UCU: Better than Amsterdam and my own school (take me back) January 12, 2025

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Coming from the USA, the educational style at UCU is very different from even Middlebury College, a liberal arts college UCU was modeled after when it was founded. Unlike what I've found in the US, the higher the course level is, the more work is required. The classes have ratings from 1 to 3. I took exclusively level 2 and 3 courses and spent the month of December in my dorm or the library finishing 3000-6000 word essays for each of my classes. The essays themselves are research papers, and UCU professors expect them to be written in the style taught to UCU students in a class called Research In Context (RIC), which exchange students don't take. This can be a slight learning curve, but with a helpful professor isn't too bad and can actually be helpful, as the RIC format is quite intuitive. The classes themselves are quite interesting and the professors are clearly passionate about what they are teaching. There are much fewer class resources than in the US–don't expect office hours or tutoring sessions, but professors make time to meet with their students when they are writing papers, generally.

On-site administration of your program

There is barely any on-site support of the program, with most resources coming from UU over email, with day-long response times. You can't just walk in with a question, support is not really on site and administrators are less numerous than at Middlebury. But they are generally helpful. Students actually run most things at UCU, which is interesting.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Everyone gets a single unless you want to save EUR1000 and have a unitmate. You're placed in a unit with other students from all different years, which is a good way to learn how to live with people from loads of different backgrounds and living styles. Everyone at UCU is incredibly interesting, so you will all have a good time. The amenities are not that great and you have to buy all of your supplies, but overall it's an amazing experience. Definitely a highlight of the program.

There is no dining hall on campus, and apparently there used to be one before covid, which is sad. Well, there is, but it's slightly pitiful and not the unlimited, free and pretty decent food we get at Middlebury. They have like 4 different sandwiches that are way overpriced, some cookies, and drinks. You'll eat there like 3 times max. On the bright side, you are forced to learn to cook or spend loads of money on eating out, which is fine until it's finals season and you can't be asked. Then it gets expensive and you miss proper dining halls. There are loads of grocery stores close by and restaurants and bars within biking distance.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There is a student-run bar on campus, which is the best thing ever until it gets boring. Because it's the Netherlands, it's super easy to bike into town and do stuff (Utrecht is an amazing city, better than Amsterdam for exchange imo) or take a tram or train to other Dutch cities. Nonetheless, like many liberal arts schools, there is definitely a UCU bubble everyone is aware of. The campus is very isolated, it's enclosed within gates, and it's quite small. But it's easy to get around and actually integrate yourself with the community. Dutch people are awesome, super friendly and all speak English fluently, so you will actually want to integrate yourself with the community outside of UCU. There is also a class called Discovering the Dutch with is about Dutch culture, which helps with learning about the Dutch beyond stereotypes (hetero-images, as you will learn) that people have of them.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

There is no free on-site health center like at Middlebury, but it's easier to get an actual Dutch doctor than in the US because our healthcare system sucks. Your insurance might not cover that visit though, for the same reason. No vaccines are needed, and you can get a flu or covid shot easily in town. There is a pharmacy (apoteek) close by.

Utrecht is incredibly safe, and the location UCU is in is the wealthiest area in the city. I can't think of any point where I or any of my friends were genuinely uncomfortable or fearful for our safety.

I miss UCU and the people there so much. It was truly more fun than any semester I have had at Middlebury. The people are way more interesting and actually like to have fun. Also, the other people on the exchange program are incredible–there is a specific kind of person who chooses to study abroad in the Netherlands.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

It's quite easy to spend money here. Like, really really easy. Don't download Uber Eats if you are trying to budget. You'll want to travel, which is also not cheap. Neither is going out as much as you might on this program. The drunken kapsalon you will want to eat from kebab shops adds up quick.

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• Dorm

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• Local Students
• International Students

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• The people
• The campus bar
• The experiences I had

• Course info for incoming exchange students
• Orientation maybe?

The Outright Urbanite