CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Amsterdam, Netherlands

CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Location
  • Netherlands
    • Amsterdam
Term
Fall, Spring, Summer
Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans, Work study, LGBTQIA+ funding, BIPOC funding
Health & Safety

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Degree Level
High School Diploma Associates Bachelors
Housing
Dormitory Host Family

Pricing

Price Details
Please contact CEA for pricing details.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Classes Travel Insurance
Sep 29, 2025
Dec 18, 2025
19 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

CEA CAPA programs offered in Amsterdam include Business & Economics, STEM, Social Sciences & Humanities, Interdisciplinary Studies, and Honors. Aside from your core program classes, you'll have a variety of elective courses from Art Management, to Anthropology, Biology & many more.

Founded in 1880, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) is ranked one of the top universities in the world -- hosting about 25,000 students per year (14% of whom are international).

When you’re not studying or in class, enjoy CEA CAPA excursions & cultural engagements to help you get the full experience of living abroad. Take a trip to Utrecht or visit the iconic Keukenhof Tulip Gardens, home to over 7 million flowering bulbs.

Interested? Click the “Visit Site” button to learn what’s possible!

COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

Students appreciated the strong support and orientation that eased their transition, the chance to explore Amsterdam’s vibrant culture, and the meaningful friendships formed.

Program Highlights

  • In partnership with Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam), one of the top universities in the world.
  • VU scholarship opportunities.
  • STEM and Honors programs available.
  • Excursions included.

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion 💙

CEA CAPA provides, in conjunction with Diversity Abroad, Destination Guides which provide resources and tips for Black/African-American students, Latinx students, Asian American students, and all other students of color.
Through our personalized advising, CEA CAPA takes steps to understand the needs of a diversity of student identities like the LGBTQIA+ community. In addition to diversity and identity training, CEA CAPA leadership engage in continuous department level project work to identify and revise policies and practices using the appropriate Justice, Equity, Diversity or Inclusion lens as a frame to reduce bias and barriers that impact students, faculty, and staff. CEA CAPA is intentional in elevating diverse student voices and providing a platform for a broad array of identities to share their experiences abroad. The CEA CAPA World Blog promotes stories and personal experiences from the perspectives of diverse student bloggers and vloggers.
CEA CAPA is willing and able to assist students with learning disabilities and physical disabilities. Students are requested to disclose disabilities through the application health forms as part of their application and in discussion with their application advisor or program manager. The earlier CEA CAPA is made aware of learning or physical disabilities the better we can work with the student, institution, and overseas team to tailor an Individualized Education Program if necessary to support the student.

Impact 🌎

CEA CAPA makes a conscious effort to create study abroad experiences that leave a positive impact on host communities. Each location implements a variety of strategies to support the local community and promote sustainability. Examples include:

Use of recycling bins in Study Center locations and in CEA CAPA housing

Signage in CEA CAPA housing urging students to limit water and electricity usage

Students are often given reusable bags and water bottles upon arrival to limit single plastic use

Students are provided with instructions for acquiring transportation passes to promote use of public transportation rather than taxis

Program Reviews

4.92 Rating
based on 13 reviews
  • 5 rating 92.31%
  • 4 rating 7.69%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.3
  • Support 4.95
  • Fun 4.85
  • Housing 4.7
  • Safety 4.95
Showing 1 - 8 of 13 reviews
Talula
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

One of the best decisions I ever made!

Studying abroad in Amsterdam was a transformative and amazing experience! Amsterdam is a beautiful city that immediately steals your heart. When you're not riding your bike to go EVERYWHERE, public transportation is incredibly easy, there's good food from all over the world, so many fun things to do, and beautiful sights. I met wonderful people from around Europe, and took some of my favorite and challenging classes that I've ever taken at Vrije University. It was important to me to study abroad somewhere where I could continue dancing (as a Dance major), and I immediately found a beautiful community of freestyle dancers that welcomed me with open arms. Studying abroad grew my confidence, improved my relationship with myself, and helped me understand myself and the world on a deeper level. And I couldn't have chosen a better city to do that. Go study abroad, you will not regret it!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Take advantage of the excursions and activities organized by the CEA CAPA staff in Amsterdam! They are a great way to feel more comfortable in the city and learn about it. Also, be open to new experiences and meeting new people! There are lots of other people studying abroad from other countries around Europe who want to make friends, and lots of Dutch people in your classes who would also love to connect! Putting yourself out there can be scary, but it is worth it! There is a lot to learn and grow from meeting new people from different cultures and backgrounds. It can be scary to put yourself out there, but more often than not, people want to connect!
Pros
  • Beautiful city
  • Food
  • Easy to travel
Cons
  • Challenging academics
  • Housing is kind of far from campus
  • Can be hard to make connections if you don't make the effort
55 people found this review helpful.
Pepper
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

If you want to change your life... go study abroad in Amsterdam

From the second I stepped off the plane from Seattle, I knew my life would never be the same. The instance change of pace, culture, and my newfound independence was breathtaking. I made life long friends, gained so much self efficacy, and learned from an amazing university (shoutout VU). The organization that I traveled with, CEA CAPA, made sure I had the guidance and support I needed, but encouraged exploration and adventure. They took me (and the rest of my group) on cool excursions to food fairs, canals, and even a traditional fishing village that helped us gain our footing in our new city. Amsterdam is a really fun place for students, with a plethora of museums, shows, and activities to do. I came back home way cooler, with more confidence and stories to tell my people at home. Studying abroad is seriously life changing. I have zero regrets and would go over and over again.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Just do it. You'll be there such a short amount of time, but it'll honestly change your life. Once you figure out the metros, you're golden. Also, appreciate Albert Heijn while you can ;)
Pros
  • Easy to get around
  • The access to good, cheap, and fresh produce is sooo nice
  • A million new stories to tell you family and friends
Cons
  • Too short
64 people found this review helpful.
Jack
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best 4 months of my college experience

My 4 months in Amsterdam were truly amazing. I was able to challenge myself with difficult courses, while also being able to explore new cultures and meet new people from many different backgrounds. The onsite staff in Amsterdam is world-class and improved my experience to no end. The biking culture in the Netherlands is unmatched. Being able to bike to school, to the store, to restaurants, to parks, just everywhere was really great. Amsterdam is so full of diversity that there is something for everyone. During my time, I was able to find a pick-up soccer league to play in, had a group of friends who would go try different restaurants, and had picnics in the park on some weekends. There was always something to do.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
If I had to do it again, I would explore the Netherlands more. I was able to see basically all of Amsterdam by bike, but I failed to really explore smaller Dutch cities and towns. I was focused on going to other countries and checking off bucket list items, which was fulfilling, but I should have spent more time and effort using the great Dutch train system.
Pros
  • International city made being an international student much more inviting and easy.
  • The Dutch way of life was human oriented and their services and infrastructure provided for all people.
  • Bikes!!!
Cons
  • Dutch people can be blunt and will yell at you if you break bike laws or customs.
  • High cost of living
  • Long commute to University
66 people found this review helpful.
Kasey
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CEA CAPA STEM in Amsterdam

I loved my time in Amsterdam with CEA CAPA! The housing and arrival was smooth and easy, and it was very easy to fall into a routine. The schoolwork at the VU was not hard, and I had time to go to 9 different countries during my time abroad. I made amazing friends through the program, and we explored the city together and shared so many fun memories. I would highly recommend this program because of the amazing CEA staff, the wonderful location, and for the personal growth I went through. I gained so much confidence and independence.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
Explore more of the Netherlands! I focused too much on other countries.
Pros
  • Great housing and friends!
  • Relaxed schoolwork load
Cons
  • Food in the Netherlands is not wonderfully yummy.
118 people found this review helpful.
Kaelyn
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

So much fun!

I saw so much of the city! Class loads differ depending on what you're taking, but mine allowed me a lot of free time to go around and explore. I found CEA CAPA a little confusing before I took off, but they were a lot of help once I landed. The only complaint I have is that housing was situated relatively far from campus and public transportation. I would usually walk 30+ minutes to get to class, but the area felt very safe so I had no problem doing so. Overall, I had a great time and met a lot of wonderful people.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Bitterballen! You can pretty much find it anywhere in Amsterdam, and I even bought some to make myself at my housing. It was also interesting to see a large amount of vegan and vegetarian options everywhere - even in fast food restaurants.
Pros
  • CEA CAPA on-site guidance
  • My classmates
  • Miffy is everywhere!
Cons
  • Far housing
  • Little explanation on transportation
  • Learning little cultural differences - like not wearing shorts
116 people found this review helpful.
Anna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Study Abroad in Amsterdam

I studied abroad in Amsterdam this past fall and I had an amazing experience! I went into the program knowing no one and I ended up making so many great friendships that have already lasted beyond the program. I loved Amsterdam as a city and was able to explore so many cool neighborhoods and local spots. I felt very supported by CEA CAPA my whole time abroad and I knew they were there at whenever I needed any support. Amsterdam is definitely a newer, smaller program (my year only had 19 students) but I definitely recommend it as the city is amazing and the smaller group allows for deeper connections to be formed.

152 people found this review helpful.
Response from CEA CAPA Education Abroad

Hi Anna! So glad you loved Amsterdam and got the chance to make friends and explore everything it offered. It's wonderful you felt so supported by CEA CAPA your whole time abroad! Thanks for reviewing.

Angela
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best experience of my life

Studying abroad in Amsterdam was the most incredible experience of my life. As a political science minor, I was able to take an International Criminal Justice class where we took a field trip to the International Criminal Court. That was something unique to Amsterdam that really changed my experience for the better. I met the most amazing people that I still talk to today and I can say without a doubt they made my experience so amazing. I am so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone and went abroad!

What was your funniest moment?
The funniest moment I had was just being in class with all of the new friends I made. One time, a classmate accidentally broke his chair and fell on the ground. I spent the entire class laughing, even the professors were laughing at it. It was one of those "you had to be there" moments.
Pros
  • Easy transportation
  • No language barrier
  • Lots of history
Cons
  • Food not as accessible to people with dietary restrictions
161 people found this review helpful.
Evan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great Advisors and Easy Biking

I loved my time studying abroad with CEA CAPA in Amsterdam. From the moment our group arrived at the airport, our on-site advisor, Frans was there to guide us and make sure we got the most out of our time abroad. He gave us a comprehensive tour and orientation to the city during out first few days. CEA CAPA includes to cost of a semester long bike rental int he total cost of the program, so one of the first things we did upon arrival was to pick out a bike. Frans took us on several excursions and activities in the city throughout the semester which were super fun. Classes at Vrije Universiteit were challenging but not overwhelming.I made a ton of good friends and had such a good time in Amsterdam last spring. If I could go back I would've gone for the whole year.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Bitterballen. Fried gravy balls that are a surprisingly tasty bar snack in The Netherlands.
Pros
  • Frans
  • Biking
  • Cool University
Cons
  • Cost
  • Cold
  • I would've stayed longer
166 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers