CIEE College Study Abroad in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Name: CIEE College Study Abroad in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Brand: CIEE
SKU: 268382
Rating: 4.75 (32 reviews)

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4.75 Rating

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Location

Netherlands
- Amsterdam

Term

Fall, J-Term, Spring, Summer

Subject Areas

Ecology Economics Education Entrepreneurship Environmental Studies European Studies Film Finance Gender Studies Geography Geology Health Sciences History Information Technology International Business International Relations Journalism Language Studies Law Liberal Arts Life Sciences Literature Marketing Mathematics Music Philosophy Photography Political Science Public Health Public Policy Social Sciences Sociology Sustainable Development Tourism +24

Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships

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Program Details

Program Type

Provider

Degree Level

Bachelors

Housing

Dormitory Host Family

Language

English

Pricing

Price Details

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE! Our high-quality programs include tuition, housing, on-site airport pick-up, field trips and cultural activities, 24/7 on-site professional staff, and automatic iNext insurance. There are no hidden charges or surprises when you arrive, and scholarships opportunities are available!

What's Included

Accommodation Some Activities Classes Some Meals Travel Insurance

Last Updated: Jun 04, 2024

Last Reviewed: Aug 04, 2024

Wish List

10 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

If you find yourself wondering why it’s so easy to feel at home in Amsterdam, chalk it up to “gezellig.” Roughly translated, that’s Dutch for cozy or home-like – a sensibility commonly associated with this city. Compact and easy to navigate by bike or on foot, Amsterdam houses more than 6,000 buildings from the 16th century forward that are protected for historic importance. It’s loaded with charm and treasures, from the gabled houses that stand shoulder to shoulder along the canals, to glorious masterpieces by Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Matisse, and more.

The center is located conveniently across the street from the University of Amsterdam and is embedded in a thriving, student-friendly neighborhood with cafes and restaurants and picturesque canals.

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Video and Photos

CIEE College Study Abroad in Amsterdam, Netherlands

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Program Highlights

CIEE Amsterdam is located conveniently across the street from the University of Amsterdam and is embedded in a thriving, student-friendly neighborhood with cafes and restaurants and picturesque canals.
Trips to Rotterdam, Maastricht, or an island off the Dutch coast.
Bike tours through Amsterdam’s countryside.
Tours of medieval castles.
Depending on their program of study and availability, students may be able to participate in an internship or volunteer.

Popular Programs

CIEE Amsterdam Summer Programs

Though the Dutch capital is home to the stock exchange, central bank, and numerous Dutch and international companies, it’s got an artsy, vibrant side too — think museums housing original works by Van Gogh and Rembrandt, art galleries, music clubs, and theaters.

CIEE Amsterdam Semester Programs

Whether you want to study Business, Humanities or examine social and environmental challenges with a critical lens, the Netherlands is the place to be.

CIEE Amsterdam January Program

Earn credits this January in one of the most progressive cities in the world. Join the locals and bicycle around this accessible, environmentally-conscious and multicultural European capital city.

CIEE Open Campus Block

With CIEE's Open Campus Block Programs, you can design your very own study abroad program to include up to three different locations for 6, 12 or 18 weeks.

Program Reviews

4.75 Rating

based on 32 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Study

5 rating 75%
4 rating 25%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Academics 4.2
Support 4.5
Fun 4.75
Housing 4.55
Safety 4.9

Good for Students, Solo Travelers, Adventure travelers

Showing 1 - 8 of 32 reviews

I studied abroad in Amsterdam for 8 weeks through CIEE and it was awesome. I learned so much: through my courses, living in a culture I never had lived in before, meeting people from all over the United States, but also through living alone. I believe studying abroad and living alone helped me mature so much and understand life in a different way. I think everyone should study abroad at least once in their life and if they do CIEE is an excellent option. They organize so many fun activities outside of classes, they have options for financial aid, and the classes offered are super interesting.

What was your funniest moment?

My funniest moment is when I danced with a bunch of student during the 4th of July party that CIEE organized. We taught each other different (line) dances which was so much fun.

Pros

Meet new and interesting people
Gain a more open-mind
Be immersed in a new culture

Cons

Home-sickness
Living alone can get tiring
You have to be mindful of your budgeting

Having Fun at De Zaanse Schans Through a CIEE Sponsored Trip

This was a unique and amazing experience to have during college. I’m so happy that I had the opportunity to participate in the program. The class was great and I learned a lot of race and ethnicity in the Netherlands compared to America. The housing was amazing as well, and all the staff were very accommodating and helpful which I appreciated. There was never a dull moment or shortage of things to do. I would recommend the program and am happy that I chose it. Amsterdam is a beautiful and very student friendly city.

I thoroughly enjoyed Amsterdam because there was always something to do, whether visiting a new museum, exploring a market, or satisfying any craving with the diverse food options. I also enjoyed focusing on just one class, which gave me a good balance between being there for school and having free time to experience Amsterdam. The class I took, Race and Ethnicity, was interesting as it allowed me to learn about the nuances of this topic between the US and the Netherlands. I also stayed at The Social Hub while there, which was amazing. The combination of events hosted by CIEE and The Social Hub allowed me to meet so many people. I enjoyed being independent and living life one day at a time. The days were always long, with sunlight from 5 AM to 10 PM, so I felt safe exploring alone. I can't wait to return to Amsterdam.

What was your funniest moment?

We were provided with free bike rentals, and once I got my bike, I attempted to bike to class the next day. The ride was supposed to take around 25 minutes, but it ended up taking me 45! I showed up to class thinking, "Whew, I'm exhausted, but at least I'm only a few minutes late." Unfortunately, I had gotten the time for class wrong and was actually 30 minutes late. I blame it on the bike being too big for me. At 5'2" (roughly 157 cm), I was given what Swapfiets considers their size small bike, with the seat lowered all the way. Despite this, I almost fell off every time I stopped. After just one day, I gave up on biking.

Pros

There is a tram and rail cart stop right in front of where I stayed
CIEE provided SIM cards and from there I could purchase a plan that would best suit my needs
Had a room and bathroom to myself

Cons

No AC
Have to take care of all of your own meals

CIEE Amsterdam was amazing. I had such an incredible time. Everything I needed, CIEE took care of. I have a gluten allergy and was really anxious about how this would be handled on the trip. CIEE was beyond amazing. Additionally, the class was amazing. My professor, Evelina is one of the most interesting people I've ever met. Learning from her was such a privilege. The day trips that CIEE planned and led were very fun and informative. I wish I knew about CIEE earlier, because I would have gone on more programs. Thank you for an amazing summer CIEE!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Go in with an open mind! You never know who. you're going to meet.

I am currently finishing up my semester abroad in Amsterdam. I seriously cannot recommend a better location. This is based not only on the CIEE program, but the experience overall. I have met some of the best friends and I have started to experience real independence as a 21 year old. Abroad is able to push you in many ways, especially with the ability to travel freely and live in such a beautiful young city. Amsterdam is another home to me and I cannot wait to come back and visit again in the future.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?

I traveled to Interlaken, Switzerland and I had the opportunity to paraglide throughout the mountains. I absolutely loved traveling to such an incredible country, but paragliding will go down as one of my favorite memories of abroad.

Pros

Challenging Oneself
New Experiences
Living

Cons

Becoming comfortable being independent
Finding yourself
Being true to yourself

Studying abroad in Amsterdam is ideal for those who enjoy independence and an active lifestyle. The city is organized extremely efficiently and the biking lifestyle was perfect for me. My living accommodations were very comfortable and conveniently located which made it very easy to get anywhere in the city in less than 30 minutes. Amsterdam is a beautiful place and filled with motivated and creative people who march to the beat of their own drum. The academics kept me busy and motivated while also leaving time to explore the city and the country. I highly recommended this experience and I can say with near certainty that I will be returning to Amsterdam as soon as possible.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?

Hopping on the bike for the first time in Amsterdam can be very stressful. I was nervous that I'd be too confused to follow directions and that other bikers would get frustrated with me. I overcame this fear by first taking easier routes to get around and then slowly as my skills developed I tried more complicated routes in busier areas. I am so happy I was able to do this because it allowed me to see the city and the country in a totally different way. Not only is it the most efficient way to get around but it is also incredibly fun and keeps you active everyday. Now I feel very comfortable on my bike and I have even gone on long rides to other cities in the Netherlands which is such a lovely way to explore. If you come to Amsterdam, do not let the bikes scare you, the Dutchies do it for a reason!

Pros

Safety
Accessibility
Beauty

Cons

Weather

A typical view walking through the canals

I had the most memorable month in Amsterdam with CIEE! From the start, the staff was supportive, responsive, and organized. They made themselves available to help us feel comfortable. The trips taken were the class were so much fun and a great way to meet the other students. I learned a ton in my class and made so many memories outside of class! Lots of shopping, things to do, and places to eat. We went to tons of museums and tried lots of different types of food as well. Would recommend to anyone!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

I tried Indonesian food for the first time with our school! It was delicious and greatly expanded my horizons.

Pros

Free time to explore and travel
Supportive staff
Housed with friends

Cons

Housing a bit out from the city
Some classes were on the weekends
Orientation was extremely helpful

I had a great time studying abroad in Amsterdam with CIEE. The staff was extremely friendly, supportive and helpful getting all the students settled in Amsterdam at the beginning of the semester. Throughout the semester, they planned lots of fun outings for us in Amsterdam and other cities in the Netherlands. They were always very responsive via email or GroupMe about various academic, social, and cultural questions that students may have. Overall, the supportiveness of the staff made this program run smoothly and it was very appreciated.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Take advantage of the program's excursions! It's a great way to get to know your host city and other cities nearby, and bond with others in your program!

Pros

Fun, informative trips
Supportive staff
Great academics

Cons

Pre-departure planning wasn't very organized
No public transportation vouchers

Questions & Answers

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

My study abroad office at the University of Scranton had a connection with the CIEE Amsterdam program, so when I found out I could knock out most of my elective credits there, I jumped aboard.

I knew I wanted to go to Amsterdam after I discovered an extensive blog written by a previous study abroad student who stayed in Amsterdam for a full year. The stories of stroopwafels, canals, and extensive biking culture all just pulled me in until I knew I needed to experience it for myself.

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

CIEE Amsterdam helped with so many things both within the registering process as well as throughout the semester. They provided assistance in applying for classes both with CIEE and at the UvA. They also took care of finding housing for us, hosted extensive orientations for the first few days, and was also a constant resource for questions or concerns throughout the semester. They also assisted in setting up meetings for us to register at the IND and at the UvA.

I had to get my classes approved before the end of my previous semester at my home university. I also had to organize travel to and from Amsterdam, food, and transportation within Amsterdam, and most of your day to day activities are on your own.

This program will be there to help and takes care of a lot of the bureaucratic aspect of studying abroad in another country (minus registering at the IND and setting up a bank account).

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What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

I wish I had known that you can only take one humanities class at the UvA. Due to the limited number of CIEE student openings in these classes, you'll likely only be able to get into one humanities class. The rest will be social science classes. So if you planned on doing this program for the humanities electives, be aware.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

During an average day on the CIEE Amsterdam program, you'll likely only run into CIEE if you either have a CIEE facilitated class or physically stop by the office. The rest is up to you.

My day consisted of me waking up, showering and eating breakfast, biking to class (which is very easy via the bike pathways all throughout Amsterdam), and usually stopping by a new cafe or section of the town after class.

The program itself isn't overly structured, so it leaves you a lot of time to travel and do your own thing when you want to.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest challenge studying abroad was loneliness. I didn't make a solid group of friends in the first couple weeks, so most of my time exploring Amsterdam and traveling was done alone. I'll be honest, there were times I didn't feel too great. Sometimes I would just force myself to get out of my apartment every day just to see other people.

Eventually, I discovered Meetup groups and befriended some local coffee cafe owners, so I did get to know some locals. I also made an effort to take advantage of the CIEE activities. I started doing the day trips to other cities and I went on both overnight excursions (Utrecht and Schiermonnikoog respectively). I also participated in the weekend homestay opportunity that CIEE offers, which I can honestly say I'm very happy I did.

In terms of traveling in Europe, I also learned how to travel on my own. Since most of my trips were done by myself, I learned how to navigate airports, book hostels/Airbnbs, figure out buses and train schedules, and overall just became more independent.

I'm far more confident in my ability to travel and manage a new culture than when I left for Amsterdam this past January.

What is Dutch culture really like?

I believe it is important to understand that while most Netherlanders speaking English, they are not like their English neighbors from across the North Sea.

Now, of course, this is just my observation, so none of this is set-in-stone fact. However, I noticed the Dutch were classically Northern European. In other words, they tend to be a little cold. Not unfriendly, but just a little different from my usual American perspective. By cold, I mean that they tend to stick to their own groups and mind their own business.

You'll also get used to "Dutch Directness", which is a fancy way of saying that they like to get to the point. If you go to a restaurant, you'll typically find that the waiter or waitress won't introduce themselves or go out of their way to greet you or ask how you're doing. To me initially, this came across as slightly off-putting or rude. However, this isn't considered rude. Politeness for the Dutch is getting to the point and not wasting each other's time with pleasantries.

Once you do get to know a native Dutch person though, you'll find them to be as warm and friendly as anyone else. The initial barrier is a little awkward, but rewarding in the end. If worst comes to worst and you still haven't made that connection with a Netherlander, just wait until the weather gets warm.

By the end of my time in Amsterdam (May and June), I saw a noticeable change in how open people were in Amsterdam. Personalities come alive as the rainy season is finally gone. Suddenly cafes will be filled with locals having a beer on outdoor tables and kids of all ages having fun in local parks. It'll never be as warm as say Italy for example, but keep an eye out for the small changes as the seasons progress.

About CIEE

A nonprofit, non-governmental organization, CIEE is the world leader in international study and exchange programs. For more than 75 years, CIEE has helped thousands of students, professionals, and educators gain the knowledge and skills necessary to live and work in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world by offering the most...