Rewarding Music Program

In Amsterdam, I was enrolled as a jazz trumpet student at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. This is truly a great school to study your interests in the area of jazz and explore new styles and/or curiosities. My course schedule allowed me plenty of time for practice (nice rooms), attending jam sessions, and some more touristy activities. I got a strong impression that my instructors sincerely cared about my musical development. The helped me to become more fluent in technique, expression, and adapting to new situations. Amsterdam is a musician-friendly city and there is a great culture of musical excellence.
The living situation is only a 5-10 minute bike ride to the CvA, which is situated not far from the center of Amsterdam. I had one roommate in a room with a bathroom, kitchen, and extra storage space. Compared to a typical dorm, the room is quite spacious. I found out shortly after arriving that many conservatory students ride their bikes 30-40 mins to and from their living placement, so I felt really fortunate with housing.
The IES office staff were delightful to work with. They communicate, via email newsletters, upcoming activities in Amsterdam and The Netherlands, as well as pieces of Dutch history and other tid-bits about the people and culture. There are also opportunites to go on some great field trips sponsored by IES. I participated in the overnight trip to the island Texel and attended a soccer match.
Overall, I would highly recommend this program to anyone interested in studying at one of Europe's and the World's finest music schools.