Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Adjustments and Reflection Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/20/2018 to 12/22/2018 with

CIEE: Amsterdam - Social Sciences + Humanities

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Independence, Mindfulness, and Self-Compassion

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 20-60 depending on how much I ate out and drank.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eat in as much as possible, buy easy to cook/ prepare meals. Save money for trips and food out during those experiences.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? High school French 4
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The activities the included
  • The classes offered
  • Jonathan Key
* What could be improved?
  • More communication beforehand
  • Better communication in general
  • N/a
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Do not overpack. You buy so much when you are away for so long, I barely have space to bring things home!

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Race in the Netherlands
Course Department: Sociology
Instructor: Nancy Jouwe
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Beginning Dutch
Course Department: Language
Instructor: Willemijn M.
Instruction Language: English/ Dutch
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Mindfulness Across the Lifespan
Course Department: Interdepartmental
Instructor: Esther de Bruin
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Political and Economic Development of the Netherlands and the EU
Course Department: Economics
Instructor: Fardau Procee
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Yes it was challening, it was Fardau's first year teaching and her first time teaching all American students. Course could have been better structured and I believe it will be in the future
Credit Transfer Issues: Econ Major Credit
Course Name/Rating:

Intercultural Communication and Leadership
Course Department: Communication
Instructor: Annabel Ardenburg
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Great class. Informed me so much about the culture I was living in and made me mindful of how to react to differences and similarities I might encounter over the semester. Really enjoyed what I learned, but some assignments were strange and teacher had a short temper.
Credit Transfer Issues: