw this off a bit but it was still amazing |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I made memories and had experiences that I would not trade for everything. |
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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat with your family when you can so you don't spend too much! Also budgeting is needed! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
We had Dutch class during the week |
| 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? | 32A |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | This program requires you to be very independent and make the most of your time there. I wish I was more aware that the classes would not be my main source of learning but the site visits and lectures would be so I had to truly engage in them |
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.' |
