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

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
Jun 04, 2024
Dec 12, 2024
12 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.

Video and Photos

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

4.76 Rating
based on 33 reviews
  • 5 rating 75.76%
  • 4 rating 24.24%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.2
  • Support 4.5
  • Fun 4.75
  • Housing 4.55
  • Safety 4.9
Showing 25 - 32 of 33 reviews
Default avatar
Wen Long
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing First Study Abroad Experience

Not going to lie, the thought of leaving family behind and traveling to a completely foreign country for four weeks was daunting at first. However, with the help of CIEE’s pre-departure programs and the constant flow of communication and information between the students and staff really helped alleviate the fear. Instead, with the talk of exploring the city's nightlife, trying all staples of the Dutch cuisine, the nervousness transformed into excitement and a thirst for adventure!

The lasting friendships, the scrumptious stroopwafels, the eye-opening lectures, the bustling nightlife have helped make my first study abroad experience an amazing one; one that has greatly exceeded beyond my expectations and what I hoped to have achieve in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Definitely rent a bike! As a non-biker back in the United States, I was nervous about biking around the busy Amsterdam streets. However, after stepping past that initial fear, you will fall in love with using bikes as your main means of transportation! The city is very bike-able and is much easier to navigate via biking!
102 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Madeline
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Incredible Semester in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is an incredible choice for abroad: while there are a lot of cultural values and practices similar to American culture, it allows for critical reflection and comparison on both places. The classes are really well done and suited to the needs of American students while providing the invaluable experience of taking classes alongside Dutch students at the University of Amsterdam. The program is incredibly well run, and the staff is always there to help. Amsterdam is a gateway to many countries in Europe, although there is so much to see in the Netherlands itself. They also have incredible programming outside of the classes itself, like day trips, DEI discussions, and cultural activities, alongside the ISN program at the University of Amsterdam that fills in the gaps. It is 100% a city-based program, which many people forget, so there is a commute and there isn't a true campus like many schools in the U.S., which is a change, but further allowed me the freedom and exploratory opportunities that I wanted.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Travel as much as you can within the Netherlands. Amsterdam is becoming a more global city by the day, and to get a real taste of Dutch culture, it is important to explore. The train system is super easy to use, and from Amsterdam, the furthest it takes you to any major city is about 3 hours. I made it a point to visit every province in the Netherlands (there are 12) and each taught me a different lesson and shared different insights into what it means to be Dutch.
122 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Allie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing 4 months!

Amsterdam is such an amazing city and I am so glad I came on this CIEE program this semester. CIEE staff was very helpful and supportive throughout my time in Amsterdam. They also planned fun and interesting excisions for us throughout the semester. For my semester in Amsterdam, I chose to live with a host family. Living with a host family allowed me to learn so much about Dutch culture and feel more comfortable during my time here. I was able to travel around Europe and throughout the Netherlands. These past four months have helped me learn so much about myself and the world around me. I have experienced so many amazing thing and seen so many beautiful places. I have made friends and memories to last a lifetime. While I am sad that the semester is coming to a close, I know that this will not be my last time in this city that I now feel so connected to.

126 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Arlenys
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Take Risks, Expand, Grow

This program is absolutely amazing! I had the privilege of staying with a host family, which made my experience a lot better. My favorite memory would be sitting at the dinner table and eating with my host family and their friends. It allowed me to learn a lot about the culture in the Netherlands and to share my culture with them as well. Future participants should know that Amsterdam has a lot to do and they should take advantage of it. Go out and explore, there is so much to see! However, be careful not to overwhelm yourself, remember that studies are important too. I arrived back from the program not too long ago but I know that my life post-program will be affected in a positive way. I feel more open to change and experiences and that helps me grow as a person. I would advise keeping a journal. I did not do it but I wish I had. I would also advise keeping a budget for expenses. Separate your budget by categories: daily expenses, travel, shopping, etc. It will help you be aware of what you have and what you can spend. Most of all enjoy the experience to the fullest! It is a once in a lifetime experience

What would you improve about this program?
The structure of the CIEE courses could be improved. At times it felt like the program was not really aware of the way the individual classes were run. For the most part, I made it work out but at times it was difficult to get in touch with a professor or to have all the work for a class online and easily available.
112 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Isaac
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CIEE Amsterdam

I had an incredible time in Amsterdam Spring 2018! The CIEE staff was helpful when they needed to be, and I made incredible friends. I was in a location where I got to travel all over Europe, which made up some of my favorite experiences. The academics were really interesting and my teachers were innovative and understanding. Amsterdam is such an unbelievable city and I would HIGHLY recommend this program to anyone looking for a great time!

109 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Maryanne
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Go Abroad!!!

CIEE is pretty organized. They had very detailed pre arrival orientation. They picked us up from the airport when we arrived and took us to the hostel where we were staying. The first week was orientation with a lot of opportunities to get to know each other, I appreciated that. I felt supported throughout the semester. The CIEE Amsterdam staff are amazing. They had several events planned out for us. University of Amsterdam is great, I enjoyed the classes I took. It also has a beautiful campus.

What would you improve about this program?
I wish we were housed in the student hotel in the city centre instead of the one in Amsterdam West, it was much more central. I also wish we were given travel passes for the Netherlands instead of just Amsterdam, this would make it a lot easier to travel the Netherlands, and explore more places. They should also give museum cards like IES. Otherwise, I loved the program. I liked that I lived with other CIEE students in the student hotel, I got to know them pretty well.
114 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Noah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Something for Everyone

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What would you improve about this program?
There are a large number of mandatory meetings about health, safety, culture, etc. to attend, some of which repeat information.
104 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Kaylee
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Public Health with CIEE

I had an amazing time this summer with CIEE. The program staff in Amsterdam were very welcoming and personable, and were really helpful in figuring out everything from finding fun places to be to handling any personal issues I encountered. The class I took was also really informative, and I learned a lot through our lectures and site visits in the city. Overall, I learned so much about the healthcare system in the Netherlands, looking for ways to improve our own in America in my future medical career as well as the country itself. I learned a lot about the Dutch, and even picked up a few words! The gezellig (coziness) of the entire program and everything I learned made for an amazing summer.

What would you improve about this program?
A little more screening as to who gets into the program.
88 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers