IES Abroad Amsterdam
Hosted by
IES Abroad Amsterdam
- Netherlands
- Amsterdam
About Program
Study abroad in Amsterdam for the educational adventure of a lifetime. The city’s heritage of world-class institutions and rich culture make it the perfect place to spend your semester abroad.
Imagine learning not only while you’re sitting in class, but also while exploring the Van Gogh Museum, trying your first Stroopwafel, or on a bike ride for daily errands. This is what it's like to study abroad in the Netherlands!
With IES Abroad, you'll take learning outside the classroom as you visit world-famous sites and immerse yourself in the relaxed and progressive culture of the Netherlands. To top it all off, our excursions take you throughout the region to explore sites such as the vibrant countryside tulip fields and the stately streets of The Hague.
Students appreciate the program’s supportive staff, convenient housing, and the vibrant, bike-friendly city full of culture and travel opportunities.
Program Highlights
- Participate in field trips to Maastricht, Rotterdam, and more.
- To help you feel at home and safe in the Netherlands, we offer well-located, comfortable housing for all students because we know securing housing independently can be challenging.
- Choose an experience that fits your needs, either by directly enrolling at a university in Amsterdam or studying at our IES Abroad Amsterdam Center with students from across the U.S.
- You’ll have an individual IES Abroad Program Advisor to guide you before your study abroad adventure. From visa requirements to travel details, they are your #1 resource for preparing to study abroad.
- IES Abroad gives $5 million in scholarships and aid
Now Boarding: New Programs!
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Diversity & Inclusion 💙
BIPOC Support
LGBTQIA+ Support
Studying abroad as part of the LGBTQIA+ community can present unique opportunities and challenges in exploring a new culture, so we have compiled resources to help prepare you and support you along the way.
Neurodivergent Support
We have not only compiled resources on mental health and self-care to help prepare you and support you along the way, but we also have a dedicated Student Affairs staff that are available for you to contact from the United States and once in your host country.
Accessibility Support
Impact 🌎
Sustainability
- Moving toward more sustainable Headquarters and Centers abroad
- Producing printed materials on 100% recycled paper with soy-based ink and in fewer quantities
- Hosting events and conferences in LEED-certified buildings
- Purchasing carbon offsets for staff air travel
- The formation of the IES Abroad Sustainability Team—a dedicated group of volunteers responsible for implementing sustainable practices across our organization. The team comprises of members across our Centers, departments, teams. It is truly a global effort, and we are better for it.
Popular Programs
Choose from a variety of Business and Economics courses at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU). Located in Amsterdam’s business district, the School of Economics & Business Administration offers courses in Business Information Systems, Finance, International Business Law, Global Supply Chain Management, Organization Theory, and many other topics. You can supplement your studies at VU with an IES Abroad course taught at the Center in Art History, Art, Cultural Studies, Dutch, or Gender Studies.
Your program starts in Amsterdam where you'll spend the majority of your semester. Then, finish the last two weeks of your program in London with an academic field study. Learn about comparative law in an international context. You’ll discuss major issues in law and society in a foundational international law class, and gain a micro-credential in sustainability through our equitable living course.
With strong course offerings in psychology and the sciences, you’ll find a variety of English-taught courses at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) to apply to your major. From Experimental Cell Biology to The History and Philosophy of Psychology, you can dive further into your major. You'll also have the option to supplement your studies beyond psychology and the sciences with IES Abroad courses, such as Dutch language and culture, sexuality and gender, studio art, art history, and research.
Take advantage of Amsterdam's unique balance of history and contemporary culture, and structure your studies at the prestigious Universiteit van Amsterdam and at the IES Abroad Center. Study Amsterdam’s past as you explore the city’s historic landmarks, such as Anne Frank’s home, the Rembrandt House, or the Van Gogh museum. You will also have the opportunity to study the future of the Netherlands as you learn about the country’s forward-thinking public policies.
As a Music student, you’ll flourish in the thriving arts environment of Amsterdam. Enrolling in the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, the largest music conservatory in the Netherlands, integrates you fully into a specialized institution where you study with other students who are dedicated to the study of music. If you wish to study at the CvA, you should be a strong Performance, Composition, or Theory major with the intention to become a professional musician, music scholar, or composer.
Questions & Answers
Alumni Interviews
These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.
It definitely is more business casual on a daily basis. People do not wear leggings and athleisure wear in Amsterdam the way we do in America. Lots of denim and printed pants. Very H&M and Zara vibes.