CIEE January Term in Amsterdam

I studied abroad with CIEE in Amsterdam in the January 2023 term. I spent three weeks total in Amsterdam and took one 3-credit course - Dutch Public Health. This was my first time going abroad alone, and CIEE did a great job of making everyone feel safe and at home regardless of study abroad experience. Before the trip, we were provided with a plethora of detailed information about every aspect of our study abroad experience including housing, meals, packing, and an overview of the Dutch culture. I never felt unprepared once or unsure before leaving! They also provided an itinerary for our first few days in Amsterdam so we knew what to expect from the moment we got off the plane. We also had the chance to virtually meet the other students participating in the program via Groupme and Canvas.

I am from Texas, so the moment I got out of the airport, Amsterdam felt like a different world, but I was excited to be immersed in a new city and culture for the coming weeks. On the educational side, we were enrolled in class for about two full weeks with 4-hour class times a day with an hour lunch break in the middle. Depending on your desired course choice, the class format may be different, but for Public Health, it was lecture-based with one day of excursions. The CIEE program scheduled time for 3 group excursions in various parts of the Netherlands including Leiden, Rotterdam, and the Red Light District of Amsterdam. Each excursion showcased a different side of the Netherlands and made our time there more worthwhile.

We were housed in a popular student housing dormitory/hotel that many international students live at. It was very modern and fun, and included a café, free laundry, a gym, and plenty of social and work spaces. Each student had their own room and private bathroom, which were both of great quality and cleanliness. The location was very close to the city center, had a grocery store across the street, and was near plenty of restaurants.

Overall, it was a great experience and would recommend it to any study abroad experience!